CHARACTERIZATION STUDIES OF THYROGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES IN LEPROSY - AN IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDY OF DIETHYLAMINOETHYLCELLULOSE CHROMATOGRAPHIC FRACTIONS

Abstract

The thyroglobulin antibodies in the sera of 13 leprosy patients were exclusively or predominantly macroglobulin in character when studied by DEAE cellulose chromatography and preparative ultracen-trifugation. This was confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation of the fractions containing thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as by tests with 2-mercaptoethanol. The anti-thyroglobulin specificity of the antibodies showing macroglobulin character was ascertained by absorption experiments with human thyroglobulin; absorption with FII indicated that the 19S character does not result from the formation of complexes with anti-[gamma]-globulin factors. The conditions which may affect the 7S or 19S character of antibodies, in particular the antibody titer, the amount of anti-genic stimulation and the vigor of the subject''s immune response are discussed.