Physico-Chemical and Immunologic Studies on Macroglobulins1

Abstract

Sera from 4 cases of macroglobulinemia (Waldenstrom syndrome) were investigated by means of zone (paper and starch) and free electrophoresis, ultracentrifugation and immunologic methods (pre-cipitin technique and the Oudin, Ouchterlony, and Graber agar gel technique). On free electrophoresis the macroglobulin fraction of 3 sera gave rise to single symmetrical peaks with mobility of a slow moving gamma-globulin, while the macroglobulin fraction of the 4th serum was resolved into 3 peaks with mobilities of alpha2-, beta- and gamma-globulins. Paper electrophoretograms revealed the presence of material rich in carbohydrate associated with the macroglobulin fractions. Ultracentrifugal analysis demonstrated that the macroglobulin fractions were heterogeneous, the sedimentation constants of the different constituents varying from 10.6 to 28.8 S. Immunologic studies indicated the presence of antigenically specific material in the macroglobulin fraction which is absent from normal serum.