Interspecies Occurrence of Immunoglobulin Antigens Reactive with Anti-Allotype Antisera

Abstract

Studies were done to ascertain whether antigenic similarities of serum proteins in New Zealand White and cottontail rabbits included similarities in the immunoglobulin allotype markers. Indirect precipitation techniques were used to identify markers coded at both the a and the b locus on cottontail IgG F(ab′)₂ molecules. Inhibition tests suggested that cottontail IgG F(ab′)₂ fragments carry only a portion of the full complement of allotype determinants coded for in the New Zealand White rabbit. These determinants were shown to be related to surface determinants on New Zealand White IgG F(ab′)₂ molecules. The results suggested that immunoglobulin antigens reacting with specific anti-allotype antisera are not restricted to a single genus and species.