A STUDY OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOMPLETE RHESUS ANTIBODIES AMONG THE SERUM IMMUNOGLOBULIN FRACTIONS

Abstract

Evidence is presented for the occurrence of incomplete Rh antibodies in the three immunoglobulin fractions [gamma]-ss, [gamma]1 A and [gamma]1M. This evidence is gathered from the results of DEAE cellulose fractionation and density ultracentrifugation of sera taken from Rh negative women with Rh antibodies at intervals during pregnancy and post-partum. In addition, the fractions collected were treated with 2-mercaptoethanol and tested with rabbit antisera prepared against purified immunoglobulin fractions. Interest also centered around an incomplete Rh antibody, described previously by Dodd and Eeles (IMMUNOLOGY, 1961,4, 337), which is shown to be a macroglobulin ([gamma]1M) detectable by an enzyme technique (papain) but not by anti-human globulin even though anti- [image]1M is present in the antiglobulin reagent used.