Immuno-Cross-Reactivity between α-Macroglobulins from Pig, Dog, Rat and Man Including Human Pregnancy-Associated α2-Glycoprotein

Abstract

The antigenic relationships between the .alpha.-macroglobulins in human blood plasma and in serum from pig, dog and rat were investigated using ordinary immunoelectrophoresis and line immunoelectrophoresis. These .alpha.-macroglobulins are more or less antigenically related. This is true also for human pregnancy-associated .alpha.2-glycoprotein which is the only .alpha.-macroglobulin without reported proteinase-inhibiting properties. Among the .alpha.-macroglobulins a reciprocal cross-reactivity was observed for 8 pairs, indicating a close structural relationship.