Anti-Albumin Antibodies after Immunization with Whole and Enzyme-Digested Autologous Rabbit Albumins

Abstract

Antibodies to rabbit (RSA), bovine (BSA), human (HSA) and horse (Ho.SA) serum albumins were produced by immunizing rabbits with various preparations of autologous albumins. The highest titers to HSA and Ho.SA were noted in animals immunized with relatively unaltered autologous albumin preparations; slightly higher titers against RSA were noted in animals given pepsin-digested autologous albumins. Antibodies to rabbit and human γ-globulin as measured by agglutination of incomplete antibody-coated cells were noted in some rabbits immunized with autologous albumin preparations. Antibodies were noted which showed specificity for sites uncovered by pepsin or rabbit spleen enzyme digestion of autologous albumins. Such antibodies were not inhibited or absorbed by unaltered autologous albumin.