Immune Globulins in Human Viral Infections

Abstract

EXTENSIVE investigations in animals, including man^1–3, have shown that the first immune globulins which appear after a primary antigenic stimulus are of high molecular weight and can be readily inactivated by sulphydryl reducing compounds such as 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). In most systems these antibodies, which will be referred to as 19S, are replaced within a few weeks by 7S γ₂-globulins which resist reduction. The 19S antibodies can be demonstrated in early post-immunization sera by sedimentation characteristics or more easily by titration of antibody activity before and after treatment with 2-ME. In late sera or following a secondary stimulus, 19S globulins make up no more than a small portion of total antibody so that 2-ME treatment does not result in over-all titre reduction.