Gamma globulin metabolism in rabbits immunized with autologous denatured gamma globulin

摘要

AbstractAntibodies resembling rheumatoid factor (RF) were produced in rabbits by immunization with alkali denatured autologous gamma globulin (RGG) in Freund's adjuvant. Gamma globulin metabolism was studied with I131labeled gamma globulin in 5 such rabbits and in 4 control rabbits treated with Freund's adjuvant alone. Albumin metabolism was studied in 4 immunized rabbits and in 4 rabbits treated with adjuvant alone employing rabbit albumin I131(RSA‐I131). The two groups differed in that only the immunized group of rabbits demonstrated rheumatoid factor like antibodies while the adjuvant treated animals lacked these antibodies. Gamma globulin levels, pool size and degradation increased in equivalent degree in both groups. Consequently the increase in gamma globulin degradation appears to be unrelated to the presence of this antibody and probably reflects the increase in gamma globulin pool size. Albumin degradation was not significantly affecte