The Isolation and Biological Activities of Rabbit Γm- and Γg-anti-salmonella Typhimurium Antibodies

Rabbit gammaM- and gammaG-anti-S. typhimurium antibodies were isolated by combined immune specific and physical methods and some of their properties in immunological systems were measured. gammaM-Antibody was detectable at lower concentrations and revealed a higher specific activity than the gammaG-globulins. Indirect studies indicated that the gammaG-globulin was the more "avid" immunoglobulin. Treatment of the gammaM-globulin with the reducing agent 2-ME decreased but did not destroy the immune activity of the subunits. The results confirm the necessity of analysis of purified immunoglobulin antibodies to evaluate the significance of their biological properties secondary to their interaction with antigens.