Natural antibodies of cod (Gadus morhua L.): specificity, activity and affinity.

Natural antibodies are present in the serum of vertebrates regardless of antigenic stimulation. Characteristic activity is commonly detected against haptenated proteins, single stranded DNA and thyroglobulin. Natural antibodies are believed to provide an instant protection against pathogens of a broad specificity and to participate in homeostasis. Cod is a poor antibody responder but shows a relatively high level of natural antibodies against haptenated proteins. In this project the specificity, activity and affinity of natural antibodies was studied in different groups of cod and the effects of age/size, environmental temperature, immunisation and infection examined. Antigen driven selection of natural antibodies was also studied in one group of cod. The results demonstrated a broad and yet characteristic specificity, primarily directed against haptenated proteins and possible food antigens. The antibody activity increased with increasing age and at higher temperature whereas immunostimulation by immunisation or infection resulted in variable response. The affinity index of natural antibodies of cod generally did not correlate with changes in the antibody activity but it was in the same range as the affinity index of acquired cod antibodies and that of some mammalian monoclonal acquired antibodies. Analysis of antigen driven antibody selection showed that the natural antibody repertoire of individual cod was heterogeneous with respect to its affinity for haptenated protein.