Effect of various treatments of gamma-globulin (IgG) for achieving intravenous tolerance on the capacity to interact with human monocyte Fc receptors. A comparative study.

Gamma-globulins for intravenous application (IgG-IV), processed by various methods, were tested for their ability to interact with human monocyte Fc receptors by determining the dose required to inhibit monocyte Fc receptor-mediated rosette formation and phagocytosis by half (ID50). Since dimeric and oligomeric IgG were found to be 2-3 times and 5-15 times more potent, respectively, than monomeric IgG, the varying proportions of polymeric IgG in intact IgG-IV were corrected for by calculation. The results of the rosette formation and phagocytosis tests were closely correlated, and insignificant differences between preparations processed by the same procedure were noted, while considerable differences were found between different procedures. The decreasing order of inhibitory activity was DEAE-Sephadex-treated IgG, acid-treated IgG, plasmin-digested IgG, polyethylene glycol(PEG)-precipitated IgG, IgG subjected to reduction/alkylation, IgG that underwent sulfitolysis, IgG treated with beta-propiolactone, and finally pepsin-treated IgG. Thus, while mild procedures preserve the capacity of IgG to interact with monocyte Fc receptors, chemical modification severely interferes with this important effector function.