Characterization studies of thyroglobulin antibodies in leprosy. An immunological study of diethylaminoethylcellulose chromatographic fractions.

The thyroglobulin antibodies present in the sera of thirteen leprosy patients were shown to be exclusively or predominantly macroglobulin in character when studied by diethylaminoethylcellulose chromatography and preparative ultracentrifugation. This was confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation of the fractions containing thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as by tests with 2-mercaptoethanol. The anti-thyroglobulin specificity of the antibodies showing macroglobulin character was ascertained by absorption experiments with human thyroglobulin; it was ruled out by absorption with FII that the 19S character might result from the formation of complexes with anti-γ-globulin factors. The conditions are discussed which may affect the 7S or 19S character of antibodies, in particular the antibody titre, the amount of antigenic stimulation and the vigour of the subject's immune response.