Localization of immune complexes and heat-aggregated immunoglobulin in the carp Cyprinus carpio L.

In carp Cyprinus carpio L. preimmunized with a protein antigen, human gamma globulin (HGG), rapid localization of antigen occurred in the splenic ellipsoids within 1 day of a secondary immunization given 8 weeks later. Furthermore, after injection of immune complexes or heat-aggregated HGG, antigen was trapped more quickly in the pronephros than when antigen was injected alone. These results support the conclusion that in fish, as in homoiotherms, this form of antigen trapping is antibody-dependent.