Antibodies against glutaraldehyde-modified albumin in normal mouse sera.

An antigen-coated plate radioimmunoassay was used to detect antibodies against homologous glutaraldehyde-modified albumin (in monomeric or polymeric form) in normal mouse sera. Mouse antibodies reacted also with heterologous glutaraldehyde-treated albumin; for instance human albumin. Immunoelectrophoresis of purified anti-albumin antibodies and adsorption experiments on protein A-Sepharose 4B gel indicated that mouse antibodies belong mainly to the IgG class. The ability of mouse anti-albumin antibodies to react also with pyridinium compounds suggested that such structures are probably part of the new antigenic determinants induced in mouse albumin by glutaraldehyde treatment. It was assumed that anti-albumin antibodies have a physiologic role in the recognition and removal from the circulation of in vivo 'aged' mouse albumin.