Preparation and evaluation of porcine sera against human immunoglobulins

Thirty-eight pigs were immunized with normal human γG-, γA- and γM-immunoglobulins, fragments of γG-immunoglobulin (Fab, Fc+F'c), type K and L Bence-Jones proteins and other antigens containing immunoglobulins or their fragments. The pigs formed antibodies readily against the heavy γ, α, μ and δ chains and also against η chains. No antibodies whatsoever were formed against the surface determinants of λ chains; the antibodies present reacted only with hidden determinants of these chains. In isolated cases, antibodies against the Fd fragments of γG-immunoglobulin were also identified. A quantitative precipitation test showed that porcine antibodies are of the “R”, precipitin, type.