Opsonization of Staphylococcus aureus by Guinea Pig 7S Gamma-Globulin

Opsonization of Staphylococcus aureus to phagocytosis by guinea pig peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) was examined with various isolated serum globulins. Significant enhancement of in vitro phagocytosis was afforded by partially purified 7S_γ1-immunoglobulin. The rate of killing or the rate of ingestion of ³H-thymidine labeled bacteria by PEC was used as an index of phagocytosis. The results indicate that the immunoglobulin can mediate the adsorption of an allogeneic surface independent of a specific antigenic component.