title: Mitogenic properties of Fab and F(ab')2 fragments of rabbit anti-human beta2-microglobulin for human lymphocytes.
abstract: Bivalent F(ab')2 fragments and monovalent Fab fragments of rabbit anti-human beta2-microglobulin (anti-beta2m) stimulated DNA synthesis in human lymphocytes. Mitogenicity of anti-beta2m antibodies can therefore be ascribed to the antigen-binding site and not to the Fc portion of the molecule. The mitogenic response to F(ab')2, and sometimes Fab, fragments of anti-beta2m IgG was comparable to that obtained with original IgG antibodies when tested at the same protein concentration. Since Fab monomers of anti-beta2m can cause lymphocyte activation, 'cross-linking' of hypothetical beta2-microblobulin-containing lymphocyte receptors does not seem necessary for activation. F(ab')2, as well as Fab, fragments of anti-beta2m blocked the cytotoxic effect of anti-beta2m IgG, showing that the fragments did indeed react with beta2-microblobulin on the cell surface. F(ab')2 dimers, but not Fab monomers, of anti-beta2m were capable of inhibiting the cytotoxic effect of an anti-HLA-A2 antiserum. The mitogenic activity of both anti-beta2m IgG and Fab monomers of such antibodies disappeared after absorption with highly purified beta2-microblobulin. The mitogenic effect of anti-beta2m IgG was inhibited to a minor extent by exposure of cells to high concentrations of pooled multispecific anti-HLA antibodies. This effect was probably nonspecific.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001609:Beta-Globulins / Q000276:immunology*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D008934:Mitogens; D008938:Mitosis; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D001609:Beta-Globulins; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D008934:Mitogens; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D004247:DNA