Immunochemical study in two cases of alpha chain disease.
First two cases of alpha-CD recognized in the USSR are described. Their immunochemical patterns were typical of this disease. Alpha chain proteins in sera were identified with the help or antisera to IgA, containing antibodies to alpha-chains and to Fab-fragment of IgA. Not only IEP but also SRID were proved to be useful for detecting alpha-CP since double rings were formed by alpha-CP-containing sera: the external ring was formed by alpha CP and the internal ring by normal IgA. Alpha-chain proteins were found in all the patient's secretions (coprofiltrates, saliva, urine), but only in coprofiltrates alpha-CP was bound to SC; in urine and saliva free alpha-CP in these secretions to bind SC. With the help of antiserum to P-determinant alpha-CP was shown to exist in true polymeric (dimeric) form only in coprofiltrates, but not in urine or saliva. A marked shift of kappa/lambda ratio towards kappa chains was revealed in the whole serum and IgG-fraction of one patient; this can be considered either as a result of a peculiar immune response to various antigens because of the deficiency of local immune system, or as an initial phase of development of monoclonal IgGk gammopathy.
D000328:Adult; D005243:Feces / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006362:Heavy Chain Disease / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007137:Immunoglobulin alpha-Chains / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D014556:Urine / Q000276:immunology
D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D007137:Immunoglobulin alpha-Chains