title: A method for quantitative determination of average masses and concentrations of circulating immune complexes in human sera.
abstract: A method for rapid determination of average masses and concentrations of circulating immune complexes in human sera is suggested. It is based on the dissimilarity in solubilities of immune complexes with different masses in the presence of polyethyleneglycol. Light-scattering intensities are measured by a laser nephelometer after adding to the serum of PEG in two different concentrations. The experimental values of the average masses and concentrations are calculated using calibration curves. The calibration curves are plotted for model immune complexes with different average masses obtained by heat-aggregation of IgG at various concentrations. This technique has been employed for determination of the average masses and concentrations of circulating immune complexes in 17 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus and in 8 control individuals.
mesh_terms: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D001775:Blood Circulation; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007158:Immunologic Techniques; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008954:Models, Biological
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D046911:Macromolecular Substances