Some Effects of Antigen-Antibody Complexes Prepared from Heterologous and Homologous Antibody on the Immune Response of Rabbits

Summary The rate of passive immune elimination of soluble antigen-antibody complexes and the subsequent active antibody response in rabbits varied with the source of the antibody used for preparation of the complexes. Chicken complexes were retained in the circulation in the initial passive phase but were eliminated more rapidly than rabbit complexes in the second active phase of complex elimination. The chicken complexes stimulated an earlier, higher and more prolonged antibody response, similar to a secondary type of immune response. The antibody response which followed the injection of rabbit complexes in rabbits occurred earlier than that following antigen alone, but was otherwise similar. No differences in types of immunoglobulins resulting from the different stimuli were observed.