Biologic activity of soluble collagen-anticollagen immune complexes as demonstrated by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis.

Collagen-anticollagen immune complexes were prepared by gel filtration. Complex formation was chemically and serologically demonstrated. Complexes eluting in gammaM- and gammaG-peaks of antigen-antiserum mixture showed strong positive reactions in PCA experiments performed with 20 guinea pigs. Control preparations of gammaM- and gammaG-peaks of antiserum devoid of antigen gave significantly lower PCA-response. The positive reaction of control preparations can be explained in part by a certain degree of cross-reactivity of anticollagen-antibodies with guinea pig collagen.