Reduction of anti-Galalpha1,3Gal antibodies by infusion of types 2 and 6 gal trisaccharides conjugated to poly-L-lysine.

To investigate the specificity of anti-Galalpha1,3Gal (Gal) antibodies (Abs) with respect to Gal oligosaccharides of types 2 and 6, eight baboons received an intravenous infusion of either a poly-l-lysine conjugate of Gal type 2 (n = 5) or type 6 (n = 3), followed 48 h later by the alternative Gal type 6 or 2 conjugate, respectively. IgM Abs reactive to Gal type 2 were depleted by 80 to 89% by either Gal conjugate. IgM reactive to Gal type 6 was less efficiently depleted by the Gal type 2 conjugate (57% depletion) than the Gal type 6 (82% depletion). Gal-reactive IgG was depleted more slowly and less efficiently by either glycoconjugate (initially by only 28 to 54%). Our results indicate that the Gal type 6 conjugate depletes most anti-Gal IgM, but the Gal type 2 conjugate is less efficient in depleting anti-Gal IgM reactive with type 6. There remain small fractions of antibody that are unadsorbed, particularly of IgG, probably due to their low affinity and distribution in both the intra- and extra-vascular compartments.