Immobilization of antiviral antibody at the cell surface: a novel means for preventing virus infection.

Methods for preparing bentonite-gamma globulin complexes and for determining their attachment to cells in tissue culture were investigated by use of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) labeled with (125)I. For virus-inhibition studies, bentonite-IgG complexes were prepared by use of human IgG with high specific neutralizing activity against coxsackievirus A21. Much of the antibody in the complex remained available for virus neutralization, and the bentonite-IgG was at least 500 to 1,000 times as active as IgG alone in a plaque-reduction test. The complex appeared to function as a "shield" held at the surface of the cell, preventing initiation of infection.