Evaluation of dithiothreitol (DTT) for inactivation of IgM antibodies.

A newly introduced sulphydryl compound, dithiothreitol (DTT), is evaluated for its optimal conditions of inactivation of IgM antibodies. The maximal effects of DTT reagent are observed when its final concentrations are between 0.0025 M and 0.005 M, pH between 7.0 and 8.0, and incubation at 37 degrees C. Concentrations over 0.01 M, pH values greater than 8.0, and an incubation temperature over 40 degrees C resulted in a gel formation of the specimen. Examination of both 'cold' and 'warm' type antibodies demonstrated that the results obtained by the DTT reagent are in close agreement with those obtained by 2-mercaptoethanol reagents and DEAE Sephadex treatment. Since the procedure is simple and rapid and lacks offensive odour, DTT is recommended for routine use in blood banking for the inactivation of IgM antibodies.