The binding of immunoglobulin Fc to cationic proteins.

The interaction of cationic proteins with IgG, IgA and IgM were investigated by solid phase radioimmunoassay. All these immunoglobulins showed avid binding, IgM giving the strongest reaction, followed by IgA and then IgG. Fc fragments of IgG gave binding, but F(ab')2 fragments from the three main Ig classes did not, showing that the Fc region is the active part of the molecule. The effects of changes of ionic strength and pH are compatible with the interaction being ionic, and are similar to those seen between immunoglobulins and both Clq and cationic ion exchange gels. The addition of other serum proteins resulted in marked inhibition of the interaction. These phenomena are likely to have fundamental significance for the understanding of interactions of immunoglobulins in vivo and in vitro.