Antibodies to denatured bovine collagens in sera of patients with liver disease.

Sera from 101 patients with liver disease were studied for the presence of antibodies to three types of denatured bovine collagens by passive haemagglutination assay. A high incidence and titres were found especially in chronic active hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and primary hepatoma. The incidence and titres of antibodies to Type I and Type III collagens were significantly higher than those of antibodies to Type II collagen. Analysis by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200 or absorption with anti-IgG and IgM antisera revealed that the antibodies belonged to both IgG and IgM classes. They correlated with serum gamma-globulin levels, but not with rheumatoid factor.