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The IgM Antibody Site

II. Comparison of the Two Populations of IgM Antibody Sites and Analysis of the Behavior of the Low Affinity Population at Equilibrium with a Dinitrophenylated Hapten

Institut d'Immunobiologie, INSERM and CNRS, Hôpital Broussais, 96, Rue Didot, 75674 Paris, Cedex 14, France

Abstract

Two different populations of sites on IgM have been described. The high affinity population of 19S antibody sites is independent of antibody concentration, as can be expected for the interaction of a single antibody site with a monovalent hapten. The low affinity population of 19S antibody sites reacts with the hapten in a different way. The measurements made at low antibody concentration give higher apparent binding affinities than those made at high antibody concentration. A positive correlation can be established between the amount of free hapten needed to saturate the low affinity population of sites and the total amount of antibody sites available.

Based on these data and taking into account other authors results, we propose a model which may explain the controversial facts reported concerning the IgM valence and the maturation of its binding affinity.