The apparent monovalency of human IgG4 is due to bispecificity

Authors
Aalberse, RC Schuurman, J van Ree, R
Citation
Rc. Aalberse et al., The apparent monovalency of human IgG4 is due to bispecificity, INT A AL IM, 118(2-4), 1999, pp. 187-189
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Immunology
Journal title
INTERNATIONAL ARCHIVES OF ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
ISSN journal
10182438 → ACNP
Volume
118
Issue
2-4
Year of publication
1999
Pages
187 - 189
Database
ISI
SICI code
1018-2438(199902/04)118:2-4<187:TAMOHI>2.0.ZU;2-3
Abstract
A hypothesis is put forward to explain the apparent monovalency of human lg G4, It is based upon the known instability of the lgG4 hinge. lgG4 is secre ted as a regular bivalent antibody, but after secretion interacts with anot her lgG4 molecule, This interaction results in the exchange of half molecul es (a combination of one heavy chain and one light chain) between the two I gG4 molecules. The postulated bispecific lgG4 antibodies can indeed be foun d in selected human sera following repeated immunization with two non-cross reacting antigens.