The Serologic Specificity of Radiation Altered Human Serum γ-Globulin

Human serum γ-globulin after intense in vitro x-irradiation was used as an antigen (XI-HSGG) to obtain antisera in goats. It was found to be distinct immunologically from nonirradiated or heated human serum γ-globulin by quantitative precipitin tests and possessed a slow moving component as determined by paper strip electrophoresis. Similar antigens were produced by irradiating human serum in vitro with low doses. Preliminary evidence points to the possibility of detecting irradiation-altered proteins in the irradiated patient by quantitative immunologic methods.