The immunological analysis of soluble human leukemia associated antigens

Abstract

Soluble antigens were obtained from the liver of myelocytic and congenital human leukemia cases by hyaluronidase treatment of tissues, extraction with 1 M KCl, and purification by isoelectrofocusing and prolonged gel electrophoresis. The extracts and one isoelectrofocusing fraction obtained from organs of myeloid leukemia, but not those from lymphoid leukemia, reacted with an antiserum produced against the pI 4.85 isoelectrofocusing fraction. A single antigen, which was purified additionally by a prolonged gel electrophoresis, and migrated slightly towards the cathode, was found to react with the rabbit antisera produced against leukemic fractions, absorbed with normal tissues. This antigen was identified as a galactopolypeptide.