Abstract
Summary
The presence of an abnormal serum protein in C3H mice bearing spontaneous mammary adenocarcinoma was confirmed. A rabbit antiserum specific for this abnormal murine serum protein was prepared, and the specific antiserum obtained did not react at all with the serum of normal male C3H littermates. The procedure for its preparation was based on 3 essential features: 1. Immunization of the rabbits with purified antigen; 2. development of a schedule of “cross immunization” consisting of alternate injections with 2 slightly different murine serum protein fractions; and 3. quantitative absorption of all antibodies against normal murine serum proteins by the use of water-insoluble antigens.
The abnormal serum component is present in all tumor-bearing animals but only in minute amounts; it was also found in pregnant females and in about 20% of normal females, but never in males; it is assumed to be a forerunner of tumor growth. It migrates on electrophoresis as an a-globulin and only insignificant amounts of it were found in extracts of washed tumor or liver cells of the hosts. It is not known whether it is related to Bittner's Milk Agent.
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