Heat-treated IgM antibody preparations

摘要

Mild heat-treatment of IgM antibody concentrates diminishes the potential to induce non-specific complement activation without significant loss of normal immunologic effector functions. These IgM immunoglobulin concentrates retain specific antigen binding properties and activate complement when bound to antigen. Preferred product includes at least 20% by weight IgM in an IgM/IgG antibody mixture. Heating is done at a temperature within the range of about 40 DEG C. to 62 DEG C., preferably about 45 DEG to 55 DEG C., in a solution having an acid pH (preferably 4.0 to 5.0) for at least about 10 minutes.