Movement of Horse Gamma Globulin out of and Isologous Proteins into Paper Implants in Focally X-Irradiated Rabbits

Abstract

On rabbits unilaterally exposed to 930 to 1000 r of focal x-irradiation on two separate areas, 15 to 25 r was measured on the opposite side of the animals. When 274 mu g of N/sub 2/ per 0.2 ml of a purified horse gamma - globulin preparation was subcutaneously implanted for 48 hours in focally irradiated areas of rabbits, these areas showed decreased localization (increased protein escape) for the initial 24 hours after irradiation. Such antilocalizing activity of irradiation on subcutaneous areas decreased when measured at 7 and 14 days after exposure. In the study of the phenomena of localization and antilocalization as affected by irradiation, the quantitative results herein obtained by subcutaneous implants of heterologous protein parallels the results obtained by a toxin-antitoxin system. This finding indicates that the use of subcutaneous implants offers a method for more exacting quantitative studies of localizing phenomena. From the comparative absorption rates of heterologous and isologous proteins, this study suggests that, although irradiation can increase the permeability of an area, consideration must be given to the biological relationship between an injected foreign protein and the host proteins. Proof that an increase in permeability is the predominant radiation effect should consider the differentialmore » innate ability of an animal to localize foreign substances. (auth)« less