IgG Aggregates Research Articles

Fluorescence Single Particle Tracking for the Characterization of Submicron Protein Aggregates in Biological Fluids and Complex Formulations

PurposeTo evaluate the potential of fluorescence single particle tracking (fSPT) for the characterization of submicron protein aggregates in human serum, plasma and formulations containing human serum albumin (HSA).MethodsA monoclonal IgG was covalently labeled with a fluorescent dye and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde. IgG aggregates and fluorescent beads of 0.1 μm (control) were diluted in buffer, serum and plasma, and their size distributions were analyzed by fSPT and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). In a separate experiment, IgG and HSA, fluorescently labeled with different dyes, were mixed and subjected to heat stress. The stressed sample was analyzed by fSPT using a dual color mode and by NTA.ResultsThe accuracy and precision of fSPT proved to be comparable to NTA. fSPT was able to successfully measure all the samples in buffer, serum and plasma. The average size of the cross-linked protein aggregates showed a slight increase in biological fluids. Moreover, fSPT analysis showed that a significant proportion of the aggregates formed by subjecting an IgG/HSA mixture to heat stress were composed of both proteins.ConclusionfSPT is a powerful technique for the characterization of submicron protein aggregates in biological fluids and complex formulations.Electronic Supplementary MaterialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11095-011-0374-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

L -Proline-Stabilized Human IgG: Privigen ® 10% for Intravenous Use and Hizentra ® 20% for Subcutaneous Use

Liquid IgG preparations are preferred over lyophilized preparations because reconstitution is not required. Formation of dimers and aggregates in liquid preparations increases adverse effects and limits the shelf life of most liquid IgG products. Improved understanding of the binding interactions in IgG dimers and aggregates led to the selection of L-proline at pH 4.8 as an excipient that would minimize their formation. CSL Behring has developed the L-proline-stabilized products Privigen®, a 10% IgG solution for intravenous use; and Hizentra®, a 20% solution for subcutaneous use. The former has the longest shelf life of any liquid IgG in the USA--36 months, and the latter is the most concentrated IgG available. These improvements, which translate into improved convenience for pharmacies and patients, were achieved with no compromise in safety, efficacy or tolerability of the products.

C1q aggregate binding for the determination of anti-complementary activity of immunoglobulin products

Aggregates in human immunoglobulin (Ig) products can develop due to employed manufacturing, formulation and storage conditions and can cause adverse reactions in patients. The test for anti-complementary activity (ACA) recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) is insensitive, variable and time consuming. We have optimised a commercial assay for the detection and quantitation of C1q binding aggregates in intravenous and intramuscular IgG preparations. The generation of C4d, iC3b and SC5b-9 induced by aggregates in vitro was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In establishing the sensitivity of the C1q aggregate binding assay to detect IgG aggregates in comparison to turbidity and ACA, pure IgG at neutral and acidic pH was heated for various lengths of time to generate varying amounts of aggregates. The level of C1q binding aggregates was 7 fold greater in intramuscular samples. These aggregates were capable of activating complement in vitro and correlated with an increase in ACA. C1q aggregate binding was apparent before any quantifiable turbidity and ACA in the heat-treated samples. Furthermore, the C1q binding assay could discriminate between different levels of aggregates where ACA had reached a plateau. C1q aggregate binding is a sensitive, convenient, specific and robust means of detecting aggregates with a propensity for complement activation.

Impact of antibody aggregation on a flowthrough anion‐exchange membrane process

The impact of typical anion-exchange flowthrough conditions on the IgG mass loading of an anion-exchange membrane scale-down unit (Mustang Q coin) was investigated. High performance size-exclusion chromatography and multiangle laser light scattering results suggested the presence of a small fraction of IgG aggregates with average radius >100 nm under anion-exchange flowthrough conditions. The small filtration area presented by the 0.35 mL membrane volume Mustang Q coin limited the membrane throughput due to fouling from the aggregates at higher antibody loading. Data in this report indicated that a 0.2 μm hybrid polyethersulfone and polyvinylidene fluoride membrane in-line prefilter with a minimum filtration area of 20 sq cm alleviated the Mustang Q coin fouling. The combined cake filtration and intermediate blocking model was proposed as the most likely membrane pore blocking mechanism. Increasing the filtration area in the in-line prefilter resulted in higher IgG mass throughput. Thus, using an appropriately sized in-line prefilter could provide more robust antibody throughput performance on scale-down membrane anion-exchange units.

ERK phosphorylation and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by monocytes are persistent in response to immobilized IgG

Engagement of Fcγ receptors on leukocytes by immune complexes induces both cytokine production and immune complex internalization. The relationship between these processes is unclear. In many disease states, Fcγ receptors encounter their ligands in deposited forms that cannot be readily internalized. In this study, we examined the kinetics of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and TNF-α secretion in primary human monocytes in response to soluble heat-aggregated IgG or surface-bound IgG, to mimic soluble immune complexes and tissue-deposited IgG, respectively. Soluble aggregated IgG induced transient signaling, leading to peak phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by 15 min and peak TNF-α levels by 1 h, whereas surface-bound IgG caused sustained responses over the course of several hours. Treatment with the vacuolar ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin led to increased persistence of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to aggregated IgG. When monocytes were incubated with both soluble aggregated IgG and surface-bound IgG simultaneously, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was transient. These results suggest that Fcγ receptor internalization is an important step in termination of inflammatory signaling, and that small immune complexes can exert an overall down-modulatory effect when encountered in the presence of immobilized IgG.

Divergent Intracellular Sorting of FcγRIIA and FcγRIIB2*

The human low affinity FcγRII family includes both the activating receptor FcγRIIA and the inhibitory receptor FcγRIIB2. These receptors have opposing signaling functions but are both capable of internalizing IgG-containing immune complexes through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We demonstrate that upon engagement by multivalent aggregated human IgG, FcγRIIA expressed in ts20 Chinese hamster fibroblasts is delivered along with its ligand to lysosomal compartments for degradation, while FcγRIIB2 dissociates from the ligand and is routed separately into the recycling pathway. FcγRIIA sorting to lysosomes requires receptor multimerization, but does not require either Src family kinase activity or ubiquitylation of receptor lysine residues. The sorting of FcγRIIB2 away from a degradative fate is not due to its lower affinity for IgG and occurs even upon persistent receptor aggregation. Upon co-engagement of FcγRIIA and FcγRIIB2, the receptors are sorted independently to distinct final fates after dissociation of co-clustering ligand. These results reveal fundamental differences in the trafficking behavior of different Fcγ receptors.

Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Intact Human Monoclonal Antibody Aggregates Fractionated by Size-Exclusion Chromatography

PurposeThe aim of this study was to develop a method to characterize intact soluble monoclonal IgG1 antibody (IgG) oligomers by mass spectrometry.MethodsIgG aggregates (dimers, trimers, tetramers and high-molecular-weight oligomers) were created by subjecting an IgG formulation to several pH jumps. Protein oligomer fractions were isolated by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC), dialyzed against ammonium acetate pH 6.0 (a mass spectrometry-compatible volatile buffer), and analyzed by native electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS).ResultsMonomeric and aggregated IgG fractions in the stressed IgG formulation were successfully isolated by HP-SEC. ESI-TOF MS analysis enabled us to determine the molecular weight of the monomeric IgG as well as the aggregates, including dimers, trimers and tetramers. HP-SEC separation and sample preparation proved to be necessary for good quality signal in ESI-TOF MS. Both the HP-SEC protocol and the ESI-TOF mass spectrometric technique were shown to leave the IgG oligomers largely intact.ConclusionsESI-TOF MS is a useful tool complementary to HP-SEC to identify and characterize small oligomeric protein aggregates.

Detection of IgG Aggregation by a High Throughput Method Based on Extrinsic Fluorescence

The utility of extrinsic fluorescence as a tool for high throughput detection of monoclonal antibody aggregates was explored. Several IgG molecules were thermally stressed and the high molecular weight species were fractionated using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC). The isolated aggregates and monomers were studied by following the fluorescence of an extrinsic probe, SYPRO Orange. The dye displayed high sensitivity to structurally altered, aggregated IgG structures compared to the native form, which resulted in very low fluorescence in the presence of the dye. An example of the application is presented here to demonstrate the properties of this detection method. The fluorescence assay was shown to correlate with the SEC method in quantifying IgG aggregates. The fluorescent probe method appears to have potential to detect protein particles that could not be analyzed by SEC. This method may become a powerful high throughput tool to detect IgG aggregates in pharmaceutical solutions and to study other protein properties involving aggregation. It can also be used to study the kinetics of antibody particle formation, and perhaps allow identification of the species, which are the early building blocks of protein particles.

C-reactive Protein Exists in an NaCl Concentration-dependent Pentamer-Decamer Equilibrium in Physiological Buffer

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute phase protein of the pentraxin family that binds ligands in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, and activates complement. Knowledge of its oligomeric state in solution and at surfaces is essential for functional studies. Analytical ultracentrifugation showed that CRP in 2 mM Ca(2+) exhibits a rapid pentamer-decamer equilibrium. The proportion of decamer decreased with an increase in NaCl concentration. The sedimentation coefficients s(20,w)(0) of pentameric and decameric CRP were 6.4 S and in excess of 7.6 S, respectively. In the absence of Ca(2+), CRP partially dissociates into its protomers and the NaCl concentration dependence of the pentamer-decamer equilibrium is much reduced. By x-ray scattering, the radius of gyration R(G) values ranged from 3.7 nm for the pentamer to above 4.0 nm for the decamer. An averaged K(D) value of 21 microM in solution (140 mM NaCl, 2 mM Ca(2+)) was determined by x-ray scattering and modeling based on crystal structures for the pentamer and decamer. Surface plasmon resonance showed that CRP self-associates on a surface with immobilized CRP with a similar K(D) value of 23 microM (140 mM NaCl, 2 mM Ca(2+)), whereas CRP aggregates in low salt. It is concluded that CRP is reproducibly observed in a pentamer-decamer equilibrium in physiologically relevant concentrations both in solution and on surfaces. Both 2 mM Ca(2+) and 140 mM NaCl are essential for the integrity of CRP in functional studies and understanding the role of CRP in the acute phase response.

L-Proline reduces IgG dimer content and enhances the stability of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) solutions

Liquid intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products offer improved convenience in preparation but often lack sufficient stability to allow room temperature storage. Furthermore, clinical tolerability may be affected due to formation of idiotype/anti-idiotype IgG dimers and/or aggregates. Here we report on the development of a 10% IVIG formulation with optimized stability achieved by the use of l-proline. The stability of concentrated liquid IVIG was strongly pH dependent. Aggregate formation, yellowish discoloration of the solution and loss of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs) antibody activity was minimal at intermediate pH (pH 4.8–5.3). Fragmentation of IgG was highest at low pH (pH 4.1). Idiotype/anti-idiotype IgG dimer formation was highest at neutral pH and was reduced with decreasing pH. The presence of l-proline further improved stability by inhibiting protein aggregation, reducing loss of anti-HBs antibody activity and decreasing coloring, particularly compared with glycine formulations. The IgG dimer content was up to 30% lower in solutions containing l-proline compared with those containing glycine or other stabilizers. In conclusion, a weakly acidic pH of approximately 5 and l-proline as stabilizer are optimal conditions for long-term stability of a liquid IVIG. l-proline, an amphiphilic, naturally occurring amino acid, is superior to glycine in restricting IgG dimer formation.

Ultrafiltration concentration of monoclonal antibody solutions: Development of an optimized method minimizing aggregation

For the production of highly concentrated monoclonal antibody intermediate solutions in the course of downstream processing, ultra filtration is the industry standard in manufacturing scale. Key challenges are to achieve high end concentrations and to reduce both process time and aggregate formation, particularly for therapeutic proteins, intended for subcutaneous administration. Therefore, in this study the effects of operational parameters on permeate flux and aggregation in the concentrated solutions were investigated. An optimized ultrafiltration concentration method was developed based on systematic screening of cross-flow rate and transmembrane pressure at different protein concentrations in the retentate. In this method flow and pressure values are adjusted depending on the prevailing retentate concentration. The resulting three stage protocol reduces process time and assures a low aggregate burden compared to concentration processes operated at constant flow and pressure conditions. Flow and pressure profiles were set and recorded in lab scale using an automated tangential flow filtration system which has been shown to adequately reflect process conditions at manufacturing scale. The formation of IgG aggregates was monitored by turbidity measurement, SE-HPLC, light obscuration, dynamic light scattering and a microscopic method. These techniques allow characterization of a wide range of aggregate sizes of soluble and insoluble aggregates that can occur during processing. In addition, FT-IR spectroscopy was performed to investigate secondary structure of the aggregates, revealing different quantities of structurally perturbed protein depending on applied flow and pressure conditions. Finally, the concentrated material derived from the optimized method showed improved processability at sterile filtration which is an important manufacturing step prior to storage.

IgG Aggregate Removal by Charged-Hydrophobic Mixed Mode Chromatography

Charged-hydrophobic mixed mode chromatography methods have been applied to antibody purification for decades and have focused more recently on the specific task of aggregate removal. They exploit various combinations of alkyl and aromatic hydrophobic groups with positively and/or negatively charged residues. Charge and hydrophobicity remain relatively constant as function of pH for some ligands; one or both vary for others. All of these compound selectivities and their associated elution strategies are intended to achieve purification of native IgG through preferential retention of aggregates. This review focuses on the two members of this family that have shown the most promise for aggregate removal: MEP HyperCel() and Capto() adhere. It defines how they work, how they interact with various classes of biomolecules, how those interactions are controlled by different elution strategies, and how to determine which may be most effective for a particular antibody. Consideration is also given to their specific strengths and limitations from an industrial perspective.

Determination of protein aggregation with differential mobility analysis: Application to IgG antibody

Here we describe the use of electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA), also known as gas-phase electrophoretic mobility molecular analysis (GEMMA), as a method for measuring low-order soluble aggregates of proteins in solution. We demonstrate proof of concept with IgG antibodies. In ES-DMA, aqueous solutions of the antibody protein are electrosprayed and the various aerosolized species are separated according to their electrophoretic mobility using a differential mobility analyzer. In this way, complete size distributions of protein species present from 3 to 250 nm can be obtained with the current set up, including distinct peaks for IgG monomers to pentamers. The sizes of the IgG and IgG aggregates measured by DMA were found to be in good agreement with those calculated from simple models, which take the structural dimensions of IgG from protein crystallographic data. The dependence of IgG aggregation on the solution concentration and ionic strength was also examined, and the portion of aggregates containing chemically crosslinked antibodies was quantified. These results indicate that ES-DMA holds potential as a measurement tool to study protein aggregation phenomena such as those associated with antibody reagent manufacturing and protein therapeutics.

Indirect evidence for a Fc gamma receptor on guinea pig platelets: Guinea pig represents a promising species for the investigation of human disorders with immune platelet activation

0049-3848/$ see front matter © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserv doi:10.1016/j.thromres.2008.06.005 guinea pig represents a suitable species for in vivo or ex vivo investigation [1–3]. The aggregation patterns observed with guinea pigs in responsiveness to ADP, platelet activating factor and collagen were comparable with those observed with human platelets [4]. Platelets from guinea pigs appeared to resemblemore closely those from humans as compared with those of rabbits, dogs or pigs [5,6]. Moreover, guinea pig platelets have functional receptors for vonWillebrand factor and fibrinogen that are structurally homologous to human platelet glycoproteins Ib, IIb and IIIa [7,8]. So, guinea pigs have been extensively used to study the effect of drugs ex vivo (see for instance [1,2,9– 12]). However, the presence of Fc receptors on guinea pig platelets has not yet been investigated, whereas human platelets express a FcγIIa receptor with low affinity for monomeric IgG but with the capacity to bind IgG aggregates and immune complexes [13,14]. This receptor is likely involved in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia for instance.

Clustering of neutrophil leucocytes in serum: possible role of C1q-containing immune complexes.

Clustering activity for neutrophil granulocytes was generated in pooled normal human serum (NHS) by incubation of the serum with preformed IgG aggregates, but not in heat-treated NHS (56 degrees C, 30 min), indicating that the function was complement-dependent. Judging from results of experiments with complement-deficient sera, and serum depleted of C1q, factor D and properdin, recruitment of the complement system beyond C1 was not required for induction of the activity. Zymosan treatment of NHS resulted in some neutrophil clustering activity, but recombinant C5a had a limited effect. C1q added to heat-treated NHS in conjunction with performed IgG aggregates supported neutrophil clustering in a dose-dependent manner. The serum C1q inhibitor, a chondroitin 4-sulphate proteoglycan known to interact with the collagenous part of C1q, clearly reduced neutrophil clustering in heat-treated NHS supplemented with C1q and IgG aggregates. The C1q inhibitor also reduced the inherent neutrophil clustering activity of some sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Neutrophil clustering activity in SLE serum was earlier shown to be inversely related to the number of circulating neutrophils in vivo. Although the precise mechanisms remain unclear, we propose that C1q-containing immunoglobulin complexes mediate neutrophil clustering through C1q receptors, and that this might contribute to pathogenesis of immune complex diseases such as SLE.

Kupffer cell depletionin vivoresults in preferential elimination of IgG aggregates and immune complexes via specific Fc receptors on rat liver endothelial cells

In the present study we have investigated the clearance kinetics and tissue distribution of monomeric (m) IgG and soluble aggregates of IgG (AIgG) and immune complexes (IC) in normal and Kupffer cell (KC) depleted rats. In normal rats, clearance of mIgG occurred in a biphasic manner with a first half-life (T1/2) (T1) of 36.3 +/- 6.3 min and a second T1/2 (T2) of 168.4 +/- 4.7 min. AIgG composed of 20-27 IgG molecules per aggregate were cleared significantly faster than mIgG with a T1 of 2.5 +/- 0.1 min and a T2 of 32.5 +/- 5.6 min. KC depletion did not have a significant effect on the clearance rate of mIgG (T1: 33.4 +/- 8.9 min; T2; 159.5 +/- 12.5 min), while clearance of AIgG was delayed significantly with T1 4.8 +/- 0.7 min and T2 41.2 +/- 3.2 min. Eight minutes after injection, 77% of AIgG was found in the liver in normal rats while 62% was found in the liver of KC-depleted rats. Double immunofluorescence studies indicated that AIgG in the liver was associated with KC and endothelial cells (EC) in normal rats. In KC-depleted rats, AIgG was strongly associated with EC. A similar staining pattern was observed when IgG-immune IC were administered. The clearance of AIgG in KC-depleted rats was inhibited fully by pre-administration of high concentrations of IgG but not by pretreatment with IgA. asialofetuin (ASFe) or ovalbumin (OVA). Aggregated F(ab')2IgG was cleared with a comparable rate to mIgG from the circulation, again suggesting Fc gamma receptor-mediated elimination of AIgG by EC. There was a reduced degradation of AIgG in rats depleted of KC as compared with normal rats. These data suggest binding and degradation of AIgG by EC in vivo.

Depressed degranulation response of synovial fluid polymorphonuclear leucocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis to IgG aggregates

No difference was found between the degranulation responses to FMLP of synovial fluid (SF) polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL), from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and either paired blood PMNL or blood PMNL from a healthy donor. In contrast, the response of SF PMNL to heat-aggregated IgG was often reduced compared with autologous blood PMNL. Similarly, SF from some (35%) RA patients stimulated degranulation of PMNL but the response of SF-derived PMNL to autologous stimulatory SF was reduced compared with the response of blood PMNL. The stimulatory activity of the SF was removed by sepharose-protein A. These results were taken to suggest that the activity is due to immunoglobulin aggregates and that SF PMNL (from some RA patients) are tachyphylactic to stimulation by immunoglobulin aggregates as measured by degranulation because they have been stimulated by immunoglobulin aggregates in vivo. In other studies the concentration of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was measured enzymically in RA SF and was found to be present in varying amounts. However, only a weak relationship was found between MPO levels and either PMNL numbers or levels of complement-bearing IgG aggregates in SF. It is considered that the relationship between MPO and immunoglobulin aggregates levels is obscured by the presence of a peroxidase inhibitor in the fluids and/or because only aggregates bound to tissue stimulate degranulation in vivo.

Deficiency of complement component C3 is associated with accelerated removal of soluble 123I-labelled aggregates of IgG from the circulation.

Complement and erythrocyte complement receptors CR1 (CD35) play an important role in the clearance of immune complexes. We studied the elimination of soluble 123I-labelled aggregates of human immunoglobulin G (123I-AIgG), used as a model for immune complexes, in two patients with a congenital and two patients with an acquired deficiency of complement component C3, and compared these with 10 healthy controls. The first disappearance halflife of 123I-AIgG was shorter (3.3 +/- 0.4 versus 7.0 +/- 0.4 min in the controls, P = 0.005) and maximal hepatic uptake of aggregates was increased in the C3 deficient patients (maximal liver/background ratio 3.6 +/- 0.4 versus 2.7 +/- 0.2 in controls, P = 0.04). Apparently, in the absence of C3, removal of circulating immune complexes by the liver is accelerated, probably through Fc receptor-dependent mechanisms.

FcgRIII engagement provides activating signals to NKT cells in antibody-induced joint inflammation

NKT cells promote antibody-induced arthritis, but the mechanism by which NKT cells are activated in this model remains unclear. It has been proposed that Fcgamma receptor (FcgammaR) contributes to NKT cell activation in antibody-induced arthritis. To address this issue, we explored the functions of FcgammaR on NKT cells in antibody-induced arthritis. RT-PCR and flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that NKT cells constitutively express surface FcgammaRIII but not FcgammaRI, -II, or -IV. FcgammaRIII engagement by aggregated IgG on NKT cells enhanced CD25 and CD69 expression, whereas FcgammaR(-/-) mouse NKT cells did not enhance activation. FcgammaRIII engagement on NKT cells enhanced the production of IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and IFN-gamma, whereas FcgammaR-deficient NKT cells did not alter the production of these cytokines after aggregated IgG treatment. However, FcgammaR-deficient NKT cells were functionally intact in terms of TCR-induced activation. Moreover, adoptive transfer of FcgammaR-deficient NKT cells could not restore inflammation or TGF-beta production in the joint tissues of CD1d(-/-) mice, whereas adoptive transfer of wild-type NKT cells induced arthritis and reduced TGF-beta production in joint tissues. We conclude that FcgammaRIII engagement by IgG in joint tissues provides activating signals to NKT cells in antibody-induced arthritis.

Both Fcγ and complement receptors mediate transfer of immune complexes from erythrocytes to human macrophages under physiological flow conditionsin vitro

Abnormal clearance by the mononuclear phagocytic system of immune complexes (IC) is important in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have developed an in vitro model to investigate the cellular mechanisms involved in the transfer of soluble IC from erythrocytes to human macrophages under physiological flow conditions. In this assay, erythrocytes bearing fluorescently labelled IC are perfused over monolayers of human monocytes or monocyte-derived macrophages in a parallel-plate flow chamber, and transfer quantified using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Using aggregated human IgG as a model IC, we have been able to demonstrate transfer of IC from erythrocytes to macrophages. Blocking studies with specific neutralizing antibodies have shown that both complement and Fcgamma receptors are required for IC transfer. Blockade of CR4 (alpha(x)beta(2) integrin), FcgammaRIIa or FcgammaRIII reduced transfer, while anti-CR3 (alpha(m)beta(2) integrin) had no effect. Blockade of CR3, FcgammaRIIa or FcgammaRIII also reduced the number of adhesive interactions between fluorescently labelled IC-bearing erythrocytes and macrophage monolayers. Taken together with the transfer data, this suggests differing roles for these receptors in the human IC transfer reaction that includes an adhesive function which facilitates IC processing by mononuclear phagocytes. Finally, a functional effect of the FcgammaRIIa R131/H131 polymorphism, important in susceptibility to SLE, has also been demonstrated using this model. Uptake of IgG(2) but not IgG(1)-containing soluble IC was reduced by macrophages from individuals homozygous for the R131 allelic variant of the receptor.