Detection of IgG aggregates or immune complexes using solid-phase C1q and protein A-rich Staphylococcus aureus as an indicator system.

A radioimmunoassay for detection of C1q-binding IgG aggregates and antigen-IgG antibody complexes is described. The assay makes use of solid-phase C1q and 32p-labelled protein A-rich Staphylococcus aureus as an indicator system. Both 19S and heavier IgG aggregates that fixed C1q were detected. The sensitivity of the assay permitted detection of heavy (19-25S) IgG aggregates at a concentration of 8 mug/ml or less. The results indicated that detection of IgG in this assay is dependent on the degree of IgG polymerization and the molar ratio between the solid-phase C1q and the IgG polymers. Albumin-anti-albumin complexes, preformed at equilibrium with antibody to antigen molar ratios of 2:1 to 3:1 and at antigen concentrations of 25 to 40 mug/ml, were also detectable using the described radioimmunoassay.