Lack of antigen fragments in guinea pig transfer factor-like activity

Transfer factor-like activities (TFLA) were prepared from guinea pigs immunized to ovalbumin (OA) or to glutamic acid-tyrosine copolymers (GT). Major steps in the partial purification of these factors included gel filtration, alkaline phosphatase treatment, and DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The TFLA were detected by antigen-dependent migration inhibition of nonimmune peritoneal exudate cells. Nonimmune cells incubated with OA TFLA and OA were inhibited from migrating, cells incubated with OA TFLA and GT were not. Nonimmune cells incubated with GT TFLA and either GT or OA were inhibited from migrating, although the inhibition in the presence of OA was small compared to the inhibition of cells incubated with OA TFLA and OA. “Superantigenicity” did not seem to be an explanation for the activity of these factors, since immunization of donors with radioiodinated antigens did not result in significant incorporation of radiolabel into fractions active in the migration inhibition test.