Heterogeneity in the reactivity of various groups of IgM antibodies with kaolin.

Kaolin strongly adsorbed rheumatoid factor (RF) and mono-nucleosis antibodies, while cold agglutinins and some antimicrobial IgM antibodies were poorly adsorbed. Maximum adsorption took place at a pH of about 7. The degree of adsorption also depended on the amount of kaolin. Rheumatoid factor could be eluted from kaolin at pH 11 after adsorption at pH 7. The reported heterogeneity with regard to reactivity with kaolin is suggested to be due to hydrophobic interactions.