MICHAEL AUSTIN BAUMANN
Pilots at Chellington Dr, Volo, IL

5932483, Aug 3, 1999

Apr 5, 1996

8/628383

Michael A. Baumann - Grayslake IL
Byron E. Anderson - Morton Grove IL
Jonathan P. Fryer - Chicago IL

Northwestern University - Evanston IL

G01N 33564

436507

The invention provides a fragment of C1q which is characterized in that a plurality of such fragments selectively binds immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin. The invention also provides a synthetic peptide comprising the sequence: Leu Glu Gln Gly Glu Asn Val Phe Leu Gln Ala Thr 1 5 10 �SEQ ID NO 2! or variants thereof capable of binding immunoglobulin. Like the C1q fragment, a plurality of the peptides can selectively bind immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin. As a result of this property, the fragments and peptides are well-adapted for removing immune complexes and aggregated immunoglobulins from fluids containing monomeric immunoglobulin, and for detecting or quantitating immune complexes in such fluids. The invention also provides a binding material for removing immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins from a fluid. The binding material comprises plural binding peptides, the peptides being characterized in that a plurality of them selectively binds immune complexes and aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin.