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Autoantibodies of the cryoprecipitating IgG3 isotype have been shown to play a significant role in the development of murine lupus–like autoimmune syndrome. At present, the structural basis of IgG3 cryoprecipitation and its role in autoantibody pathogenicity remain to be defined. Using molecular variants of an IgG3 monoclonal rheumatoid factor, 6-19, derived from an autoimmune MRL-Fas^lpr mouse, we have investigated the implication of charged residues in the heavy-chain variable (VH) region, potential CH3-linked oligosaccharides, and galactosylation of CH2-linked oligosaccharides in its cryoglobulin activity. The cryoglobulin activity of the IgG3 6-19 mutant bearing more negatively charged residues at VH 6 and 23 was found to be reduced but still highly significant, whereas that of the mutant lacking a potential CH3 glycosylation site remained unchanged. In marked contrast, IgG3 6-19 variants obtained …