Macromolecules comprising a thioether cross-link

A composition substantially free of a denaturing reagent comprising an antibody, wherein said antibody comprises at least one thioether cross-link.

A composition substantially free of a denaturing reagent comprising an antibody wherein said antibody comprises a lanthionine.

A method for increasing the amount of an antibody that comprises at least one thioether cross-link in a composition, said method comprising incubating the composition at a temperature greater than 4° C., and/or at pH greater than 7 for a time sufficient to increase the amount of said antibody comprising at least one thioether cross-link.

A method for decreasing the amount of an antibody in a composition, wherein said antibody comprises at least one thioether cross-link in a composition resulting from a first purification method, said method comprising carrying out a second purification method identical to said first purification method except that at least one step of said second purification method is carried out at a lower temperature and/or lower pH than the corresponding step in said first purification method, wherein said second purification method results in a lower level of said antibody comprising at least one thioether cross-link than said first purification method.