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Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
Infectious virus-antibody complexes: interaction with anti-immunoglobulins, complement, and rheumatoid factor
1Virology Section, Laboratory of Microbiology, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Antiviral antibodies form infectious virus-antibody (VA) complexes. Complement and anti-immunoglobulins neutralize these complexes by enhancing virion surface coverage, suggesting a role in immune complex disease.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Antiviral antibodies can form infectious virus-antibody (VA) complexes with virions.
- These VA complexes are found in infected animals and can be generated in vitro.
- Understanding VA complex neutralization is crucial for viral pathogenesis and immune response.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neutralization mechanisms of infectious VA complexes.
- To determine the role of complement components and anti-immunoglobulins in VA complex neutralization.
- To explore factors influencing VA complex stability and their role in immune complex disease.
Main Methods:
- In vitro incubation of VA complexes with anti-immunoglobulins and complement components.
- Assessing neutralization efficacy using various concentrations of complement.
- Utilizing radio-labeled virus and rate-zonal centrifugation to study VA complex properties.
Main Results:
- Specific anti-immunoglobulins and complement components neutralized infectious VA complexes.
- Subneutralizing complement concentrations showed enhanced neutralization with additional components.
- Rheumatoid factor (RF) attachment increased susceptibility to complement-mediated neutralization.
- Antiviral antibody increased virus sedimentation, and centrifugation purified VA complexes.
Conclusions:
- Neutralization of VA complexes involves extensive virion surface coverage by anti-immunoglobulins and complement.
- Complement and accessory factors may enhance in vivo virus neutralization.
- VA complexes and associated factors might contribute to the pathogenesis of virus-induced immune complex diseases.
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