Pathways to inflammation induced by immune complexes: development of the Arthus reaction

The changes associated with inflammation induced by immune complexes (reversed passive Arthus reaction induced with egg albumin-anti-egg albumin) were quantitated and the kinetics of the various vascular phenomena were ascertained. Hyperemia, increase in vascular permeability, platelet accumulation, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocyte accumulation occurred relatively early after induction of the inflammatory lesions, and peaked in 2-4 h. Hemorrhage peaked in 6-h-old lesions. Morphological studies confirmed that almost all infiltrating cells were PMN leukocytes and immunofluorescent tracer studies showed immune complexes in vessel walls as early as 15 min after i.v. injection of the fluoresceinated antigen and the intradermal injection of antibody. By 8 h the progression of the lesions had subsided and by 24 h there were signs of resolution. A pathway for the development of the inflammatory lesions induced with immune complexes is proposed.