Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
10:50
Isolation of Labile Multi-protein Complexes by in vivo Controlled Cellular Cross-Linking and Immuno-magnetic Affinity Chromatography
Published on: March 9, 2010
Immune adherence and staphylococcus protein A binding of soluble immune complexes produced by complement activation
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|December 1, 1983
Summary
Complement influences antigen-antibody complex solubility and biological activity through classical and alternative pathways. Complement-reacted complexes bind to erythrocytes and staphylococcus protein A, with solubilized complexes showing greater immune adherence.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Complement System
Background:
- The complement system modulates antigen-antibody complex (IC) solubility via classical and alternative pathways.
- Classical pathway inhibits precipitate formation; alternative pathway solubilizes formed precipitates.
- Biological properties of complement-reacted ICs are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the biological properties of complement-reacted immune complexes (IC).
- To investigate the binding of ICs to staphylococcus protein A (SPA) and human erythrocytes.
- To determine how complement influences IC behavior and immune adherence.
Main Methods:
- Generated antigen-antibody complexes using BSA-anti-BSA.
- Reacted complexes with complement in normal and factor D-depleted human serum.
- Assessed binding of complement-reacted ICs to staphylococcus protein A (SPA) and human erythrocytes.
Main Results:
- Complement-reacted ICs bound to both human erythrocytes and SPA.
- ICs generated by solubilization showed greater immune adherence than those kept in solution.
- ICs in factor D-depleted serum exhibited enhanced erythrocyte binding compared to normal serum.
Conclusions:
- Complement-reacted immune complexes are not biologically inert.
- Complement function significantly impacts the properties and biological activity of ICs.
- Factors affecting complement pathways influence IC behavior, particularly immune adherence.
Related Concept Videos
01:41Affinity and Avidity
Overview
01:31Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules
Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...
01:26Antibody Actions
Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...
01:27Complement System
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
01:29Staphylococcal Skin Infections
Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
01:19Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...