STRUCTURAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH ATTACHMENT OF COMPLEMENT COMPONENTS TO CELL-MEMBRANES IN REACTIVE LYSIS

Abstract

EM study of the events occurring at the [human erythrocyte] cell membrane during reactive lysis by [human] complement [c] showed that a foliaceous particle was formed at the .**GRAPHIC**. [activated C5b through C7 complex] stage. This particle enlarged to a particle with a variable number of arms at the .**GRAPHIC**. stage. Up to this point, no typical C lesions were found. At the .**GRAPHIC**. stage the particles were completely converted to typical C lesions, i.e., hollow cylinders projecting from the cell membrane and partly penetrating it. .**GRAPHIC**. complexes assembled in the fluid phase did not show the typical structure of the lesions, but were amorphous masses of fibers.