MECHANISM OF HEMOLYSIS BY COMPLEMENT

Abstract

When red cells combine with amboceptor, there is a deposition of immune-serum globulin upon the cell surface. The antibody film so formed subsequently fixes (i.e., adsorbs) complement. The inhibition of hemolysis in acid reaction, in hypertonic solution, and particularly by bivalent cations, is due to an inhibition of this fixation, which is an essential preliminary to hemolysis. It is known that immune serum and complement are, to a certain extent, mutually replaceable. This is due to the fact that the antibody serves solely as adsorbent, mobilizing the effective hemolysin, complement, upon the cell surface. An increase in either factor increases the amount of adsorbed complement, with a corresponding acceleration of hemolysis.