Effect of Cortisone on the Disappearance Kinetics and Tissue Localization of Soluble Immune Complexes

Abstract

The effect of cortisone treatment on the disappearance kinetics, the hepatic uptake, and the glomerular deposition of i.v. administered, soluble immune complexes (HSA-anti HSA) was examined in mice. An initial rapid disappearance of complexes from the circulation occurred after the injection of complexes into control mice, which was caused by increased vascular permeability. This phase was absent in the cortisone-treated group. The half life of complexes composed of more than two antigen and two antibody molecules (τ; Ag₂Ab₂) was prolonged from 1.93 hr in control mice to 4.71 hr in cortisone-treated mice while the half life of Ag₂Ab₂ complexes was unchanged (11.40 hr vs 12.04 hr). Although the clearance velocity of τ; Ag₂Ab₂ complexes was suppressed in cortisone-treated mice, the quantity of complexes specifically located in the liver at 1, 2, and 4 hr was not significantly different in the two groups. Persistence of circulating τ; Ag₂Ab₂ complexes was associated with enhanced and prolonged glomerular deposition of complexes in the cortisone-treated mice.