The complement lysozyme sequence in immune bacteriolysis.

  • 1 April 1969
    • journal article
    • Vol. 16  (4) , 463-71
Abstract
Suspensions of Escherichia coli were not affected by lysozyme alone, but in solutions of appropriate pH and ionic strength some lysozyme was bound to the bacterial surface and remained available for action if the bacteria were subsequently treated with antibody and complement. In the presence of antibody, complement had a relatively prolonged action on E. coli ending in lysis. However, from an early stage in the reaction this lysis could be accelerated by adding lysozyme. The results suggest that human complement acted on the outer, lipoprotein—lipopolysaccharide layers of the bacterial cell wall and so gave lysozyme access to the deeper mucopeptide.