Immune Mechanisms for Destruction of Erythrocytes in Vivo

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Abstract
The hemolytic, agglutinating, and coating antibody activities of the serum of rabbits immunized with rat erythrocytes could be separated at least partially by DEAE and CM cellulose chromatographic fractionation of ΓG globulins. The serologic activities of serums from different animals did not separate identically by these methods, and serums obtained from animals immunized for only two weeks displayed more chromatographic heterogeneity in regard to these properties than did serums obtained after four weeks of immunization.When Cr51‐labeled rat erythrocytes were sensitized with fractionated antibodies and then injected into isologous rats, shortened survival and sequestration of cells in the liver was observed to be a function of the amount of lytic antibodies applied. Cells sensitized with even large amounts of agglutinating or coating (but non‐lytic) antibodies survived normally. Lysis observed with tests in vitro and shortened survival with liver sequestration in vivo were both either abolished or markedly reduced when the complement‐fixing properties of lytic antibodies were altered by pepsin digestion or reduction and alkylation.Heated antibody fractions (56 C for two hours) supported indirect complement antiglobulin tests in vitro and, when tested in vivo, supported a pattern of splenic sequestration with shortened survival time of sensitized cells.