EFFECT OF CIRCULATING IMMUNE-COMPLEXES ON FC AND C-3 RECEPTORS OF KUPFFER CELLS INVIVO

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (5) , 442-448
Abstract
Lewis rats were given a single i.v. injection of soluble immune complexes, composed of human serum albumin and rabbit anti-human serum albumin, prepasred with whole antiserum or purified IgG antibodies. The animals were sacrificed at intervals ranging from 2-24 h, Fc and C3 [complement component 3] receptor activities of Kupffer cells were studied in Kupffer cell-enriched suspensions and in frozen sections of liver, using red cell rosetting techniques employing IgMEAC [IgM, sheep erythrocyte, antibody, complement] and IgGEA reagents. At 2-12 h, there was reduction or loss of Fc and C3 receptor activity. The extent of reduction correlated with the amount of complexes injected. C3 and Fc receptor activity returned to normal levels within 24 h. Immunofluorescence revealed rabbit IgG in numerous Kupffer cells at 2 h, but in almost at 6-12 h after injection. 125I trace-labeled immune complexes were cleared more slowly than normal in animals injected 2 h earlier with immune complexes. Circulating immune complexes apparently can produce loss of Fc and C3 receptor function of Kupffer cells in vivo; this can result in diminished clearance of complexes.