DELAYED REMOVAL OF RENAL-BOUND ANTIGEN IN DECOMPLEMENTED RABBITS WITH ACUTE SERUM SICKNESS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 32  (2) , 199-206
Abstract
The effects of complement depletion by cobra venom factor (CVF) on the clearance of radiolabeled BSA [bovine serum albumin] from the kidney in acute serum sickness in rabbits was studied. The decomplemented group showed a significant decrease in the rate of clearance of renal-bound antigen with a mean half-clearance time of 19.5 days (range 9.3-60) vs. 11.3 (range 8.7-15) for the control group. C3 [3rd component of complement] was rapidly cleared from the glomerulus (as assessed by immunofluorescence) when further deposition was prevented by treatment with CVF. Glomerular immune complexes apparently activated the alternative pathway in vitro. The clearance of deposited complexes from the kidney is probably complement-dependent in immune complex nephritis.