Soluble complexes of antigens with rabbit antibody interfere by a phenomenon of competition with the phagocytosis of carbon particles by the reticuloendothelial system, when injected intravenously into mice and rabbits. Evidence is presented that at least the larger soluble antigen-antibody aggregates are phagocytized by the Kupffer cells of the liver.

The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to the localization of antigen-antibody complexes in the sites of pathologic lesions of serum sickness.

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Supported in part by a research grant from the John Polachek Foundation for Medical Research.

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