The role of C′ in the immune clearance of sensitized E. coli and sensitized rat erythrocytes by the reticuloendothelial system of the liver and spleen is demonstrated in mice:

  1. Decomplemented mice are no longer able to eliminate rapidly antibody coated E. coli and rat erythrocytes from the blood.

  2. In vitro incubation of sensitized E. coli (37°C) and rat erythrocytes (0°C) with fresh mouse serum as source of C′ leads to full opsonized particles which can be equally well phagocytized by normal and decomplemented mice.

  3. Pepsin and papain digestion of rabbit immune globulins resulted in loss of opsonic activity.

1

This work was supported by grants No. A-3777 and A-4819 of the United States Public Health Service.

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