Complement coating of erythrocytes is reduced following their interaction with neutrophils in vitro without loss of complement receptor 1 (CR1)

Abstract

We have investigated the interaction of complement-coated erythrocytes (E) with neutrophils, in vitro, to determine the effects of erythrocyte CR1. Complement-coating in vitro, to mimic immune complex uptake, caused a reduction in E-CR1, but subsequent interaction with neutrophils effected a removal of E-C3b and a return of E-CR1 to levels approximating that of uncoated erythrocytes. These data indicate that C3b, associated with immune complexes, may bind to E-CR1 in a reversible manner and that subsequent interaction with phagocytes need not necessarily result in cleavage (and loss of ) E-CR1. Further, we conclude that E-CR1 can apparently be reduced by epitope masking.

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