TY - JOUR
T1 - Bactericidal activity of the alternative complement pathway generated from 11 isolated plasma proteins*
AU - Schreiber, Robert D.
AU - Morrison, David C.
AU - Podack, Eckhard R.
AU - Müller-Eberhard, Hans J.
PY - 1979/4/1
Y1 - 1979/4/1
N2 - Exposure of E. coli K12W1485 to the cytolytic alternative pathway assembled from the 11 isolated pathway proteins resulted in killing of the bacteria, as evidenced by loss of viability. Lysis of the bacteria required introduction of lysozyme into the reaction mixture. The time-course and dose dependency of bacteriolysis in the isolated system were identical to those in C4-depleted serum. The bacteriolytic activity of the pathway was highly dependent on the concentration of the pathway proteins and became insignificant at 1:16 physiological concentration. Electron microscopic visualization of killed and of lysed bacteria revealed numerous complement membrane lesions and partial disintegration of the outer phospholipid membrane. Scanning electron microscopy showed that killed bacteria were enlarged, partially collapsed and exhibited irregular surface protrusions. Lysed bacteria were fragmented and appeared polymorphic. This study demonstrates that the alternative pathway, in absence of immunoglobulins, has the potential of eradicating gram-negative bacteria.
AB - Exposure of E. coli K12W1485 to the cytolytic alternative pathway assembled from the 11 isolated pathway proteins resulted in killing of the bacteria, as evidenced by loss of viability. Lysis of the bacteria required introduction of lysozyme into the reaction mixture. The time-course and dose dependency of bacteriolysis in the isolated system were identical to those in C4-depleted serum. The bacteriolytic activity of the pathway was highly dependent on the concentration of the pathway proteins and became insignificant at 1:16 physiological concentration. Electron microscopic visualization of killed and of lysed bacteria revealed numerous complement membrane lesions and partial disintegration of the outer phospholipid membrane. Scanning electron microscopy showed that killed bacteria were enlarged, partially collapsed and exhibited irregular surface protrusions. Lysed bacteria were fragmented and appeared polymorphic. This study demonstrates that the alternative pathway, in absence of immunoglobulins, has the potential of eradicating gram-negative bacteria.
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U2 - 10.1084/jem.149.4.870
DO - 10.1084/jem.149.4.870
M3 - Article
C2 - 372483
AN - SCOPUS:0018383934
VL - 149
SP - 870
EP - 882
JO - Journal of Experimental Medicine
JF - Journal of Experimental Medicine
SN - 0022-1007
IS - 4
ER -