Neutralization of sensitized virus by purified components of complement.

Herpes simplex virus which had been sensitized with immunoglobulin M antibody was neutralized by serum deficient in the fifth and sixth components of complement (C) but not by serum deficient in the fourth component C (C4). The sequential addition of the functionally purified components of C showed that the activated first component of C (C1[unk]) failed to neutralize sensitized virus. However, in the presence of an optimal concentration of C1[unk], the addition of C4 resulted in neutralization. The amount of virus neutralized was dependent upon the concentration of immunoglobulin M used to sensitize the virus and the concentration of C1[unk] and C4. The addition of the second component of C (C2) to reaction mixtures containing an optimal concentration of C1[unk] and a limiting concentration of C4 resulted in increased neutralization and the amount of virus neutralized was dependent upon the concentration of C2. The addition of the third component of C (C3) to reaction mixtures containing an optimal concentration of C1[unk] and limiting concentrations of C4 and C2 also resulted in increased neutralization and the amount of virus neutralized was dependent upon the concentration of C3.

Duke Scholars

Author Ralph Snyderman Medicine