Effect of cortisone on the disappearance kinetics and tissue localization of soluble immune complexes.

The effect of cortisone treatment on the disappearance kinetics, the hepatic uptake, and the glomerular deposition of i.v. administered, soluble immune complexes (HSAantiHSA) was examined in mice. An initial rapid disappearance of complexes from the circulation occurred after the injection of complexes into control mice, which was caused by increased vascular permeability. This phase was absent in the cortisone-treated group. The half life of complexes composed of more than two antigen and two antibody molecules (greater than Ag2Ab2)was prolonged from 1.93 hr in control mice to 4.71 hr in cortisone-treated mice while the half life of Ag2Ab2 complexes was unchanged (11.40 hr vs 12.04 hr). Although the clearance velocity of greater than Ag2Ab2 complexes was suppressed in cortisone-treated mice, the quantity of complexes specifically located in the liver at 1, 2, and 4 hr was not significantly different in the two groups. Persistence of circulating greater than Ag1Ab2 complexes was associated with enhanced and prolonged glomerular depostion of complexes in the cortisone-treated mice.