The effect of sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus on artificial immune complexes.

The solubilization of artificial immune complexes mediated by complements has been well-known since 1975. It is known that the process is bound to the integrity of the alternative complement pathway. The phenomenon of solubilization can be used in the investigation of the function of the complement system. We have studied the solubilization of artificial complexes containing BSA and 125I labelled anti-BSA on the effect of sera of healthy subjects and those of patients suffering from SLE. We have observed that the solubilization capacity of SLE sera is significantly lower than that of healthy persons. The decrease is the most distinct at the time of the activity of the disease.