The effects of antibodies on cells. 3. Studies on the interaction of rat liver mitochondria and lysosomes with antibody and complement.

Complement-fixing and precipitating antibodies to mitochondrial and lysosomal fractions of rat liver were induced in rabbits. The incubation of these subcellular fractions with ferritin-labelled antibody revealed localization of the antibody on mitochondria and lysosomes, but no specific morphological effect of antibody and complement. Incubation of the cell fractions with antibody and complement did not impair the efficiency of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation or affect the latency and sedimentation characteristics of lysosomal acid phosphatase. The results are discussed in relation to the action of antibody and complement on cells and to possible mechanisms of tissue damage in auto-immunity.