Antigens pre-bound to the primate erythrocyte complement receptor via cross-linked bispecific monoclonal antibody heteropolymers are rapidly cleared from the circulation.

We have used cross-linked, bispecific monoclonal antibody heteropolymers, specific for primate erythrocyte (E) complement receptor (CR1) and target antigen (Ag), to attach 125I-labeled Ag to 51Cr-labeled monkey erythrocytes (E) in vitro. Injection of these sensitized E into monkeys leads to rapid clearance from the circulation of several different 125I-labeled Ag with little, if any sequestration, lysis, or clearance of the E. It should now be possible, in principle, to use the heteropolymer-E system to facilitate the clearance of blood-borne pathogens from the circulation.