Biochemical alterations in macrophages by interaction with immune complexes.

The mouse peritoneal cells (MPS) were stimulated under in vitro and in vivo conditions with different compositions of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-anti BSA immune complexes (IC). The aim was to monitor the biochemical changes that may occur in macrophages and this activation was indicated by an increase in the number and protein content of the cells. The role of these complexes in inducing lysosomal hydrolases release from elicited as well as during an in vitro interaction with ICs was also studied. The insoluble immune complex at equivalence (IC-Eq) and immune complex-antibody excess (IC-Ab) registered a significant increase in number of cells and protein content as compared to soluble immune-complex antigen excess (IC-Ag) complexes. The IC elicited cells showed lesser secretory activity as compared to MPM cells stimulated in vitro. Stimulating capacity of ICs in causing hydrolase release was time and dose dependent. The complement coated complexes were the most effective in inducing enzyme release (4.5-5-fold).