Specific antibody-dependent binding of complement component C1q to hapten-sensitized lipid vesicles.

The binding of a component of human complement (C1q) to membrane-bound specific anti-nitroxide antibodies was studied as a function of the physical properties (fluid vs. solid) of vesicle lipids. The antibodies were bound to spin-label lipid haptens in the vesicle membrane. The binding of C1q to the sensitized vesicles shows a maximum as a function of specific IgG concentration. The binding of antibodies and of C1q to the vesicle membrane does not depend strongly on the physical state of the membrane lipids. even at low hapten (0.05 mol%) concentrations. These results are of significance for the understanding of the previously reported effect of lipid physical states on complement depletion.