Interactions of complement with the red-cell membrane

Abstract

Interactions of the complement components with the red-cell membrane are, as delineated, many and complex. Much is known about the nature of the complement components that take part in these interactions, but relatively little is known about the membrane or the components of the membrane with which they interact. Such understanding will be essential if we are to be able to explain the great resistance to complement lysis shown by normal red cells or the abnormalities that result in increased or decreased interacition of complement with abnormal red cells.