Complement and phospholipase C lysis of lipid membranes

Abstract

Disruption by activated complement of liposomal membranes containing phospholipids can occur whether or not cholesterol is present and whether or not the phospholipids contain unsaturated fatty acid residues. Certain membrane structures, susceptible to the action of complement, were not disrupted by phospholipase C. We conclude that the terminal stages of complement lysis do not involve enzymatic cleavage of the C-O-P linkage in phospholipids.