Studies on the inhibition of C56-induced lysis (reactive lysis). VI. Modulation of C56-induced lysis polyanions and polycations.

Multiple polyanions and polycations were tested for their ability to influence formation of EC567 from C56, C7, and sheep erythrocytes. Six of 11 polyanions tested, including polyanethol sulfonate, heparin, and dextran sulfate, inhibited this reaction. By contrast, polycations (five or seven tested), including polybrene, protamine, and polyornithine, potentiated formation of EC567. The inhibition was similar to that previously described for anionic serum factors termed C567-INH, while the potentiation seemed to involve neutralization of serum C567-INH. Thus, this step of the complement attack mechanisms seems amenable to modulation by certain polyelectrolytes, and may thereby be susceptible to pharmacologic manipulation.