Kinetic studies on immune hemolysis. II. The reversibility of red cell-antibody combination and the resultant transfer of antibody from cell to cell during hemolysis.

The reversibility of the red cell-antibody combination has been demonstrated by means of experiments showing the transfer of antibody, either from red cell stromata to intact red cells, or from red cell to red cell. The extent of reversibility is variable with respect to different antisera. The transfer of antibody from stromata to intact red cells is not dependent upon the action of complement. Transfer of antibody can also take place after interaction of the stromata-antibody complex with complement. As a result, antibody molecules can perform hemolytic work over and over again, provided complement is available, and this leads to kinetic behavior of a catalytic character.