Complement-mediated inhibition of function in complement-resistant Escherichia coli.

C-mediated inhibition of function in C-sensitive strains of Escherichia coli involves the assembly of the membrane attack complex (MAC) on the outer membrane with subsequent inhibition of inner membrane function. The inhibition of inner membrane function is critical for effective cell killing as damage to the outer membrane alone is insufficient to kill a cell in the absence of serum lysozyme. Studies on the measurement of oxygen consumption for cells under complement attack showed that C-sensitive cells were inhibited by assembly of the MAC, and that this represents damage to some component of the respiring inner membrane. Mechanisms of cellular resistance to C attack could include 1) inhibition of the assembly of the MAC, 2) inhibition of effective activation of the assembled MAC, or 3) reversal of the inhibitory effects of the MAC. Demonstration of a transient C-mediated inhibition of inner membrane function in C-resistant cells implies that the latter case should be considered as one possible component of cellular resistance to C attack.