Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Immune complexes have been prepared using oligovalent hapten-protein conjugates as antigens. Antigens with a valence of less than four exhibited restricted reactivity with antibody in the complement-fixation and precipitin reactions, and formed predominantly soluble immune complexes. The complexes thus formed were characterized with respect to density and antibody: antigen (Ab:Ag) composition. Complexes with a density greater than that of 19S proteins, with an Ab:Ag ratio of 5:2 or more, were found to fix complement more efficiently and to have a relatively short intravascular half-life. Complexes less dense than 19S proteins fixed complement poorly and had a prolonged intravascular existence. In situations where antigenic valence restricted precipitate formation, precipitation could be enhanced by human or rabbit complement, and this appeared to be predominantly an effect of C1q.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lightfoot et al. (1970) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: