title: The red-cell immune system.
abstract: It is suggested that red cells have an immune function as well as a respiratory one. Adherence of red cells to antigen-antibody-complement complexes (red-cell immune adherence) has been observed in primates and in rabbits and may represent a basic immune phenomenon that is common to at least all mammals. It is estimated that 95% of C3b receptors in the human circulation are located on red cells and that an antigen-antibody-complement complex has a 500-1000 times greater chance of being removed from the circulation by a red cell than by a white cell. That red cells also adhere to autologous thymocytes and T cells suggests that they may act as intermediaries bringing antigens and T cells together.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000276:immunology; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000201:enzymology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007104:Immune Adherence Reaction; D008954:Models, Biological; D010544:Peroxidases / Q000097:blood; D011817:Rabbits; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D010544:Peroxidases