Human monocytes, macrophages, and certain lymphocytes bind firmly to red cells coated with immunoglobulin G, whether or not it is acting as antibody. Monocyte binding is specific for cells coated with immunoglobulin G and is inhibited specifically by this immunoglobulin or its Fc-fragment in solution. Although not involving serum complement and not usually a prelude to erythrophagocytosis, this binding causes rapid morphological injury to red cells, as manifested by their sphering, increased osmotic fragility, deformation, and fragmentation. It is inferred that mononuclear cells have specific surface receptors for immunoglobulin G and that these provide a critical phase of the mechanism in vivo, whereby red cells or other particles coated with antibody are apprehended and destroyed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.