Immune complex 4323523 219149197 2008-06-13T20:14:54Z WhatamIdoing 1998764 Correction: Type 3 hypersensitivity involves, but is not identical to, an immune complex [[Image:Immune22.gif|thumb|right|Immune Complex Diseases]] An '''immune complex''' is the combination of an [[epitope]] with an [[antibody]] directed against that epitope. The bound antigen and the binding antibody are referred to as a single entity in this state. After an [[antigen]]-antibody reaction, the immune complexes can be subject to any of a number of responses, including [[complement]] deposition, [[opsonization]], [[phagocytosis]], or processing by [[protease]]s. [[Red blood cells]] carrying [[C3b]]-receptors transport C3b-decorated immune complexes to the phagocytes, leave their charge there, mostly in liver and spleen, and return back to the general circulation. Immune complexes may themselves cause disease when they are deposited in organs, e.g. in certain forms of [[vasculitis]]. This is the third form of [[hypersensitivity]] in the Gell-Coombs classification, called [[Type III hypersensitivity]]. Immune complex deposition is a prominent feature of several autoimmune diseases, including [[systemic lupus erythematosus]], [[cryoglobulinemia]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], [[scleroderma]] and [[Sjögren's syndrome]]. == External links == *[http://www.immunecentral.com/immune-system/iss20.cfm immunecentral.com] *[http://www.immune-complex.ch www.immune-complex.ch] [[Category:Immunology]] [[Category:Immune system]] [[fr:Complexe antigène-anticorps]] [[nl:Immuuncomplex]] {{immunology-stub}}