Cytotoxic Action of an Antiserum to Soluble Collagen on Tissue Culture of Fibroblasts

Summary

The cytotoxic effect of an antiserum to neutral salt-soluble chicken collagen on tissue culture of chicken fibroblasts was studied. The cytotoxic action was present up to a final dilution of the antiserum of 1:768, and was complement-dependent. No cytotoxicity was observed when tissue cultures of liver or mesonephros of chick embryo or mouse embryo fibroblasts were incubated with the antiserum. The action was, therefore, tissue- and species-specific. The damage observed consisted of irregularities in the cell membrane followed by vesiculation and swelling of the cytoplasm. Nuclear changes were observed only when high concentrations of the antiserum were used.