Reference
Harris, David T. Changes in plasma membrane phospholipids inhibit antibody-mediated lysis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2012;417(1):231-6. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2011.11.090
Abstract
A variety of mechanisms have been proposed to explain how tumors evade immune destruction. This work has identified one such mechanism that determines susceptibility to immune lysis; membrane phospholipid composition altered susceptibility to antibody plus complement (Ab+C)-mediated lysis. Effects on antibody plus complement-mediated lysis were correlated with levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but not inherent resistance to complement damage. This cellular mechanism could be a means by which tumor cells escape immune detection and destruction.