Supramolecular Congo red has been used to validate long-lasting theories regarding intramolecular signaling in antibodies and its relation to activation of the complement system. Strong enhancement of antigen-antibody complexation resulting from the binding of supramolecular ligands enables also polyclonal antibodies having intermediate affinity to trigger complement cascade apart of high affinity antibody fraction. This would not have been possible in the absence of Congo red. The property of antibodies provides specifically their ability to trigger the complement system allowed when sufficient structural strain is produced by antigen complexation provides an evidence of intramolecular signaling.
The selective complexation of supramolecular ligands with antibodies engaged in immune complexes enables their using as carriers of drugs in immunotargeting system.
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