The quantitative interaction of three different immune complex systems with complement has been investigated. dsDNA/anti-DNA, heat-aggregated IgG subfractions, and human IgG/rabbit anti-human IgG complexes were tested for their ability to consume complement (immune haemolysis assay) and to bind to red blood cells in a complement-mediated reaction (the RBC-CF assay). Our results indicate that some physical and immunological properties of the dsDNA/anti-DNA immune complex systems are significantly different from those of immune complexes that involve more common globular protein antigens. This difference in properties may help explain the role of dsDNA/anti-DNA immune complexes in systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis.