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Identification of murine complement receptor type 2.

A rabbit antiserum reactive with the human complement component C3d/Epstein-Barr virus receptor (complement receptor type 2, CR2) immunoprecipitates a Mr 155,000 murine B-cell surface antigen. The apparent molecular weight and cellular distribution of this murine antigen are similar to those of human CR2. Cells expressing the murine protein bind sheep erythrocytes coated with antibody and murine C1-C3d but do not bind Epstein-Barr virus at all. The monospecific antiserum to human CR2 together with goat F(ab')2 anti-rabbit IgG blocks attachment of the C3d-coated erythrocytes to receptor-bearing murine B lymphocytes. To further characterize murine CR2, a lambda gt11 library from the murine late pre-B-cell line 70Z/3 was screened with human CR2 cDNA. A partial cDNA clone of 3.5 kilobases with 79% amino acid sequence identity to human CR2 in the unique intracytoplasmic region and 63% identity to the sixth human CR2 repeat was obtained. Blot hybridization with the murine cDNA clone identified an RNA species of approximately 4.7 kilobases, similar in size to human CR2 mRNA, from a murine B-cell line but not from a murine T-cell line.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complement receptors on Raji cells. The presence of a new type of C3 receptor.

Raji cells in our laboratory did not form rosettes with EAC43hu. When EAC43hu are treated with beta 1H, the treated EAC43hu forms heavy rosettes with Raji cells. Evidence is presented to show that these rosettes resulted from a new type of C3 receptor which is different from either CR1 (C3b receptor), CR2 (C3d receptor) or CR3 (C3bi receptor). Three lines of evidence clearly showed that C3 is implicated in the new rosette formation. C3 receptors isolated from human erythrocytes inhibited the new rosette formation, while they did not inhibit the rosette formation of Daudi cells via CR2, indicating that the new rosette-forming receptor is different from CR2. Anti-Raji cells antiserum inhibited the new rosette formation while it did not inhibit the reaction between human erythrocytes and EAC43 via CR1. This fact indicates that the new rosette-forming receptor is different from CR1 in accordance with the lack of rosette formation of Raji cells with EAC43. The evidence to differentiate the receptor from CR3 comes from no participation of C3b inactivator in the generation of rosette-forming activity of EAC43. Both the mode of action of anti-beta 1H and the effect of modification of bound C3b by N-bromosuccinimide suggest that EAC43 reacts with beta 1H, which in turn results in a conformational change of C3b. Raji cells might have receptors for the beta 1H altered C3b.

Blood Proteins↗

Composition of nephritic factor-generated glomerular deposits in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type 2.

Two observations suggest that nephritic factors (NFs) may be nephritogenic. First, glomerulonephritis is present in unusual frequency in three conditions in which the function of factor H is blocked, a dysfunction also produced by NFS: Second, in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type 2, subepithelial deposits on the paramesangial portion of the glomerular basement membrane are found only in renal biopsy specimens obtained during hypocomplementemia when NF is presumably present. In the present study, the composition of these deposits with respect to C3 derivatives was assessed by immunohistological evaluation using anti-C3c and anti-C3d. The assessment used routinely obtained photomicrographs, as well as immunohistologic examination of freshly cut tissue using the double-antibody method. Deposits in patients with typical hypocomplementemic MPGN type 2 reacted only with anti-C3c, whereas those in two patients with rapidly progressive MPGN type 2, six patients with poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis, and five patients with juvenile acute nonproliferative glomerulitis reacted with anti-C3d, as well as anti-C3c. Because all products derived from the breakdown of C3 except C3c react with anti-C3d, the deposits in typical MPGN type 2 must be composed only of C3c. With complete breakdown of bound C3b, C3c is released into the fluid phase. Therefore, the C3c in the deposits cannot be a product of a glomerular complement reaction, but instead must be formed in the circulation by the reaction of NF with native C3. Supporting C3c as the only constituent of these deposits is the observation that they are devoid of properdin and C5 is present in only small amounts.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The antigenic and molecular alterations of C3 in the fluid phase during an immune reaction in normal human serum. Demonstration of a new conversion product, C3x.

During the reaction of an immune precipitate with fresh human serum, C3 undergoes a number of molecular alterations with the formation of conversion products differing from those obtained when purified components react. Those products which remain in the fluid phase, the subject of the present paper, have been identified by their reaction with monospecific antisera to the three antigenic determinants of C3, A, B, and D, after electrophoresis in agar or polyacrylamide gel. When purified C3 reacts with EAC1,4,2, C3i is found in the fluid phase. C3i, a loose complex of C3a and C3b, is in a conformational state whereby only the A and D antigens, present on its C3b portion, will consume antibody. The B antigen, present on the C3a portion of C3i, is unavailable for combination with antibody until C3i dissociates. In the fluid phase of the reaction of an immune precipitate with whole serum, C3i, C3a, and C3b, formed when purified components react, cannot be found. Instead the end products of the reaction appear to be C3c, which contains the A antigen, and C3d, which contains the D antigen. C3c and C3d are similar to the beta1A and alpha2D produced by the aging of serum but differ in their mobilities in acrylamide gel and in agar. The C3c and C3d generated by an immune precipitate also differ slightly from the C3c and C3d produced by the reaction of trypsin with C3 in whole human serum. As human serum reacts with an immune complex, native C3 appears to undergo a primary alteration before conversion. This alteration results in a molecular species of C3 which is labile at 56 degrees C for 30 min, fails to expose additional A and D antigenic sites upon aging, and which forms beta1A and C3d rather than beta1A and alpha2D during aging. In addition to this altered form of native C3, a new conversion product, C3x, is formed as whole serum reacts with an immune complex. C3x is not found in systems utilizing pure complement components. C3x is like C3 in that it bears all three antigenic determinants but differs in that it has a slightly faster mobility in polyacrylamide gel than does native C3. C3x is not only found in the fluid phase but is also bound to the immune precipitate. Finally, the fluid-phase kinetics of each of the antigens of C3 have been determined as normal human serum reacts with an immune precipitate. These illustrate that nearly the entire population of native C3 molecules undergoes conversion rapidly as manifested by the disappearance of the B antigen from the fluid phase. Moreover, the kinetics of the fluid-phase A and D antigens reflect that the conversion of C3 in serum is quantitatively not the same as when purified C3 reacts with C4,2.

Adult↗

Erythrocytes from young but not elderly donors can bind and degrade immune complex- and antibody-bound C3 in vitro.

In situ aged erythrocytes (senescent erythrocytes from young donors and both young and old erythrocytes from elderly donors) demonstrate high levels of membrane-bound C3c and C3d and elevated susceptibility to in vitro phagocytosis. In this study we demonstrate that in situ aged erythrocytes are defective in their ability to degrade C3 fragments and clear them from the erythrocyte membrane. Erythrocytes from young donors bind complement-bearing immune complexes via CR1 and become susceptible to complement-mediated erythrophagocytosis ('innocent bystander' sequestration). Erythrocytes from elderly donors are defective in their ability to bind such immune complexes, as attested by the lack of an increment in membrane-associated C3 fragments as detected by flow cytometry and lack of an increment in in vitro sequestration. Factor I (serum)-dependent cleavage of C3 fragments and release of immune complexes from the erythrocytes of young donors lead to a drop in erythrocyte-associated C3 fragments and the disappearance of the 'innocent bystander' phenomenon. Inhibition of Factor I, and thus inhibition of C3b degradation and immune complex release for the erythrocyte membrane, enhances the levels of 'innocent bystander' sequestration of erythrocytes from young donors. Erythrocytes from elderly donors are defective in the dynamic process of CR1 binding of complement-bearing immune complexes and Factor I-associated release of membrane-associated C3 fragments. A defect in the ability of all in situ aged erythrocytes to clear their membranes of C3 fragments is also demonstrated for complement bound to the erythrocyte via IgM isoagglutinins. While erythrocytes from both young and elderly donors allow for the IgM-mediated binding of complement to the erythrocyte, only young erythrocytes from young donors demonstrate degradative activity with the release of membrane-associated C3c. Erythrocytes from elderly donors demonstrate lower levels of detectable CR1 (CD35), decay accelerating factor (DAF) (CD55) and Protectin (CD59) than do erythrocytes from young donors. Time course studies determine that the defect in handling of immune complexes observed for in situ aged erythrocytes is not due to differences in the kinetics of loading or releasing of immune complexes. These findings on the refractiveness of erythrocytes of elderly donors to uptake of immune complexes and the degradation of C3 fragments may be of importance not only in the understanding of erythrocyte sequestration, but also in the physiology of immune clearance in the elderly.

Adolescent↗

Reactive lysis--a phenomenon of delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions.

A 62-year-old female with Gaucher's disease demonstrated alloanti-c on pretransfusion testing. She was transfused with five units of c-negative red blood cells (RBCs) preoperatively and intraoperatively. The hemoglobin (Hb) level was slightly lower initially, hut was markedly lower on day 10 posttransfusion. Serologic results indicated a delayed hemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) due to alloanti-s, -Fya, and -Jkb, present both on the RBCs and in the serum. As late as day 35 posttransfusion, a mixed-field anti-IgG direct antiglobulin test (DAT) indicated that there were two cell populations present. The DAT remained positive with anti-C3b, -C3d throughout the course of the reaction. Because of the substantially lower Hb and the severity of symptoms, immunologic clearance of the antigen-positive donor RBCs was expected. However, we demonstrated their persistence. Our data corroborates the observation that complement activation occurring during DHTRs can result in the hemolysis of innocent bystander (autologous) cells.

Journal Article↗

Complement receptor expression by neoplastic and normal human cells.

Complement receptor (CR) expression in cell lines derived from Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), Epstein Barr virus-transformed cord blood lymphocytes (CB), and peripheral lymphocytes from patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM) was examined. Red cell intermediates bearing various densities of C4b, C3b, C3bi, or C3d were tested for rosette formation with the cell lines. In addition, a series of studies was performed under conditions that precluded the cleavage of cellbound C3b by Factor I (C3bINA). These conditions did not alter rosetting by the cells that were tested. RAJI cells rosetted with EAC3bi greater than EAC3d greater than EAC3b, but not with EAC4b. EAC3b/RAJI rosette formation required much greater quantities of C3b bound to red cells than did CB and IM lines, which unlike RAJI, also bound EAC4b. All of the BL lines failed to bind EAC4b even at a C4b density of 50,000 molecules/cell, but several lines did form rosettes with EAC3b, and most formed rosettes with EAC3bi and EAC3d. Fluid phase C3b blocked RAJI/EAC3b rosetting while having little effect on RAJI/EAC3bi rosette activity. Moreover, fluid phase C3b, as well as C4b, blocked RAJI/EAC3b rosettes more effectively than CB/EAC3b rosettes. The results indicate that the RAJI cell line has a receptor for C3b, with characteristics that differ markedly from the C3b receptor of cell lines derived from CB lymphocytes and of lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from patients with IM. This receptor is capable of interacting with soluble but not cellbound C4b. In these studies, rosette formation was examined under various ionic conditions. RAJI/EAC3b rosette formation was severely reduced as ionic strength was increased, whereas RAJI/EAC3bi binding was only moderately decreased at physiologic ionic strength. In striking contrast, EAC3bi binding to monocytes, PMN, and human erythrocytes was markedly reduced as ionic strength increased, but EAC3b binding to these cells was less sensitive to changes in ionic strength. Under conditions of physiologic ionic strength, the C3bi receptor of phagocytic cells may be at a functional disadvantage in the binding of C3bi-coated particles. This may have major physiologic implications.

Burkitt Lymphoma↗

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with IgA--diagnostic and therapeutic aspects in a case with long-term follow-up.

A 51-year-old woman presented with superficial thrombophlebitis and severe hemolytic anemia. The initial direct antiglobulin test using a broad-spectrum antiserum for screening was negative. Later testing with monospecific antisera revealed the rare finding of an autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) associated with IgA autoantibody. In IgA-AIHA the direct antiglobulin test with a broad-spectrum antiserum may be falsely negative, because a standardized anti-IgA level is not compulsory. This case illustrates the diagnostic significance of monospecific antisera in IgA-AIHA. Our patient responded well to high-dose steroids, but due to repeated exacerbations this treatment could not be tapered. Splenectomy was performed 19 months later. Since then the AIHA remained in remission, even after steroids were stopped, and although the direct antiglobulin test continued to be positive for IgA and became positive again for C3d. Available data about pathogenesis and therapy of IgA-AIHA are reviewed.

Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune↗

[Selective binding in vitro of a modified form of the C3 component of complement to human erythrocytes].

C3 was bound to human erythrocytes from autologous plasma or from serum brought to low ionic strength (mu less than or equal to 0.03) and pH between 4.0 and 5.0, then subsequently incubated with erythrocytes (50/1, v/v) for 20 min at 0 degree C. This capacity was preserved up to 72 h by prolonged incubation at 20, 25 or 37 degrees C, whereas it was quickly lost by incubation at 0 degree C. C3 binding did not require complement activation and was not observed with neuraminidase-treated erythrocytes. Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis of the pretreated serum or plasma revealed that a fraction having more cathodal migration than that of native C3 was generated upon incubation in the above-mentioned conditions. This fraction appeared able to selectively bind to the erythrocytes. Cell-bound C3 reacted positively to antisera against C3a, C3c, C3d or native C3; they rosetted positively with EAC3b, clearly showing that this C3 binding was not dependent on the proteolysis of C3 and that it concerned the acceptor sites on the cells, since C3b receptors were free. The functional significance of this C3 binding was also investigated: EC3 were not able to lyse through the alternative pathway, whereas lysis clearly increased when C3 was found to AET-treated erythrocytes. This finding, together with the modulation in the capacity of EC3 or E(AET)C3 to form an alternative pathway convertase by antibodies to C3c or C3d, strongly suggests a contribution of bound C3 to such a convertase. In contrast to "C3b-like" C3, this modified C3 was able to bind to acceptor sites on erythrocytes but, like the former, it retained the capacity to form an alternative pathway convertase. In this light, it may represent an intermediate between C3 and "C3b-like" C3.

Complement Activation↗

Phosphorylcholine coating offers natural platelet preservation during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Return of blood activated by tissue factor is the main culprit for triggering the coagulation cascade. When this activated blood is diverted from the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit, it becomes possible to evaluate the effect of surface treatment on platelet and complement activation. Twenty adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were randomly assigned either to a control group (n=10) or to a group in which the CPB circuit was completely coated with phosphorylcholine (n=10). Plasma concentrations of platelet factor 4 (PF4), beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG), C3, C3d, C4, TCC, thrombin generation, haptoglobin and free haemoglobin, as well as blood loss, were measured. No significant differences between the two groups were found for haemolysis and thrombin generation. The mean total release of PF4 and betaTG during CPB was 9338+/-17303 IU/ml/CPB and 3790+/-4104 IU/ml/CPB in the coated group versus 22192+/-13931 IU/ml/CPB (p=0.011) and 8040+/-3986 IU/ml/CPB (p=0.005) in the control group. Blood loss was 30% less in the coated group compared to the control group. Phosphorylcholine coating appears to have a favourable effect on blood platelets, which is most obvious after studying the changes during CPB. Clinically, this effect resulted in a 30% reduction in blood loss.

Aged↗

Coligation of the B cell receptor with complement receptor type 2 (CR2/CD21) using its natural ligand C3dg: activation without engagement of an inhibitory signaling pathway.

C3dg is a cleavage product of the C3 component of complement that can facilitate the coligation of the complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) with the BCR via C3dg/Ag complexes. This interaction can greatly amplify BCR-mediated signaling events and acts to lower the threshold for B cell activation. Although previous studies have used anti-CR2 Abs or used chimeric Ags in the context of BCR transgenic mice as surrogate C3d-containing ligands, we have used a physiological form of C3d to study signaling in B cells from wild-type C57BL/6 mice. We find that while CR2-enhanced BCR signaling causes intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and total pTyr phosphorylation of an intensity comparable to optimal BCR ligation using anti-IgM Abs, it does so with limited activation of inhibitory effectors (such as CD22, Src homology region 2 domain containing phosphatase 1, and SHIP-1) and without substantial receptor cross-linking. In summary, we demonstrate that CR2-enhanced BCR signaling may proceed not only through the previously described amplification of positive signaling pathways, but is potentially augmented by a lack of normal inhibitory/feedback signaling.

Animals↗

Portal capillary C4d deposits and increased infiltration by macrophages indicate humorally mediated mechanisms in acute cellular liver allograft rejection.

Almost no data exist concerning the role of antibody-mediated mechanisms in human acute cellular liver allograft rejection (ACR). Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether ACR is associated with depositions of complement split products and increased infiltration by B-lymphocytes, plasma cells and macrophages. A total of 35 liver biopsy specimens (ACR n=22, controls n=13) were analyzed by immunohistochemical single and double staining. The average numbers of CD 20(+), CD 38(+) and CD 68(+) cells per portal tract were established while the presence of C4d and C3d deposits was evaluated semiquantitatively. Significantly greater numbers of CD 20(+) (P=0.029) and CD 38(+) (P=0.014) cells were found in the ACR specimens than in the control specimens. Additionally, 50% of patients diagnosed with ACR showed C4d deposits along portal capillaries, which was associated with a significantly increased portal infiltration by macrophages (P=0.007). Taken together these results support the involvement of humorally mediated mechanisms in some cases of ACR.

Acute Disease↗

Demonstration of the complement regulating protein, beta 1H, in skin biopsies from patients with bullous pemphigoid.

beta 1H-globulin is a recently characterized plasma protein which regulates the biologic activities of the major fragment of the third complement component, C3b. The major function of this protein is to act as a co-factor for C3b Inactivator (C3bINA) in the cleavage of C3b to an intermediate molecule, C3b', consisting of an intact beta-chain covalently bound by disulfide bridges to 2 alpha-chain fragments of 40,000 and 67,000 daltons. Final cleavage of C3b' to the C3c and C3d fragments requires an additional protease such as plasmin or elastase. Additionally, beta 1H interferes with the activity of the alternative pathway convertases, C3bBb and C3bBbP, by displacing or competing with the binding of factor B. In this study, perilesional skin biopsies from 10 patients with active bullous pemphigoid were examined for the presence of beta 1H at the dermal-epidermal junction by immunofluorescent methods. The protein was found in 8 of 9 biopsies in which C3 also was deposited. In a single case where C3 was not found, beta 1H was not seen. These findings suggest that beta 1H plays a role in the in vivo control of C3b and provides additional evidence for the participation of the complement system in the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid.

Aged↗

False-positive antiglobulin tests in healthy subjects and in hospital patients.

An antiglobulin reagent containing anti-IgG, -C4c, -C4d, -C3c, and -C3d was used to test red blood cells from healthy subjects and from patients in hospital. In tests read macroscopically on opal tiles, no positive reactions were found in the healthy subjects. Positive reactions were, however, observed in 7% of the hospital patients. Further tests with monospecific reagents showed the positive reactions to be due to the presence of C4d and C3d on the red cells. All patients with positive antiglobulin reactions had serious disease, in most cases associated with abnormal antibody production or abnormal immunoglobulin levels.

Complement C3↗

Quantification of antibodies to the C3d subcomponent of human C3.

Purified soluble C3d has been employed to measure the concentration of anti-C3d antibodies in immune rabbit sera. Multiple batches of C3d, prepared from C3-C3b substrate by treatment with C3b-inactivator (KAF), after labelling with 125I, retained 80% immunoreactivity, and were stable on storage at -50 degrees and +4 degrees. Concentrations of anti-C3d were determined by Scatchard analysis of equilibrium concentrations of bound and free C3d in a mixture of 125I-labelled C3d and anti-C3d. Separation of bound from free C3d was by G-75 Sephadex filtration. Assuming a 1:1 molar ratio in the antibody-C3d complex, anti-C3d antibody concentrations for four rabbit whole antisera and four IgG preparations fell in the range 288-2433 microgram/ml, with Ko values of 6-2 X 10(8)-2-9 X 10(9) litres/mol. One commercial antiglobulin-serum contained 3-6 microgram anti C3d/ml and had a Ko value of 1-7 X 10(8) litres/mol. Values for anti-C3d concentrations measured independently by an indirect method employing 125I-labelled sheep anti-rabbit IgG averaged 20% lower than those obtained with 125I-labelled C3d. Antibody concentrations were correlated with antiglobulin agglutination titres against C3d-coated red cells; a titre of 1 was given by an anti-C3d concentration of 0-5 microgram/ml.

Animals↗

Isolation and characterization of the third complement component of axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum).

1. Using a monoclonal anti-human C3 antibody and a polyclonal anti-cobra venom factor antibody as probes, a protein homologous to the mammalian third complement component (C3) was purified from axolotl plasma and found to be axolotl C3. 2. Axolotl C3 consists of two polypeptide chains (Mr = 110,000 and 73,000) linked by disulfide bonds. An internal thiolester bond in the alpha chain was identified by the incorporation of [14C]methylamine and NH2-terminal sequence from the C3d fragment of C3. 3. Digestion of C3 by trypsin resulted in the cleavage of both the alpha and beta chains, generating fragments with a cleavage pattern similar to that of human C3. 4. The amino acid composition of axolotl C3 and the amino acid sequences of the thiolester site (and the surrounding amino acids), the cleavage site for the C3-convertase, and one of the factor I cleavage sites are similar to C3 from other vertebrates. 5. In contrast to human C3, which has concanavalin A binding carbohydrates on both the alpha and beta chains, only the beta chain of axolotl C3 contains such carbohydrates.

Ambystoma↗

Herpes simplex virus glycoprotein C: molecular mimicry of complement regulatory proteins by a viral protein.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encodes a protein, glycoprotein C (gC), which binds to the third complement component, the central mediator of complement activation. In this study the structural and functional relationships of gC from HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and known human complement regulatory proteins factor H, properdin, factor B, complement receptor 1 (CR1) and 2 (CR2) were investigated. The interaction of gC with C3b was studied using purified complement components, synthetic peptides, antisera against different C3 fragments and anti-C3 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with known inhibitory effects on C3-ligand interactions. All the mAb that inhibited gC/C3b interactions, in a differential manner, also prevented binding of C3 fragments to factors H, B, CR1 or CR2. No blocking was observed with synthetic peptides representing different C3 regions or with factor B and C3d, whereas C3b, C3c and factor H were inhibitory, as well as purified gC. There was no binding of gC to cobra venom factor (CVF), a C3c-like fragment derived from cobra gland. Purified gC bound to iC3, iC3b and C3c, but failed to bind to C3d. Glycoprotein C bound only weakly to iC3 derived from bovine and porcine plasma, thus indicating a preference of the viral protein for the appropriate host. Binding of gC was also observed to proteolytic C3 fragments, especially to the beta-chain, thus suggesting the importance of the C3 region as a binding site. Purified gC from HSV-1, but not HSV-2, inhibited the binding of factor H and properdin but not of CR1 to C3b. The binding of iC3b to CR2, a molecule involved in B-cell activation and binding of the Epstein-Barr virus, was also inhibited by the HSV-1 protein. As factor H and properdin, the binding of which was inhibited by gC, are important regulators of the alternative complement pathway, these data further support a role of gC in the evasion of HSV from a major first-line host defence mechanism, i.e. the complement system. In addition, the inhibition of the C3/CR2 interaction may suggest a possible immunoregulatory role of HSV glycoprotein C.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Complement (C3) receptor-mediated attachment of agarose beads to mouse peritoneal macrophages and human monocytes.

We have determined the receptors on human monocytes and mouse peritoneal macrophages producing agarose binding. By using isolated human complement factors C3, B and D, agarose beads were coated with C3b. In some experiments C3b was converted to C3bi by using human serum diluted 1:20. Agarose beads coated with C3b or C3bi bound strongly to monocytes. Only agarose beads coated with C3bi were attached to mouse macrophages. Trypsinization of agarose beads coated with C3bi abolished the attachment of the beads to macrophages and monocytes, probably because of conversion of C3bi to C3d. Endocytosis by macrophages of agarose preincubated in human serum or in C5-deficient AKR mouse serum reached the same levels, indicating that the amount of C5 present in serum during preincubation is not important for the degree of endocytosis. It is concluded that internalization of agarose by macrophages is mediated via the C3bi receptor.

Animals↗