Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 17, 2026

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
[Complement activation in heparin--plasma inhibitory effect of anticoagulants on serum complement activation, 2nd
E Kobayashi1, E Kitano, H Kondo
1Department of Medical Technology, Osaka Prefectural College of Health Sciences, Habikino.
Our previous study of the inhibitory effect of EDTA and citrate in plasma on complement activation revealed that complement is activated in usual citrate plasma but not in usual EDTA plasma. The present study is a similar one using other anticoagulants containing heparin. CH50 and activities of C4 and C2 were assayed in serum or plasma containing various concentrations of anticoagulant after incubation with latex particles bearing immunoglobulin(Ig-Latex). It was found that complement activation is inhibited by heparin in a dose-dependent manner and that 10 U/ml of heparin does not inhibit CH50 reduction and C2 inactivation but inhibit C4 inactivation partially, indicating that complement activation proceeds in plasma containing usual concentration of heparin. Similar results were obtained in cases of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH) and nafamostat mesilate(Futhan). Complement activation was not inhibited by gabexate mesilate(FOY) in the tested range of concentrations. Thus, it was revealed that complement activation is not inhibited by usual concentrations of heparin, LMWH, Futhan and FOY.
Our previous study of the inhibitory effect of EDTA and citrate in plasma on complement activation revealed that complement is activated in usual citrate plasma but not in usual EDTA plasma. The present study is a similar one using other anticoagulants containing heparin. CH50 and activities of C4 and C2 were assayed in serum or plasma containing various concentrations of anticoagulant after incubation with latex particles bearing immunoglobulin(Ig-Latex). It was found that complement activation is inhibited by heparin in a dose-dependent manner and that 10 U/ml of heparin does not inhibit CH50 reduction and C2 inactivation but inhibit C4 inactivation partially, indicating that complement activation proceeds in plasma containing usual concentration of heparin. Similar results were obtained in cases of low molecular weight heparin(LMWH) and nafamostat mesilate(Futhan). Complement activation was not inhibited by gabexate mesilate(FOY) in the tested range of concentrations. Thus, it was revealed that complement activation is not inhibited by usual concentrations of heparin, LMWH, Futhan and FOY.
Related Concept Videos
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Complement System
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Pathways of Hemostasis
The Extrinsic Pathway
The extrinsic pathway of coagulation is typically initiated by tissue damage that exposes blood to tissue factor (TF), a protein released by the damaged tissue cells outside the blood vessels—this interaction with TF triggers biochemical reactions involving specific clotting factors. The key player here is Factor VII, which forms a...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

