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Complement System

Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...

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Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells

Published on: January 29, 2014

Pathway-specific complement activity in pigs evaluated with a human functional complement assay.

Bodil Salvesen¹, Tom E Mollnes

¹Institute of Immunology, University of Oslo and Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. bodil.salvesen@rr-research.no

Molecular Immunology

|March 31, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The human complement Wielisa test can evaluate all three complement pathways in pig serum, aiding research in animal models. This functional complement assay is crucial for understanding innate immunity in pigs.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Innate Immunity

Background:

The complement system is vital for innate immunity, and its dysregulation can lead to severe diseases.
Functional complement testing is essential for research animals, particularly pigs, which are widely used in experimental studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the applicability of the human complement functional test, Wielisa, for assessing all three complement activation pathways in pigs.

Main Methods:

The Wielisa assay, detecting complement activation via an anti-C9 antibody, was used with serially diluted normal pig serum.
Specificity was confirmed using purified human MBL and specific antibodies against C1q and factor D.
Functional complement activity was assessed in 103 adult and 38 newborn pig sera, and in vitro/in vivo with complement inhibitors.

Main Results:

The Wielisa assay demonstrated cross-reactivity with pig serum, enabling assessment of all complement pathways.
Pig serum required approximately 10-fold higher concentrations than human serum for comparable results.
Reduced lectin pathway activity was observed in a significant number of pigs, mirroring human findings.
The assay successfully monitored complement inhibition in pigs both in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

The human Wielisa complement functional test is applicable for evaluating all complement pathways in pig serum.
This validated assay supports the use of pigs as a model for studying complement system function and related diseases.