Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

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...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...

Antibody Actions

Antibody Actions

Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Droplet Microfluidic Approach to Investigate How Fibroblasts Alter Collagen I Spatial Distribution and Endocrine Response in ER<sup>+</sup> Breast Cancer.

ACS biomaterials science & engineering·2025

Same author

US must support chemistry research.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025

Same author

Frontal polymerization in thin layers: Hydrodynamic effects and asymptotic dynamics.

The Journal of chemical physics·2025

Same author

Free-Standing 3D Printing of Epoxy-Vinyl Ether Structures Using Radical-Induced Cationic Frontal Polymerization.

ACS applied polymer materials·2024

Same author

Kinetic and Chemical Effects of Clays and Other Fillers in the Preparation of Epoxy-Vinyl Ether Composites Using Radical-Induced Cationic Frontal Polymerization.

ACS applied materials & interfaces·2023

Same author

Frontal Polymerizations: From Chemical Perspectives to Macroscopic Properties and Applications.

Chemical reviews·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH50) Activity of Serum

Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH₅₀) Activity of Serum

Published on: March 29, 2010

Serum complement activity in the three-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum).

Shanice R Major¹, Clifford L Fontenot, John A Pojman

¹Department of Chemistry, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 70609, USA.

Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

|May 18, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Amphiuma tridactylum plasma exhibits serum complement activity, indicated by its ability to lyse sheep red blood cells. This innate immune function is protein-dependent and requires specific divalent metal ions.

More Related Videos

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

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Published on: February 5, 2010

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH50) Activity of Serum

Measuring the 50% Haemolytic Complement (CH₅₀) Activity of Serum

Published on: March 29, 2010

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

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Published on: February 5, 2010

Area of Science:

Immunology
Comparative physiology
Vertebrate innate immunity

Background:

Amphiuma tridactylum, an aquatic salamander, inhabits microbe-rich environments and experiences frequent injuries.
Despite potential pathogen exposure, their susceptibility to infection is poorly understood.
Innate immune mechanisms, such as serum complement, are common in vertebrates but uncharacterized in Amphiuma.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the presence and characteristics of serum complement activity in Amphiuma tridactylum plasma.
To determine if Amphiuma possesses innate immune mechanisms for pathogen defense.

Main Methods:

Pooled plasma from 19 Amphiuma tridactylum was used for complement activity assays.
Hemolysis of unsensitized sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) was measured.
Activity was characterized by titration, kinetics, temperature dependence, heat sensitivity, protease treatment, and divalent metal ion requirements.

Main Results:

Amphiuma tridactylum plasma showed titer-dependent hemolysis of SRBCs.
Maximal hemolytic activity occurred within 60 minutes at 30°C.
Activity was protein-dependent, heat-sensitive (inhibited at 56°C), and required Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) ions.

Conclusions:

The observed properties strongly suggest the presence of a functional serum complement system in Amphiuma tridactylum.
This finding indicates an innate immune mechanism contributing to pathogen resistance in this aquatic salamander.