Measurement of C3 conversion by ELISA estimation of neo-determinants on the C3d moiety

An ELISA assay estimating neo-determinants on the C3d moiety is described. The C3d neo-determinants were detected by incubating the sample on F(ab')2 anti-C3d-coated plates followed by development with biotin-labelled anti-C3d and enzyme-labelled avidin. The assay was compared with rocket immunoelectrophoresis (IE) and crossed IE. Serum from a factor I deficient patient showed no detectable C3d when analysed by rocket IE, but activation was evident when analysing by crossed IE or ELISA. The results suggest that the neo-determinants detected by ELISA become exposed when C3 is split into C3a and C3b and this interpretation was supported by kinetic analysis of C3 activation by the three methods.