Complement-mediated adherence of immune complexes to human erythrocytes. Difference in the requirements for C4A and...

The classical pathway of complement is required for the adherence of soluble tetanus toxoid (TT)-human anti-TT complexes to erythrocytes. Using human C4-deficient serum we compared the capacity of the two forms of human C4 (C4A and C4B) to mediate this function: C4A was shown to be 1.5-fold more efficient than C4B. In contrast, haemolysis by C4B was 3.7-fold more efficient than by C4A. Such large differences suggest that both forms are complementary, and that C4A is preferentially involved in the processing of immune complexes in humans.