Related Experiment Videos
A comparative study of complement activation
Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
|May 1, 1985
Summary
This study investigated complement activation in various animal sera using sheep erythrocytes. Guinea-pig complement was highly active, while human complement showed selectivity, and alternative pathway activation varied significantly between species.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Complement System
- Comparative Immunology
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
- Understanding cross-species complement activation is vital for immunological research.
- Variations in complement pathways across species remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cross-activation of total hemolytic complement (THCA) and total alternative pathway activity (TAPA) using antisera raised in various animal species against sheep erythrocytes.
- To characterize the kinetic differences in complement activation and lysis.
- To identify species-specific patterns in complement activation.
Main Methods:
- Generation of antisera in cattle, rabbits, mice, hamsters, guinea-pigs, ferrets, badgers, hedgehogs, and fowls against sheep erythrocytes.
- Assays for total hemolytic complement (THCA) and total alternative pathway activity (TAPA) across various species combinations.
- Kinetic assays to analyze the kinetics of erythrocyte lysis.
- Agarose gel electrophoresis to assess complement activation.
Main Results:
- Ox, rabbit, and fowl sera exhibited low THCA, while guinea-pig complement was universally active. Human complement demonstrated marked selectivity.
- Ferret, badger, and hedgehog sera showed high activation titres, likely via the alternative pathway.
- An inverse relationship was observed between serum complement activity and erythrocyte activating ability within the same species.
- Rabbit and rodent erythrocytes were efficient alternative pathway activators, whereas badger, ferret, and fowl sera showed the broadest response.
- Kinetic studies indicated that initiation and completion of lysis could be separate events in complement activation.
Conclusions:
- Complement activation pathways exhibit significant species-specific variations.
- The alternative pathway plays a prominent role in complement activation by certain xenogeneic erythrocytes.
- Distinct kinetic profiles suggest sequential and potentially separable steps in complement-mediated lysis.