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Activation of human complement by human lymphoid cells sensitized with histocompatibility alloantisera
Summary
Human histocompatibility (HL-A) antibodies can activate the complement system via classical or alternate pathways. The cell surface antigen
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The human complement system is crucial for immune responses.
- Human histocompatibility (HL-A) antigens play a role in immune recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how HL-A antibodies activate the complement system.
- To determine which complement pathway (classical or alternate) is activated.
Main Methods:
- Cultured human lymphoid cells were sensitized with HL-A antibodies.
- Complement activation was measured in vitro.
- Different HL-A alloantisera were used to assess pathway selectivity.
Main Results:
- Some HL-A alloantisera activated the alternate pathway, others the classical, and some both.
- Pathway activation did not correlate with specific HL-A antigens or alloantisera specificities.
- The alternate pathway demonstrated equal cytolytic potential to the classical pathway.
Conclusions:
- Cell surface antigen presentation influences complement activation pathway selection.
- The alternate complement pathway does not require a damaged membrane for cytolytic activity.
- Understanding antigen-antibody-complement interactions can aid in studying membrane antigen expression.