[Mechanisms of action and clinical importance of C3-nephritic-factor (author's transl)]

The C3-nephritic-factor is an autoantibody specific against C3-convertases. This IgG-immunoglobulin is particularly found in patients suffering from membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and causes a complement-activation under elimination of physiological regulator mechanisms. The clinical importance of this factor is discussed.