The complement system of the marsupial Monodelphis domestica

The activation requirements and pathways of the serum C' system of the marsupial Monodelphis domestica were characterized using standard hemolytic procedures. The existence of distinct classical and alternative activation pathways was established on the basis of their ionic requirements, hemolytic capacity at different temperatures, kinetics of hemolysis, and differential susceptibility to the classical pathway inhibitor carrageenan. For the most part, the activities of these pathways were influenced by factors and conditions in a manner similar to the way they affect the activity of eutherian complement. These observations provide further support for the idea that Monodelphis domestica would serve as a useful model for comparative immunological studies in mammals.