Abstract
The sera from three C8α-γ deficient patients previously reported to have a selective C8α-γ defect were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using two polyclonal antisera to C8α-γ and a monoclonal antibody to C8α. All three sera exhibited C8α-γ bands that dissociated into α and γ chains under reducing conditions. Quantitation of the α-γ subunit in these sera by a sensitive ELISA revealed an amount ~1% of that found in normal human serum. A similar assay performed with a specific antiserum to C8β showed unexpectedly low levels of C8β in these sera, which were confirmed by hemolytic titration of C8β. The remarkable differences between C8α-γ and C8β in the C8α-γ deficient sera was that in spite of their comparable immunochemical levels, C8β still exhibited functional activity whereas C8α-γ was totally inactive. That the residual C8α-γ was inactive was also proved by its inability to show lytic bands in an overlay system after SDS-PAGE and subsequent removal of SDS. The implications of these findings for a novel concept of C8 deficiency are discussed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 884-888 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Clinical Investigation |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 3 |
Publication status | Published - 1990 |
Keywords
- C8
- C8 subunits
- combined deficiency
- complement
- inherited defect
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine(all)