Assays for Complement Proteins Encoded in the Class III Region of Human MHC

Abstract

Investigation of the complement proteins encoded in the class III region of the human MHC isclinically significant. A low level of components that make up the classical pathway is indicative of an underlying in vivo complement activation or primer complement deficiency. Hemolytic tests of C4 and C2 described are the only methods that allow quantitification of the functional complement proteins. The application of these sensitive techniques is unavoidable if inactive complement proteins are present. The complex hemolytic titration process protocol described in detail makes possible the use of this test. Assays to determine complement components belonging to the MHC III region were completed by a basic phenotyping test of the standard factor B alleles. This simple technique is a very useful first-step assay for clinical laboratories engaged in genetic studies.