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. 1977 Feb;32(2):245–249.

Antibody-independent activation of the alternative complement pathway in human serum by parasitic cells.

F Kierszenbaum, D Weinman
PMCID: PMC1445217  PMID: 844897

Abstract

The lysis of the monocellular parasite Trypanosoma cyclops by normal human serum (NHS) was found to be complement-dependent and to follow activation of the alternative pathway without apparent requirement for conventional antibodies. Lysis of the organisms was inhibited by heat-inactivating NHS at 56 degrees, preincubation of NHS with cobra venom factor or chelation of divalent cations with EDTA. It took place, however, in human C2-deficient serum and was inhibited by prior heating of NHS at 52 degrees to destroy the activity of factor B of the alternative pathway. Moreover, the lytic reaction was magnesium- but not calcium-dependent. Repeated low-temperature (0 degrees) absorption of either human hypogammaglobulinaemic serum or NHS with the parasite failed to remove or significantly decrease their lytic activities.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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