Fig 4. tPA promotes C3 cleavage in ischemic mouse brain through an MBL-independent pathway.

Brain homogenates were obtained from mice subjected to MCAO who received i.v. tPA at reperfusion. (A) In wild-type mice, a significant increase in C3a concentration was observed in the ischemic hemisphere, with further increases in C3a after tPA administration. (B) MBL-null mice did not demonstrate significant C3 cleavage in the ischemic hemisphere; however, tPA does promote a dramatic increase in brain C3a in these mice. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 vs. controls (n = 7).