Premium
Complement activation by eggs and microfilariae of filarial parasites
Author(s) -
Rao UR,
Chandrashekar R,
Subrahmanyam D
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1987.41
Subject(s) - complement (music) , biology , helminths , complement system , microfilaria , filariasis , zoology , immunology , immune system , genetics , complementation , gene , phenotype
Summary The complement of fresh normal rat serum was activated by filarial eggs and microfilariae (mf). C3 was deposited on the surface of Litomosoides carinii, Brugia pahangi, Brugia malayi and Dipetalonema viteae as seen by immunofluorescence. Intra‐uterine and in vitro ‐derived mf did not bind C3. In contrast, C3 bound to the blood‐derived mf of B. pahangi and B. malayi as well as exsheathed mf of L. carinii and B. malayi . Significant consumption of complement was observed with eggs of all filarial species, as well as sheathed mf of B. pahangi, B. malayi and exsheathed mf of L. carinii and B. malayi . These experiments indicated that complement was activated by filarial parasites via the alternative pathway. The bound complement promoted neutrophil‐mediated adherence and cytotoxicity.