Complement activation and phagocytosis of cryoglobulin particles in a patient with plasma cell proliferative disease.
The serum of a patient with a non-aggressive plasma cell proliferative disorder contained two monoclonal immunoglobulins: IgG3 lambda in moderate concentration and having cryoglobulin features, and IgA kappa in low concentration and without cryoprecipitability. The patient's serum had low complement concentration and C3 was partly converted into split products in vivo. Complement (C3) together with cryoglobulin and fibrinogen  was found  by immunofluorescence in sections from skin showing vasculitis. The cryoglobulin particles which formed at room temp. were vividly phagocytized in vitro by neutrophile granulocytes from the patient and from normal individuals as demonstrated in light microscopy and ultramicroscopy.
D001706:Biopsy; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000032:analysis; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000276:immunology*; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010587:Phagocytosis; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000276:immunology
D003176:Complement C3; D003450:Cryoglobulins; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D005340:Fibrinogen; D003165:Complement System Proteins