title: Functional assay of C5-activating and nonactivating cobra venom factor preparations in the mouse system.
abstract: This paper deals with a new, functional assay of cobra venom factor (CVF) preparations with or without C5-activating property. Existing methods lack sensitivity and use diluted human complement as target of inactivation. An adapted assay using diluted mouse serum as complement source was hampered by underestimation of C3 depletion by bystander lysis and an overvaluation of C5 consumption resulting from C3 inactivation in the reagent used. These disadvantages prompted us to develop the new assay which is based on the incubation of CVF preparations with undiluted mouse serum. After incubation, residual total C activity, as well as functional C3 and C5 are estimated by titration. The procedure permits the assessment of CVF activities with minimal interference from undesired processes. The conditions in the new assay approach the in vivo situation in mice by the use of undiluted serum from the same animal species.
authors.affiliation: Eijkman-Winkler Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Van den Berg
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Dijk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000187:drug effects; D003182:Complement C5 / Q000187:drug effects*; D015941:Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D012756:Sheep
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D003182:Complement C5; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D004546:Elapid Venoms