title: Inhibition of the formation of the complement membrane-attack complex by a monoclonal antibody to the complement component C8 alpha subunit.
abstract: The effect of nine monoclonal antibodies to complement component C8 on the interaction of C9 with preformed cell-surface C5b-8 complexes and on the functional insertion of C8 into the membrane-attack complex (MAC) was investigated. None of the antibodies prevented C9 insertion into a preformed C5b-8 complex. One antibody (F1) directed to the C8 alpha subunit clearly inhibited formation of a functional MAC. It is proposed that this antibody prevents the C8 alpha subunit unfolding and distorting the bilayer to allow C9 insertion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke's Hospital, U.K.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abraha
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Luzio
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D010856:Columbidae; D003185:Complement C8 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011865:Radioisotope Dilution Technique; D013395:Sucrose
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D003185:Complement C8; D015938:Complement Membrane Attack Complex; D006454:Hemoglobins; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D013395:Sucrose