Studies of Pig Complement: Measurement of Pig CH50, ACH50, and Components.
BACKGROUND
On the basis of a comparison of the hemolytic complement titer in pigs with that in humans, the complement system of pigs was investigated. The response of innate immunity, such as the natural antibodies, against humans was also examined.


METHODS
Hemolytic complement activity of pig serum was measured with the use of a microtitration technique. CH50 was determined according to the method of Mayer. ACH50 was assayed according to the methods of Platts-Milles and Ishizaka. Hemolytic activities of C1, C4, C2, C3, C5, C8, and C9 were estimated through the use of intermediate cells and reagents, as described previously. In addition, the pig natural anti-human antibody was studied with the use of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Human PBMCs were stained with 5% pig serum, followed by staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled goat anti-pig IgG and IgM. The resulting stained cells were quantified by use of a FACScalibur system. The alternative pathway of pig complement was also measured with the use of human erythrocytes and normal pooled pig serum with or without Mg(++)EGTA.


RESULTS
Both the CH50 and ACH50 titers were lower than those of humans. Concerning the components, except for C3, each component, that is, C1, C4, C2, C5, C8, and C9, was also lower than that of humans, based on measured values for human complement components. Pig serum clearly contains natural antibodies, IgG and IgM, to human PBMCs. The alternative pathway of pig complement reacted with human erythrocytes.


CONCLUSIONS
As a whole, pig innate immunity, the complement system and natural antibody, recognizes the surfaces of human cells.
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan. Electronic address: u377126a@ecs.osaka-u.ac.jp.
R
R
Sakai
Department of Medical Technology Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe Tokiwa University, Kobe, Japan.
E
E
Kitano
Department of Medical Technology Faculty of Health Sciences, Kobe Tokiwa University, Kobe, Japan.
M
M
Hatanaka
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
P
P
Lo
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
R
R
Matsuura
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
K
K
Deguchi
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
H
H
Eguchi
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
A
A
Maeda
Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.
M
M
Watanabe
Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.
H
H
Matsunari
Laboratory of Developmental Engineering, Department of Life Sciences, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Japan.
H
H
Nagashima
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
H
H
Okuyama
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
S
S
Miyagawa
D000818:Animals; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000378:metabolism; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology; D015941:Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000378:metabolism; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; C478562:CH50 recombinant polypeptide; D005353:Fibronectins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C048844:anti-IgG; C044203:anti-IgM; D003165:Complement System Proteins