Degradation of type I and II collagen by human C1̄s

Abstract
The activated first component of human complement, C1̄s, was shown to cleave type I and II collagen and gelatin. The proteolytic activity was heat labile and was inhibited by a monoclonal antibody (M241) which recognized light chain of active human C1s or by a serine protease inhibitor, DFP, but not by a chelating agent.