Isolation of Membrane Attack Complex of Complement from Myelin Membranes Treated with Serum Complement

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Abstract
The interaction between [human] complement [C] and myelin membranes and its possible role in myelin damage and in the disposal of damaged myelin in vivo is of interest because activation of complement generates both opsonin(s) and membrane attack complex of complement. Studies on the role of complement in demyelination, showed that isolated myelin activates serum complement in the absence of myelin-specific antibody and that membrane attack complex of complement is the required factor in antibody-mediated demyelination of mouse cerebellar explant cultures. Whether activation of serum C by myelin is associated with the formation of membrane attack complex of C in myelin membranes was examined. Extracts of myelin-associated proteins following incubation of myelin with fresh serum were studied by ultracentrifugation on a sucrose density gradient for detection of C5b-9 neoantigen. The subunit structure of C5b-9 was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, electroblotting and immunostaining. Results indicate that the macromolecular complex consisting of late-acting C components, C5-C9, was assembled in the target myelin membranes.

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