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Research Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI107225

Properdin and C3 Proactivator: Alternate Pathway Components in Human Glomerulonephritis

Robert H. McLean and Alfred F. Michael

Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

Find articles by McLean, R. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

Find articles by Michael, A. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Published March 1, 1973 - More info

Published in Volume 52, Issue 3 on March 1, 1973
J Clin Invest. 1973;52(3):634–644. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI107225.
© 1973 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published March 1, 1973 - Version history
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Abstract

Serological and immunopathological studies of human glomerulonephritis have suggested that alternate pathways of activation of the third component of complement may be important in some forms of glomerulonephritis. We have investigated the role of two alternate pathway proteins, properdin and C3 proactivator, in 22 patients with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 20 patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and 19 patients with other forms of renal disease. C3 (measured at β1A), properdin, and C3 proactivator were assayed by single radial immunodiffusion.

In sera with low β1A (< 2 SD), mean properdin was most significantly decreased in patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis but was also significantly decreased in chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and in untreated systemic lupus erythematosus. Properdin levels in other renal disease, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with normal β1A levels were not significantly different from normal. A positive correlation between β1A and properdin levels in individual sera was present in all diseases except systemic lupus erythematosus.

Serum C3 proactivator was markedly decreased in active systemic lupus erythematosus and there was a positive correlation between β1A and C3 proactivator levels in systemic lupus erythematosus and other renal diseases but not acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis.

Properdin in fresh sera from four patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and five with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis showed increased migration toward the cathode on immunoelectrophoresis, suggesting in vivo change of the properdin molecule.

The observation of reduced serum levels of properdin and C3 proactivator and altered electrophoretic migration of properdin in some patients with glomerulonephritis provide new evidence for participation of these alternate pathway proteins in glomerulonephritis.

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