This document describes a protocol for qualitative determination of total complement activation by Western blot analysis. The complement system represents an innate arm of immune defense and is named so because it “complements” the antibody-mediated immune response. Three major pathways leading to complement activation have been described. They are the classical pathway, alternative pathway and lectin pathway (Figure 1). The classical pathway is activated by immune (antigen-antibody) complexes. Activation of the alternative pathway is antibody independent. The lectin pathway is initiated by the plasma protein mannose-binding lectin. 

The complement system is composed of several components (C1, C2.....C9), and Factors (B, D, H, I, and P). Activation of any of the three pathways results in cleavage of the C3 component of the complement system [1, 2].

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Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Barry Neun, Anna Ilinskaya, Marina Dobrovolskaia (2020). NCL Method ITA-5.1. (Version 2.0b). NCI Hub. doi:10.17917/HA0Q-5B49

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