C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF) : dissociation of cell-bound and fluid phase stabilization of alternative pathway C3 convertase
Ng, Y.C.; Peters, D.K.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 65(2): 450-457
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 3641695 Document Number: 284827
Fluid phase C3 conversion by C3 nephritic factor (C3NeF) is usually easily detectable and forms the basis of the C3NeF screening test. We have described a group of patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis or partial lipodystrophy and hypocomplementaemia who have an unusual C3NeF which stabilizes cell-bound C3 convertase of the alternative pathway (C3bBb) but causes such weak fluid phase C3 conversion that a C3NeF screening test is negative. These patients have low concentrations of C5 in serum.