Analysis Note

C8 is depleted by immunoadsorption as judged by a highly sensitive hemolytic assay.

Application

Complement C8 is one of the end terminals of the complement system contained in the membrane attack complex (MAC). A deficiency of C8 may result in an increased susceptibility to Neisseria meningitidis. The most common mutation resulting in a C8 deficiency is a C to T transition in exon 9 of the C8 beta gene. Recent research however, has also discovered that two separate heterogeneous mutations may result in C8 deficiency in patients displaying recurrent meningococcal meningitis. These mutations are a duplication mutation on exon 7 and a mutation on exon 3.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Serum naturally deficient in C8 may actually contain some C8, though in greatly reduced quantity. Terminal complement complex is present at trace levels in such sera.

Physical form

Supplied as a solution in PBS, pH 7.3