Specificity
This antibody recognises complement component 5 (C5), a member of the complement system. The complement system consists of a tightly regulated network of proteins. Its activation leads to a sequential cascade of enzymatic reactions, resulting in opsonisation of the pathogens and their removal by phagocytes, as well as cell lysis. Three pathways have been described, the antibody-dependent pathway (classical pathway), the alternative pathway and the lectin activation pathway (Ehrnthaller 2011, Nesargikar 2012). The complement system plays a critical role in both innate and adaptive immune responses. It is also involved in tissue regeneration, tumor growth and some human pathologies (Sarma 2011). Complement component 5 is the initiator of the effector terminal phase of the complement system. C5 convertase cleaves C5 into C5a, a potent anaphylatoxin, and C5b, ultimately resulting in the formation of the multimeric membrane attack complex (MAC) together with the other components of the terminal pathway (C5b-C9) (Noris 2013). Sheep anti human polyclonal antibody gives a single arc when tested by immunoelectrophoresis (IEP) against human plasma. The identity has been confirmed by double diffusion against fresh human plasma and a known anti human C5.
