Complement Lysis of Human Erythrocytes: DIFFERING SUSCEPTIBILITY OF TWO TYPES OF PAROXYSMAL NOCTURNAL HEMOGLOBINURIA CELLS TO C5b-9

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Abstract

Although enhanced sensitivity of erythrocytes to complement-mediated lysis is a hallmark of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), subpopulations of erythrocytes in such patients vary significantly in this respect. One PNH erythrocyte subpopulation (termed type III) comprises exquisitely sensitive cells, whereas type II PNH erythrocytes are intermediate in complement sensitivity between PNH type III and normal human erythrocytes. Differences in the action of the terminal complement components that would account for the differing lytic behavior of types II and III PNH erythrocytes have been proposed but not directly demonstrated.

Authors

Charles H. Packman, Stephen I. Rosenfeld, David E. Jenkins Jr., Patricia A. Thiem, John P. Leddy