Preparation of an R3 reagent (serum depleted of the third component of human complement (C3)) by immunoadsorption. Application to the hemolytic assay of human C3.

We have devised a simple one-step preparation of C3 depleted serum (R3). Fresh normal human serum, with complement activation inhibitors, was depleted of C3 by affinity chromatography on a Sepharose anti-C3c. To prevent non-specific interactions, a high ionic strength buffer containing saccharose was used. Immunochemical analysis and complement activity assays demonstrate that this C3 depleted serum is a suitable R3 reagent. This R3 reagent has been used successfully for titration of hemolytic activity of C3 in normal and abnormal sera. Two simple, specific and sensitive assays are described.