Complement receptors in human renal glomeruli.

Glomeruli in Cryostat sections of foetal and adult renal tissues adsorbed sheep erythrocytes sensitized with IgM antibody and human or mouse complement (EAC). Activated complement was essential for the reaction to occur. The receptor had specificity for the C3b fragment of C3 and is probably of protein or glycoprotein nature. Complement receptors in glomeruli may explain the deposition of complement components or complement-containing complexes in immune-complex glomerulonephritis.