Action of C-SVMP on complement pathways.

Samples (50 µl) of normal human serum (NHS), as the complement source, were incubated for 30 min at 37°C with 50 µl of C-SVMP (0.5 µg) and with 50 µl of Bothrops venom (1 µg) or PBS as positive and negative controls, respectively. The residual complement activity was determined by ELISA for the Classical [A], Alternative [B] and Lectin [C] pathways. The results were expressed as the percentage reduction of component deposition relative to the negative control sample (NHS+PBS). Generation of anaphylatoxins in the serum samples was measured using ELISA kits for C3a [D], C4a [E] and C5a [F]. The results were expressed as the concentration of each anaphylatoxin per mL of human serum. Data are representative of three separate experiments and are expressed as the mean of the duplicates +/− SD. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.