The complement component C3 plays a critical role in both Th1 and Th2 responses to antigen.

BACKGROUND: Complement component C3 is synthesized by keratinocytes and is activated after skin injury. C3 is also synthesized by peritoneal macrophages, which are activated by the adjuvant alum.
OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the role of C3 in inciting allergic skin Inflammation and systemic immune responses after epicutaneous sensitization or intraperitoneal sensitization with antigen.
METHODS: C3-deficient (C3-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) control animals were subjected to epicutaneous sensitization with the antigen ovalbumin (OVA) on shaved and tape-stripped skin or intraperitoneal immunization with OVA in alum.
RESULTS: Skin Infiltration by eosinophils and expression of mRNA encoding the TH2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 in OVA-sensitized skin sites was impaired in C3-/- mice. Splenocytes from epicutaneously sensitized C3-/- mice secreted less IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IFN-gamma in response to OVA stimulation than splenocytes from WT control animals. The defect in cytokine secretion by splenocytes was also observed after intraperitoneal immunization of C3-/- mice. C3-/- mice had impaired IgG1, IgG2a, and IgE antibody responses after both epicutaneous and intraperitoneal immunization. The defect in cytokine secretion of C3-/- mice was not due to defective proliferation to antigen, was not observed after anti-CD3 stimulation, and was corrected by the addition of purified C3 protein.
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that C3 plays an important role in both the TH1 and TH2 response to antigen in vivo. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The complement pathway might be a potential target in the therapy of allergic diseases.