Complement C3 receptors: structure and function.

Significant progress has been made during the past few years toward elucidating the structure and function of various C3 receptors. Better understanding of the biochemical basis of the immune adherence phenomenon has been achieved. The availability of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to C3 receptors allowed more accurate studies of the cellular distribution of these receptors. Finally, advances in our knowledge of the functional properties of the C3 receptors and their relationship to specific cell surface molecules was facilitated by recognition of a patient deficient in various receptor-mediated functions. All together these developments will soon make it possible to describe in detail the molecular events involved in the modulation of complement receptor coupled cell functions.