Role of C3 in the control of monocyte C2 production.

Serum-treated antigen-antibody complexes (IC) and DTSP-polymerized C3b and C3c inhibited the production of the second complement component (C2) by monocytes in culture, whereas monomeric C3, C3b, C3bi, C3c or C3d had no effect. The degree of inhibition of dithiobissuccinimidyl propionate (DTSP)-polymerized C3 was proportional to the degree of polymerization, dimer exhibiting less inhibitory activity than larger molecular weight polymers. The inhibitory effect of serum-treated IC and DTSP-polymerized C3b was abrogated by their pretreatment with Fab fragments of anti-C3, or pretreatment of monocytes with Fab fragments of antiserum to the C3b receptor (CR1). We have concluded that the inhibition of C2 production produced by serum-treated IC is due to bound C3b or C3bi, and is mediated by CR1. Furthermore cross linking of receptors is required for this effect; two or more than two receptors must be cross-linked for a significant effect to be observed.