Factor B (Bb) Antibody (Monoclonal)

Factor B is one of the complement proteins which is unique to the Alternative Pathway. It is a single-chain glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 98 kD. The concentration of Factor B in human serum/plasma is ~200 μg/ml. The Alternative Complement Pathway provides innate protection against microbial agents in the absence of specific antibodies. The activation of this complement pathway can be triggered by a variety of substances, including microbial polysaccharaides or lipids, gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharides, and surface determinants present on some viruses, parasites, virally infected mammalian cells, and cancer cells. In autoimmune diseases, the Alternative Complement Pathway may contribute directly to tissue damage. A centrally important reaction that occurs during alternative pathway activation is the conversion of the 93 kD molecular weight Factor B zymogen to an active proteolytic enzyme. This is accomplished in a two-step reaction. During the first reaction step, Factor B forms a magnesium-dependent complex with C3 (H2O) or C3b. The C3 (H2O), B complex is formed only in fluid phase, while the C3b, B complex can be formed either in fluid phase or on a target surface. Factor B, present in either complex, is cleaved into the Ba (33 kD) and Bb (60 kD) fragments in the second reaction step by the Alternative Pathway enzyme, Factor D. The C3b, Bb bimolecular complex constitutes the C3 convertase enzyme of the Alternative Pathway, while the Ba fragment is released into the fluid phase.

This monoclonal antibody was raised against purified human Factor B. It is specific for an antigen expressed on the Bb domain of Factor B and therefore reactive to Factor B and the Bb fragment of Factor B. This antibody inhibits the function of Factor B in vitro.