Normal Human Serum Complement (5.0 mL)

Because the anticoagulants used in the preparation of plasma (EDTA, ACD and even heparin) can interfere with complement activation in vitro, serum has long been used as a human complement source for experimentation. Many commercially available sera, however, are not processed appropriately to conserve complement activity. Lyophilization and plasma recalcification can raise background levels of complement split products (SC5b-9 or TCC, iC3b, Bb, C4d and particularly the anaphylatoxins C3a, C5a and C4a) and decrease CH50. Sera, however, must be processed quickly and correctly to prevent complement turnover. For this reason, sera obtained from blood banks and other large pools may not be suitable for many experimental procedures. Conversely, in house serum draws are complicated by several factors including the necessity of maintaining standardized pools of complement for ongoing experimentation and the confidentiality requirements relating to infectious disease testing. QuidelOrtho Normal Human Serum Complement is designed to address these specific issues.