IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL DETECTION OF C5B-9 COMPLEMENT COMPLEXES IN NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL HUMAN LIVERS

The immunohistological localization of components and neoantigens of t he C5b-9 human terminal complement complex was studied in 30 human liv er biopsies. C5b-9, apparently in the soluble SC5b-9 form, was invaria bly detected in normal liver capsule and normal portal tract connectiv e tissue. In livers with fibrosis and or cirrhosis, the pathological c onnective tissue contained variable amounts of SC5b-9 which was distri buted in a similar way to that seen in normal livers. There was no sig nificant C5b-9 deposition outside of the portal tract and capsule in a ny of the liver biopsies. In particular, in pathological livers, there was no deposition in relation to cellular infiltrates or areas of hep atic necrosis. These data support the concept that C5b-9 is a common c omponent of connective tissue but do not indicate that C5b-9 mediated pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of hepatic injury.