Complement factor B and the alternative pathway of complement activation in bovine milk

Abstract

The contribution of the alternative pathway of complement activation to the capacity of normal milk to deposit C3 fragments on bacteria was tested by attempting to block C3 deposition with antibodies to the alternative pathway component factor B (fB). Factor B was purified and antibodies of the IgY class, which does not activate mammalian complement, were obtained from the egg yolk of immunized laying hens. These antibodies specifically inhibited the deposition of C3. This inhibition and the absence of deposition of C4 demonstrated that C3 deposition in normal milk resulted from the activation of the alternative pathway. Antibodies raised in rabbit were used to develop an ELISA for measuring fB concentrations in milk. The mean concentration of fB was 2·06 μg/ml (±0·18, SEM), 0·57% of the mean value found in serum (360 μg/ml). This proportion was comparable to that of serum albumin (0·63% of serum value) but less than the proportion of C3 in milk (2·71%). Nevertheless, fB was apparently not a limiting factor for the functioning of the alternative pathway, since addition of purified fB to normal milk did not improve C3 deposition. In serum, mild heat-treatment (56 °C for 3 min or 50 °C for 45 min) blocked the alternative pathway and destroyed fB, as shown by loss of antigenicity in ELISA. In milk, mild heat-treatment did not abrogate C3 deposition, and fB was protected, retaining its functionality and antigenicity. Heating at 56 °C for at least 45 min was necessary to completely inhibit C3 deposition in normal milk.