Lanier, Bobby G.

Abstract To determine the role of C5 in the spontaneous development of “autoimmune” nephritis in NZB/W mice, the F2 generation was produced and grouped according to C5 status by serum levels as determined by radial immunodiffusion—homozygous negative (cc), heterozygous (Cc) and homozygous positive (CC). In both males and females the frequency of nephritis was actually higher in mice lacking C5 (cc). When the figures for males and females were combined this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.04). Thus C5 does not contribute to the renal lesons of NZB/W mice. It may play some protective role, perhaps through some as yet unidentified anti-viral effect.