Serum Levels of Beta1C Globulin, a Complement Component, in the Nephritides, Lipoid Nephrosis, and Other Conditions *

Abstract

Evidence for the participation of complement in the immune reaction responsible for renal lesions in the nephritides was first reported by Gunn in 1915 (1), who showed that complement was re- duced in the serum of patients with acute nephritis following scarlet fever. Subsequently, re- duced serum complement levels have been reported not only in acute nephritis but also in sub- acute and chronic nephritis, disseminated lupus erythematosus with renal involvement, lipoid nephrosis of children (2-5), and in the nephritis resulting from experimental hypersensitivity in animals (6).