Cobra Venom-induced Hemolysis

Interest in the alternate or C3 shunt complement pathway has recently been generated by a number of reports (1-5). Its presence in invertebrates points to a primitive phylogenetic appearance (6). The C3 shunt can be triggered by high molecular weight polysaccharides in a manner reminiscent of the properdin system (7). Once activated by cobra venom, erythrocytes and other cells can be lysed in the absence of specific antibody (3). This mechanism may also be set into motion by immunoglobulins to which the classical C sequence is indifferent (2-4). Moreover, cleavage of C3 via the alternate pathway results in the production of biologically active substances (3, 8).