Platelet Injury Due to Activation of the Alternate Complement Pathway

Abstract

Allergic histamine release from rabbit platelets can be initiated through the alternate pathway of C activation. The release reaction proceeds in the absence of the Fc portion of the antibody molecule. The time course of release due to this pathway is slower than that after activation of the classical C sequence. Platelet injury due to immune complexes through both pathways requires the sixth C component.