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C3 is found in the blood and it is one of a group of globulin proteins which help carry important substances in the bloodstream and they help our body to have normal reactions to infections and inflammations. When there is any immune disorder or immune dysfunction, the level of C3 and other complements are often affected, therefore it is very important in diagnosing and measuring some auto-immune kidney diseases such as lupus nephritis, IgA nephropathy, etc.
C3 is one complement in the serum that has the highest content and it is mainly synthesized by the liver and macrophage. Under the action of C3 convertase, C3 can be divided into 2 pieces---C3a and C3 which play important role in the classic activation pathway and bypass activation pathway of complements.
Nowadays the function of complement system has been paid more and more attention in clinic. As a common auto-immune kidney disease, lupus nephritis is caused by immune disorders and the deposition of immune complexes in the kidneys. For most lupus nephritis patients, the decline of their serum complement levels is often related with the deterioration of illness conditions. For those that are in the period of lupus activity, the level of C3 in the blood is decreased and the level can become normal when the illness conditions are relieved, therefore the C3 as well as other complements can be used as an indicator reflecting the current illness conditions for lupus nephritis patients.
For those that have had kidney transplant, the level of C3 is not stable and it can increase in case of organ rejections and then it can return to normal levels.
Besides, C 3 level in the blood can be used for the diagnosis of many other diseases and illness conditions. There is increase of C2, C3 and C4 in patients that have infectious diseases, tissue injuries and acute inflammations. The increase of C3 is very obvious among those that have tumor especially liver tumor. The result of C3 and C4 can also help diagnose allergic reactions such as angioedema.
