Presence of immunoglobulins, C3 and cytolytic C5b-9 complement components on the surface of erythrocytes from patients with beta-thalassaemia/HbE disease.

The occurrence of IgG, IgM, IgA, C3 and C5b-9 complement complexes on erythrocytes from 43 patients with beta-thalassaemia HbE disease was investigated. Indirect immunoradiometric assays using radioiodinated protein A were employed to quantify the individual components. We confirmed that circulating erythrocytes from thalassaemic patients contained elevated amounts of IgG, and small but significant amounts of C3.