Heat-Inactivation of Human Serum Destroys C1 Inhibitor, Pro-motes Immune Complex Formation, and Improves Human T Cell Function

Heat-inactivation of sera is used to reduce possible disturbing effects complement factors in cell-culture experiments, but it controversially discussed whether this procedure appropriate or could be neglected. Here, we report a strong impact heat-inactivation human on the activation and effector functions CD4+ T cells. While cells cultured with native were characterized by higher proliferation rate expression CD28, heat-inactivated shaped towards on-blast formation, cytokine secretion (interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-17), stronger CD69 PD-1 expression, increased metabolic activity. Heat-inactivated contained reduced amounts regulators like C1 inhibitor, concentrations circulating immune complexes. Substitution inhibitor beneficial effect terms release, whereas surface-molecule was affected addition complex forming anti-C1q antibody. Our data clearly demonstrate for cell experiments indicate that beside complexes other components might relevant. Beyond that, study further underpins system function.