C3 Mouse Models

Why Model C3

C3 is the mouse ortholog of human C3 and encodes complement component C3, a central protein of the complement system. C3 is cleaved during complement activation to generate fragments, including C3a and C3b, and has been associated with opsonization, inflammation, and amplification of complement responses.

Complement, including C3, contributes to host defense and is implicated in several inflammatory and autoimmune conditions; complement-targeted therapeutics are in clinical use and development. C3-deficient mice are viable and show impaired complement-dependent responses and increased susceptibility to certain infections.

Model Applications

C3 knockout mice have been used to study complement function in infection, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Humanized C3 models, in which the human protein replaces the mouse counterpart, have been used to evaluate complement-targeted therapeutics in defined experimental settings.

Custom C3 Model Options

Engineered to your specifications, with molecular validation of the targeted allele and germline transmission guaranteed.

• Conventional knockout
• Conditional knockout
• Point mutation / knockin
• Reporter knockin
• Humanized
• Targeted transgenic

Sources

• Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: pathophysiology, diagnostics, and treatment. 2024. doi:10.1159/000540474
• Ricklin D, Hajishengallis G, Yang K, Lambris JD. Complement: a key system for immune surveillance and homeostasis. Nat Immunol. 2010. doi:10.1038/ni.1923
• Wessels MR et al. Studies of group B streptococcal infection in mice deficient in complement component C3 or C4 demonstrate an essential role for complement in both innate and acquired immunity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1995. doi:10.1073/pnas.92.25.11490

Last reviewed: October 22, 2026 · Reviewed by: Paul Sheiffele

Related gene targets: C5 · Cfb · Cfh · C3ar1