Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting complement in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan-tryptophan. The invention further provides a method of prolonging the survival of tissue transplanted into a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan-tryptophan. The invention also provides a method of treating an inflammatory response in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan-tryptophan.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of inhibiting complement in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan--tryptophan. The invention further provides a method of prolonging the survival of tissue transplanted into a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan--tryptophan. The invention also provides a method of treating an inflammatory response in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of a carrier having coupled thereto a plurality of dipeptides selected from the group consisting of tryptophan-tyrosine, tyrosine-tryptophan and tryptophan--tryptophan.

Abstract: The invention provides a fragment of C1q which is characterized in that a plurality of such fragments selectively binds immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin. The invention also provides a synthetic peptide comprising the sequence:Leu Glu Gln Gly Glu Asn Val Phe Leu Gln Ala Thr 1 5 10 ?SEQ ID NO 2!or variants thereof capable of binding immunoglobulin. Like the C1q fragment, a plurality of the peptides can selectively bind immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins in the presence of monomeric immunoglobulin. As a result of this property, the fragments and peptides are well-adapted for removing immune complexes and aggregated immunoglobulins from fluids containing monomeric immunoglobulin, and for detecting or quantitating immune complexes in such fluids. The invention also provides a binding material for removing immune complexes or aggregated immunoglobulins from a fluid.