Complement activation in patients with renal failure as detected through the quantitation of fragments of the complement proteins C3, C5, and factor B

Summary Using sensitive and highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays fragments of the complement proteins C3, C5, and factor B were quantitated in patients with renal failure. During hemodialysis on new cuprophan membranes raised levels not only of C3a, but in addition of activated C3, C5a, and Ba were demonstrated. In patients with chronic renal failure and end-stage renal disease plasma concentrations of Ba and activated C3 were markedly elevated independent of hemodialysis. This finding is taken as an indication of a continuous recruitment of the alternative pathway of complement in these patients. As the detected complement protein fragments are known to exert immune regulatory functions these findings may imply that these peptides are involved in the maintenance of the immune suppressed state in renal failure.Abbreviations ABTS 2.2 azino-di (3-ethyl-benzthiazoline sulfonate) - actC3 activated C3 - APC alternative pathway of the complement system - CPC classial pathway of the complement system - CRF chronic renal failure - EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - ESRD end-stage renal disease - mAb monoclonal antibody