title: Inhibition of equine complement activity by polysulfated glycosaminoglycans.
abstract: The ability of polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG) to inhibit the complement cascade was evaluated. The role of complement in inflammation and infection has been well documented. Inhibition of the complement cascade by PSGAG could explain why intra-articularly administered PSGAG diminish diarthrodial joint inflammation and potentiate septic arthritis in horses. Hemolytic complement testing was performed to evaluate the effect of PSGAG on the equine classical and alternate pathways of complement, using rabbit erythrocytes as the target cells. Concentration of PSGAG between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.6 mg/ml significantly (P less than 0.05) inhibited equine complement in dose-related fashion. Further increase in complement inhibition was not observed at PSGAG concentration greater than 0.6 mg/ml. Difference was not apparent in the extent of inhibition of complement from each of the 4 horses tested. Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans appeared to inhibit the classical and alternate complement pathways equally, indicating possible effect on complement components common to both pathways. Heat inactivation of complement function completely inhibited (P less than 0.01) the hemolytic activity of the serum from all horses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rashmir-Raven
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Coyne
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Fenwick
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Gaughan
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: DeBowes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000187:drug effects; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000187:drug effects; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006461:Hemolysis; D006736:Horses / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D003169:Complement Inactivator Proteins; D006025:Glycosaminoglycans; D003165:Complement System Proteins