Immunological evaluation of late complement component-deficient individuals.
The possible contribution of additional immunologic variables to the susceptibility of late complement component-deficient individuals to meningococcal disease has not been systematically examined in previous studies. Thus, we studied three groups of patients: (1) 24 healthy individuals, (2) 8 complement-sufficient individuals with a history of recurrent bacterial meningitis, and (3) 19 complement-deficient individuals with prior meningococcal infection. No statistical differences were noted among the three groups for the following parameters: the absolute number and the percentage of lymphocytes; CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, CD20+, and CD16+ cells; and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio. The concentration of C4 and circulating immune complexes was also similar among the groups. The concentrations of IgG, IgM, and IgA were slightly, but significantly, decreased in the complement-deficient individuals. Of interest, the coefficient of spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated activation of neutrophils was significantly depressed in the deficient individuals. We hypothesize that the terminal complement components may participate in maximal neutrophil activation.
Platonov
A E
AE
Central Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia.
Beloborodov
V B
VB
Gabrilovitch
D I
DI
Khabarova
V V
VV
Serebrovskaya
L V
LV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D002648:Child; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000378:metabolism; D003182:Complement C5 / Q000172:deficiency; D003183:Complement C6 / Q000172:deficiency; D003184:Complement C7 / Q000172:deficiency; D003185:Complement C8 / Q000172:deficiency; D003186:Complement C9 / Q000172:deficiency; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003181:Complement C4; D003182:Complement C5; D003183:Complement C6; D003184:Complement C7; D003185:Complement C8; D003186:Complement C9; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D003165:Complement System Proteins