title: Complement fragment C4d and Bb levels in inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. SLE, atopic dermatitis, erythroderma and pustulosis palmaris et plantaris) for assessment of complement activation.
abstract: The complement is one of the major effector system in the process of inflammation. Complement activation has been shown to occur in inflammatory dermatoses such as systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis, erythroderma of unknown origin, and pustulosis palmaris et plantaris by the elevated blood levels of complement fragments. To clarify the complement activation, especially the alternative pathway involvement, we have measured the concentrations of classical pathway-specific C4d and alternative pathway-derived Bb in the plasma of patients with these inflammatory disorders at a mild to exacerbated stage. Only the SLE plasma showed significantly elevated Bb levels. These results suggest that assessments of plasma C4d and Bb levels may be of value in monitoring the involvement of the complement system in patients with inflammatory dermatoses with significant complement activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takematsu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tagami
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051561:Complement C3 Convertase, Alternative Pathway; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D015935:Complement C4b; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology*; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D003181:Complement C4; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D003179:Complement C3b; D015935:Complement C4b; C032261:complement C4d; D051561:Complement C3 Convertase, Alternative Pathway