Complement is activated in the upper respiratory tract during influenza virus infection.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether complement is activated in the upper respiratory tract during experimental influenza virus infection in human volunteers. Seven subjects were challenged with influenza A/Bethesda/1/85 (H3N2), and four subjects received placebo. C3a and C5a concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in nasal lavage fluids before challenge and for 8 days after challenge. A significant increase (p less than 0.05) in C3a and C5a concentrations was demonstrated in lavage fluids from subjects who developed influenza illness as compared with uninfected control subjects and infected subjects who remained asymptomatic. Maximal levels of C3a and C5a were detected during the recovery phase of illness. These results suggest that complement is activated in the airway in response to influenza illness.
Bjornson
A B
AB
Division of Immunology, James N. Gamble Institute of Medical Research, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219.
Mellencamp
M A
MA
Schiff
G M
GM
D000328:Adult; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D015926:Complement C3a / Q000032:analysis*; D015936:Complement C5a / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000276:immunology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013048:Specimen Handling; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
D015926:Complement C3a; D015936:Complement C5a