title: The spleen is not a major synthetic site of alternative pathway components.
abstract: The serum concentrations of the complement proteins C1q, C1s, C4, C3, factor D, factor B, properdin, C1 inactivator, factor I and factor H were determined in 7 patients before and after splenectomy. The concentrations of C1q, factor D and properdin were moderately decreased 1-2 days after surgery, while the other components were virtually unchanged. During the course of 4 weeks the values either returned to normal, or were slightly increased. In general, the findings could be ascribed to the inflammatory plasma protein response and were similar in cholecystectomized patients. The results provided no evidence of significant complement protein synthesis in the human spleen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Truedsson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sturfelt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Offenbartl
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Sjöholm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000502:physiology*; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000502:physiology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism*; D013156:Splenectomy
chemical_list: D003165:Complement System Proteins