Complement split product C3d as an indicator of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus.
In order to investigate, if complement levels can be used as an indicator of clinical activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), levels of C3, C4, CH50, and C3d were measured in 79 patients, 41 with inactive, 31 with moderately active and 7 with severely active disease. Our study shows that C3d, and particularly the C3d/C3 ratio, provide sensitive markers for disease activity in SLE. Since C3d is a direct measurement of complement turnover, it reflects complement activation better than C3, C4 and CH50.
Röther
E
E
Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Germany.
Lang
B
B
Coldewey
R
R
Hartung
K
K
Peter
H H
HH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D015933:Complement C3d / Q000032:analysis*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D015941:Complement Hemolytic Activity Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D015933:Complement C3d