title: The role of complement in biomaterial-induced inflammation.
abstract: Biomaterials are regularly used in various types of artificial tissues and organs, such as oxygenators, plasmapheresis equipment, hemodialysers, catheters, prostheses, stents, vascular grafts, miniature pumps, sensors and heart aids. Although progress has been made regarding bioincompatibility, many materials and procedures are associated with side effects, in particular bioincompatibility-induced inflammation, infections and subsequent loss of function. After cardiopulmonary bypass, coagulopathies can occur and lead to cognitive disturbances, stroke and extended hospitalization. Hemodialysis is associated with anaphylatoid reactions that cause whole-body inflammation and may contribute to accelerated arteriosclerosis. Stents cause restenosis and, in severe cases, thrombotic reactions. This situation indicates that there is still a need to try to understand the mechanisms involved in these incompatibility reactions in order to be able to improve the biomaterials and to develop treatments that attenuate the reactions and thereby reduce patients' discomfort, treatment time and cost. This overview deals with the role of complement in the incompatibility reactions that occur when biomaterials come in contact with blood and other body fluids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Division of Clinical Immunology, The Rudbeck Laboratory, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Kristina Nilsson
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Ekdahl
authors.forename: Tom Eirik
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Mollnes
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lambris
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D003167:Complement Activation; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D051056:Complement Inactivating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D003176:Complement C3; D051056:Complement Inactivating Agents; D003165:Complement System Proteins