title: Novel assays to assess the functional capacity of the classical, the alternative and the lectin pathways of the complement system.
abstract: Deficiencies in many of the complement proteins and their regulatory molecules have been described and a variety of diseases, such as recurrent infections, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and renal diseases, may be linked to deficiency in the complement system. Screening for complement defects is therefore of great importance. In this study, we present novel improved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the functional assessment of the three individual pathways of the complement system. The method is applicable at high serum concentrations and we demonstrate that it minimizes both false negative as well as false positive results. In particular, for the functional mannose-binding lectin activity it represents an improvement on the existing assays. In this respect, the present assays represent novel improved diagnostic protocols for patients with suspected immunodeficiencies related to the complement system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer and Inflammation, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Palarasah
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sprogøe
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lillevang
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bygum
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skjodt
authors.forename: M-O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Skjoedt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000276:immunology; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000276:immunology; D037582:Complement Pathway, Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D052177:Kidney Diseases, Cystic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged