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Effects of immune complex formation and complement activation on circulating platelets in the primate.
D J Birmingham1, L A Hebert, X P Shen
1Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|April 29, 1999
Summary
Primate platelets are insensitive to immune complex-induced complement activation, unlike rodent platelets. This study found complement inhibition did not affect primate platelet levels during immune complex formation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hematology
Background:
- Primate platelets lack C3a/C5a receptors, differing from rodent platelets.
- Intravascular immune complex (IC) formation triggers complement activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of IC-induced complement activation on primate platelets.
- To compare primate platelet response to leukocytes during complement activation.
Main Methods:
- Cynomolgus monkeys immunized with bovine gamma globulin (BGG) received BGG infusion.
- Complement activation was studied under normal, partial, and total inhibition conditions.
- Circulating neutrophil, monocyte, and platelet levels were measured.
Main Results:
- BGG infusion significantly increased C3a levels.
- Neutrophil and monocyte counts decreased significantly, while platelet counts showed minimal reduction.
- Complement inhibition did not alter the minor changes in platelet counts.
Conclusions:
- Primate platelets are insensitive to intravascular complement activation induced by IC.
- This insensitivity contrasts with findings in rodent models.
- Platelet behavior differs significantly between primates and rodents concerning complement activation.
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