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Complement activation by surface modified poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses
H H Kochounian1, W A Maxwell, A Gupta
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco.
Abstract:
The complement activation potential of surface modified (passivated) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) with polypropylene loops was compared to that of standard PMMA IOLs with polypropylene loops. Both lens types were incubated in human sera for six hours and then the C3a and C5a levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Sera incubated with either IOL type generated significantly higher levels of C3a and C5a than control sera incubated without any IOL. The amount of C3a and C5a generated by the passivated PMMA IOLs was comparable to the levels generated by the standard PMMA IOLs. The results of this study show that surface passivated PMMA IOLs with polypropylene loops activated complement to the same level as standard PMMA IOLs with polypropylene loops.
Insights
Surface passivation did not alter the complement activation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs). Both standard and passivated PMMA IOLs equally activated complement, indicated by C3a and C5a levels.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) are widely used in cataract surgery.
- Surface modification of IOLs aims to improve biocompatibility and reduce adverse immune responses.
- Complement activation is a key factor in the foreign body response to implanted biomaterials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the complement activation potential of surface-passivated PMMA IOLs versus standard PMMA IOLs.
- To evaluate the impact of surface modification on the immunogenicity of PMMA IOLs.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of standard and passivated PMMA IOLs with polypropylene loops in human sera for six hours.
- Quantification of complement activation products, specifically C3a and C5a, using radioimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- Both standard and passivated PMMA IOLs significantly increased C3a and C5a levels compared to control sera.
- The levels of C3a and C5a generated by passivated PMMA IOLs were comparable to those generated by standard PMMA IOLs.
- Surface passivation did not significantly alter the complement activation potential of PMMA IOLs.
Conclusions:
- Surface passivation of PMMA IOLs does not reduce their complement activation potential.
- Both standard and surface-passivated PMMA IOLs elicit a similar level of complement activation.
- Further strategies may be needed to mitigate complement-mediated responses to PMMA IOLs.