Advances in assay of complement function and activation.

Area of Science:

• Immunology and Materials Science
• Complement system biology
• Biomaterials and biocompatibility

Background:

• The complement system's primary role is recognizing danger signals, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns and foreign surfaces.
• Exposure to foreign surfaces, such as biomedical materials and nanoparticles, triggers an inflammatory response via complement activation.
• Complement activation occurs when a surface is recognized as foreign, disrupting the balance of regulatory proteins like factor H and factor B.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review available methods for studying complement activation on surfaces and in biological fluids.
• To highlight the importance of sensitive detection methods for assessing biomaterial biocompatibility.
• To inform the development of novel materials with improved biocompatibility through understanding complement interactions.

Main Methods:

• Development of monoclonal antibodies targeting neoepitopes on complement activation products.
• Assay development for sensitive detection of complement activation in fluid and on surfaces.
• In vitro and in vivo studies of human and animal complement function and activation.

Main Results:

• Monoclonal antibodies provide new, sensitive methods for quantifying complement activation.
• Impaired regulation of complement control proteins (e.g., factor B and H balance) is key to surface-induced activation.
• Sensitive detection assays are essential for evaluating the biocompatibility of artificial materials.

Conclusions:

• Understanding complement activation mechanisms on foreign surfaces is critical for materials science.
• Sensitive detection methods are prerequisites for developing biocompatible biomedical materials.
• This review consolidates current methodologies for studying complement activation, aiding future research in biomaterial development.