[Level of the C3-component of complement in the blood serum of sick children]

Laboratornoe Delo
|January 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Complement C3 levels correlate with IgA and neutrophil activity in children with various diseases, indicating its role in immune responses. This study examined complement consumption in pediatric conditions like immunodeficiency and allergies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Biochemistry

Context:

  • The complement system, particularly the C3 component, plays a crucial role in innate and adaptive immunity.
  • Pediatric diseases such as immunodeficiency, food allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, and viral infections can impact immune function.
  • Understanding complement activation pathways is vital for diagnosing and managing pediatric immune disorders.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the levels of complement C3 component in children diagnosed with a range of diseases.
  • To examine the consumption of complement C3 during the alternative activation pathway in these pediatric patients.
  • To determine the relationship between complement C3 levels, serum IgA, and neutrophil functions.

Summary:

  • This study measured complement C3 levels in children with immunodeficiency, food allergy, rheumatoid arthritis, and severe viral respiratory infections.
  • Findings indicate a significant correlation between complement C3 consumption and serum IgA levels.
  • A direct relationship was also observed between C3 levels and the phagocytic and metabolic activities of neutrophils.

Impact:

  • These findings highlight the potential of complement C3 as a biomarker in pediatric immune-related diseases.
  • Understanding the link between C3, IgA, and neutrophil activity can inform diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions.
  • This research contributes to a deeper understanding of complement system dysregulation in childhood illnesses.

Related Concept Videos

Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

Overview
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
Complement System01:27

Complement System

The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment01:30

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions01:19

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...