Related Experiment Videos
C9 and factor B as acute phase proteins and their diagnostic and prognostic value in disease
1Paediatric Research Unit, United Medical School, Guy's Hospital, London, UK.
Insights
Complement proteins C9 and factor B are key inflammatory markers. Their serum levels correlate with disease activity in Behçet
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Complement proteins like C3, C9, and factor B act as acute phase reactants.
- Inflammation leads to significant increases in their serum levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of C9 and factor B serum levels.
- To compare these levels with other acute phase reactants in specific inflammatory diseases.
Main Methods:
- Assessed serum levels of C9 and factor B in patients with Behçet's syndrome, recurrent oral ulceration, and Crohn's disease.
- Compared these levels with C-reactive protein and alpha 1-antitrypsin.
- Conducted longitudinal studies correlating clinical disease indexes with C9 and factor B levels.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a clear correlation between clinical disease activity and serum levels of C9 and factor B.
- Showed varied effects of inflammation on acute phase reactant synthesis.
Conclusions:
- C9 and factor B serum levels are significant indicators in inflammatory conditions.
- These acute phase reactants may play diverse roles in mediating cellular damage during inflammation.
Abstract:
Some components of complement, such as C3, C9 and factor B, behave as acute phase reactants and their serum levels increase significantly in the course of inflammation. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of estimating the serum levels of C9 and factor B was evaluated in patients with Behçet's syndrome, recurrent oral ulceration and Crohn's disease, and the results were compared with those of measuring other acute phase reactants, such as C-reactive protein or alpha 1-antitrypsin. Longitudinal studies in these patients show a clear correlation between clinical indexes of the disease and levels of C9 and factor B. These findings, and experimental studies in monkeys, suggest that inflammation variously affects the synthesis of the acute phase reactants and that they play different roles as mediators of cellular damage.