Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 30, 2026

The Use of the Ex Vivo Chandler Loop Apparatus to Assess the Biocompatibility of Modified Polymeric Blood Conduits
Published on: August 20, 2014
Reciprocal relationship between contact and complement system activation on artificial polymers exposed to whole
Shan Huang1, Anna E Engberg2, Nina Jonsson3
1Linnæus University Center of Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnæus University, Kalmar, Sweden.
Background:
Inappropriate and uncontrolled activation of the cascade systems in the blood is a driving force in adverse inflammatory and thrombotic reactions elicited by biomaterials, but limited data are available on the activation of the contact system by polymers and the present study was undertaken to investigate these mechanisms in established models.
Methods:
Polymer particles were incubated in (1) EDTA-plasma (10 mM) to monitor the adsorption of 20 selected proteins; (2) lepirudin-anticoagulated plasma to evaluate contact system activation, monitored by the formation of complexes between the generated proteases factor[F]XIIa, FXIa and kallikrein and the serpins C1-inhibitor [C1INH] and antithrombin [AT]; (3) lepirudin-anticoagulated whole blood to determine cytokine release.
Results:
Strong negative correlations were found between 10 cytokines and the ratio of deposited FXII/C1INH, generated FXIIa-C1INH complexes, and kallikrein-C1INH complexes. Formation of FXIIa-C1INH complexes correlated negatively with the amount of C3a and positively with deposited IgG.
Conclusions:
A reciprocal relationship was found between activation of the contact system and the complement system induced by the polymers studied here. The ratios of FXII/C1INH or C4/C4BP, adsorbed from EDTA-plasma are useful surrogate markers for cytokine release and inflammatory response to materials intended for blood contact.
More Related Videos
11:31Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols
Published on: January 2, 2013
08:44An In Vitro Hemodynamic Loop Model to Investigate the Hemocytocompatibility and Host Cell Activation of Vascular Medical Devices
Published on: August 21, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Complement System
Cross-reactivity
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Allergic Drug Reactions
Antibody Actions
Neutralization
Antibodies can bind to pathogens, preventing them from infecting host cells. This process...