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Complement activation by vascular prostheses and its role in progression of arteriosclerotic lesions

M Miyauchi1, S Shionoya

  • 1First Department of Surgery, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.

Angiology
|October 1, 1988
PubMed

Insights

Vascular prostheses like bovine grafts, dacron, and PTFE activate the complement system, with bovine grafts causing the most activation. Complement levels are elevated in arterial diseases and correlate with lipids in arteriosclerosis obliterans.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vascular Surgery
  • Biomaterials Science

Background:

  • The complement system plays a crucial role in immune responses and inflammation.
  • Vascular prostheses are essential in treating arterial diseases, but their interaction with the immune system is not fully understood.
  • Previous research suggests potential inflammatory responses to biomaterials used in vascular grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether vascular prostheses activate the complement system.
  • To determine the degree and pathway of complement activation by different vascular prostheses.
  • To explore the relationship between complement levels, arterial diseases, and serum lipids.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo assays including C3a, C4a, and C5a measurement.
  • Crossed immunoelectrophoresis to analyze complement activation pathways.
  • Measurement of complement levels (C3, C4, CH50) in patients with various arterial diseases.
  • Correlation analysis of complement levels with serum lipids in arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) patients.

Main Results:

  • Bovine graft, dacron, and PTFE vascular prostheses were found to activate the complement system in vitro.
  • Complement activation varied by material: bovine graft > dacron > PTFE.
  • Elevated C3 and C4 levels were observed in patients with acute arterial occlusion.
  • Healthy elderly individuals exhibited higher C3 and C4 levels than younger healthy adults.
  • A positive correlation was found between C3 levels and serum lipid levels in ASO patients.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular prostheses, particularly bovine grafts, activate the complement system, suggesting a potential inflammatory mechanism.
  • Complement system activation by prostheses may be relevant to the progression of arteriosclerotic changes.
  • Further assessment of vascular prostheses should consider their complement-activating properties.

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