Indoor-related microbe damage induces complement system activation in building users
Janne Atosuo1,2, Outi Karhuvaara1,2, Eetu Suominen1,2
1The Laboratory of Immunochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Turku, Finland.
Innate Immunity
|December 8, 2020
Summary
Exposure to microbe-damaged buildings elevates serum complement system activity, particularly the classical pathway. This suggests an increased risk of subclinical inflammation and health issues for occupants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Indoor environments can harbor microbial damage, potentially impacting occupant health.
- The human immune system, specifically the complement system, plays a role in responding to microbial threats.
- Subclinical inflammation is a state of low-grade inflammation not yet causing overt symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum complement system antimicrobial activity between individuals from microbe-damaged buildings and reference buildings.
- To investigate the association between exposure to microbe-damaged indoor environments and systemic inflammation markers.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 159 individuals (70 from microbe-damaged buildings, 89 from reference buildings).
- Antimicrobial activity was measured using a bacterial *Escherichia coli*-lux bioluminescence system.
- Complement activity was compared between the two groups at a population level.
Main Results:
- Serum complement system antimicrobial activity was significantly higher in individuals from microbe-damaged buildings compared to the reference group (P < 0.001).
- The increase in complement activity was primarily observed in the classical reaction pathway.
Conclusions:
- Exposure to indoor environments with microbe damage is linked to increased serum complement activity.
- This heightened activity suggests a potential for systemic subclinical inflammation in building users.
- Microbe-damaged buildings may pose a health risk due to their impact on the immune system.
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