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Updated: Oct 29, 2025
06:29
Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
Published on: January 29, 2014
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Erythrocytes identify complement activation in patients with COVID-19
L K Metthew Lam1,2, John P Reilly1,2, Ann H Rux3
1Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Summary
Erythrocytes can help diagnose complement activation in sepsis, including COVID-19. Enhanced C3b and C4d deposition on red blood cells indicates complement dysregulation, aiding precision medicine for sepsis patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- COVID-19 (caused by SARS-CoV-2) can lead to severe sepsis and organ failure.
- Aberrant complement activation is implicated in endothelial injury and organ damage during sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate complement activation in COVID-19 sepsis using erythrocytes as diagnostic tools.
- To assess the potential of erythrocytes in monitoring complement dysregulation for precision medicine in sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Investigated complement activation by measuring C3b and C4d deposition on erythrocytes.
- Compared erythrocyte complement deposition in COVID-19 sepsis patients, non-COVID sepsis patients, and healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significantly enhanced C3b and C4d deposition was observed on erythrocytes from both COVID-19 sepsis and non-COVID sepsis patients compared to healthy controls.
- This finding supports the role of complement activation in sepsis-associated organ injury.
Conclusions:
- Erythrocytes can serve as a diagnostic tool to monitor complement activation in sepsis.
- Monitoring erythrocyte complement deposition may identify sepsis patients who could benefit from complement-targeted therapies.
- Erythrocyte-based complement diagnostics may advance precision medicine approaches for sepsis management.
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