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Anaphylatoxin levels in human aqueous humor
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Complement anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a, and C5a are elevated in anterior uveitis. Complement activation occurs via classical or alternative pathways in inflamed eyes, with evidence for alternative pathway dominance.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- The complement system plays a crucial role in immune responses.
- Anaphylatoxins, such as C3a, C4a, and C5a, are key mediators of complement activation.
- Their presence in ocular fluids may indicate intraocular inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify levels of complement anaphylatoxins C3a, C4a, and C5a in aqueous humor.
- To investigate complement activation pathways in normal, noninflamed, and anterior uveitis eyes.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was employed to measure C3a, C4a, and C5a.
- Aqueous humor samples were collected from normal eyes, eyes with a history of surgery/inflammation, and eyes with anterior uveitis.
Main Results:
- Anaphylatoxins were undetectable in normal aqueous humor.
- Low C3a levels were detected in some noninflamed eyes, but not C4a or C5a.
- C3a, C4a, and C5a were detected in aqueous humor from eyes with anterior uveitis.
- Higher C3a levels correlated with disease severity in anterior uveitis.
- Elevated anaphylatoxin-to-protein ratios suggest complement activation in inflamed eyes.
Conclusions:
- Complement activation is evident in anterior uveitis.
- Evidence suggests both classical and alternative complement pathways are involved.
- The detection of C3a without C4a in some cases points to alternative pathway activation.