Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 7, 2025
09:16
Suppression of Pro-fibrotic Signaling Potentiates Factor-mediated Reprogramming of Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts into Induced Cardiomyocytes
Published on: June 3, 2018
7.4K
The Alternative Complement Pathway Is Activated Without a Corresponding Terminal Pathway Activation in Patients With
Margrethe Flesvig Holt1,2, Annika E Michelsen1,3, Negar Shahini1
1Research Institute of Internal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Frontiers in Immunology
|January 10, 2022
Summary
In heart failure (HF) patients, the alternative complement pathway is activated, indicated by elevated factor B (FB) and C3bBbP levels. However, this activation did not correlate with mortality in this study.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiology
- Complement System
Background:
- Complement system dysregulation is implicated in heart failure (HF).
- Limited data exist on the alternative complement pathway's role in HF.
- Investigating factor B (FB) and C3bBbP in HF is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if plasma levels of FB and C3bBbP are elevated in HF patients.
- To assess the association of FB and C3bBbP with HF disease severity.
- To evaluate the relationship between alternative pathway markers and HF patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Plasma levels of FB, C3bBbP, and terminal C5b-9 complement complex (TCC) were measured.
- 343 HF patients and 27 healthy controls were analyzed.
- Patient data were followed for a mean of 4.3 years for mortality.
Main Results:
- HF patients exhibited significantly higher circulating FB (1.6-fold) and C3bBbP (1.3-fold) compared to controls.
- No significant increase in terminal pathway marker TCC was observed in HF patients.
- FB levels correlated with markers of HF severity like NT-proBNP, troponin, eGFR, and C-reactive protein.
Conclusions:
- The alternative complement pathway is activated in HF patients.
- This activation is not linked to the terminal complement pathway.
- Alternative pathway markers FB, C3bBbP, and TCC were not associated with mortality in HF.
Keywords:
C3bBbPalternative pathwaycomplementcomplement Factor Bheart failureterminal complement complexMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
2.0K
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
2.0K
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
95
Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
95
01:26Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System
553
The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
553
01:22Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies
50
Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
50
01:30Heart Failure V: Medical Management
43
Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
43
01:30Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy
60
Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
60