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A new and rapid quantitative assay for complement activation: an ELISA for C3d.
Diagnostic Immunology
|January 1, 1985
Summary
A new enzyme-linked immunoassay quantifies complement activation product C3d in plasma. This rapid assay detected elevated C3d levels in systemic lupus erythematosus patients, indicating its utility for monitoring inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Complement activation is implicated in numerous diseases.
- Existing assays for complement activation are often limited by being qualitative, time-consuming, or radioactive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, quantitative assay for measuring complement activation via C3d detection.
- To assess the utility of this assay in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Main Methods:
- Development of an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) to quantify C3d in human plasma.
- Validation of the assay for speed, intra-assay, and interassay variability.
- Comparison of plasma C3d levels in SLE patients versus normal individuals.
Main Results:
- The developed ELISA provides quantitative C3d measurements within 8 hours.
- The assay demonstrated low intra-assay (4.9%) and interassay (8.7%) variability.
- Patients with SLE exhibited significantly higher circulating C3d levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- This novel ELISA offers a rapid and quantitative method for assessing complement activation.
- Elevated C3d levels in SLE patients highlight the assay's potential for diagnosing and monitoring inflammatory conditions.
- The assay may be valuable for detecting ongoing complement activation and inflammation, even in asymptomatic patients.