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The complement profile in relation to the "reactor" state: a study in the immediate post-partum period
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|March 1, 1978
Summary
Post-partum sera from southern Chinese women showed increased complement activity, particularly C5. This suggests a potential link between elevated C5 levels and the generation of complement component C56, impacting immune response.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Complement System
- Maternal Health
Background:
- The complement system is crucial for innate immunity.
- Complement component C56 generation is linked to immune responses.
- Post-partum immune status is of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate complement component profiles in post-partum women.
- To explore the relationship between complement levels and C56 generation.
- To examine the "reactor" state in relation to complement component concentrations.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 50 southern Chinese women 3-5 days post-delivery were analyzed.
- Zymosan was added to assess C56 generation (reactor state).
- Hemolytic and antigenic assays were used to measure complement components (C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, Factor B, Factor D) and C1 inhibitor activity.
Main Results:
- Nineteen of fifty post-partum sera generated C56 upon zymosan addition.
- Post-partum sera exhibited increased total hemolytic complement, C5, C4, C8, C9, C3, C2, C1, and Factor B activity.
- Significantly elevated C5:C7 ratios were observed, supporting the theory of C56 generation dependence on C5 excess over C7, though excessive C5 may be unfavorable.
Conclusions:
- Post-partum sera display altered complement profiles, including elevated C5 levels.
- The findings partially support the theory linking C56 generation to a relative excess of C5 over C7.
- Excessively high C5 levels might inhibit C56 generation, suggesting a complex regulatory mechanism.