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Published on: January 2, 2013
Specific interactions of polystyrene biomaterials with factor D of human complement
M Pascual1, O Plastre, B Montdargent
1Laboratoire d'Immunonéphrologie, Centre Médical Universitaire, Genève-CH, Switzerland.
Biomaterials
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Polystyrene sulphonate materials activate complement by depleting factor H, not factor D. This interaction offers potential benefits for hemodialysis membranes in uremic patients.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Immunology
- Complement System
Background:
- Blood contact with biomaterials can activate the complement system, primarily via the alternative pathway (AP).
- Polystyrene derivatives with sulphonate groups (PSSO3) deplete complement, while those with hydroxymethyl and sulphonate groups (PSCH2OH-SO3) do not.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate interactions between polystyrene derivatives and factor D, a key enzyme in AP activation.
- Clarify the mechanism of complement activation by PSSO3 surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Incubation of normal human serum (NHS) with PSSO3 and PSCH2OH-SO3 surfaces.
- Measurement of C3 activation.
- Assay of factor D and factor H adsorption using hemolytic assays and radiolabeled proteins.
Main Results:
- PSSO3 induced C3 activation, while PSCH2OH-SO3 did not.
- Both polymers adsorbed factor D, rendering it non-functional.
- PSSO3 adsorbed factor H more rapidly and efficiently than factor D.
- Pre-incubation of PSSO3 with NHS prevented complement activation due to factor H saturation.
Conclusions:
- Complement activation by PSSO3 is initiated by factor H adsorption, leading to AP deregulation, followed by AP inhibition upon factor D depletion.
- The differential adsorption of complement regulators suggests potential applications for PSSO3 in hemodialysis membranes for uremic patients with elevated factor D levels.
