Total Complement Activity Test

Overview Background Workflows Case study Products Related Tests Q&A Resources

Complement System Overview

3-6-1-1-Total-Complement-Activity-Test-1.png Fig.1 Activation pathways of the complement system. (Schartz, 2020)

Background of Total Complement Activity Test

Importance of the test

With the advancement of investigation, the complement system is gradually become more and more interesting, complex, mysterious, and important in inmmune homeostasis and human health. In addition to immune defense, the complement system also involves in multiple essential biological processes and its dysfunction is closely related to a broad spectrum of human disorders (see Fig.2). Novel therapy development targeting the complement system is increasingly important and motivational, and more and more complement biopharmaceuticals have been developed and evaluated in clinical trials for disease treatment (see Fig. 3).

Total complement activity test provides a comprehensive insight into the activation state of the complement system to better define the disease occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment response, serving as an useful tool for complement-centered therapy development.

3-6-1-1-Total-Complement-Activity-Test-2.png Fig.2 Complement implication in human diseases. ( Meuleman, 2022)

3-6-1-1-Total-Complement-Activity-Test-3.png Fig.3 The complement drug development landscape. (Harris, 2018)

Methods to test

Total complement activity test is performed mainly to evaluate the activity of the overall complement system or the activity of each pathway. A variety of methods have been developed to measure the complement activity, such as hemolysis assays (CH50 or AH50), ELISA assay (LP50), liposome enzymatic assay, in which CH50 and AH50 are the most commonly used.

Preparation

To characterize the complment function, plasma or serum (especially serum with complement deficiency) is usually used to perform the complement activity test. Also, the inhibitors, pharmaceuticals, or other biomelicules/compounds affecting complement activity can be assassed through this complement activity test.

Please send the serum or plasma samples (each > 2 mL) to Creative Biolabs. All the samples to be tested should labeled clearly and shipped by Dry-Ice.

Result interpretation

A standard curve with a calculation formula will be obtained through our complement activity test. The CH50 or AH50 value of the tested sample can be obtained through calculation formula. To characterize the activity of dofferent complement pathway, please compare the CH50/AH50 values with normal values, and the etiology also can be traced by interpreting the CH50/AH50 values with the individual complement component values.

Leadtime

2-3 weeks. The test time may vary depending on the number of samples, and additional time should be allowed for additional validation testing or repetition, if necessary.

Total Complement Activity Test Workflows

At Creative Biolabs, total complement activity tests are respectively carried out by CH50 for the complement classical pathway, AH50 for the complement alternative pathway, and LP50 for the complement lectin pathway. Among the tests, CH50 and AH50 assays are based on the complement hemolytic activity detection while the LP50 is based on the enzyme immunoassay of the terminal complement complex detection. All test procedures are shown as follows, both a one-stop test for all three pathways and a test for any one pathway based on the client’s demands are all available.

3-6-1-1-Total-Complement-Activity-Test-4.png Fig.4 CH50 test workflow.

3-6-1-1-Total-Complement-Activity-Test-5.png Fig.5 AH50 test workflow.

3-6-1-1-Total-Complement-Activity-Test-6.png Fig.6 LP50 test workflow.

Our Features

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Well-established complement functional assay platforms

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Fast and reliable results with good reproducibility

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Related products and customized services based on your specific needs

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The Ph.D. scientific team experienced in complement assays and research

Case Study

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Fig. 7 Complement CH50 tests. (Creative Biolabs)

The clients sent us 1 patient serum sample for the complement classical pathway test. The CH50 curve was drawn after we performed the CH50 test using the sensitized sheep erythrocytes. The CH50 value or serum dilution at 50% hemolysis of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) will be calculated using the curve formula.


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Fig. 8 Complement AH50 tests. (Creative Biolabs)

The clients sent us 1 patient plasma for the complement alternative pathway test. The AH50 curve was drawn after we performed the AH50 test using the rabbit erythrocytes. The AH50 value or serum dilution at 50% hemolysis of rabbit red blood cells (RRBC) will be calculated using the curve formula.

Available Products for Complement Activity Test at Creative Biolabs

Cat# Product Name Specie Reactivity Applications Inquiry
CTK-907 CH50 Functional Test Kit Human Complement functional test INQUIRY
CTMM-0322-MM3 Hemolysis Assay Test kit Human Complement functional test INQUIRY
CTK-832 Human Lectin Complement Pathway Functional Kit Human Complement functional test INQUIRY
CTK-908 AP50 Functional Test Kit Human Complement functional test INQUIRY

Related Tests

In addition to total complement activity tests, Creative Biolabs also offers a sophisticated menu of other complement tests and have the expertise to develop customized complement assays based on specific needs. Please note that all of our products and test services are only for research use only, not for clinical human therapy.

Resources

Creative Biolabs has extensive experience in complement testing, providing functional complement testing services for classic, lectin, and alternative pathways. We use a variety of different technologies, such as ELISAs, hemolysis tests, and liposomal lysis, to meet the rigorous testing requirements of each pathway and offer accurate test results to our customers.

Please contact us to learn more about our complement testing services.

References

  1. Schartz, N.D.; Tenner, A.J. The good, the bad, and the opportunities of the complement system in neurodegenerative disease. Journal of Neuroinflammation volume. 2020, 17(1): 354.
  2. Meuleman, M.S.; et al. Ex Vivo Test for Measuring Complement Attack on Endothelial Cells: From Research to Bedside. Frontiers in Immunology. 2022, 13: 860689.
  3. Harris, C.L. Expanding horizons in complement drug discovery: challenges and emerging strategies. Seminars in Immunopathology. 2018, 40(1): 125-140.

Questions & Answer

A: By measuring complement activity in autoimmune disease models, researchers can gain insights into the role of complement in disease progression, identify potential therapeutic targets, and evaluate the efficacy of complement-modulating treatments. Researchers can utilize the total complement activity test to assess the impact of complement-targeting drugs or therapies on the overall complement system activity and determine their ability to modulate complement function.

A: Various factors, such as sample handling and storage conditions, interferences from contaminants or inhibitors, as well as genetic or acquired complement deficiencies, can potentially influence the results of the total complement activity test.

A: The total complement activity can be assessed using various methods, including hemolytic assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and functional complement assays.

A: Conducting the Total Complement Activity Test requires specific and potentially expensive equipment, as well as highly qualified and experienced staff members to carry out and interpret the results correctly. Therefore, it would be more appropriate and efficient for you to use our service for conducting this test.

A: The total complement activity test becomes particularly necessary and beneficial when researchers are studying conditions such as autoimmune diseases, repeated infections, or organ rejection after transplantation, where the complement system's role is critical. This test serves as a tool to investigate more about these conditions.

A: Minimal preparation is needed for conducting this test. While it predominantly revolves around handling biological samples like sera and plasma from humans and animals, it's essential that these are treated and stored correctly. Proper personnel training for handling sensitive biological samples is integral to ensure accurate results.

For Research Use Only.
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