CIC C1q ELISA

The complement system is a biochemical cascade of the
immune system that helps clear pathogens from an
organism. It is derived from many small plasma proteins
that work together to form the primary end result of cytolysis
by disrupting the target cell's plasma membrane.
Activation of this system leads to cytolysis, chemotaxis, opsonization, immune clearance, and inflammation, as well
as the marking of pathogens for phagocytosis. The
complement system consists of more than 35 soluble and
cell-bound proteins, 12 of which are directly involved in the
complement pathways. The proteins account for 5% of the
serum globulin fraction. The complement proteins are
synthesized mainly by hepatocytes; however, significant
amounts are also produced by monocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary
tracts.
C1q is involved in the classical complement pathway. The
classical pathway is triggered by activation of the C1- complex (which consists of one molecule C1q and two
molecules C1r and C1s), either by C1q's binding to
antibodies from classes M and G, complexed with antigens, or by its binding C1q to the surface of the pathogen.
The complement system might play a role in many diseases
with an immune component, such as Barraquer-Simons
Syndrome Alzheimer's disease, asthma, lupus
erythematosus, various forms of arthritis, autoimmune heart
disease and multiple sclerosis.Deficiencies of the terminal
pathway predispose to both autoimmune disease and
infections (particularly meningitis).
There are many tests for the determination of CIC, included
the test of precipitation with PEG, radial immunodiffusion,
and cellular tests like the test of Ray cell. Does not exist
one procedure to determinate all types of immunocomplex;
in commerce exist some test to determinate fragments of
the complex (Es. C1q and C3d) that have an important
diagnostic mean.