Complement activation in patients with neuromyelitis optica.

The role of complement has been demonstrated in experimental models of neuromyelitis optica (NMO), however, only few studies have analysed complement components longitudinally in NMO patients. We measured serum or plasma concentrations of anti-C1q antibodies and complement split products C3a and C4a and soluble C5b-9 in patients with NMO, multiple sclerosis and healthy controls. NMO patients had higher levels of C3a and anti-C1q antibodies than healthy controls.

The production of mannan-binding lectin is dependent upon thyroid hormones regardless of the genotype: a cohort study of 95 patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders.

Complement mannan-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency is associated with increased susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases. Previous studies suggested that the production of MBL is stimulated by thyroid hormones. The aim of our study was to investigate this association in patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD).

A novel method for the estimation of podocyte injury: podocalyxin-positive elements in urine.

Podocytes form an outer aspect of the glomerular capillary wall and play a decisive role in its permeability for macromolecules. The main podocyte surface antigen podocalyxin, a highly electronegative sialoglycoprotein, prevents the podocyte foot processes from collapsing. Podocyte damage in glomerular disease is supposed to be accompanied by podocyte detachment, and shed podocytes and their fragments (marked by podocalyxin) may be identified in the urine.