Complement: The Immune System’s Most Aggressive Mechanism Against Infection
Manuel Galvan, PhD, Director
The complement system is the innate immune system’s first line of defense against infection. When the complement system becomes inappropriately activated – or when it does not activate as it should – serious health problems can result. National Jewish Health Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories offer a range of services in complementology – from patient diagnostics to drug development.
Diagnosing Complement Deficiencies
Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories has a comprehensive menu of diagnostic tests that help clinicians determine whether complement defects or deficiencies are factors in patients with recurrent severe infections or symptoms of autoimmune disease.
Complement Diagnostic Tests
CH50 (classical pathway) and AH50 (alternative pathway) screening for total complement function, with follow-up testing for components consistent with the results of these screens
Identification of specific complement component deficiencies at the molecular and genetic level
Quantification of individual complement proteins
Measurement of complement activity to monitor therapeutic responses in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies
Identification of hereditary complement deficiencies, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and hereditary angieodema (HAE)
View Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories Test Catalog
Complement Activation and Drug Development
Biopharmaceuticals or medical devices can cause off-target complement activation that leads to destructive inflammation. Unlike IgE-mediated allergy, complement mediated reaction can occur at the first exposure to a drug without prior sensitization. Advanced Diagnostic Laboratories offer a complete menu of tests that can be used to analyze complement activation in the pre-clinical and clinical trial setting.
View Complement Study Test Menu
Complement Preclinical & Clinical Testing Services
Clinical, in-vitro, and in-vivo complement studies, including access to a breadth of non-human test systems
Development of custom assays for the detection, analysis and quantification of complement proteins
Consultation on the development of non-complement activating biological therapies and nanoparticular drug delivery systems
For complement study and general complement lab Inquires, please contact our Business Development Team.
Manuel Galvan, PhD