MICROVUETMC3a Plus EIA

Under normal conditions, activation of the classical, alternative, or lectin complement pathways results in the formation of a C3 convertase multi-molecular enzyme capable of cleaving C3 to C3a and C3b. C3a is a low molecular weight (approximately 9kD) protein fragment of 77 amino acids. C3a is rapidly metabolized by the serum enzyme carboxypeptidase N to a more stable, 76 amino acid form, C3a des-Arg. For convenience, both forms will be referred to as “C3a” for purposes of this documentation. The MICROVUE C3a Plus assay, a rapid, highly specific and quantitative procedure for measuring C3a levels, is designed for investigations into the role or status of complement pathway activation in numerous research settings, and for monitoring the generation of C3a in vivo or in vitro. C3a has been shown to increase vascular permeability, to be spasmogenic and chemotactic, and to induce the release of pharmacologically active mediators from a number of cell types. The role of C3a in the pathogenesis of inflammatory reactions seen in gram-negative bacterial sepsis, trauma, ischemic heart disease, cerebral ischemia, post dialysis syndrome and several autoimmune diseases (including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, and acute glomerulonephritis) is well documented.