Complement activation in acquired and hereditary amyloid neuropathy

Charlene E. Hafer-Macko, Peter J. Dyck, Carol Lee Koski

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

The pathogenesis of the axonal degeneration in acquired or hereditary amyloidosis is unknown. In this immunohistochemistry study, we examined 20 sural nerve biopsies from individuals with amyloid neuropathy (14 acquired and 6 hereditary) for evidence of complement activation. Complement activation products were detected on and around amyloid deposits within peripheral nerves. We found no difference in the extent, location or pattern of complement activation products between the 2 forms of amyloidosis. The presence of early classical pathway activation markers in the absence of antibody in hereditary cases suggests an antibody-independent activation of the classical pathway through binding of C1q. The lack of Factor Bb-suggested alternative pathway activation was not significant in these cases. The detection of C5b-9 neoantigen on amyloid deposits demonstrated that the full complement cascade was activated. Complement activation on amyloid deposits and the generation of C5b-9 in vivo may contribute to bystander injury of axons in the vicinity of amyloid deposits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)131-139
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the Peripheral Nervous System
Volume5
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Keywords

  • Acquired amyloidosis
  • Complement
  • Hereditary amyloidosis
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Peripheral neuropathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

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