Complement – Alternative Pathway (AH50) Functional, Serum

Method Description

The Wieslab enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) complement assay for the alternative pathway combines principles of the hemolytic assay for complement activation with the use of labeled antibodies specific for neoantigens produced as a result of complement activation. The micro titer plate strips are coated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Patient serum is diluted in diluent containing specific blocker to ensure that only the alternative pathway is activated. During the first incubation, the diluted patient serum in the wells is activated by the coating. The wells are then washed and C5b-9 (MAC) is detected with a specific alkaline phosphatase labeled antibody to the neoantigen expressed during MAC formation. After a final wash, an alkaline phosphatase substrate is added. The amount of alternative pathway complement activity correlates with the color intensity of the solution and is measured in terms of absorbance (optical density: OD).(Frazer-Abel A, Sepiashvili L, Mbughuni MM, Willrich MA: Overview of laboratory testing and clinical presentations of complement deficiencies and dysregulation. Adv Clin Chem. 2016;77:1-75. doi: 10.1016/bs.acc.2016.06.001)