The Classical Complement Pathway is one of the three main activation routes of the complement system, a critical component of innate immunity. It is initiated by the binding of C1q to antigen-antibody complexes, particularly those involving IgG or IgM, which subsequently activates C1r and C1s, leading to a cascade that generates inflammatory mediators and facilitates opsonization, cell lysis, and immune complex clearance. The pathway’s activity can be measured using functional assays (e.g., CH50) or by quantifying specific components such as C1q, C2, and C4, which are consumed during activation. These biomarkers serve as indicators of immune activation or dysfunction, particularly in diseases associated with immune complex deposition.
In clinical and research settings, biomarkers of the classical pathway are widely used in the diagnosis and monitoring of autoimmune diseases, especially systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where low serum levels of C1q, C4, and CH50 often reflect active disease due to complement consumption. They are also valuable in evaluating hereditary complement deficiencies, which predispose individuals to recurrent infections and autoimmune conditions. In transplant medicine, classical pathway activity is investigated to assess antibody-mediated rejection. Moreover, complement-targeting therapies are increasingly explored in research, positioning classical pathway components as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These markers are integral to understanding complement-related pathology and guiding precision medicine approaches in immunology.
This product is manufactured in Sweden by Svar Life Sciences.