A Novel Role for the Fifth Component of Complement (C5) in Cardiac Physiology
2011

The Role of C5 in Heart Function

publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Alaka Mullick, Jessy Tremblay, Zully Leon, Philippe Gros

Primary Institution: Biotechnology Research Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada

Hypothesis

Does the absence of C5 affect cardiac physiology and response to stress?

Conclusion

C5-deficiency leads to altered cardiac gene expression and predisposes the heart to dysfunction under stress.

Supporting Evidence

  • C5-deficient mice showed higher levels of cardiac stress markers.
  • Deletion of C5aR mimicked the effects of C5 deficiency.
  • C5-deficient mice had a poor response to Candida albicans infection.
  • Cardiac gene expression patterns indicated maladaptive hypertrophy in C5-deficient mice.
  • C5-deficiency led to increased susceptibility to cardiac injury from isoproterenol.

Takeaway

Mice without a protein called C5 have hearts that don't work as well, especially when they are stressed or sick.

Methodology

The study involved comparing gene expression in various mouse strains with and without C5 during infections and stress tests.

Limitations

The study primarily used mouse models, which may not fully represent human physiology.

Participant Demographics

Mice of various strains including A/J, C57BL/6J, BALB/c, and C5aR−/−.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022919

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