Complement activation by polymethyl methacrylate minimized by end-point heparin attachment

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 189 - 192
• Main Authors: Pekna, M., Larsson, R., Formgren, B., Nilsson, U.R., Nilsson, B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 1993; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biocompatible Materials; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Complement Activation; Complement C3c - immunology; Complement Membrane Attack Complex; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Heparin - immunology; heparin attachment; Humans; intraocular lens; Lenses, Intraocular; Medical sciences; Methylmethacrylates; PMMA; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; complement activation; heparin attachment; PMMA; intraocular lens; Cataract; Implant; Inflammation; Activation; Complement; Methyl acrylate polymer; Indicator; Surgery; Uveitis; Complication; Biocompatibility; Biomaterial; Heparin; Intraocular lens; Biomedical engineering
• ISSN: 0142-9612; 1878-5905; 1878-5905
• DOI: 10.1016/0142-9612(93)90022-T

After intraocular lens implantation, despite good clinical results, many cataract patients develop a chronic uveitis, caused by an inflammatory response to the implant. One way to improve the biocompatibility of the intraocular lens is to modify the surface by end-point heparin attachment. This study shows that complement activation caused by poly(methyl methacrylate) can be diminished by end-point heparin attachment, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the generation of C3a and fluid phase terminal complement complexes. It suggests that assessment of complement activation is a good indicator of the biocompatibility of intraocular lenses.