Membrane Attack Complex in Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury: A Systematic Review for Post Mortem Applications
Cristina Mondello,
Elvira Ventura Spagnolo,
Luigi Cardia,
Daniela Sapienza,
Serena Scurria,
Patrizia Gualniera,
Alessio Asmundo
Affiliations
Cristina Mondello
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
Elvira Ventura Spagnolo
Section Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Maternal and Infant Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties (PROMISE), University of Palermo, Via del Vespro, 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Luigi Cardia
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, 98100 Messina, Italy
Daniela Sapienza
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
Serena Scurria
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
Patrizia Gualniera
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
Alessio Asmundo
Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, via Consolare Valeria, 1, 98125 Messina, Italy
The complement system has a significant role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, being responsible for cell lysis and amplification of inflammatory response. In this context, several studies highlight that terminal complement complex C5b-9, also known as the membrane attack complex (MAC), is a significant contributor. The MAC functions were studied by many researchers analyzing the characteristics of its activation in myocardial infarction. Here, a systematic literature review was reported to evaluate the principal features, advantages, and limits (regarding the application) of complement components and MAC in post mortem settings to perform the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia/infarction. The review was performed according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a total of 26 studies were identified. Several methods studied MAC, and each study contributes to defining better how and when it affects the myocardial damage in ischemic/reperfusion injury. The articles were discussed, focusing on the specificity, sensibility, and post mortem stability of MAC as a marker of myocardial ischemia/infarction, supporting the usefulness in routine post mortem investigations.
