ABSTRACT
Complement activation-related pseudoallergy (CARPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction to the intravenous administration of nanoparticle-containing medicines in patients with occasionally serious consequences. This chapter summarizes the available information on CARPA in rodents to get an insight into various complement activation mechanisms elicited by nanomedicines that may be present in various rodent species. Cobra venom factor (CVF) is a rapid activator of the complement system, and intravenous treatment of rodents with CVF is a model of acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe illness due, in part, to C activation. The physiological changes in rats are essentially the same as those seen in pigs and humans, rats still provide a good model to study the reaction mechanisms of CARPA. The potential C activation-related harmful effects of nanomedicines can be even more serious in pregnancy, as sustained C activation is suspected to contribute to the development of gestational complications and preeclampsia.
