We are currently working with NSG mice which are deficient in complement C5a. This protein is important for our disease model but due to it's short half-life repeated injections would be required to maintain sufficient levels in blood. We believe that a mini pump would be the best way to provide consistent levels of protein however, I do not have any experience with them or complement in general. Would a subcutaneous pump allow for diffusion into the serum or would it just result in local neutrophil influx and inflammation?
Hi, Eóin!
As far I know it might work. At least in the experiment with G-CSF (174 amino acids), inserted subcutaneously, it was able to cause the systemic biological effect on processes in bone marrow and blood (Monocytes upregulation: Smith M, G-CSF reactivates HCMV, 2010, Cell Host and Microbe). They have used in total 30 micrograms released during 7 days, so 4.3 mcg/day. Your molecule is even smaller - 74 amino acids - therefore more mobile and there are not so many receptors for C5a s.c., they are mainly on endothelium.
Good luck!
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