Targeting complement activation in COVID-19

Complement receptor 2-mediated targeting of complement inhibitors to sites of complement activation.

In a strategy to specifically target complement inhibitors to sites of complement activation and disease, recombinant fusion proteins consisting of a complement inhibitor linked to a C3 binding region of complement receptor (CR) 2 were prepared and characterized. Natural ligands for CR2 are C3 breakdown products deposited at sites of complement activation. Fusion proteins were prepared consisti...

Complement activation in uveitis.

To determine whether complement is activated in uveitis we have measured plasma levels of C3d, a sensitive indicator of complement activation. Increased levels of C3d were found in 11 of 15 patients with idiopathic uveitis, 13 of whom had circulating immune complexes containing complement components. Since during complement activation potent mediators of inflammation are generated, it is sugges...

COVID-19 in Nursing Homes: The Problematic Management of Residents Without Positive COVID-19 RT-PCR

Complement Activation

The complement system is the most important biochemical cascade in the blood for the recognition, opsonization, and elimination of foreign materials. To date, the leading causes of death in the United States include cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. New treatments are urgently needed to treat these devastating diseases and nanotechnology potentially provides n...

Ethical Issues in COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers aspired to produce an effective vaccine with appropriate efficacy and low side effects to mitigate the pandemic. It seems that vaccination is the only mean to save the world from this pandemic. In this article, we will review the ethical challenges of mass vaccination (focusing on the vaccine distribution and uptake), referring to the mai...