THE COMPLEMENT SYSTEM

[The complement system].

The complement system may be activated by at least two different pathways: the clinical pathway involving C1, C4 and C2 and the alternative pathway involving properdin, C3, factor B and factor D. The classical pathway can be activated by antigen antibody complexes, while the alternative pathway can be activated by other substances such as natural polysaccharides. Both pathways lead to an activ...

The complement system

The mammalian complement system plays an important role in the immune defense in blood and interstitial fluids. This set of ~30, mostly multi-domain, plasma proteins and cell-surface receptors enables the host to recognize and clear invading pathogens and altered host cells, while protecting healthy host cells and tissues. In addition to humoral immune defense, complement proteins are produced ...

The complement system

The system of plasma proteins called complement was so-named because it complements the activity of antibody in the lysis of bacteria. It has a central role in host defence against many micro-organisms and in the modulation of inflammatory reactions, an activity that has been illuminated by the study of humans with naturally occurring deficiencies of complement. Complement is activated by three...

The complement system in sclera.

Sclera from donor globes was eluted in phosphate-buffered saline at 4 degrees C for 24 hr. Hemolytic assays were used to measure functional C1, C4, C2, C3, C5 and C6 in scleral eluates. Radial immunodiffusion was used to measure Factor B, a component of the alternative complement pathway, and albumin in scleral eluates. Molecular weight appeared to be a factor in determining the hemolytic activ...

Defects of the Complement System