Recently, a C3-binding cyclic synthetic peptide (Compstatin) has been identified that binds to complement component C3 and inhibits complement activation. Here we have examined the influence of Compstatin on complement activation and its indirect effects on cellular responses in whole blood in two models for extracorporeal circulation. Compstatin effectively inhibited the generation of C3a and ...

There is increasing evidence to suggest that the renal tubular epithelium is important in the pathogenesis of progressive renal failure resulting from persistent proteinuria. The role of complement in the progression of chronic renal failure is not well defined. The purpose of this study was to characterize the production of complement by human proximal tubular epithelial cells exposed to serum...

BACKGROUND The complement depletion commonly occurred during sepsis, but it was often underestimated compared with severe infection or coagulation dysfunction. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to investigate the alteration of complement system in patients with severe abdominal sepsis and evaluate the role of complement depletion in prognosis of such patients. The relationship between complem...

The present paper describes the purification and characterization of a major serum protein of the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) required for complement-related functions (target cell lysis and opsonization). This protein, termed C3-1, was identified as the third component (C3) of rainbow trout complement. It is homologous to component C3 of human and other mammalian complements based on its s...

Complement-mediated opsonization of bacteria by C3 binding is an important component of the host innate immune system. Little information is available concerning the interaction between complement proteins and capsule type 5 and 8 Staphylococcus aureus strains, even though these isolates are responsible for approximately 70% of human staphylococcal infections. To investigate the importance of a...

Serum C1q, C3, C4, and C5 components of complement levels were measured in 56 healthy subjects and 98 patients with trachoma. Serum C1q and C3 levels were found to be significantly low in stages II and III. There was no change in serum C4 and C5 levels in any of the stages. The levels of C1q and C3 complement components in serum in stages II and III returned to normal as the disease resolved fo...