(04) Complement Cascades Flashcards
When are complement proteins made?
- how are they secreted
- importance of these components?
Made:
- ALL of the time in the LIVER
Secreted:
- in Zymogen form
** Can be in blood and extravascular fluid ALL of the time
What are order are the paths in the complement cascade activated?
- Innate or Acquired?
- Alternative Path (innate)
- Lectin Path (innate)
- Classical Path (aquired)
In general, how does each component in path in the complement cascade get activated?
- Alternative Path - pathogen surface creates local environment conducive to complement activation
- Lectin Path - Mannose-binding Lectin Binds pathogen surface
- Classical Path - C-reactive protein OR Antibody binds to specific antigen on pathogen surface
What is the primary opsonin made by the complement cascade pathway?
C3b
What 3 things begin acting after complement system is activated?
- what do they do?
- Anaphylatoxins
- Activate Vascular Endothelium
- Recruit phagocytes to inflammatory site - Opsonins
- Easily recognized by phagocytes so bound pathogens can be destroyed - MAC (membrane attack complex)
- Direct killing of pathogen by disrupting the outer envelope
What is the most important function of the complement cascade?
Classical and Alternative C3 convertases making C3b to deposit on the surface of pathogens
What is the importance of C3b?
- C3b is a component of C5 convertase and is needed for the formation of the MAC (membrane attack complex)
- C3b and its breakdown products bind directly and irreversibly to pathogen surfaces and mark them for phagocyte uptake (opsonization)
What causes be breakdown of C3 proteins?
- what are the products of this, and what do they do?
C3 is broken down via normal protein turnover to C3a and C3b
C3a
- Small Anphylatoxin
C3b (3 possibilities)
- No contact with anything
- thioester bond is quickly hydrolyzed - Attaches to host cell
- Cascade control proteins prevent activation - Attaches to pathogen
- Alternative pathway begins
What is C3 convertase made of?
- what does it do?
C3b and Bb = C3bBb
- Breaks down C3 to C3a and C3b
What happens if another C3b binds to C3 convertase?
- what does this do?
C5 convertase is formed (C3b2Bb)
- Breaks down C5 to C5a and C5b
What is the significance of C5a and C5b?
C5a
- Potent Anaphylatoxin
- IMPORTANT CHEMOTACTIC FACTOR FOR NEUTROPHILS
C5b
- Required to form the pore that makes up the membrane attack complex (MAC)
What are the components of the MAC?
- how does it work?
made of:
- C5b
- C7
- C6
- C8
- C9
*Creates a pore in the pathogen membrane that ruins its osmotic gradient
What causes initiation of the classical pathway?
- Complement Component C1 binds to antibody that is bound to complement antigen
- C1 part of Fc region on antibody becomes exposed
- C1 binds
What does Mannose Binding Protein do?
- What is it specific for?
- What binds to Mannose binding protein?
- What forms as a result of this binding
Binds mannose, which is specific to BACTERIA (not found on mammals)
- MASP 1 and 2 (mannan-binding Lectin-associated serum proteases)
- Classic C3 convertase (C4bC2a) is formed as a result of this binding
**remember C3 convertase cleaves C3
What is the C1 molecule composed of?
- what does it bind?
- what happens when it is activated?
- C1q stalks
- C1r (serine protease)
- C1s (serine protease)
Bind IgM** and IgG3 mainly (some IgG1)
On binding IgM (or IgG3)
- C1r cleaves C1s
- C1s cleaves C2 and C4
What is the order of components that can activate C1?
- explain the order
- IgM (+++)
- IgG3 (+++)
- IgG1 (++)
- IgG2 (+)
- IgA1/2 (+)
*IgM is #1 because its a pentamer and can bind 5/6 C1q stalks
Can the classical C3 pathway and lectin lead to MAC formation?
- does MAC structure differ?
Yes, the only difference is the C5 convertase that is used to cleave C5 leading to MAC formation
Classical C5 convertase:
C4bC2aC3b
Alternative C5 convertase:
(C3b)2C2a
**MAC structures are exactly the same in both paths