Complement Flashcards
1
Q
complement
A
coordinated enzymatic cascade; initiated from a collection of circulating and cell membrane proteins that play important role in host defense.
2
Q
what are the basic functions of C’?
A
- trigger/amplify inflammatory reactions
- attraction of phagocytes to area (chemotaxis)
- waste management (clearance of immune complexes)
- immune cell activation
- direct microbial killing
- development of humoral response
3
Q
Name the three C’ pathways and what they converge to.
A
classical - antibody mediated
alternative - spontaneous, slow but good for surveillance
lectin - MBL mediated
all converge to form MAC
4
Q
Why is C’ regulation important?
A
prevents the consumption of C’ components through unregulated amplification and protection of host
- mechanisms occur during activation, amplification, and MAC formation
