Complement Flashcards
reference for paper
Merle 2015
for a long time complement was considered
a lytic cascade aimed to kill bacteria
complement is now regarded
a complex innate immune surveillance system
complement plays a key role in
host homeostasis, inflammation and defence against pathogens
how many proteins in complement system
over 40
where does complement operate
plasma, tissues, cell surfaces and within cells
in the past complement has been regarded as
a supportive part of innate immunity
complement pathways are activated after
-interaction with pathogens
complement can modulate the activity
of T and B cells
complement is regarded as
the most complicated and incomprehensible part of immunology
–> due to lack of understanding of complement proteins and cascades
aim of merle 2015 paper
to underline crucial importance of complement
name three things complement can do in response to infection
- direct killing
- opsonisation
- phagocytosis
Direct killing
- activation of the terminal complement pathway
terminal complement pathway
formation of mebane-attack complex (MAC)
MAC
forms large pore (10nm) in target membrane
name a bacteria particularly sensitive to complement
gram negative (Neissseria species)
opsonisation allows
recognition, ingestion and destruction by phagocytes, neutrophil and macrophaes
classical opsonin
IgG and C3
complement allows phagocytic response without activating
adaptive response
disease associated with deficient complement activation
Systemic lupus erythematosus - autoimmune
complement and B cells
works with B cells to mount humoral response e.g. antibodies
complement and T cells
affects the polarisation of T cells
