Complement System & Deficiency Flashcards
What is complement system?
A plasma protein cascade
Complement proteins >>> Functions
- Chemotaxis
- Opsonisation
- Cell lysis
What is the ultimate product of complement system, once it is trigerred?
MAC (Membrane Attack Complex)
Function of MAC (Membrane Attack Complex)
It goes to the pathogen >>> creates pore in the cell membrane >>> exposure of “highly osmolar intracellular milieu’ to extra-cellular fluid >>> osmotic cell lysis
Pathways of complement system
- Classic pathway
- Alternative pathway
- Lectin-binding pathway
Describe the complement system
What is the common meeting point of all three pathways?
All creates C3 convertase >>> that cleaves c3 into >> c3a and c3b
What is the final common pathway of complement cascade?
C5b-9 (MAC= Membrane Attack Complex) >>> pore formation >>> osmotic cell lysis
Structure of MAC
Rosette-like structure
Describe step-wise classical pathway
Antigen-antibody (IgG, IgM) complex activates the pathway >>> C1q binding >>> helps in C1r to C1s activation (activation of C1, qrs complex) >>> It acts upon C4 and C2 >>>
- C4 breaks into C4a and C4b
- C2 breaks into C2a and C2b
>>> formation of C4b,2a (C3 convertase) >>> cleaves C3 into C3a and C3b
- C3a helps in degradation of mast cells (inflammation)
- C3b binds to (CBb3b from alternative pathway & C4b2a from classical/lectin pathway) >>> forms C3bBb3b and C3b4b2a >>> they act as C5 convertase >>> cleaves C5 in to C5a & C5b >>> C5b binds to C6,7,8,9 >>> forms C5b,6,7,8,9 (= MAC = Membrane attack complex) >>> MAC causes osmotic cell lysis via pore formation
- Also, C3b helps in opsonisation
Describe step-wise Lectin pathway
Mannose binding lectin (MBL), Ficolins, Collectin-11 >>> Mannose (Sugar residue) on pathogen surface >>> activates mannose associated serine protease (MASP-1 & 2) >>> then, homologus to classical pathway
MASP acts upon C4 and C2 >>>
- C4 breaks into C4a and C4b
- C2 breaks into C2a and C2b
>>> formation of C4b,2a (C3 convertase) >>> cleaves C3 into C3a and C3b
- C3a helps in degradation of mast cells (inflammation)
- C3b binds to (CBb3b from alternative pathway & C4b2a from classical pathway) >>> forms C3bBb2b and C3b4b2a >>> they act as C5 convertase >>> cleaves C5 in to C5a & C5b >>> C5b binds to C6,7,8,9 >>> forms C5b,6,7,8,9 (= MAC = Membrane attack complex) >>> MAC causes osmotic cell lysis via pore formation
Describe step-wise alternative pathway
It recognises bacterial, fungal cell wall or its associated molecular pattern >>> spontanueous hydrolysis of C3+H2O >>> deposition of C3b+H2O on pathogen surface >>> C3b+H2O binds to factor B >>> C3bB >>> Factor D acts upon B and divides into Ba & Bb >>> C3bBb acts as C3 convertase (with properdin) >>> cleaves C3
>>> into C3a and C3b
- C3a helps in degradation of mast cells (inflammation)
- C3b binds to (CBb3b from alternative pathway & C4b2a from classical pathway) >>> forms C3bBb2b and C3b4b2a >>> they act as C5 convertase >>> cleaves C5 in to C5a & C5b >>> C5b binds to C6,7,8,9 >>> forms C5b,6,7,8,9 (= MAC = Membrane attack complex) >>> MAC causes osmotic cell lysis via pore formation
For the complement cascade what are the specific inhibitors & where do they inhibit?
- C1 inhibitor inhibits the activation of C1 complex
- C4BD, CD46, CR1, DAF, Factor I inhibit C4b2a (C3 convertase of classical and lectin pathway)
- C1 inhibitor, CR1, DAF, Factor H inhibit C3bBb (C3 convertase) of alternative pathway
- CD46, CR1, CR2, DAF, Factor H, Factor I, MCP inhibit C3b
- CD59 (MIRL = Membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis) >>> inhibits MAC (Membrane Attack Complex)
Antibodies to activate complement pathway
- IgG, IgM activate classical pathway
- IgA can activate alternative pathway
What are the role of those specific inhibitors of complement cascade?
They are present in soluble form OR membrane-bound form.
Their role is to naturally protect self cells and tissues from unwanted complement activation
Give an example where specific inhibitor for complement cascade is absent?
Paroxysmal noctural Haemoglobinuria (PNH)
What is the defect in PNH (Paroxysmal noctural haemoglobinuria)?
- Post-translational modification
- Haemolysis: ↓GPI → ↓binding of DAF (CD55) to cell membrane → ↓decay of complements/ ↓complement regulation → ↑sensitivity of cell membranes to complement → MAC (C5b, C-9) attacks red cells → intravascular haemolysis
- Thrombosis: ↓GPI → ↓binding of MIRL (CD59) → Platelet aggregation → ↑venous thrombosis
When the pathways are activated?
During infection (bacterial, viral, fungal)
Which pathway is predominant?
Unlikely for any of them
Which pathway is most recently evolved?
Classic pathway
Which pathway does require antibody for activation?
Classic pathway
How does lectin and alternative pathway get activated?
By binding directly to polysaccaride components of cell walls of bacteria and yeasts
In Lectin pathway:
MBL (Mannose binding lectin), Ficolins, Collectin-11 >>> binds with mannose (sugar residues) on pathogen surface
In Alternative pathway:
It recognises bacterial, fungal cell wall OR directly pathogen associated molecular pattern
Progress of complement cascade
- The complement cascade slowly ticks over (never completely inactive) >>> produces ‘small quantities’ of active compliment components
- Postive feedback loops would be triggered and cause immune complex activation (If it were not important regulatory components)
What are the 3 main effects of ‘biologically active’ 3 complement products?
- Opsonisation (C3b)
- Chemotaxis and Inflammation (C3a, C5a)
- Cell lysis (MAC)
Which type of disease does need measurement of complements C3, C4?
Where complement activation is occuring