PID Exam 2 Flashcards
What are the 3 main complement pathways?
Classical, Alternative, Lectin.
Do all 3 complement pathways have the same terminal pathway?
Yes.
What are the 4 end effects of the Complement Pathways?
- Cell Lysis
- Inflammation
- Opsonization
- Clearance of Immune Complexes
When a complement is cleaved which segment is labeled ‘B’ and which is labeled ‘A’?
The larger segment is named ‘B’ and the smaller is named ‘A’.
Older literature may not be clear on this distinction. This is fairly recent.
What 2 things activate the Classical Complement Pathway? Which is innate and which is adaptive?
The binding of C1q to an antibody (IgM or IgG) complexed with antigens (ADAPTIVE - binding of Ab to Ag) or when C1q binds directly to the surface of a pathogen (INNATE - C1 reactive protein binding)
What is the Initial Complement Component in the Classical Pathway?
C1-Complex is composed of 1 molecule of C1q, 2 molecules of C1r and 2 molecules of C1s.
C4 and C2 are also present.
For the Classical Complement Pathway what is C3-convertase and C5-convertase composed of?
C3-Convertase: C4bC2b
C5-Convertase: C4bC2bC3b
What is the function of C3-Convertase and C5-Convertase in any of the 3 complement pathways?
C3-Convertase acts to cleave C3 into a and b
C5-Convertase acts to cleave C5 into a and b
What activates the Lectin Complement Pathway?
The binding of Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) to mannose residues on the pathogen surface. This binding activates the MBL-Associated Serine Proteases: MASP-1 and MASP-2.
What is the Initial Complement Component of the Lectin Complement Pathway?
C4 and C2
What is C3-Convertase and C5-Convertase composed of in the Lectin Complement Pathway?
C3-Convertase: C4bC2b
C5-Convertase: C4bC2bC3b
What activates the Alternative Complement Pathway?
The contact of microbial cell wall with C3.
Does not rely on pathogen-binding antibodies like the other pathways.
The internal thioester bond of C3 undergoes spontaneous hydrolysis and this reacts with hydroxyl or amino group of a molecule on the surface of a cell or pathogen. Constantly activated at a low level (think car idling)
What is the Initial Complement Component of the Alternative Complement Pathway?
C3, Factor B, Factor D, Properdin (Factor P)
What is C3-Convertase and C5-Convertase composed of in the Alternative Complement Pathway?
C3-Convertase: C3bBb
C5-Convertase: C3bBbC3b
Note: C3-Convertase is stabilized by Factor P (Properdin) C3bBbP
What complements make up the Membrane Attack Complex (MAC)? What is its function?
C5b, C6, C7, C8, and polymeric C9
Functions to create holes in the membrane and can kill/damage pathogen/cell
What is the order of complements coming in in the Classical/Lectin Complement Pathways? Just up until C5-convertase.
C4 then C2 then C3
What complements are primarily responsible for: Cell Lysis, Opsonization and the Activation of Inflammatory Response?
Cell Lysis: MAC (Membrane Attack Complex)
Opsonization: C3b
Activation of Inflammatory Response: C3a and C5a
What is an opsonizing agent/opsonin?
A molecule that enhances phagocytosis by marking an antigen for an immune response or dead cells for recycling.
What are C3a and C5a also known as? What is their job?
They are also known as chemoattractants.
They activate inflammatory response by: smooth muscle contraction, mast cell degranulation, vasodilation (local edema, local influx of antibody and complement), neutrophil activation.
How are particulate antigens removed?
Antigens are percolated with IgG and C3b (opsonization). Then the circulating red blood cells (with C3b receptors) recognize the antigens. They are then removed in the spleen/liver.
Are the complement pathways part of the innate or adaptive immune system?
Innate primarily but can be innate or adaptive depending on the activator.
What is humoral adaptive immunity mediated by?
Mediated by antibodies secreted by antigen-activated B Cells and their progeny plasma cells.
What are the 2 types of humoral immune responses and explain the difference between the 2.
- Primary Humoral Immune Response - has never been exposed to the antigen before.
- Secondary Humoral Immune Response - has had exposure to the antigen previously.
How does secondary humoral immune response differ from primary humoral immune response?
- Shorter lag phase
- Greater magnitude
- Class-switched IgG (IgG has stronger, longer reaction than IgM (opposite is true in primary))