The Complement System Flashcards
What is the complement system?
A system of plasma proteins that mark pathogens for destruction.
Four functions of complement?
Innate Immunity (Microbial recognition)
Opsinization of pathogens
Recruitment of inflammatory cells (act as chemokines)
Lysis and Death of Pathogens (and destruction of own cells)
C3 is cleaved into….
List functions.
C3a – Recruits Phagocytes
C3b – Tags bacterium for destruction
Cleavage of C3 exposes ____ on C3b surface
Thioester Bond
Two possibilities following exposure of thioester bond on C3b
- Nucleophilic attack by H20 –> Soluble C3b
2. Nucleophillic attack by R-OH/R-NH2 –> C3b on surface
Three complement activation pathways in order of speed
Alternative
Lectin
Classical
What triggers complement activity in alternate pathway
Local environment generated by pathogen surface
What triggers complement activity in the lectin pathway?
Mannose binding-lectin on the pathogen surface
What triggers complement activity in the classical pathway
C-reactive protein or antibody bound to pathogen surface
How are complement factors produced?
In liver as zymogens (cleaved to become active)
Complement factor of highest concentration?
C3 is at the highest serum conc (1.2 mg/ml)
Describe the process of formation of alternate pathway C3 convertase
- Hydrolysis of C3 to activate
- Binding of B protein
- B cleaved to Bb by D Protein Protease
- Additional C3 makes soluble C3 convertase
- C3 hydrolyze makes into surface C3b
What causes hydrolysis of thioester bond in formation of alt. C3?
Its spontaneous
Explain Alternative C3 convertase amplification.
C3 Convertase is able to repeatedly hydrolyze present C3 molecules generating large quantities of additional C3b bound to the surface
List the four important regulators of the alternative pathway
Properdin
Factor H and Factor I
DAF
MCP
What does Properdin do in the alternative pathway
Stabilizes C3 convertase (C3bBb) on pathogen surface
Promotes Complement Activity
How do Factor H and Factor I influence the alternative pathway?
Inhibits Complement Activity
H Binds C3b and attracts Factor I
I fragments/inactivates C3b
How does DAF influence the alternative pathway?
DAF is on human cells. It disrupts C3 convertase binding on self-cell surfaces
How does MCP influence the alternative pathway?
MCP disrupts C3 convertase and attracts I Factor
Symptoms of Factor I deficiency?
Unchecked C3 activation
C3 depletion in the body
Chronic infections by encapsulated bacteria
Genetic inheritance of Factor I deficiency?
Autosomal Recessive
What sites in the body are especially influenced by Factor I deficiency
- Recurrent infec. in URT, Ears, Skin, UT
- Pneumonia, Meningitis, Sepsis
- Glomerulonephritis with isolated C3 deposits
- Rheumatoid Arthritis/Systemic lupus erythematosus
How does opsonization via C3b work?
Complement leads to C3b deposits on bacteria
CR1 on macrophage binds C3b on bacterium
Endocytosis by macrophage
Formation of phagolysosome
Where are CR1/CD35 found?
Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, Glomerular Podocytes, FDC
Where are CR2/CD21 found?
B Cells, FDC
Where are CR3, CD11b/CD18 integrin found?
Myeloid Leukocytes.