Lectin pathways

Overview The Lectin pathway is initiated by mannan-binding lectin (MBL) which is a protein that binds specifically to mannose residues in bacterial cell walls. It is a phylogenetically ancient mechanism which was first shown…

Classical pathways

See also Fc receptors under signal transduction The classical pathway is is a major effector of the humoral branch of the human immune response. the CP is typically triggered by…

Alternative pathways

Overview The AP is responsible for 80-95% of total complement activity. The AP is a complement activation pathway which is triggered by artificial surfaces such as LPS from Gram negative…

Complement Pathways

There are 3 distinct pathways of complement activation. The classical system is antibody dependent whereas the other 2 pathways, lectin and alternative, are antibody independent and are initiated by reaction…

Role of complement system in Disease

See also therapeutic antibodies against specific complement components in the "antibodies" section.  See also CR2 targetting of complement inhibitors for treatment of disease under "pharmacology"   See also specific diseases throughout ypatent for the role which complement plays in these…

Complement receptors

See also Regulation of the Complement system . See also the use of complement receptors for drug targeting (under "pharmacology" and "drug delivery"). There are three known gene superfamilies of complemen…

Functions of the complement system

Complement has a variety of important functions which includes: (1) opsonization of antigens: including bacteria by phagocytosis. The complement component, C3b is the major opsonin of the complement system. Phagocytic cells, as…

Functions of the complement system

Complement has a variety of important functions which includes: (1) opsonization of antigens: including bacteria by phagocytosis. The complement component, C3b is the major opsonin of the complement system. Phagocytic cells, as…

Complement System

The complement system consists of about 31 proteins, acting within a cascade-like reaction sequence, serving as control proteins or as cellular receptors. Some of the proteins are enzymes (C1r, C1s,…