Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 10081355

[The complement system--structure, activation, regulation and function].

L Bjørge
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Activation of the complement system plays a key role in normal inflammatory response to injury but may cause substantial injury when activated inappropriately. The cascade is activated through classical, alternative and lectin pathways. The human complement system is in most cases well controlled by the host, and inappropriate activation and host cell destruction are prevented. The control is mainly mediated by complement regulatory proteins. The use of powerful methodologies in molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology has led to impressive advances in our knowledge of the mechanisms of complement activation and regulation and its role as either a protective or pathogenic factor in human disease. With respect to disease pathogenesis, the complexity of the cascades provides opportunities for several different therapeutic targets within the pathways, and we are about to witness the availability of a variety of complement modulators for specific therapies. This article reviews biological aspects of this important immunological effector mechanism.

Explore related subjects

Complement ActivationComplement Pathway, AlternativeComplement Pathway, ClassicalComplement System ProteinsHumansInflammationWounds and InjuriesEnglish AbstractJournal ArticleResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov'tReview

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

L Bjørge. 1999-01-20. [The complement system--structure, activation, regulation and function].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10081355/

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed1999

The complement system: pathophysiology and clinical relevance.

In the present article we review selected aspects of the complement system as a major determinant of innate immunity. Besides a detailed description of the components of the complement system, its mode of action, cellular receptors and regulatory control mechanisms, we have focused on the role of the complement system in mutual defence strategies of invading viral pathogens and the host. Since a detrimental activation of the complement cascade is a critical element of several pathological conditions in diverse organs, we summarise the role of a deteriorated complement system in dermatology, nephrology, neurology and xenotransplantation.

Complement Activation↗
PubMed1999

C1q binding to liposomes is surface charge dependent and is inhibited by peptides consisting of residues 14-26 of the human C1qA chain in a sequence independent manner.

Complement activation by anionic liposomes proceeds by antibody-independent, C1q-initiated activation of the classical pathway. Purified C1q bound to anionic liposomes in an acidic lipid concentration-dependent manner. Saturation binding, but not the apparent association constant, was enhanced by increasing the cardiolipin content of the liposomes or decreasing either the pH or ionic strength of the reaction mixture. These observations indicate the involvement of electrostatic factors in the binding. A highly cationic region in the collagen-like domain of C1q comprised of residues 14-26 of the C1qA polypeptide chain was assessed for involvement in liposome binding. This region has previously been shown to mediate C1q binding to other immunoglobulin-independent activators of the classical pathway of complement. Peptides containing residues 14-26 of C1qA, denoted C1qA14-26, inhibited C1q binding to and complement activation by anionic liposomes. The inhibitory capacity of these cationic peptides had no sequence or conformation specificity. Rather, the amount of positive charge on the peptides was the determining factor. When present in excess, peptides with five cationic residues inhibited C1q binding and complement activation; however, C1q peptides with only two cationic residues did not. In addition to the C1qA14-26 region, other parts of C1q that contain cationic residues may also be involved in C1q binding to anionic liposomes.

Complement Activation↗
PubMed1999

Dual effects of TNF on synthesis of complement components by a gastric cancer-derived cell line, KATO-III.

BACKGROUND: Complement components are synthesized extrahepatically, although hepatocytes are the major source of plasma complement. It is now clear that local production of complement is important in homeostasis and immune defense in tissue. METHODS: The secretion of complement components was studied in vitro with a gastric cancer-derived cell line, KATO-III (signet-ring cell carcinoma). Complement components C2 and C3 were estimated by functional assay and/or ELISA in culture medium obtained after incubation of KATO-III cells for 3 days in protein-free culture medium, with or without addition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2/95% air at 37 degrees C. RESULTS: (1) While a higher amount of C3 was detected in medium when KATO-III cells were cultured in the presence of TNF than in medium lacking TNF, higher C2 activity was detected when cultured in medium lacking TNF than in TNF-supplemented medium. (2) TNF suppressed C2 secretion and enhanced C3 secretion in a dose-dependent fashion. (3) C3 secretion remained less than 20 ng/10(6) cells/24 h but increased from the first day of TNF (10U/ml) addition (concentrations approached 108.6- 115.6 ng/10(6) cells/24 h on the 3rd day) and decreased on the 1st day without TNF. In contrast, C2 activity, detected when cultured in the absence of TNF, was decreased on the 2nd day of TNF addition and increased again on the 1st day without TNF. The daily secretion of C2 in the absence of TNF was 3.75-6.30x10(7) effective molecules/10(6) cells. (4) Reversible inhibition of C2 and C3 secretion was observed when the cell line was cultured in the presence of cycloheximide, indicating that both components were synthesized de novo. CONCLUSION: It appears that TNF enhances C3 secretion and suppresses C2 secretion by KATO-III.

Complement Activation↗