The complement system is a part of the immune system that enhances (complements) the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear microbes and damaged cells from an organism, promotes ...

The classical pathway is activated by C1q-mediated recognition of the target. Further activation of this pathway causes C4b and its cleavage product iC4b to accumulate in the tissues. C4b binds to C2 ...

The fact that the complement system is activated during immune-complex glomerular disease has been known for nearly 50 years. Detection of complement deposition in the glomerulus using immunochemistry ...

In view of the many recent advances in our understanding of the composition and function of the complement system, it was decided to apply this newer knowledge to an investigation of the heat-labile ...

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, Vol. 101, No. 27 (Jul. 6, 2004), pp. 10127-10131 (5 pages) The lectin complement pathway in innate immunity is closely ...

It was called ‘complement’ because it aided the antibacterial activity of antibodies. However, it is now known that the complement system can be activated early in an infection without the presence of ...

Among people with sickle cell disease—an inherited blood disorder—acute chest syndrome (ACS) is the leading cause of death. The condition is the result of red blood cells becoming stiff, sticky, and ...

The complement system consists of a number of small proteins found in the blood, in general synthesized by the liver, and normally circulating as inactive precursors (pro-proteins). When stimulated by ...