Complement: an overview for the clinician

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2015 Jun;29(3):409-27. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2015.02.001. Epub 2015 Apr 4.

Abstract

The complement system is an essential component of the immune system. It is a highly integrative system and has a number of functions, including host defense, removal of injured cells and debris, modulation of metabolic and regenerative processes, and regulation of adaptive immunity. Complement is activated via different pathways and it is regulated tightly by several mechanisms to prevent host injury. Imbalance between complement activation and regulation can manifest in disease and injury to self. This article provides an outline of complement activation pathways, regulatory mechanisms, and normal physiologic functions of the system.

Keywords: Complement activation; Complement function; Complement regulation; Complement system; Immune response; Inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / immunology*
  • Complement Activation / immunology*
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate / immunology*
  • Models, Immunological

Substances

  • Complement System Proteins