Scribd
Upload
240 views11 pages

Complement System: by Muhammad Azam Khan GPGC Mandian, Abbottabad

The complement system is part of the innate immune system and consists of over 30 proteins that are activated via the classical or alternative pathway and function to opsonize pathogens, recruit neutrophils through anaphylatoxins, increase vascular permeability, and lyse cells through formation of the membrane attack complex.

Uploaded by

sajid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
240 views11 pages

Complement System: by Muhammad Azam Khan GPGC Mandian, Abbottabad

The complement system is part of the innate immune system and consists of over 30 proteins that are activated via the classical or alternative pathway and function to opsonize pathogens, recruit neutrophils through anaphylatoxins, increase vascular permeability, and lyse cells through formation of the membrane attack complex.

Uploaded by

sajid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Complement System

By
Muhammad Azam Khan
GPGC Mandian, Abbottabad.
Overview

 The complement system is part of the innate


immune system (vs adaptive)
 It is named “complement system” because it
was first identified as a heat-labile component
of serum that “complemented” antibodies
in the killing of bacteria
 It is now known that it consists of over 30
proteins.
Biological function of complement
system
“Classical” Pathway
 Begins with antibody binding to a cell surface and ends
with the lysis of the cell
 The proteins in this pathway are named C1-C9
 When complement is activated it is split into two parts
– a – smaller part
– B – larger part and usually the active part (except with factor 2)
“Classical Pathway”

 ACTIVATION
– C1q portion of C1 attaches to the Fc portion of
an antibody
– Only IgG and IgM can activate complement
– Once activated C1s is eventually cleaved which
activates C4 and C2
– C4b & C2a come together to form the C4b2a
which is the C3 convertase
– C3 convertase activates C3 to C3a and C3b
“Classical Pathway”

 ACTIVATION
– C3a binds to receptors on basophils and mast cells
triggering them to release there vasoactive compounds
(enhances vasodilation and vasopermeability)
– C3a is called an anaphylatoxin
– C3b serves as an opsonin which facilitates immune
complex clearance
– C3b binds to C4bC2a to form the C5 convertase
C4bC2aC3b
– C5 convertase cleaves C5 leading to the formation of the
Membrane attack Complex (C5-C6-C7-C8-C9)
– The MAC “punches holes” in cell walls resulting in lysis
C5a is a: C3a binds to receptors on
C3 basophils and mast cells
C2
C4 1. Potent anaphylatoxin triggering them to release
C1q there vasoactive compounds
2. Chemoattractant for
neutrophils (enhances vasodilation and
vasopermeability) -
ANAPHYLATOXIN
C3a
C3b C5
4a
2a
2b
4b
C5bC5a
C3-convertase
C5-Convertase

C7
C8
C9 C6

Classical
Pathway
Summary - Activation

 Complement can be activated by the


binding of antibody (Classical) or by the
adherance of C3b to foreign material
(Alternative)
 The two pathways converge at the
formation of the C5 convertase (C4b2a3b or
C3bBbC3b)
 The final common pathway is the formation
of the membrane attack complex
Summary - Function

 Opsonization – C3b
 Chemotaxis – C5a (attracts
neutrophils)
 Increases vasodilation &
permeability of capillary beds via
mast cell and basophil activation – C3a
& C5a (Anaphylatoxins)
 Cellular Lysis via the MAC
Video

You might also like