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Review Article
Advances in Immunology
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Volume 344:1058-1066 April 5, 2001 Number 14
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Complement— First of Two Parts
Mark J. Walport, Ph.D., F.R.C.P.

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Complement is part of the innate immune system and underlies one of the main effector mechanisms of antibody-mediated immunity. It has three overarching physiologic activities (Table 1): defending against pyogenic bacterial infection, bridging innate and adaptive immunity, and disposing of immune complexes and the products of inflammatory injury. In this review, each of these activities will be placed in a clinical context.

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Table 1. The Three Main Physiologic Activities of the Complement System.

 
Complement was first identified as a heat-labile principle in serum that "complemented" antibodies in the killing of bacteria. We now know that complement is a system of . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Complement and the Defense against Infection

Pyogenic Infections

Complement Deficiency and Neisserial Infections

Mannose-Binding Lectin Deficiency

Complement and the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease

Abnormalities of Complement Regulation

Activation of C3

C3 Nephritic Factor

Factor H Deficiency

C1 Inhibitor Deficiency

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria


Source Information

From the Rheumatology Section, Division of Medicine, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Hammersmith Campus, London.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Walport at the Division of Medicine, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Rd., London W12 0NN, United Kingdom, or at m.walport@ic.ac.uk.

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