The Complement System

Its key role in life preserving functions such as host defense against infections or inflammatory reactions has put the serum complement system at the forefront of biomedical research in both the laboratory and the clinic. This book describes the basic regulation of the complement systems, presenting its biological functions, the target cell receptors for such functions and their interactions with ligands to induce specific cellular responses. The biological functions are also discussed in the context of more complex conditions, for example in host defense, chronic inflammatory disease, graft rejection as well as in adverse reactions to drugs or to artificial surfaces. The book offers the present state-of-the-art compiled by leading experts in the field. Extensive literature citations offer easy access to those interested in more detail.

1 Components and Reactivity -- 1.1 Components -- 1.2 Reactivity -- 1.3 Surface Receptors and Signaling Pathways -- 2 Biologic Functions -- 2.1 Complement in the Induction of Antibody Response -- 2.2 Maintenance of Immune Complex Solubility and Immune Adherence -- 2.3 Interaction with Effector Cells -- 2.4 Host Defense Against Infection -- 2.5 Possible Role of Complement Regulators in Reproduction -- 2.6 Network Interactions of the Complement System with Other Serum Mediator Systems -- 3 Pathology -- 3.1 Complement Deficiencies in Animals: Impact on Biological Functions -- 3.2 Complement Deficiencies in Humans -- 3.3 C3 Nephritic Factor -- 3.4 Complement in Inflammation -- 3.5 Role of Complement in Graft Rejection -- 3.6 Complement Activation on Artificial Surfaces in Biomedical Therapies -- 3.7 Adverse Reactions to Drugs -- 4 Complement Manipulation In Vivo -- 5 The Clinical Laboratory: Testing the Complement System.