Complement System Overview

Jules Bordet

scientist who first identified complement system with sheep and cholera

complements

specific function of these types of proteins is to puncture cell membranes

zymogen

name for inactive form of complements

membrane attack complex

association of C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9

C8

part of membrane attack complex, quaternary structure made up of 2 subunits (beta and alpha-gamma)

C9

makes up the bulk of the membrane attack complex

C3aR and C5aR

two receptors that function in anaphylatoxin signaling (stimulates inflammation with granulocytes)

C5L2

suppressor modulator that binds C5a to inhibit C5aR binding

IL-6 and TNF-alpha

activated by complement system to promote inflammation and fever

sialic acid

recognized and bound by the complement system on T-cells to activate them

contraction phase

phase that occurs after an immune response, characterized by decrease of immune cells and removal of debris

phosphatidylserine

phospholipid that can be inverted in dead cell membranes to signal removal from body

eculizumab

example of a medicine that uses membrane attack complex/complements