the complements and cytokines

what is complement system and the functions in immune response

It is a cascade system of plasma proteins produced in the liver

In a cascade, one reaction will trigger another, leading to a rapid, amplified response.

The system helps by destroying pathogens when inhancing inflammation, promoting phagocytosis and forming membrane attack complexes which lyse invading cells

The cascade system

Main components and effector actions of complement

C3 and C5 convertases of the complement pathways

initiation of the lectin pathway

2 different proteins bind to the carbohydrates on the protein surface

composed of C3 and C5

C3 and C5 convertases of the complement pathways

The classical pathways

part of the specific immune response as it relies on antibodies to initiate it

C1 becomes activated when it binds to the ends of the antibodies

what is the first protein in the classical pathway

C1

C1 is composed of C1q, C1r and C1s

The alternative pathway

It is part of a non-specific defence because it does not require antibodies to initiate the pathway and is slower than the classical pathway

The function of C3a

The C3a protein increases the inflammatory response by binding to mast cells and causing them to release histamine