Abstract
The complement (C) system consists of a group of 12 soluble plasma proteins that interact with one another in two distinct enzymatic activation cascades (the classical and alternative pathways) and in the nonenzymatic assembly of a cytolytic complex (the membrane attack pathway) (Fig. 1; Table 1). A third activation pathway, termed the lectin pathway, has recently been described (1,2). Control of these enzymatic cascades, essential to prevent rapid consumption of C in vivo, is provided by 10 or more plasma and membrane -bound inhibitory proteins acting at multiple stages of the system. C plays a central role in innate immune defense, which provides a system for the rapid destruction of a wide range of invading microorganisms.
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Morgan, B.P. (2000). The Complement System:An Overview . In: Morgan, B.P. (eds) Complement Methods and Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 150. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-056-X:1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-056-X:1
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