title: [Complement: function. Biological significance and clinical aspects (author's transl)].
abstract: The term complement comprises approximately twenty serum proteins. Activation of these components can be started by antigen-antibody complexes or even without the participation of antibodies. The activated complement proteins bring about a number of important biological actions. They produce vigorous local inflammatory reactions, exert phagocytosis--increase effects, destroy microbial and animal cells and affect the immune response to antigen stimulus. Congenital lack of individual complement components may considerably impair the antimicrobial defense or even be the cause of excessive inflammatory reactions. The activation of complement may also have harmful effects on the organism.
mesh_terms: D000799:Angioedema / Q000276:immunology; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D001433:Bacteriolysis; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D002633:Chemotaxis; D003167:Complement Activation; D003176:Complement C3; D003182:Complement C5; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000172:deficiency; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis
chemical_list: D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D003176:Complement C3; D003182:Complement C5; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D003165:Complement System Proteins
vernacular_title: Komplement Funktion, biologische Bedeutung und klinische Aspekte.