title: [Asthma and complement].
abstract: The complement system has an important place in the development of the inflammatory reaction. The complement may be activated by the classical pathway (itself activated by immune complexes, CRP etc.) or the alternative pathway (activated by bacterial endotoxins, different lung allergens etc.). This activation culminates in the release of opsonising, chemotactic, smooth muscle constrictor, and mast cell activating factors. The complement system is present locally at the level of the bronchi and could participate in the development of bronchial inflammation narrowly associated with asthma. Study of the complement system in the plasma in asthmatics has not shown a relation between its state of activation and bronchomotor tone. However, in view of recent studies of the complement in the bronchi, analysed on broncho-alveolar lavage, the potential role of complement in asthma should be re-evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Département des voies respiratoires, Hôpital Universitaire Saint-Pierre, Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Michel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sergysels
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duchateau
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D003167:Complement Activation; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
vernacular_title: Asthme et complément.