title: [The alternative complement pathway].
abstract: The alternative complement pathway comprises three component proteins C3, B, D and three regulatory proteins P, H and I. These plasma proteins represent the major humoral defense mechanism against infection in a non-immune host. The following topics are reviewed: biochemistry of the alternative pathway proteins; molecular mechanisms of activation and regulation of the pathway; involvement of the alternative pathway in human diseases.
mesh_terms: D003167:Complement Activation; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology; D050577:Complement C3-C5 Convertases / Q000276:immunology; D003180:Complement C3b Inactivator Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D011415:Complement Factor B / Q000276:immunology; D011416:Complement Factor D / Q000276:immunology; D017242:Complement Factor H; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D011414:Properdin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C493495:CFH protein, human; D003176:Complement C3; D003180:Complement C3b Inactivator Proteins; D011414:Properdin; D017242:Complement Factor H; D050577:Complement C3-C5 Convertases; C493488:CFD protein, human; D011416:Complement Factor D; D011415:Complement Factor B
vernacular_title: La voie alterne du complément.