Immunology of reproduction: protecting the placenta.
The propensity of complement to damage self is controlled by expression of regulatory proteins. Recent results demonstrate that deleting just one of these regulators in mice causes complement to attack and destroy the embryo. These findings may have relevance to human pregnancy.
Morgan
B P
BP
Complement Biology Group, Department of Medical Biochemistry, UWCM, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK. morganbp@cf.ac.uk.
Holmes
C H
CH
D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D051379:Mice; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011951:Receptors, Complement / Q000502:physiology*; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b
C081470:Cr1l protein, mouse; D011951:Receptors, Complement; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; D003165:Complement System Proteins