Evolution of the complement system.
The origin of the complement system is much more ancient than that of adaptive immunity, which is only found in jawed vertebrates. Recently, complement components of the alternative and lectin pathways have been identified in jawless fishes, and even in some deuterostome invertebrates. The primitive complement system of these animals is one of the most highly organized innate immune systems.
Nonaka
M
M
Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. mnonaka@biol.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp
D000818:Animals; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative / Q000276:immunology*; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical / Q000276:immunology*; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D006801:Humans