Complement and parasitic trematodes.
The complement (C) system acts as a barrier to protect our bodies against invading pathogens. It may react to cytophilic antibodies or directly to foreign molecules presented by the intruder. As well as their cytotoxic activity, C components can attract and attach leucocytes to the surface of the foreign body, and activate them to kill it. Zvi Fishelson describes various strategies used by a parasitic trematode to escape immune damage in the face of potent immune surveillance by C and other effector mechanisms.
Department of Chemical Immunology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, PO Box 26, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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