title: Complement evasion by human pathogens.
abstract: The human immune system has developed an elaborate network of cascades for dealing with microbial intruders. Owing to its ability to rapidly recognize and eliminate microorganisms, the complement system is an essential and efficient component of this machinery. However, many pathogenic organisms have found ways to escape the attack of complement through a range of different mechanisms. Recent discoveries in this field have provided important insights into these processes on a molecular level. These vital developments could augment our knowledge of the pathology and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 422 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. lambris@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Lambris
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ricklin
authors.forename: Brian V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Geisbrecht
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D018716:Molecular Mimicry; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014780:Viruses / Q000472:pathogenicity*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D014764:Viral Proteins; D003165:Complement System Proteins