title: The complement system.
abstract: The complement system consists of a tightly regulated network of proteins that play an important role in host defense and inflammation. Complement activation results in opsonization of pathogens and their removal by phagocytes, as well as cell lysis. Inappropriate complement activation and complement deficiencies are the underlying cause of the pathophysiology of many diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and asthma. This review represents an overview of the complement system in an effort to understand the beneficial as well as harmful roles it plays during inflammatory responses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, The University of Michigan Medical School, 1301 Catherine Rd., Box 5602, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5602, USA.
authors.forename: J Vidya
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Sarma
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D056704:Adaptive Immunity / Q000276:immunology; D000706:Anaphylatoxins / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D057131:Immune Evasion / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000706:Anaphylatoxins; D003165:Complement System Proteins