title: Emerging and Novel Functions of Complement Protein C1q.
abstract: Complement protein C1q, the recognition molecule of the classical pathway, performs a diverse range of complement and non-complement functions. It can bind various ligands derived from self, non-self, and altered self and modulate the functions of immune and non-immune cells including dendritic cells and microglia. C1q involvement in the clearance of apoptotic cells and subsequent B cell tolerance is more established now. Recent evidence appears to suggest that C1q plays an important role in pregnancy where its deficiency and dysregulation can have adverse effects, leading to preeclampsia, missed abortion, miscarriage or spontaneous loss, and various infections. C1q is also produced locally in the central nervous system, and has a protective role against pathogens and possible inflammatory functions while interacting with aggregated proteins leading to neurodegenerative diseases. C1q role in synaptic pruning, and thus CNS development, its anti-cancer effects as an immune surveillance molecule, and possibly in aging are currently areas of extensive research.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK.
authors.forename: Lubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kouser
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK ; Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute for Advanced Studies, School of Life Sciences , Secunderabad , India.
authors.forename: Shanmuga Priyaa
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Madhukaran
authors.affiliation: St. Ann's Hospital, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust , Poole , UK.
authors.forename: Abhishek
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shastri
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK.
authors.forename: Anuvinder
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saraon
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK.
authors.forename: Janez
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferluga
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection and Immunity, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Maha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Mozaini
authors.affiliation: Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK.
authors.forename: Uday
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kishore
keywords: C1q; apoptosis; cancer; complement; neurogenesis; pregnancy