title: The versatile functions of complement C3-derived ligands.
abstract: The complement system is a major component of immune defense. Activation of the complement cascade by foreign substances and altered self-structures may lead to the elimination of the activating agent, and during the enzymatic cascade, several biologically active fragments are generated. Most immune regulatory effects of complement are mediated by the activation products of C3, the central component. The indispensable role of C3 in opsonic phagocytosis as well as in the regulation of humoral immune response is known for long, while the involvement of complement in T-cell biology have been revealed in the past few years. In this review, we discuss the immune modulatory functions of C3-derived fragments focusing on their role in processes which have not been summarized so far. The importance of locally synthesized complement will receive special emphasis, as several immunological processes take place in tissues, where hepatocyte-derived complement components might not be available at high concentrations. We also aim to call the attention to important differences between human and mouse systems regarding C3-mediated processes.
authors: Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. anna.erdei@freemail.hu, anna.erdei@ttk.elte.hu.|MTA-ELTE Immunology Research Group, Budapest, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary. anna.erdei@freemail.hu, anna.erdei@ttk.elte.hu.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Erdei
authors: MTA-ELTE Immunology Research Group, Budapest, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Noémi
authors: N
authors: Sándor
authors: Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Bernadett
authors: B
authors: Mácsik-Valent
authors: Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Szilvia
authors: S
authors: Lukácsi
authors: MTA-ELTE Immunology Research Group, Budapest, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Mariann
authors: M
authors: Kremlitzka
authors: Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.
authors: Zsuzsa
authors: Z
authors: Bajtay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D056724:Immunity, Humoral; D056747:Immunomodulation; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D003176:Complement C3; D010455:Peptides
keywords: B cell; cell activation; complement; dendritic cell; monocyte/macrophage