Complement: structure, functions, evolution, and viral molecular mimicry
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Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Detection of Neutralization-sensitive Epitopes in Antigens Displayed on Virus-Like Particle (VLP)-Based Vaccines Using a Capture Assay
Published on: February 10, 2022
Dimitrios Mastellos1, Dimitrios Morikis, Stuart N Isaacs
1Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Abstract:
The complement (C') system has long been recognized as an important mediator of innate immune defense and inflammation. In recent years there is increasing evidence suggesting that complement components may also participate in non-inflammatory and developmental processes. Here we review our current work on the structural-functional aspects of C3-ligand interactions and the rational design of small-sized complement inhibitors. We present a novel, proteomics-based, approach to studying protein-protein interactions within the C' system and discuss our progress in the study of viral immune evasion strategies. Furthermore we discuss the involvement of complement proteins in organ regeneration and hematopoietic development.
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