Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
10:31
Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture
Published on: April 8, 2016
Generation of terminal complement complexes in psoriatic lesional skin
1Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
Dermatology (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Complement system activation generates terminal complement complexes (SC5b-9) in psoriatic skin lesions. Treatment significantly reduced SC5b-9 levels, indicating complement
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Dermatology
Background:
- The complement system is implicated in neutrophil recruitment to the epidermis.
- Psoriasis involves inflammatory processes within the skin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate complement activation and terminal complement complex deposition in psoriatic lesional skin.
- To quantify SC5b-9 levels in psoriatic plasma and skin.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of SC5b-9 levels in plasma and lesional skin of psoriasis patients.
- Comparison of SC5b-9 levels in psoriatic patients, controls, and atopic dermatitis patients.
- Immunofluorescence staining for C5b-9 deposition in psoriatic skin.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher SC5b-9 levels were found in psoriatic plasma compared to controls and atopic dermatitis patients.
- Successful psoriasis treatment led to a significant reduction in plasma SC5b-9 levels.
- High levels of SC5b-9 were detected in lesional horny tissues of psoriasis, but not in non-inflammatory tissues.
- C5b-9 deposition was observed specifically in the stratum corneum of psoriatic skin.
Conclusions:
- Complement system activation occurs in psoriatic lesional skin.
- This activation proceeds to the terminal step, generating the membrane attack complex (C5b-9).
- SC5b-9 deposition in the epidermis is a feature of active psoriasis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:31Antigen Processing Pathways
MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:27Complement System
The complement system is a group of approximately 20 plasma proteins that strengthen the body's defenses against infections through opsonization, inflammation, and cell lysis. Opsonization involves coating pathogens with complement proteins, making them more recognizable and facilitating phagocyte engulfment. Certain complement proteins induce inflammation that attracts immune cells to the site of infection. Cell lysis involves the destruction of pathogens through the formation of a membrane...
01:12Chronic Inflammation: Introduction
Chronic inflammation is a prolonged, dysregulated immune response that persists for weeks to years when the inciting stimulus is difficult to eradicate or when self‑antigens drive ongoing reactivity. Morphologically, it is defined by mononuclear cell infiltration, progressive tissue destruction, and concurrent attempts at healing via angiogenesis and fibrosis. Compared with acute inflammation, edema is less prominent while cellular infiltration predominates; triggers include persistent...
01:19Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions
Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...