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The complement system in regulation of adaptive immunity.
1The CBR Institute for Biomedical Research, Harvard Medical School, 800 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. carroll@cbr.med.harvard.edu <carroll@cbr.med.harvard.edu>
Nature Immunology
|September 30, 2004
Summary
The serum complement system enhances adaptive immunity by linking innate and adaptive responses. It regulates B and T cell functions through interactions with cell surface receptors.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Innate Immunity
- Adaptive Immunity
Background:
- The serum complement system is a key part of innate immunity.
- It plays a role in inflammation and enhances adaptive immune responses.
- Complement activation involves cleavage products interacting with cell surface receptors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review how complement links innate and adaptive immunity.
- To highlight recent findings on complement's local function in lymph nodes.
- To explain complement's role in regulating B and T cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Review of fundamental complement activation events.
- Analysis of interactions between complement products and cell surface receptors.
- Examination of recent studies on complement function in lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- Complement activation products regulate B and T cell responses.
- Complement links innate immunity recognition with adaptive immunity.
- Local complement function in lymph nodes enhances B and T cell responses.
Conclusions:
- The complement system is crucial for bridging innate and adaptive immunity.
- Complement activation products modulate immune cell activity.
- Local complement activity in lymph nodes is vital for adaptive immunity.