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Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

Complement 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...
Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification01:26

Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification

Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition marked by inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. Its pathophysiology involves complex interactions among inflammatory pathways, immune responses, and neural mechanisms.
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management01:20

Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management

Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition involving inflammation of the airways, hyper-reactivity, and reversible obstruction of the airways. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making breathing difficult and leading to distressing symptoms.
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
Asthma I: Introduction01:28

Asthma I: Introduction

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by variable airflow obstruction and heightened bronchial responsiveness to a wide range of triggers. The underlying inflammation leads to airway swelling, mucus hypersecretion, and smooth muscle constriction, all of which narrow the airway lumen and impede airflow. Clinically, asthma presents with recurrent episodes of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, symptoms that typically vary in intensity and...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
10:39

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy

Published on: April 16, 2019

Complement activation pathways: a bridge between innate and adaptive immune responses in asthma.

Marsha Wills-Karp1

  • 1Division of Immunobiology,Center for Immunological Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA. wildc7@cchmc.org

Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society
|July 4, 2007
PubMed
Summary

The complement system

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Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
07:52

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy
10:39

Advanced Imaging of Lung Homing Human Lymphocytes in an Experimental In Vivo Model of Allergic Inflammation Based on Light-sheet Microscopy

Published on: April 16, 2019

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation
07:52

Analysis of Pulmonary Dendritic Cell Maturation and Migration during Allergic Airway Inflammation

Published on: July 23, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Allergy Research
  • Innate Immunity

Background:

  • Allergic asthma pathogenesis involves T helper type 2 (Th2) immune responses to allergens.
  • Mechanisms driving aberrant immune responses in asthma are not fully understood.
  • Innate immune pathways are increasingly recognized for their role in adaptive immunity and asthma.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the complement system in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma.
  • To explore the emerging paradigm of complement component C3a as a common pathway for Th2 inflammation in asthma.
  • To elucidate the dual role of complement component C5a in regulating Th2-polarized immune responses.

Main Methods:

  • The study focuses on the complement system's components, C3a and C5a, and their roles in immune responses.
  • It examines how these components interact with innate and adaptive immune pathways in the context of asthma triggers.
  • The research considers genetic and environmental factors influencing complement pathway activity.

Main Results:

  • C3a production at the airway surface is proposed as a common pathway for Th2 inflammation induced by various asthma triggers.
  • C5a demonstrates a dual role: it protects against initial Th2 polarization by inducing tolerogenic dendritic cells but drives Th2 inflammation once it occurs.
  • Imbalances in complement pathway components may contribute to the rising prevalence of asthma.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system, particularly C3a and C5a, plays a significant role in allergic asthma pathogenesis.
  • Alterations in complement component balance, influenced by environment or genetics, could explain increased asthma rates.
  • Targeting the complement system offers potential therapeutic strategies for asthma.