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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
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High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells
Published on: January 7, 2019
The membrane attack complex of the complement system is essential for rapid Wallerian degeneration
Valeria Ramaglia1, Rosalind Helen Mary King, Michelle Nourallah
1Neurogenetics Laboratory, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
The complement system, specifically C6, is crucial for rapid myelin breakdown after nerve injury. Blocking complement activation with rhC1INH delays this process, highlighting its role in Wallerian degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The complement (C) system is implicated in myelin breakdown during Wallerian degeneration (WD).
- The precise pathway and mechanism of complement involvement in WD remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role and mechanism of the complement system in rapid myelin breakdown following peripheral nerve trauma.
- To investigate the necessity of complement component 6 (C6) and membrane attack complex (MAC) formation in Wallerian degeneration.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a sciatic nerve crush injury model in wild-type and C6-deficient rats.
- Assessed Wallerian degeneration, myelin breakdown, and macrophage activity at different time points post-injury.
- Investigated the effect of recombinant human complement 1 inhibitor (rhC1INH) on complement activation and WD.
Main Results:
- C6 deficiency significantly inhibited rapid Wallerian degeneration and myelin breakdown at 3 days post-injury.
- Macrophage recruitment and activation were reduced in C6-deficient animals.
- Delayed but eventual degradation occurred in C6-deficient nerves by 7 days, with increased myelin breakdown products.
- rhC1INH treatment blocked complement activation post-injury.
- Reconstitution with C6 restored the rapid WD phenotype.
Conclusions:
- The classical complement pathway is activated following acute peripheral nerve trauma.
- Complement component 6 (C6) and subsequent membrane attack complex (MAC) formation are essential for efficient and rapid Wallerian degeneration.
- The complement cascade plays a critical role in clearing myelin debris after nerve injury.
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