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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...
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Caspases

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Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
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Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...
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The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

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Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.

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Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression
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Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Published on: June 15, 2019

Sepsis, apoptosis and complement.

P A Ward1

  • 1The University of Michigan Medical School, Department of Pathology, 1301 Catherine Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5602, USA. pward@umich.edu

Biochemical Pharmacology
|October 14, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sepsis triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) and immune paralysis, partly via complement C5a and its receptor C5aR. These interactions contribute to sepsis complications like organ dysfunction and lethality.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Sepsis is characterized by programmed cell death (apoptosis), particularly affecting the lymphoid system, leading to immunoparalysis.
  • Sepsis activates the complement system, generating C5a and upregulating its receptor (C5aR) in various organs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for the detrimental roles of C5a and C5aR in experimental sepsis.
  • To explore the link between C5a/C5aR and sepsis complications, including apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on experimental sepsis models.
  • Analysis of the roles of C5a receptors (C5aR and C5L2) in sepsis.

Main Results:

  • C5a-C5aR interactions are linked to apoptosis in thymocytes and adrenal medullary cells in sepsis models.
  • These interactions are associated with cardiac dysfunction, coagulopathy, organ dysfunction, and mortality in sepsis.

Conclusions:

  • C5a and C5aR play adverse roles in experimental sepsis, contributing to apoptosis and various clinical complications.
  • Understanding C5a receptor functions (C5aR and C5L2) is crucial for sepsis research.