Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

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...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Immunodeficiency Diseases01:25

Immunodeficiency Diseases

Immunodeficiency disorders are conditions in which the immune system's ability to fight infectious disease and cancer is compromised or entirely absent. The immune system comprises a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from potentially harmful invaders. When this system is deficient or not functioning properly, it leaves the body susceptible to infections, diseases, or other complications.
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

Overview
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The Role of Anti-Phosphatidylserine/Prothrombin Antibodies and the Lectin Complement Pathway in Anti-Phospholipid Antibody-Associated Preterm Delivery.

Arthritis & rheumatology (Hoboken, N.J.)·2026
Same author

Pediatric Robotic Surgery: From Observation to Autonomy in a Motion-Based Assessment of Learning Curve Using a Dual-Console System.

Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A·2026
Same author

Correction: Anti-β2GPI IgG display a broad reactivity against different β2GPI domains beyond domain 1: results from the APS ACTION and multi-center Italian cohorts.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT) as standard of care results over 10 years' experience in 507 patients.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Anti-β2GPI IgG display a broad reactivity against different β2GPI domains beyond domain 1: results from the APS ACTION and multi-center Italian cohorts.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Learning Curve of Docking Time in Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy with the Hugo RAS System: How Many Procedures to Achieve Efficiency?

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
07:26

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment

Published on: July 18, 2017

Inherited complement deficiencies and bacterial infections.

Francesco Tedesco1

  • 1Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, via Fleming 22, 34127 Trieste, Italy. tedesco@units.it

Vaccine
|April 24, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Complement system deficiencies increase bacterial infection risk. Identifying these complement component deficiencies is crucial for preventive measures like vaccination, though more research is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The complement system, a crucial part of innate immunity, recognizes bacteria via early components, activating three pathways.
  • Complement activation leads to opsonization, phagocyte recruitment, and bacterial killing, essential for defense against pathogens.
  • Deficiencies in complement components or regulators impair this defense, increasing susceptibility to bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the in vivo role of complement deficiencies in bacterial infections.
  • To highlight the importance of identifying specific complement deficiencies (C2, C3, late components, properdin, factor I).
  • To emphasize the need for preventive strategies, including vaccination, for individuals with complement deficiencies.

Main Methods:

More Related Videos

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
06:17

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Published on: February 5, 2010

Functional Complementation Analysis (FCA): A Laboratory Exercise Designed and Implemented to Supplement the Teaching of Biochemical Pathways
09:27

Functional Complementation Analysis (FCA): A Laboratory Exercise Designed and Implemented to Supplement the Teaching of Biochemical Pathways

Published on: June 24, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment
07:26

High-resolution Melting PCR for Complement Receptor 1 Length Polymorphism Genotyping: An Innovative Tool for Alzheimer's Disease Gene Susceptibility Assessment

Published on: July 18, 2017

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
06:17

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Published on: February 5, 2010

Functional Complementation Analysis (FCA): A Laboratory Exercise Designed and Implemented to Supplement the Teaching of Biochemical Pathways
09:27

Functional Complementation Analysis (FCA): A Laboratory Exercise Designed and Implemented to Supplement the Teaching of Biochemical Pathways

Published on: June 24, 2016

  • Review of existing literature on complement system function and deficiencies.
  • Analysis of clinical data linking complement component deficiencies to infection susceptibility.
  • Evaluation of current preventive strategies and treatment options for affected individuals.

Main Results:

  • Individuals with deficiencies in C2, C3, late complement components, properdin, or factor I exhibit increased susceptibility to bacterial infections.
  • Identification of these specific deficiencies is critical for implementing timely preventive measures.
  • Vaccination is considered the primary treatment for protecting individuals with complement deficiencies.

Conclusions:

  • Complement deficiencies significantly compromise the immune system's ability to combat bacterial infections.
  • Early identification and diagnosis of complement component deficiencies are essential for risk reduction.
  • Further clinical studies are required to validate the efficacy of vaccination in C-deficient populations.