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Complement: a key system for immune surveillance and homeostasis.

Daniel Ricklin¹, George Hajishengallis, Kun Yang

¹Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Nature Immunology

|August 20, 2010

Summary

The human complement system is a crucial immune surveillance network that eliminates microbes and cellular debris. Proper control is vital, as dysregulation can lead to attacks on healthy cells, impacting homeostasis and disease.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

The human complement system, known for nearly a century, plays a vital role in innate and adaptive immunity.
Its functions extend beyond microbial elimination to encompass immune surveillance and host cell modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an updated perspective on the complement system's function, structure, and dynamics.
To highlight the complement network's integration with broader immune responses and other endogenous pathways.
To illustrate the multifaceted roles of complement in maintaining homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of diseases.

Main Methods:

This is a review article, synthesizing current knowledge from existing literature.
It involves analyzing and integrating findings on complement's structure, function, and interactions.
The review focuses on updated views and dynamic aspects of the complement network.

Main Results:

Complement acts as a rapid immune surveillance system with differential effects on host cells and pathogens.
It contributes to homeostasis by clearing debris and microbes, orchestrating immune responses, and signaling danger.
Uncontrolled complement activation can target healthy host cells, contributing to disease.

Conclusions:

The complement system is a dynamic network with extensive roles in immunity and homeostasis.
Its intricate connections with other immune and endogenous pathways are critical.
Dysregulation of complement significantly impacts health and disease states.