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Complement in atherosclerosis: friend or foe?

W S Speidl1, S P Kastl, K Huber

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|December 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

The complement system

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Inflammation Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease.
  • The complement system is crucial for innate immunity and is activated in atherosclerotic plaques.
  • The precise role of complement in atherogenesis remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence of complement activation in atherosclerotic plaques.
  • To discuss the dual role of complement in atherogenesis based on experimental models.
  • To summarize complement components as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on complement activation in atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of data from experimental animal models of atherosclerosis.
  • Synthesis of findings regarding complement's role and biomarker potential.

Main Results:

  • Evidence confirms complement activation within atherosclerotic plaques.
  • The complement system exhibits a dual role: potentially protective via classic/lectin pathways and proatherogenic via the alternative pathway.
  • Anaphylatoxins and terminal complement complex formation may promote plaque destabilization and cardiovascular events.

Conclusions:

  • Complement activation is a key feature of atherosclerotic plaques.
  • Complement's role in atherogenesis is complex, with both protective and detrimental effects.
  • Complement components show promise as biomarkers for cardiovascular disease risk and progression.

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