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Complement System

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...

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

Type III hypersensitivity reactions occur when antigen–antibody complexes form and activate the complement system. Normally, these complexes help the clearance of antigens by phagocytes and red blood cells. However, when large numbers of immune complexes are present, they can deposit in tissues—particularly in the walls of blood vessels—leading to inflammation and tissue injury. These deposits trigger complement activation and neutrophil recruitment, resulting in serum sickness, a systemic...

Complementation Tests

Complementation Tests

A complementation test is a simple cross to identify whether the two mutations are located on the same gene or different genes. It was first performed by Edward Lewis in the 1940s while working on fruit flies. He developed the test to identify the location and arrangement of different mutations on chromosomes.
Organisms heterozygous for different mutations are crossed pairwise in all combinations. If present on different genes, the mutations can complement each other by providing the missing...

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

Type II hypersensitivity involves IgG and IgM antibodies targeting cell surface antigens, leading to cell destruction. This can occur through complement activation, antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), or acting as opsonins for phagocytosis. When excessive, these reactions cause significant tissue damage.Drug-induced hemolytic anemia is a common example, where drugs like penicillin or cephalosporins bind to red blood cells, forming drug-protein complexes. These complexes...

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering

Published on: October 12, 2012

Complement in skin diseases.

¹Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Diagnostics of Complement System and Syphilis, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ljubljana, Korytkova 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. vladimir.kotnik@mf.uni-lj.si

Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica, Et Adriatica

|September 1, 2011

Summary

The complement system aids natural immunity but can harm the host in skin diseases. Serological tests detect complement alterations, and complement inhibitors offer new treatment potential for these conditions.

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Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Granulocyte-dependent Autoantibody-induced Skin Blistering

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Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion

Published on: February 5, 2010

Area of Science:

Immunology
Dermatology
Pathogenesis

Background:

The complement system is crucial for innate immunity against infections.
Aberrant complement activation contributes to the pathogenesis of various skin diseases.
The complement system can be harmful if activated against the host's own tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the role of complement activation in emerging skin diseases.
To emphasize the importance of serological tests for detecting complement alterations in skin conditions.
To highlight the therapeutic potential of complement inhibitors in dermatology.

Main Methods:

Literature review of complement activation in skin diseases.
Discussion of serological laboratory tests for complement activity.
Analysis of emerging skin diseases associated with complement system dysregulation.

Main Results:

Complement system activation is implicated in numerous skin diseases, including autoimmune blistering diseases, vasculitis, and infections.
Serological tests are vital for diagnosing and monitoring complement-related skin disorders.
Specific skin conditions discussed include pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Conclusions:

Understanding complement activation is key to managing complex skin diseases.
Serological diagnostics play a critical role in identifying complement system involvement.
Complement inhibitors represent a promising therapeutic avenue for treating various dermatological conditions.