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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 18, 2026

Murine Model of Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury

Murine Model of Intestinal Ischemia-reperfusion Injury

Published on: May 11, 2016

The complement system in ischemia-reperfusion injuries.

William B Gorsuch¹, Elvina Chrysanthou, Wilhelm J Schwaeble

¹Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Reperfusion Injury, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

|September 12, 2012

Summary

Ischemia and reperfusion injury involves tissue damage and inflammation. This review highlights activated complement pathways, involved components, and clinical inhibitors for ischemia/reperfusion injury, offering an updated view for future research.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Pathophysiology
Pharmacology

Background:

Ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury is a significant clinical challenge across multiple organs.
The complement system plays a critical role in mediating inflammation and tissue damage following I/R events.
Extensive research has explored the involvement of complement in I/R injury over several decades.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an updated overview of the complement system's role in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.
To detail the specific complement pathways and components activated during I/R.
To review current clinical biologics and inhibitors used in managing I/R.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on recent advancements in complement research related to I/R injury.
Analysis of activated complement pathways (classical, lectin, alternative) in the context of I/R.
Survey of clinically relevant complement inhibitors and their therapeutic potential.

Main Results:

Identification of key complement components (e.g., C3, C5a) central to I/R-induced inflammation.
Overview of how different complement pathways contribute uniquely to I/R pathophysiology.
Summary of the efficacy and limitations of existing complement-targeting biologics in clinical settings.

Conclusions:

The complement system is a pivotal mediator of I/R injury, presenting therapeutic targets.
Clinical application of complement inhibitors offers a promising strategy for mitigating I/R damage.
Further research is essential to optimize complement-targeted therapies and fully understand their clinical utility.