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Updated: May 15, 2026

Depletion of Specific Cell Populations by Complement Depletion
Published on: February 5, 2010
Role of complement in multiorgan failure
Daniel Rittirsch1, Heinz Redl, Markus Huber-Lang
1Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistrasse 100, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland. drittirsch@googlemail.com
Abstract:
Multiorgan failure (MOF) represents the leading cause of death in patients with sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) following severe trauma. The underlying immune response is highly complex and involves activation of the complement system as a crucial entity of innate immunity. Uncontrolled activation of the complement system during sepsis and SIRS with in excessive generation of complement activation products contributes to an ensuing dysfunction of various organ systems. In the present review, mechanisms of the inflammatory response in the development of MOF in sepsis and SIRS with particular focus on the complement system are discussed.
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