Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

Complement System

10.5K
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...
10.5K
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions01:19

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Immune-Complex Reactions

269
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...
269
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions01:01

Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions

208
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...
208
Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System01:28

Functions of the Lymphatic and Immune System

6.4K
The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in bolstering our immune system. It consists of a network of lymphoid organs, lymph, and lymphatic vessels that provide structural and functional support in safeguarding the body against pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.
The primary lymphoid organs, including the bone marrow and the thymus, serve as the maturation sites for lymphocytes. Secondary lymphoid organs, like the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, activate these lymphocytes and serve as...
6.4K
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

10.6K
Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
10.6K
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

66.0K
Overview
66.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Type 2 and type 1 diabetes have opposing effects on the systemic murine complement alternative pathway.

iScience·2026
Same author

C4BP occludes the non-opsonic interaction of <i>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</i> with human neutrophil CEACAMs.

Infection and immunity·2026
Same author

Complement activation in patients with post-acute sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Comparison of BAFF and type I IFN activity in blood and placenta in SLE and healthy pregnancies.

Lupus science & medicine·2026
Same author

Immature CD10<sup>low</sup> blood neutrophils are enriched in people with multiple sclerosis.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same author

Editorial: Gender affirming hormone therapy and its immunological implications.

Frontiers in immunology·2026
Same journal

Instrument selection for the assessment of peripheral arthritis in axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis: an ASAS project.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2026
Same journal

Genetic biomarkers of clinical manifestations in giant cell arteritis define distinct patient subgroups.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2026
Same journal

A data-driven, weighted flare score that accurately predicts organ damage in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2026
Same journal

PD-1 signalling restrains pathogenic T peripheral helper and effector CD4⁺ T cell functions in rheumatoid arthritis.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2026
Same journal

Remission of refractory lupus nephritis is temporally associated with antitumour therapy, including durvalumab for endometrial carcinoma.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2026
Same journal

Mapping inequalities in rheumatology care in Europe: the first edition of the EULAR RheumaFacts project.

Annals of the rheumatic diseases·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice
12:04

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice

Published on: November 1, 2015

17.7K

The complement system in systemic lupus erythematosus: an update.

Jonatan Leffler1, Anders A Bengtsson2, Anna M Blom3

  • 1Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Australia.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
|May 22, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The complement system

Keywords:
AutoantibodiesInflammationSystemic Lupus Erythematosus

More Related Videos

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
09:43

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice

Published on: June 8, 2022

2.6K
Measuring Erythrocyte Complement Receptor 1 Using Flow Cytometry
07:20

Measuring Erythrocyte Complement Receptor 1 Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: May 19, 2020

6.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 29, 2026

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice
12:04

The bm12 Inducible Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus SLE in C57BL/6 Mice

Published on: November 1, 2015

17.7K
Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
09:43

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice

Published on: June 8, 2022

2.6K
Measuring Erythrocyte Complement Receptor 1 Using Flow Cytometry
07:20

Measuring Erythrocyte Complement Receptor 1 Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: May 19, 2020

6.9K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Rheumatology
  • Autoimmune Disease Research

Background:

  • The complement system is integral to the immune response but has a complex role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), potentially both protecting against and worsening the disease.
  • Genetic factors, including C1q deficiency and mutations in complement receptors and inhibitors, are linked to SLE development and severity.
  • Autoantibodies are key to SLE pathogenesis, and the complement system's influence on adaptive immunity is a critical area of study.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the complement system's role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenesis.
  • To highlight the dual role of complement in SLE, encompassing both protective and detrimental effects.
  • To explore the diagnostic and monitoring potential of complement biomarkers in SLE.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent complement-focused research in SLE.
  • Analysis of genetic associations with complement components and receptors in SLE patients.
  • Examination of complement's impact on SLE-specific manifestations and autoantibody production.

Main Results:

  • C1q deficiency, though rare, is a significant genetic risk factor for SLE.
  • New genetic associations with complement receptors and inhibitors indicate their involvement in SLE onset and nephritis.
  • Complement contributes to SLE manifestations like glomerulonephritis and thrombosis, and influences autoantibody responses.
  • Complement components in plasma show potential as accessible biomarkers for SLE diagnosis and activity monitoring.

Conclusions:

  • The complement system is a critical player in SLE pathogenesis, with complex and multifaceted roles.
  • Recent genetic discoveries and insights into complement's influence on immune responses deepen our understanding of SLE.
  • Complement's accessibility in plasma positions it as a promising avenue for SLE biomarker development and disease management.