The pivotal role of the mentor in triggering the research on Complement system

Giuseppe Castellano1

  • 1Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari, Italy.

Molecular Immunology
|November 25, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The complement system, crucial in innate immunity, is increasingly studied for its role in diseases like diabetes and lupus. Research into complement inhibitors offers promising therapeutic avenues for various human conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Innate Immunity
  • Complement System Biology

Background:

  • The complement system is a foundational component of the innate immune system.
  • It plays a critical role in host defense and inflammation.
  • Despite its early discovery, complement research continues to expand.

Observation:

  • The complement system is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases.
  • Specific examples include diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and Systemic Lupus Erythematous.
  • Dysregulation of complement contributes to disease progression.

Findings:

  • Therapeutic interventions targeting the complement system have shown success.
  • Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome is a key example of a complement-mediated disease with successful treatment.
  • This highlights the potential for targeted therapies.

Implications:

  • Continued research into the complement system is vital.
  • Developing specific complement inhibitors holds promise for treating diverse human diseases.
  • This field offers significant potential for novel therapeutic strategies.

Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

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...
12.6K
Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
1.1K
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

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...
15.4K
Complementation Tests00:49

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...
6.5K
The Scientific Method02:40

The Scientific Method

Research is what makes the difference between facts and opinions. Facts are observable realities, and opinions are personal judgments, conclusions, or attitudes that may or may not be accurate. In the scientific community, facts can be established only using evidence collected through empirical research.
67.2K
Microbial Interactions: Cooperation01:26

Microbial Interactions: Cooperation

Microbial cooperation involves beneficial interactions in which different species work together for individual or mutual advantage. These interactions can profoundly influence ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes, and they are essential to many pathogenic and symbiotic relationships.Nematode–Bacteria CooperationA striking example is the relationship between the Gram-negative bacterium Xenorhabdus nematophila and the parasitic nematode Steinernema carpocapsae. Juvenile nematodes...
37