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Related Concept Videos

Complement System01:27

Complement System

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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...
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The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
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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.
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RNA viruses are categorized into positive-strand, negative-strand, or double-stranded groups based on their genomic structure and replication mechanisms. This classification dictates how they exploit host cellular machinery for protein synthesis and replication. Some RNA viruses also utilize reverse transcription as part of their life cycle, further diversifying their replication strategies.Positive-Strand RNA VirusesPositive-strand RNA viruses have genomes that function directly as messenger...
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The Antiviral System of Bacteria and Archaea: CRISPR01:23

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CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats is a adaptive immune system found in bacteria and archaea that protects against viral infections. This system enables prokaryotic cells to identify, remember, and neutralize foreign genetic elements, primarily bacteriophages, by storing fragments of the invader’s DNA as a genetic memory.The CRISPR immune response begins during an initial infection. Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins play a central role in this...
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Antibody Actions01:26

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Antibodies, or immunoglobulins, are critical players in the immune system's arsenal against invading pathogens. Produced by B cells and plasma cells, their primary role is to detect and bind to specific antigens, molecules found on the surface of pathogens like bacteria or viruses. Beyond antigen recognition, antibodies perform several vital functions that contribute to immune defense.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 19, 2025

Combined Genetic and Chemical Capsid Modifications of Adenovirus-Based Gene Transfer Vectors for Shielding and Targeting
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The imitation game: a viral strategy to subvert the complement system.

Palak Agrawal1, Samriddhi Sharma1, Pradipta Pal1

  • 1Complement Biology Laboratory, National Centre for Cell Science, S. P. Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411007, India.

FEBS Letters
|June 8, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Viruses evade the host immune system by mimicking human complement regulators. This molecular mimicry helps viruses establish infection by escaping the complement system, a key part of innate immunity.

Keywords:
CD59RCAcomplementherpesvirusinnate immunitypathogenesispoxvirusviral RCAviral immune evasion

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Arbovirus Infections As Screening Tools for the Identification of Viral Immunomodulators and Host Antiviral Factors
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Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Viruses are obligate intracellular parasites requiring host cell machinery for replication.
  • The host immune system, including innate and adaptive branches, presents a significant barrier to viral infection.
  • The complement system is a critical component of innate immunity, capable of neutralizing pathogens and enhancing adaptive responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current knowledge on viral homologs of human complement regulators.
  • To elucidate the structure, function, and role of these viral mimicries in viral pathogenesis.
  • To understand how viruses subvert innate immunity through molecular mimicry.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on viral complement evasion strategies.
  • Analysis of structural and functional data of viral complement regulator homologs.
  • Examination of the impact of these viral mimics on viral pathogenesis and host immune response.

Main Results:

  • Viruses employ molecular mimicry of human complement regulators, such as regulators of complement activation (RCA) proteins and CD59, as a key immune evasion strategy.
  • These viral homologs effectively inhibit complement-mediated viral neutralization and dampen immune cell activation.
  • The study highlights diverse viral strategies for mimicking host complement regulatory proteins.

Conclusions:

  • Viral mimicry of complement regulators is a crucial mechanism for successful viral infection and pathogenesis.
  • Understanding these viral strategies provides insights into host-pathogen interactions and potential therapeutic targets.
  • Further research into viral complement evasion can inform the development of novel antiviral therapies.