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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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Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

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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.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
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Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

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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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NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...
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Antibody Actions01:26

Antibody Actions

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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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Humoral Immune Responses01:36

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Overview
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Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

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The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
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Updated: Dec 18, 2025

Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells
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Methods for Quantitative Detection of Antibody-induced Complement Activation on Red Blood Cells

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Rationale for targeting complement in COVID-19.

Anastasia Polycarpou1, Mark Howard1, Conrad A Farrar1

  • 1MRC Centre of Transplantation, Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Guy's Hospital, King's College London, London, UK.

EMBO Molecular Medicine
|June 20, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Severe COVID-19 is linked to complement pathway dysfunction. Targeting this innate immune system offers a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategy for critical illness.

Keywords:
COVID-19SARS-CoV-2complement proteinslectin pathwaytherapeutics

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Severe COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents as acute respiratory illness, potentially leading to ARDS.
  • The complement system, a key part of innate immunity, can be manipulated by viruses for entry and contributes to immunopathology.
  • Severe COVID-19 manifestations like ARDS, sepsis, and multiorgan failure are associated with complement cascade activation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current evidence linking SARS-CoV-2 immunopathogenesis with complement pathway dysfunction.
  • To explore the role of complement activation in severe COVID-19.
  • To support the rationale for anti-complement therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of current studies on SARS-CoV-2 immunopathogenesis.
  • Analysis of preceding literature on SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV infections.
  • Evidence synthesis linking complement pathways to severe COVID-19 disease.

Main Results:

  • Evidence suggests a direct link between severe COVID-19 and complement pathway dysfunction.
  • Complement activation contributes to the cytokine storm and acute lung injury observed in severe cases.
  • Dysfunctional complement pathways are implicated in ARDS, sepsis, and multiorgan failure in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusions:

  • The complement cascade plays a significant role in the severe manifestations of COVID-19.
  • Targeting complement pathways represents a promising anti-inflammatory therapeutic approach.
  • Clinically available agents could be repurposed for anti-complement therapy in severe COVID-19.