Effects of the complement system on antibody formation and function: implications for transplantation

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Transplantation Biology
• Complement System

Background:

• Antibody-mediated rejection involves complement activation, contributing to transplant injury.
• Emerging evidence highlights complement's role in modulating humoral immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent findings on how complement influences antibody formation.
• To discuss the therapeutic implications of these insights in transplantation.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on complement and immune responses in transplantation.
• Analysis of mechanistic data linking complement activation to T-cell and B-cell function.

Main Results:

• Complement activation drives immune-metabolic adaptations in T cells and facilitates B cell antigen acquisition.
• Complement signaling is crucial for B cell affinity maturation and antibody production.
• Complement activation on graft cells can promote T and B cell activation, exacerbating rejection.

Conclusions:

• The complement system significantly impacts T-cell, B-cell, and endothelial cell activation, contributing to allograft injury.
• Targeting complement activation presents a promising therapeutic strategy to improve transplant outcomes.