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

Antigen Processing Pathways01:31

Antigen Processing Pathways

1.2K
MHC molecules are key players in the immune response, enabling T cells to recognize and respond to specific antigens. They are present on the surface of all nucleated cells in the body and are instrumental in presenting antigens to T cells and activating them. T cells recognize the MHC-antigen complex and initiate an immune response. MHC class I and MHC class II are two main types of MHC molecules, each associated with a distinct antigen processing pathway.
MHC Class I: Presenting Endogenous...
1.2K
The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

6.5K
The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
6.5K
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

3.4K
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
3.4K
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

4.4K
The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...
4.4K
Interactions Between Signaling Pathways01:19

Interactions Between Signaling Pathways

6.4K
Signaling cascades usually lack linearity. Multiple pathways interact and regulate one another, allowing cells to integrate and respond to diverse environmental stimuli.
Convergence and divergence, and cross-talk between signaling pathways
Two distinct signaling pathways can converge on a single functional unit, which may either be a single protein or a complex of proteins. The response is either functionally distinct or synergistic between the two pathways but different from the response...
6.4K
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

70.0K
Overview
70.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Complement system in cancer: friend or foe of immunotherapy.

Journal for immunotherapy of cancer·2026
Same author

Neuroimaging Biomarkers of Disease Progression and Cognitive Change in Patients With Retinal Vasculopathy With Cerebral Leukoencephalopathy.

Neurology·2026
Same author

Activation of the alternative complement pathway and its relevance for sodium retention in experimental nephrotic syndrome.

Pflugers Archiv : European journal of physiology·2026
Same author

Longitudinal association of retinal morphology and white matter progression in retinal vasculopathy with cerebral leukoencephalopathy and systemic manifestations.

Frontiers in neurology·2025
Same author

The multiverse of CD46 and oncologic interactions.

The Journal of clinical investigation·2025
Same author

Adipose-derived leptin and complement factor D mediate osteoarthritis severity and pain.

Science advances·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
07:12

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Published on: April 16, 2015

52.5K

Alternative pathway activation: Ever ancient and ever new.

M Kathryn Liszewski1, John P Atkinson1

  • 1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

Immunological Reviews
|September 12, 2022
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The alternative pathway (AP), an ancient immune system component, can cause chronic tissue damage. Novel therapies targeting the AP are needed to combat its role in various diseases.

Keywords:
age-related macular degenerationalternative pathwayatherosclerosiscomplement regulationfeedback loop

More Related Videos

Screening Bioactive Nanoparticles in Phagocytic Immune Cells for Inhibitors of Toll-like Receptor Signaling
09:51

Screening Bioactive Nanoparticles in Phagocytic Immune Cells for Inhibitors of Toll-like Receptor Signaling

Published on: July 26, 2017

12.5K
Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
12:59

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Published on: September 26, 2013

34.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets
07:12

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Published on: April 16, 2015

52.5K
Screening Bioactive Nanoparticles in Phagocytic Immune Cells for Inhibitors of Toll-like Receptor Signaling
09:51

Screening Bioactive Nanoparticles in Phagocytic Immune Cells for Inhibitors of Toll-like Receptor Signaling

Published on: July 26, 2017

12.5K
Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes
12:59

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Published on: September 26, 2013

34.7K

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Complement System Biology

Background:

  • The alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system is ancient, with origins over a billion years ago.
  • While crucial for immunity, the AP's amplification loop can cause self-tissue damage in chronic diseases.
  • Genetic factors are increasingly linked to complement-related disorders like age-related macular degeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the dual role of the alternative pathway in host defense and disease pathogenesis.
  • To underscore the need for understanding chronic, low-level complement activation in tissue injury.
  • To emphasize the necessity for developing novel therapeutic strategies targeting the AP.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on the alternative pathway's evolution and function.
  • Analysis of the AP's contribution to chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases.
  • Discussion of genetic influences on complement-mediated pathology.

Main Results:

  • The AP's amplification loop, though essential for fighting infections, can lead to detrimental scarring and organ dysfunction.
  • Chronic, low-level activation of the AP contributes to cumulative cellular damage.
  • Genetic variations can predispose individuals to complement-related diseases.

Conclusions:

  • The modern human AP presents a challenge due to its potential for cumulative tissue damage in chronic inflammatory conditions.
  • Further research into the AP's role in disease is critical for developing effective treatments.
  • A deeper understanding of this ancient system offers potential for improved human health outcomes.