Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2025
Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice
Published on: June 8, 2022
[The complement cascade in renal pathology]
1Abteilung Nephropathologie, Pathologisches Institut, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 8-10, 91054, Erlangen, Deutschland.
Insights
The complement system, crucial for innate immunity, can cause kidney disease when overactivated or dysregulated. Understanding its role is key to diagnosing and treating renal conditions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nephrology
Background:
- The complement system is a vital part of the innate immune system, involving numerous proteins that mediate inflammatory and cellular responses.
- Its activation pathways converge to form the membrane attack complex, which can lyse cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure of the complement system.
- To explore the role of complement dysregulation in the cause and modulation of kidney diseases.
- To highlight the diagnostic utility of detecting complement deposits in renal pathology.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes current research on the complement system and its involvement in renal diseases.
- It examines the mechanisms of complement activation and its consequences in various kidney conditions.
- The review discusses the implications of complement dysregulation in both primary and secondary kidney diseases.
Main Results:
- The complement system is implicated in nearly all kidney diseases, not just immune-mediated ones.
- Dysregulation can occur directly through defective complement factors or indirectly via secondary activation due to renal damage.
- Complement deposits are significant diagnostic markers for kidney disease.
Conclusions:
- The complement system plays a dual role in kidney disease, acting as both a potential trigger and a modulator of pathology.
- Understanding complement activation pathways and dysregulation is essential for advancing the diagnosis and treatment of renal diseases.
Abstract:
The complement cascade comprises a variety of soluble and cell surface proteins and is an important component of the innate immune system. When the cascade is triggered by any of the three activation pathways, the complement system rapidly produces large amounts of protein fragments that are potent mediators of inflammatory, vasoactive, and metabolic responses. All activation pathways lead to the terminal complement cascade with the formation of the membrane attack complex, which lyses cells by forming membrane pores. Although the complement system is essential for pathogen defense and homeostasis, excessive or uncontrolled activation can lead to tissue damage. Recent research shows that the complement system is activated in almost all kidney diseases, even those not traditionally considered immune-mediated. In directly complement-mediated kidney diseases, complement factors or regulators are defective, afunctional or inactivated by antibodies. In many other renal diseases, the complement system is activated secondarily as a result of renal damage and is therefore involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, but is not the trigger. The detection of complement deposits is also used to diagnose kidney disease. This review describes the structure of the complement system and the effects of its dysregulation as a cause and modulator of renal disease.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Complement System
01:20Renal Corpuscle
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous...
01:10Nephrons
01:24Renal Tubule and Collecting Duct
Proximal Convoluted Tubule (PCT):
The PCT is the initial segment of the renal tubule, extending from the Bowman's capsule that encloses the glomerulus. Its convoluted structure and microvilli-lined cells increase the surface area for reabsorption. The PCT reabsorbs glucose, amino acids, sodium, and water from the filtrate, ensuring essential...
01:13Introduction to Urinary System
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs located in the retroperitoneal space, on either side of the vertebral column, between the T12 and L3 vertebrae. They are partially protected by the rib cage and surrounded by perirenal fat, which provides cushioning. They are responsible for urine formation and play critical roles in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and hormone production. The ureters...
01:28Renal Drug Excretion: Tubular Secretion