The complement system in pediatric renal disease

A brief review of the classical and the alternative pathways of complement activation is presented. Clinically, according to the complement system, we can divide the children with glomerulonephritis into two groups, normocomplementemic and hypocomplementemic. In addition, inherited complement deficiencies can be identified associated with renal diseases. We discuss the three possible sources of complement in urine, although more control studies are necessary in patients with different causes of proteinuria in order to define the clinical significance of complementuria. The immunohistological results of glomerular nephritic biopsy material by the fluorescence antibody technique is analyzed with respect to clinical diagnosis and evaluation of the treatment. The nature of C3NeF as an antibody to factor B-C3 complex is demonstrated by different groups and in different diseases. Finally, the presence of a receptor for complement in the glomerulus, is explained in human disease by the deposition of immune complexes into the renal glomeruli.