Complement System Short Essays
Question 1. Complement system.
Answer:
Complement system
Complement refers to a system of some non-specific proteins present in normal human and animal serum, which are activated characteristically by antigen-antibody reactions and subsequently lead to a number of biologically significant consequences.
Complement system Components:
There are 9 components of complement: C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8andC9.
Complement system Pathways:
There are two pathways through which the complement system acts.
Complement system Effects of complement:
1. Complement leads to bacteriolysis and cytolysis through membrane damage.
2. C3a and C5a cause degranulation of mast cells to release histamine.
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- This leads to an inflammatory reaction.
3. Hypersensitivity reaction.
- Complement participates in type 2 and type 3 hypersensitivity reactions.
4. Endotoxic shock.
- Excessive C3 activation and platelet adherence lead to endotoxic shock.
5. Immune adherence.
- Complement bound to antigen-antibody complexes adheres to erythrocytes or to platelets.
- This is called immune adherence.
6. Opsonisation
- Complement helps in the destruction of pathogens through opsonization.
7. Autoimmune diseases.
- Decreased levels of serum complement lead to autoimmune diseases.
