Complement System

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Overview & Pathways Intro - Cascade Crew

  • System of ~30 plasma proteins (mainly liver-derived) acting sequentially in a cascade.
  • Key component of innate immunity; bridges to adaptive immunity.
  • Key Functions (📌 O-I-L-C):
    • Opsonization (e.g., C3b) to enhance phagocytosis.
    • Inflammation (anaphylatoxins: C3a, C5a).
    • Lysis of pathogens (Membrane Attack Complex: C5b-C9).
    • Clearance of immune complexes.
  • Three Main Activation Pathways: Classical, Alternative, Lectin. All converge on C3 activation. Complement System: Pathways, Regulation, Functions

⭐ The complement system acts as a crucial bridge between innate and adaptive immunity, enhancing both pathogen clearance and antibody responses.

Activation Pathways - Triple Ignition

  • Classical Pathway: (Adaptive immunity link)
    • Trigger: Ag-Ab complexes (IgM is most efficient; also IgG1, IgG2, IgG3). C1q binds Fc of Ab.
    • Initiation: C1 complex (C1q, C1r, C1s) activates. C1s (serine protease) cleaves C4 $\rightarrow$ C4b; C2 $\rightarrow$ C2b.
    • C3 Convertase: $C4b2a$.
  • Alternative Pathway: (Innate immunity; Antibody-independent)
    • Trigger: Spontaneous C3 hydrolysis ($C3(H_2O)$ "tick-over"); direct C3b binding to pathogen surfaces (LPS, zymosan).
    • Key Factors: C3b binds Factor B; Factor D cleaves Factor B (bound to C3b) $\rightarrow$ Bb. Properdin (P) stabilizes $C3bBb$.
    • C3 Convertase: $C3bBb$.
    • 📌 Alternative: Always active at low levels, rapid response.
  • Lectin Pathway: (Innate immunity; Antibody-independent)
    • Trigger: Mannose-Binding Lectin (MBL) or Ficolins bind specific microbial carbohydrates (e.g., mannose, N-acetylglucosamine).
    • Initiation: MBL-Associated Serine Proteases (MASPs: MASP-1, MASP-2) activate. MASP-2 cleaves C4 and C2 (like C1s).
    • C3 Convertase: $C4b2a$.

⭐ The generation of C3 convertase (e.g., $C4b2a$ for classical/lectin, $C3bBb$ for alternative) is the central and most critical amplification step in all complement pathways, cleaving many C3 molecules.

Complement System Activation Pathways

Effector Functions & Regulation - Power & Control

  • Effector Functions (CRITICAL Outcomes):
    • Opsonization & Phagocytosis: C3b (major), C4b.
    • Inflammation: Anaphylatoxins C5a (potent), C3a, C4a → histamine release, ↑vascular permeability. C5a: neutrophil chemotaxis.
    • Cell Lysis: Membrane Attack Complex (MAC) C5b-9 → pores, lysis.
    • Immune Complex Clearance: C3b binds complexes → splenic/hepatic removal.
  • Regulation (Preventing Host Damage):
    • C1 Inhibitor (C1-INH): Serpin; dissociates C1r/C1s from C1q. Deficiency → Hereditary Angioedema (HAE).
    • Factor H: Cofactor for Factor I → cleaves C3b to iC3b.
    • Decay-Accelerating Factor (DAF/CD55): Dissociates C3 convertases (C4b2a, C3bBb).
    • Protectin (CD59): Blocks C9 binding, prevents MAC assembly on host cells.
    • S-protein (Vitonectin): Binds fluid-phase C5b-7, prevents bystander lysis.
    • Carboxypeptidase N: Inactivates C3a, C5a. Complement System Pathways and Effector Functions

⭐ C3b is the primary opsonin of the complement system, facilitating phagocytosis, while C5a is a potent anaphylatoxin and chemoattractant for neutrophils.

Clinical Significance - System Under Siege

  • Deficiencies & Disease:
    • Early (C1q, C2, C4): SLE-like, pyogenic infections.
    • C3: Severe pyogenic infections, GN.
    • Properdin: ↑ Neisseria risk.

    ⭐ Deficiencies in terminal complement components (C5-C9) lead to a significantly increased susceptibility to recurrent infections by Neisseria species (e.g., N. meningitidis, N. gonorrhoeae).

  • Dysregulation & Disease:
    • PNH (CD55/CD59↓): IV hemolysis.
    • HAE (C1-INH↓): Angioedema (bradykinin↑).
    • aHUS (Factor H/I/MCP↓): TMA.
  • Diagnostics:
    • CH50: Classical/terminal screen.
    • AH50: Alternative pathway screen.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Three pathways activate complement: Classical (antibody-driven), Alternative (pathogen surfaces), and Lectin (mannose-binding lectin).
  • All pathways converge to form C3 convertase; C3b is crucial for opsonization and forming C5 convertase.
  • C5a is a potent anaphylatoxin and neutrophil chemoattractant; C3a is a weaker anaphylatoxin.
  • The Membrane Attack Complex (MAC), C5b-C9, forms pores that lyse target cells, especially gram-negative bacteria.
  • Key regulators like DAF (CD55) and CD59 (Protectin) prevent complement activation on host cells.
  • C3 deficiency leads to severe, recurrent pyogenic infections and immune-complex disease.
  • C5-C9 deficiencies (MAC defects) cause recurrent infections with Neisseria species (e.g., meningitis, gonorrhea).
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Practice Questions: Complement System

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Which component is considered the central part of the complement pathway?

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Flashcards: Complement System

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Which immunoglobulins cannot fix complement?_____

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Which immunoglobulins cannot fix complement?_____

IgG4, IgA, IgD and IgE

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