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Complement System

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Compendium of Inflammatory Diseases

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Synonyms

Innate immune system

Definition

The complement system is a family of liver-derived, circulating proteins and represents an important and central humoral part of innate immunity that is well organized as a complex network comprising inactive protein precursors, fluid-phase and membrane-bound regulators and inhibitors, as well as newly generated peptide cleavage products with multiple effector functions (Walport 2001a, b; Zipfel 2009; Ricklin et al. 2010; Trouw and Daha 2011). As a first line of defense, this powerful immune surveillance system plays a substantial role in the discrimination between “self” and “nonself,” a prerequisite for recognition and elimination of intruding microorganisms; for the clearance of necrotic and apoptotic cells, circulating immune complexes, and cellular debris; as well as for the promotion of tissue regeneration and, thus, supports tissue homeostasis. If not properly controlled or under imbalanced physiological conditions, complement...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Medical Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital Frankfurt, Paul-Ehrlich-Str. 40, D-60596, Frankfurt/Main, Germany

    Peter Kraiczy

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  1. Peter Kraiczy
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Correspondence to Peter Kraiczy .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fraunhofer IME-TMP & JW Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

    Michael J. Parnham

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Kraiczy, P. (2016). Complement System. In: Parnham, M.J. (eds) Compendium of Inflammatory Diseases. Springer, Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8550-7_219

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