Characterization of the Interaction of the Terminal Complement Complexes with a Model Membrane System: Comparison of the Channel Properties of C5-8 and C5-9 Lesions.

摘要

The complement system, which consists of at least 20 serum proteins, constitutes a major part of the humoral immune system (Figure 1A) (1). Activation of the complement cascade results in: (1) the generation of complement cleavage products with varied biological activity, such as increasing vascular permeability, inducing histamine release from mast cells, smooth muscle contraction, and monocyte recruitment. (2) the opsonization of bacteria by complement fission products which facilitate phagocytosis. (3) the formation of a membrane attack complex by the late-acting complement components which leads to the death or disruption of a variety of targets, such as bacteria, viruses, virus-infected cells, fungi, parasites and some tumor cells.