The Complement System: Novel Roles in Health and Disease - by Adah Blair (Hardcover)

About the Book

The complement system, also called complement cascade, refers to a group of proteins that help the immune system fight infection, heal injuries, and kill bacteria and viruses. It is a significant mediator of the innate immune response. Majority of the proteins and glycoproteins, which make-up the complement system, are synthesized by hepatocytes. However, blood monocytes, gastrointestinal tract, tissue macrophages, and epithelial cells of the genitourinary system also synthesize significant amounts. All three activation pathways in the complement system produce homologous variants of the protease C3-convertase. The activation of the complement system should be strongly regulated, as it can potentially to damage the host tissues. A number of diseases can be caused due to complement deficiency, such as inflammatory bowel disease, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, autoimmune heart disease, lupus erythematosus, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, barraquer-simons syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and glomerulonephritis. It has also been implicated in central nervous system diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The book aims to shed light on some of the roles of the complement system in heath and diseases. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.

Book Synopsis

The complement system, also called complement cascade, refers to a group of proteins that help the immune system fight infection, heal injuries, and kill bacteria and viruses. It is a significant mediator of the innate immune response. Majority of the proteins and glycoproteins, which make-up the complement system, are synthesized by hepatocytes. However, blood monocytes, gastrointestinal tract, tissue macrophages, and epithelial cells of the genitourinary system also synthesize significant amounts. All three activation pathways in the complement system produce homologous variants of the protease C3-convertase. The activation of the complement system should be strongly regulated, as it can potentially to damage the host tissues. A number of diseases can be caused due to complement deficiency, such as inflammatory bowel disease, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, autoimmune heart disease, lupus erythematosus, ischemia-reperfusion injuries, barraquer-simons syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and glomerulonephritis. It has also been implicated in central nervous system diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The book aims to shed light on some of the roles of the complement system in heath and diseases. It will serve as a reference to a broad spectrum of readers.