Complement inhibitors in rheumatic diseases

摘要: The complement system is composed of over 30 serum and cellular proteins in three distinct pathways and is important in the proinflammatory response to injury and pathogens. The complement pathways converge in the membrane attack complex (MAC), the terminal effector of the system. Because this cascade of proteins results in cell lysis and tissue destruction, the complement system includes multiple regulatory proteins that prevent nonspecific complement activation. Some of these regulatory proteins are cellular receptors for the breakdown products of the components of the system. The understanding of natural regulatory proteins and receptors and their involvement in rheumatic diseases has allowed the design and development of therapeutic interventions that inhibit complement activation and prevent inflammatory tissue damage.