Peptide and polypeptide inhibitors of complement C1s

摘要: The complement system is considered an ancient part of the immune system, which serves to discriminate self and non-self (see, for example, Rother et al.(Eds.), The Comple ment System, Second Edition (Springer-Verlag 1998), Morely and Walport, The Complement Factsbook (Aca demic Press 1999), and Morgan (Ed.), Complement Methods and Protocols (Humana Press, Inc. 2000)). Although the complement system plays an important role in providing resistance to infections, an inappropriate activation of complement can result in a variety of disorders. There are two main pathways for complement activation, which are known as the classical and alternative pathways. Both pathways comprise a cascade of enzyme activation, which leads to the production of a terminal membrane attack complex that targets immune complexes or microorganisms. The alternative pathway is activated by the chance binding of C3b …