Complement System and Fc Receptors: Genetics

Anja Roos, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Leendert A Trouw, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Andreea Ioan‐Facsinay, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Mohamed R Daha, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
J Sjef Verbeek, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands

Published online: January 2006

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0005992

The complement system is a key component of the innate immune system that is involved in eliminating unwanted self and nonself material via cellular and humoral mechanisms. Complement receptors and Fc receptors, expressed on effector cells, have a synergistic role in antibody-mediated immune modulation and antigen clearance.

Keywords: complement; Fc receptors; innate immunity; phagocytosis; antibodies

Figure 1. Activation of the complement system via three pathways. Enzymatic action is indicated by a filled arrow. C3 convertases are shown in a shaded box. Cleavage of C5 into C5a and C5b takes place by the C5 convertases, which consist of a complex of C3 convertases with C3b. The release of soluble mediators (C4a, C2b, C3a, Ba, C5a) is indicated with small arrows. Activator-bound complement components and released soluble products can interact with multiple cell surface receptors, as indicated in Table 2.
Figure 2. Structure of Fc receptors (FcR).
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 Further Reading
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Related Sub-Topics:

Immunoregulation | Complement | Membrane Proteins | Signal Transduction | Molecular Genetics of Common and Complex Disease
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Article Title: Complement System and Fc Receptors: Genetics
 
How to Cite close
Roos, Anja, Trouw, Leendert A, Ioan‐Facsinay, Andreea, Daha, Mohamed R, and Verbeek, J Sjef(Jan 2006) Complement System and Fc Receptors: Genetics. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0005992]