Complement System

The complement system is a critical component of the immune system, functioning as a network of proteins that enhance the body's ability to fight pathogens, clear damaged cells, and promote inflammation. It operates primarily through a cascade of enzymatic reactions that facilitate opsonization, inflammation, and the destruction of pathogens via membrane attack complexes. The system can be activated through three pathways: the antibody-dependent classical pathway; the lectin pathway, initiated by binding of mannose-binding lectin to pathogens; and the alternative pathway, which activates spontaneously on pathogen surfaces. These pathways converge on a common sequence that amplifies the immune response, making the complement system a potent defender against infections.