The complement system is a
biochemical cascade which helps clear
pathogens from an organism. It is one part of the larger
immune system. The complement system consists of a number of small proteins found in the blood, normally circulating as inactive
zymogens. When stimulated by one of several triggers,
proteases in the system cleave specific proteins to release
cytokines and initiate an amplifying cascade of further cleavages. The end result of this activation cascade is massive amplification of the response and activation of the cell-killing
membrane attack complex. Over 20 proteins and protein fragments make up the complement system, including serum proteins, serosal proteins, and cell membrane receptors. These proteins are synthesized mainly in the
liver, and they account for about 5% of the
globulin fraction of blood
serum.
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