Complement system (Human Anatomy): Image, Functions, Diseases and Treatments

The complement system is an integral aspect of the immune system, which works to fend off harmful pathogens and heal wounds. To maintain good health, your immune system collaborates with proteins activated by your complement system.

The complement system is a portion of the immune system responsible for removing dead or damaged cells, promoting healing following an injury or illness, and eliminating harmful microorganisms such as bacteria. In terms of the immune system, your complement system is the first line of protection.The body's complement system is so named because it helps boost the immune system's ability to fight off infections.

The liver is responsible for the production of the complement system's protein components, which then spread throughout the body's tissues and blood.

The complement system in your body is made up of around fifty different proteins. These proteins are found in the blood as well as the tissues of your body. When the proteins are activated, or turned on, they make contact with the foreign invaders and begin working to kill them. This protects you from being sick or injured as a result of the foreign invaders.

Your immunological response will be subpar if your complement system isn't functioning properly. Infections, weariness, soreness in the joints, and swelling are all examples of symptoms associated with the complement system.

Your complement system is composed of blood plasma proteins that can be observed under a microscope. There are around 50 plasma proteins in the complement system in your body.

The complement system connects to your body's defence system to keep you safe from anything that might harm you. When your complement system activates your defence system, one of the most frequent things it does is defend your body against external invaders like germs that lead to an infection or illness.

Your complement framework aims foreign invaders, stimulates inflammation to avoid infection, and eliminates foreign bodies from your body when your defence systems engage.

The proteins that comprise your complement system are dormant or inactive until a trigger activates them. Injuries to the body or the introduction of bacteria into the body could be potential triggers. Similar to dominoes, proteins are activated in a line.

One protein will become active, thereby activating the next protein in line to become active, similar to how dominoes create a chain reaction. This sequence of events is known as a cascade. When a protein is activated, it is able to defend the body and activate the next protein.

Hypocomplementemia: A low complement protein concentration in the blood.

• C1 deficiency: A loss of one of the complement cascade proteins. Autoimmune disorders are illnesses in which the immune system attacks the body. Diseases produced by the body's immune system fighting itself.
• C4 deficiency: Insufficient production of the fourth protein in the complement cascade. Insufficient levels of the complement cascade's fourth protein are generated.
• MASP2 deficiency: Small amounts of the MASP2 protein are a sign of this condition. If you don't have enough MASP2, you might have weak muscles, bad coordination, and trouble breathing.
• Ficolin-3 deficiency: A person has Ficolin-3 deficiency if they don't have enough of the Ficolin-3 protein. If you don't have enough Ficolin-3, you might have dry hair, thin hair, and have trouble healing wounds.
• 3MC syndrome: 3MC syndrome is an extremely rare disease in which an individual has low amounts of the three proteins in the complement cascade. This is a rare disorder. Some of the signs and symptoms of 3MC syndrome are fever, redness, and swelling.
• SLE: A person with this condition has an immune system that works too well. Some of the most common signs of SLE are arthritis, rashes, and signs of lupus.
• Hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritis: When there aren't enough complement proteins in the body, the kidneys get damaged. Hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritis can make it hard to urinate, cause swelling around the kidneys, and make you tired.
• Infectious endocarditis: A condition in which the inner lining of the heart is damaged by infection. Common symptoms of infectious endocarditis can include chest pain, shortness of breath, and fever.
• Glomerulonephritis: A disorder characterised by protein accumulation in the kidneys, which leads to renal injury. It's normal for individuals with glomerulonephritis to have urinary tract obstruction, swelling in the kidney area, and extreme weariness.
• Joint problems (manifestation): In this context, 'joint difficulties' refers to a situation in which a person experiences discomfort in one or more joints. Pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility are among symptoms that may accompany joint disorders.
• Lung function (MBL variant alleles): A condition in which an individual has inadequate amounts of the MBL protein in their body. Having trouble catching your breath, having difficulty breathing, and coughing are all common side effects of lung function that can be caused by MBL variant alleles.
• Angioedema: Angioedema is the medical term for a disorder in which the body creates an abnormally high number of blood vessels. An angioedema patient may have a number of symptoms, including chest discomfort, trouble breathing, and a bloated face.
• Dermatomyositis: A disorder known as dermatomyositis is one in which the skin develops irritation and gets damaged. Rash, swelling, and soreness are among the most common health problems associated with dermatomyositis.
• Vasculitis: Vasculitis causes blood vessel inflammation due to a malfunctioning complement system. Inflammation, fever, and blistering are vasculitis symptoms. If you have any of these indications, see a doctor since they may indicate a serious disease. Treatment incorporates anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing drugs.
• Anaphylactoid purpura: The body creates too many antibodies, causing rash, hives, and trouble respiration. This is induced by a hyperactive complement system, which defends against bacteria and foreign chemicals.

• CH50 measurement: The C5 complement protein can be measured in the blood using this test. Signs like arthritis, lupus-like symptoms, and rashes can result from elevated levels of CH50, which are a sign of an overly active immune system.
• C1q measurement: This blood test can be used to assess the C1q complement protein level. An overactive immune system is indicated by elevated levels of C1q, which can cause symptoms like fatigue, trouble urinating, and inflammation around the kidneys.
• CH50/C1q ratio: A blood test called the CH50/C1q ratio may be used to ascertain whether the CH50 level is raised in comparison to the C1q level.Immunochemical methods/test: Autoantibodies as well as other markers of an excessively active immune system can be detected using immunochemical methods/tests.
• C3 deficiency screening: C3 deficiency is a situation in which the body does not produce enough C3 complement protein. This can result in a variety of side effects such as anaemia, tiredness, and poor lung capacity.
• Mannose-binding lectin (lab study): Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a protein that aids the body in adhesion to sugar molecules. MBL elevations are associated with an overactive immune system and can cause signs like arthritis, lupus-like symptoms, and rashes.
• Plasma levels/regulatory proteins (lab study): Plasma levels/regulatory proteins can be used to evaluate the wellbeing of the immune system as a whole. Certain elevated protein levels are reflective of an overactive immune system and may result in signs such as swelling, fever, and blistering.

• Immunosuppressive therapy: Immunosuppressive therapy is a type of medicine that makes the immune system less active and reduces inflammation.
• Antibody therapy: Antibody therapy is a form of treatment that uses drugs to detect and destroy specific antibodies.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is a form of treatment for cancer that uses medicines. There are a variety of tests that can be performed to ascertain whether the body has an overactive immune system, and the optimal test for each person will rely heavily on the symptoms that are being displayed. Consult a physician immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms- breathlessness, chest pain, swollen face, rash, or inflamed kidneys.
• Blood or plasma transfusion: Blood or plasma transfusion is a kind of blood donation that aids in the replacement of lost blood.
• Vaccination (pneumococcal disease): Vaccination serves as a precautionary measure against an infectious disease by using a vaccine.

While you can't directly alter how your complement system functions, you can maintain the health of your entire immune system by avoiding injuries, consuming a well-balanced diet, exercising frequently, maintaining excellent cleanliness, and getting enough sleep.

Steroids for reducing inflammation of Complement system: Steroid treatment is a viable option for lowering complement-related inflammation. When immunosuppressive therapy fails to alleviate the symptoms of an excessively active immune system, doctors may recommend the use of steroids.

Medications like prednisone and methylprednisolone are two such examples.

• Analgesics for pain in Complement system: Opioid medication is useful when the pain caused by an overstimulated immune system is severe. Opioid painkillers are effective because they block signals from the brain to the body, making the body less sensitive to pain. Tramadol and codeine are two extremely helpful medications.
• Muscle relaxants for stiffness in Complement system: When a person has tightness and pain in the joints as a result of an overactive immune system, muscle relaxants can be a valuable treatment option. In circumstances where other treatments have been ineffective, muscle relaxants may be useful because of the way in which they work, which is to reduce the amount of stress that is placed on the muscles. Diazepam and lorazepam are two significant examples of medicines that treat anxiety and sleeplessness.
• Antibiotics for infection in Complement system: Antibiotics can treat infection-caused oversensitive immune system symptoms. Antibiotics are used after other treatments have failed. Antibiotics kill infection-causing bacteria.Amoxicillin and clindamycin are vital antibiotics for complement system swelling.

The following are some supplements that can be beneficial in fostering the development of the complement system:

• Folic acid: Vitamin folic acid is necessary for the preservation of a normal red blood cell count.
• Vitamin D: Vitamin D is a crucial vitamin that aids in the development of bone formation.
• Echinacea: Studies have demonstrated that the herbal supplement echinacea promotes the development of the complement system and has been used for centuries to cure infections.