The Complement System

The complement system is a vital part of the immune system in humans. It is composed of a group of highly coupled proteins that interact with one another to effect inflammation and the humoral immunity fly. Important aspects of the function of the complement system in triggering action in humans include the following [2]: 1. Opsonization of foreign organisms and particles 2. Cytolysis of invading organisms 3. Rendering immune complexes harmless to the body 4. Generation of complement byproducts that act as chemotactic agents that recruit inflammatory cells 5. Anaphylatoxins, which are complement byproducts that stimulate release of chemical mediators such as histamine from mast cells