Autoantibodies against complement components and their effects on complement activity

Studies on the biological activity of complement have revealed that the exposure of neoepitopes in complement components and the subsequent removal of activated peptides are typical mechanisms of complement activation. It has been reported that the generation of binding regions and the appearance of hidden epitopes can result in an autoantibody response. Examples of this disregulation of the immune system are autoantibodies against degradation products of C3 and C4, the so-called ‘immunoconglutinins’ and autoantibodies against the classical or alternative pathway convertases.