The complement system helps or “complements” the ability of antibodies and phagocytic cells to clear pathogens from an organism. It is part of the immune system called the innate immune system that is not adaptable and does not change over the course of an individual's lifetime. However, it can be recruited and brought into action by the adaptive immune system.
Although the complement system has traditionally been considered part of the innate immune system, research in recent decades has revealed that complement is able to activate cells involved in both the adaptive and innate immune response. Complement triggers and modulates a variety of immune activities and acts as a linker between the two branches of the immune response. In addition, the complement system maintains cell homeostasis by eliminatiing cellular debris and immune complexes. (Complement-targeted therapeutics, 2007)
!!
Complement system evolution
Virus interaction
Inhibition of host complement factors by virus
C1q
Similar to HP
