Matsushita M
Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry.
Nihon Rinsho. 1999 Feb;57(2):291-7.
Complement is an activation system designed for the elimination of pathogens and is activated in three ways, i.e. the classical, alternative and newly discovered lectin pathways. The classical pathway is initiated by the binding of C1 to immune complexes, whereas the alternative pathway is activated by pathogens themselves without involvement of immune complexes. Upon binding of MBL (mannose-binding lectin) to certain carbohydrates on pathogens, the lectin pathway is activated by two C1r/C1s-like serine proteases termed MASP-1 and MASP-2, which are associated with MBL. As a result, C4, C2 and C3 are activated. The lectin pathway plays a crucial role in innate immunity both in vertebrates and in invertebrates. The mechanism underlying lectin pathway activation remains unsolved. From an evolutional point of view, the classical and lectin pathways are closely related.
补体是一种用于清除病原体的激活系统，通过三种方式激活，即经典途径、替代途径和新发现的凝集素途径。经典途径由C1与免疫复合物结合启动，而替代途径由病原体自身激活，无需免疫复合物参与。当甘露糖结合凝集素（MBL）与病原体上的某些碳水化合物结合时，凝集素途径由两种与MBL相关的C1r/C1s样丝氨酸蛋白酶MASP-1和MASP-2激活。结果，C4、C2和C3被激活。凝集素途径在脊椎动物和无脊椎动物的固有免疫中都起着关键作用。凝集素途径激活的潜在机制仍未解决。从进化的角度来看，经典途径和凝集素途径密切相关。
