What is it about?
The complement system plays an important role in a host's defence mechanisms, such as in immune bacteriolysis, neutralization of viruses, immune adherence, immunoconglutination and in enhancement of phagocytosis.
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Why is it important?
The possible role of this important biological system in biological fluids on the mucosal surfaces, including breast milk, has however been largely neglected. Its contribution to the 'common' mucosal immunity is still enigmatic and largely speculative.
Perspectives
A brief review of the classical and the alternative pathways of complement activation is presented. The potential physiological roles of various complement components and their activation fragments in human milk in particular, and other mucosal surfaces in general, are also presented. It was concluded that the complement system might play a complementary role to other immunological and non-immunological protective mechanisms on the mucosal surfaces.
Dr Michael O Ogundele
Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Postgraduate Medical Centre
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Role and significance of the complement system in mucosal immunity: Particular reference to the human breast milk complement, Immunology and Cell Biology, February 2001, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1711.2001.00976.x.
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