| dc.description.abstract | The complement system is an important part of the human immune system. It can react quickly
to entering micro-organisms and eliminate them. Therefore, pathogens have to evade the
complement attack in order to have a chance at survival within the host. This can be done by
preventing recognition or controlling the complement cascade. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and
parasites all developed escape strategies. Many of the proteins involved are targeted against the
activation stage of complement, but it is also interesting for pathogens to defend themselves
from the terminal pathway. In the final stage the membrane attack complex is formed which
causes death through osmotic lysis. The many proteins involved in the terminal complement
pathway provide several sites for pathogens to interfere with. Here, an overview is given of all
the complement evasion mechanisms related to the terminal pathway known to date. | |
