Abstract
Complement inflicts cell damage by insertion of a membrane attack complex (MAC) comprised of the C5b, C6, C7, C8 and C9 proteins into the plasma membrane of target cells (Muller-Eberhard 1986). Nucleated cells vary in their sensitivity to complement-mediated lysis, however, generally, they are more resistant to immune damage than erythrocytes (Koski et al. 1983). It has been suggested that this resistance of nucleated cells is due to a postulated capacity of the cells to actively resist and repair complement damage (Ohanian and Schlager 1981). Recently, a Ca2+-dependent process of rapid MAC removal from the surface of nucleated cells has been suggested to be involved (Carney et al. 1986; Morgan et al. 1987). Yet, the cellular regulatory mechanisms which support these and other postulated resistance/repair processes are poorly characterized.
Original language | American English |
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Title of host publication | Progress in Immunology |
Editors | Fritz Melchers, E. D. Albert, H. von Boehmer, M. P. Dierich, L. Du Pasquier, K. Eichmann, D. Gemsa, O. Götze, J. R. Kalden, S. H. E. Kaufmann, H. Kirchner, K. Resch, G. Riethmüller, A. Schimpl, C. Sorg, M. Steinmetz, H. Wagner, H. G. Zachau |
Publisher | Springer Berlin Heidelberg |
Pages | 205-208 |
ISBN (Print) | 978-3-642-83755-5 |
State | Published - 1989 |