Pathway
Complement cascade
Three pathways (classical/lectin/alternative) converging on C3 convertase → C3b (opsonin) + C3a (anaphylatoxin) + C5 convertase → C5a (potent chemotactic factor) + C5b → MAC (C5b-9 membrane attack complex, pore formation → Neisseria killing).
Also called: complement system, complement activation, MAC, membrane attack complex
In short
- 1What it is: a pathway in signalling and mechanisms.
- 2How it connects: acts on 1 and is affected by 2 concepts — mostly 3 molecule.
- 3Where it sits: recognition, response on the 15-step immune chain.
What it does
C1q deficiency → SLE (most severe SLE genetics: immune complex clearance failure); C3 deficiency → encapsulated bacteria; Terminal complement deficiency (C5-C9) → Neisseria specifically (only organism killed exclusively by MAC).
Its connections at a glance
Each dot is a concept directly linked to Complement cascade. Colours show the kind of concept.
Sources & evidenceloading…
Loading reviewed sources…
Graph ID P013 · concept status: established. Select any connection above to inspect evidence for that specific link.