Detection of Intracellular Complement Activation by Nanoparticles in Human T Lymphocytes.

The complement system is complex and includes two main components: the systemic or plasma complement and the so-called intracellular complement or complosome. The complement proteins expressed by the liver and secreted into blood plasma compose the plasma complement system, whereas complement proteins expressed by and functioning inside the cell represent the intracellular complement. The complement system plays an essential role in host defense; however, complement activation may lead to pathologies when uncontrolled.