The complement system consists of more than 30 proteins that have long been known to participate to the immune defence against pathogens and to the removal of damaged cells. Their role, however, extends beyond immunity and clearance of altered "self" components in the periphery. In particular, complement proteins can be induced by all cell types in the brain. Recent discoveries highlight the role of complement in normal and pathological brain development. Specifically, the complement system mediates synaptic pruning, a developmental process whereby supernumerary synapses are eliminated in the immature brain. The complement system has been implicated in pathological synapse elimination in schizophrenia, West Nile virus infection, and lupus, all of which are associated with psychiatric manifestations. Complement also contributes to synapse loss in neurodegenerative conditions. This review provides a brief overview of the well-studied role of complement molecules in immunity. The contribution of complement to embryonic and adult neurogenesis, neuronal migration, and developmental synaptic elimination in the normal brain is reviewed. We discuss the role of complement in synapse loss in psychiatric and neurological diseases and evaluate the therapeutic potential of complement-targeting drugs for brain disorders.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00573 | DOI Listing |
Curr Neuropharmacol
January 2025
Department of Pharmacy, DIFAR, Pharmacology and Toxicology Section, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148, Genoa, Italy.
The central nervous system (CNS) is not an immune-privileged compartment, but it is intimately intertwined with the immune system. Among the components shared by the two compartments is the complement, a main constituent of innate immunity, which is also produced centrally and controls the development and organization of synaptic connections. Complement is considered a doubled-faced system that, besides controlling the physiological development of the central network, also subserves synaptic engulfment pivotal to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Arrhythm
February 2025
Department of Cardiology ULSSM Lisbon Portugal.
Background: Integration of preprocedural imaging techniques in ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation may improve the identification of arrhythmogenic substrates, particularly relevant for patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) with sub-optimal outcomes. We assessed the impact of advanced preprocedural imaging on the safety and long-term efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RCA) for VT, comparing patients with NICM and ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM).
Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, consecutive patients referred for scar-related VT ablation underwent multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and late gadolinium enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR).
Front Parasitol
March 2023
Medical Parasitology and Infection Biology, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland.
Parasitic helminths have evolved a plethora of elegant stratagems to regulate and evade the host immune system, contributing to their considerable persistence and longevity in their vertebrate hosts. Various mechanisms to achieve this state have been described, ranging from interfering with or actively modulating host immune responses to hiding from immune recognition. Because they damage surrounding vessels and disturb blood flow, blood-borne and blood-feeding parasites in particular must deal with much more than immune effector cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransl Cancer Res
December 2024
Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China.
Background: Multiple studies suggest a plausible connection between urologic cancers and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) breakdown metabolic enzymes. Nevertheless, there is scarce exploration into the variations in circulating BCAAs. In our research, we utilize bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to predict the link between BCAAs levels and three distinct types of urological tumors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences & Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute, Kitasato University, Tokyo, JPN.
Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NTSIs) represent a concept of necrotizing infections involving the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle, and it is a potentially fatal disease. Early exploratory incision is strongly recommended for both the diagnosis and treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections. Treatment of necrotizing soft tissue infections requires the administration of appropriate antimicrobial agents and adequate surgical debridement.
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