COMPLEMENT CASCADE: IN DENTISTRY

•The complement system, is a major subsystem of innate immunity and is composed of about 30 distinct humoral and cell surface proteins (Morgan 1997). •The term “complement” refers to the ability of these proteins to assist, or complement, the anti microbial activity of antibodies. •The complement system is a complex system of proteolytic enzymes, regulatory and inflammatory proteins and peptides, cell surface receptors, and proteins capable of causing the lysis of cells. •It can be activated by a variety of stimuli, such as immune complexes, apoptotic cells, presence of non–self-tissue (e.g., after transplantation) and microbial surface patterns directly