Open AccessComplement driven innate immune response to malaria: fuelling severe malarial diseases
Author(s) -
Silver Karlee L.,
Higgins Sarah J.,
McDonald Chloe R.,
Kain Kevin C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cellular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.542
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1462-5822
pISSN - 1462-5814
DOI - 10.1111/j.1462-5822.2010.01492.x
Subject(s) - innate immune system , malaria , immunology , biology , complement system , severe malaria , immune system , pathogenesis , classical complement pathway , inflammation , alternative complement pathway , antibody opsonization , plasmodium falciparum , opsonin , antibody
Summary Severe malaria remains a major cause of global mortality. The innate immune response to infection is a key determinant of malaria severity and outcome. The complement system plays a key role in initiating and augmenting innate immune responses, including inflammation, endothelial activation, opsonization and coagulation, processes which have been implicated in malaria pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss the evidence supporting a role for excessive complement activation in the pathogenesis of severe malaria.