NIH VideoCasting

Immunology Interest Group

The evolutionary ancient complement system is critical in the protection against infection via direct destruction of pathogens and mobilization and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells. Our current understanding of the complement system is rooted in two key paradigms: Complement operates as a serum (fluid phase) effector system and activation of complement is commonly connected with only a pro-inflammatory outcome – thus, increased or unwanted complement activation is thought to be also the cause of many autoimmune diseases. Recent work, however, indicates that complement activation, either occurring in the intra- or extracellular space, also regulates fundamental processes of the cell, such as nutrient influx and metabolic activity. Further, this novel complement-metabolism axis is emerging as vital regulator for CD4+ T cell effector differentiation, function, control and homeostasis and serves a nexus for the interaction with other intracellular effector systems such as inflammasomes. This seminar will give an overview over the emerging new key roles of autocrine complement activity in the regulation oh Th1 responses and their implications for the design of next generation therapeutics targeting complement in human disease.