Enhanced complement activation and MAC formation accelerates severe COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Emerging evidence indicates that activation of complement system leading to the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC) plays a detrimental role in COVID-19. However, their pathogenic roles have never been experimentally investigated before. We used three knock out mice strains (1. C3^-/-; 2. C7^-/-; and 3. Cd59ab^-/-) to evaluate the role of complement in severe COVID-19 pathogenesis. C3 deficient mice lack a key common component of all three complement activation pathways and are unable to generate C3 and C5 convertases. C7 deficient mice lack a complement protein needed for MAC formation. Cd59ab deficient mice lack an important inhibitor of MAC formation. We also used anti-C5 antibody to block and evaluate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting MAC

SUBMITTER: Ellsworth CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11405604 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature