Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access

Soluble pattern recognition molecules and associated proteins – update on innate immune system and the lectin pathway of the complement system

International Conference on Innate Immunity

July 20-21, 2015 Barcelona, Spain

Steffen Thiel

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Clin Cell Immunol

Abstract :

In the context of immunity, pattern recognition is the art of discriminating friend from foe and innocuous from noxious. The basis of discrimination is the existence of evolutionarily conserved patterns on microorganisms, which are intrinsic to these microorganisms and necessary for their function and existence. Such immutable or slowly evolving patterns are ideal handles for recognition by defence mechanisms such as the complement system. Complement is a proteolytic cascade system comprising around 35 different soluble and membrane-bound proteins. It constitutes a central part of the innate immune system, mediating several major innate effector functions and modulating adaptive immune responses. The complement cascade proceeds via controlled, limited proteolysis and conformational changes of constituent proteins through three activation pathways: the classical pathway, the alternative pathway and the lectin pathway, which converge in common effector functions. I will review the nature of the pattern recognition molecules involved in complement activation, as well as their close relatives with no or unknown capacity for activating complement. I will also discuss what kind of diseases may develop if an inflammatory generating mechanism like the complement system is out of control.