13/2009 PD Dr. Christine Skerka
Characterization of novel human complement regulators for microbial immune evasion

Abstract:
The complement system is the central part of human innate immunity and is aimed to attack invading microorganisms and aids in clearance of modified cells and particles. Once activated complement generates harmful effector products and induces a proinflammtory response. The activated complement needs tight regulation in the human body, to avoid damage of self structures and autoimmune diseases. Such tight regulation is achieved by multiple regulators which are membrane bound or are distributed in the fluid phase like in plasma. Pathogens utilize soluble complement regulators and bind host inhibitors to their surfaces to prevent host complement attack. Evidence of our group suggests the existence of additional human complement regulatory plasma proteins which are recruited and utilized by infectious pathogens.
In this project we aim to identify and characterize these novel human complement inhibitors. Regulators normally protect membranes and surfaces of self cells and are used by pathogens for immune evasion. The function of these regulatory proteins will be characterized in detail on the molecular level to determine their role in the complement cascade and to understand pathogenicity of infectious microbes.

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