Complement Degradation Process

**Semantic type:** Phenomenon or Process

**Definition:** Complement Degradation consists of conjugation, transport, oxidation, and/or proteolysis of complement system proteins; sequentially interacting serum proteins (some serine proteases), their receptors, and related regulatory proteins. Activated by cell-surface bound antibody, immune complexes, or a microbial membrane carbohydrate, complex complement cascades (classical or properdin pathway) generate Membrane Attack Complex, which creates target cell wall pores and lysis. The complement system also plays a role in antibody-dependent cytolysis, anaphylaxis, phagocytosis, opsonization, chemotaxis, and hemolysis.

**Synonyms:** - Complement Degradation