Complement system and coagulation cascade proteins

The complement system and coagulation cascade are two interconnected proteolytic systems in the blood that play vital roles in host defense and hemostasis. The complement system is a central component of innate immunity, facilitating the clearance of pathogens and damaged cells through opsonization, inflammation, and direct lysis via the membrane attack complex [1][2]. The coagulation cascade is responsible for blood clot formation to prevent hemorrhage following vascular injury, involving a series of zymogen activations culminating in thrombin generation and fibrin deposition [3][4]. These systems exhibit significant crosstalk; for instance, coagulation factors like thrombin can directly activate complement components, and complement activation can trigger procoagulant activity [5]. Dysregulation of these pathways is implicated in numerous pathologies, including paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, and various thrombotic disorders [6]. Consequently, proteins within these cascades, such as C5, Factor Xa, and Thrombin, serve as critical therapeutic targets for anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic drugs [7]. Sources: [1] Ricklin, D., et al. (2010) Nature Immunology; [2] Janeway's Immunobiology; [3] Palta, S., et al. (2014) Indian Journal of Anaesthesia; [4] StatPearls: Physiology, Coagulation Cascade; [5] Amara, U., et al. (2008) The Journal of Immunology; [6] Conway, E. M. (2015) Blood; [7] Mastellos, D. C., et al. (2019) Seminars in Immunology.

Other names

Complement and coagulation cascadesHemostatic and innate immune proteinsPlasma proteolytic cascades

Drugs targeting these systems primarily act as inhibitors of specific serine proteases (e.g., Factor Xa, Thrombin) or terminal complement components (e.g., C5) to prevent excessive clot formation or immune-mediated tissue damage.