Complement activation and recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes is an important defense
mechanism against bacterial infection. However, complement also can mediate cellular
injury and contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases. With the appreciation that the
C5b-9 membrane attack complex can injure cells in the absence of leukocytes, a role for the
terminal complement pathway in inducing cell injury and kidney disease was shown in
several experimental models, including the rat passive Heymann nephritis model of human …