Complement receptors and cell associated complement components

Abstract

Membrane receptors for activated complement components are widely distributed amongst tissue cells of most mammalian species. Common amongst these are receptors for C3b which mediate many of the biological functions of C3. In addition, the genetic control of certain complement components is linked to the genes which code for the major histocompatibility complex. Many of these components are also present on cell surfaces. This suggests that the function of the complement system and the major histocompatibility complex may be related.