There are many links between the complement system and the autoimmune disease
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Soon after the identification of antinuclear antibodies,
the major serological hallmark of the disease, it was discovered that complement proteins
are deposited in the tissues of patients. An association was found between the degree of
complement activation in blood samples from patients and the level of disease activity.
Complement proteins were discovered to be co-located with antibodies in inflamed tissues …