ABSTRACT
The complement system is a fundamental component of the host immune response. In addition to its effector activity against pathogens, it possesses functions such as opsonization and phagocytosis, removal of immune complexes and activation of the inflammatory process. The knowledge of the complement system is important in the investigation of numerous diseases that can be observed in cases of deficiencies in cascade proteins, their receptors, or regulatory proteins. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrate the association between the complement system and several inflammatory conditions, as well as a greater susceptibility to infection among patients with complement system dysfunction. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to describe the three complement system pathways - the activation and effector mechanisms and their biochemical characteristics - and correlate them to certain clinical conditions.
ABSTRACT
A despeito dos avanços no tratamento e das campanhas de prevenção e de controle da malária nos distintos continentes nos quais a moléstia grassa, a entidade mórbida permanece com significativa relevância no mundo contemporâneo. O Plasmodium falciparum é o grande responsável pela malária grave, caracterizada por distúrbios em diferentes órgãos e sistemas, com possibilidade de evolução ao óbito. Embora incipientes, os estudos proteômicos na malária têm trazido boas perspectivas para melhor compreensão dos aspectos biológicos do Plasmodium, assim como dos mecanismos fisiopatológicos, diagnósticos, terapêuticos e profiláticos da enfermidade. Desse modo, o objetivo do presente artigo é apresentar uma breve revisão das aplicações da análise proteômica na malária por P. falciparum.
Despite advances in treatment and campaigns for prevention and control of malaria on the various continents where it is still rampant, this disease remains significantly relevant to the contemporary world. Plasmodium falciparum is the organism that is mainly responsible for severe malaria, which is characterized by disturbances in different organs and systems, with possibly fatal outcomes. Although incipient, proteomic studies of malaria have yielded favorable prospects for elucidating the biological aspects of Plasmodium as well as the pathophysiological, diagnostic, prophylactic, and therapeutic mechanisms of the disease. Thus, the aim of the present article is to present a brief review of the applications of proteomic analysis in P. falciparum malaria.