PubMed · 11154920
Evolution of the complement system.
Abstract
The origin of the complement system is much more ancient than that of adaptive immunity, which is only found in jawed vertebrates. Recently, complement components of the alternative and lectin pathways have been identified in jawless fishes, and even in some deuterostome invertebrates. The primitive complement system of these animals is one of the most highly organized innate immune systems.
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M Nonaka. 2001. Evolution of the complement system.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0952-7915(00)00184-9
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