Complement C5, Human Plasma

Complement Component 5 (C5) plays a central role in inflammatory and cellular death processes. This protein is composed of alpha and beta polypeptide chains that are linked by a disulfide bridge. The protein gets cleaved into C5a and C5b which are subsequently responsible for chemotaxis, inflammation, and initiating the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). Drugs that inhibit complement C5 have been used in Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) patients to lessen thrombotic complications by lessening intravascular hemolysis.