Publisher's Synopsis
This publication contains the proceedings of the VIIth Complement Genetics Workshop and Conference, held in Mainz in 1998. It is divided into three sections. The first section presents an overview of over 30 years of complement genetic research, revealing the significant advances made in the definition of the genetic bases of the complement system both at the protein and at the DNA level. It also provides new insights for interactions of complement components not only within the complement cascade, but also within the framework of the regulation of the immune response. The second part comprises reports of selected reference typing groups, set up for all major (and polymorphic) complement proteins and containing comprehensive reviews and nomenclature statements. The third part summarizes the talks of invited speakers, focusing on MHC class III complement genes and their organization, the evolution and deficiencies of the terminal complement genes and the role of early classical complement components in B cell tolerance. Immunologists and geneticists, particularly those with an interest in the genetics of complement proteins, their evolution, functions and role in human disease, will appreciate the up-to-date information provided by this special issue.
