Complement activation in vascular remodeling and organ damage

Vascular remodeling is an active process of alterations as part of structural adaptations in response to injuries. In the process of remodeling, vessel wall cells can not only secrete complement components, but also represent potential targets of active products of the activated complement cascade, thus altering the important interplay of vessel wall cells contributing to vascular remodeling. The complement system may thus constitute a potential target in the prevention of vascular remodeling.

Section editor:Christian Weber – Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, Germany