reviewAnnual Review of NeuroscienceJun 21, 2012Closed access

The Complement System: An Unexpected Role in Synaptic Pruning During Development and Disease

ASAlexander StephanBABen A. BarresBSBeth Stevens

Stanford University · Boston Children's Hospital · +1 more institution

PubMed
Indexed incrossrefpubmed

Abstract

An unexpected role for the classical complement cascade in the elimination of central nervous system (CNS) synapses has recently been discovered. Complement proteins are localized to developing CNS synapses during periods of active synapse elimination and are required for normal brain wiring. The function of complement proteins in the brain appears analogous to their function in the immune system: clearance of cellular material that has been tagged for elimination. Similarly, synapses tagged with complement proteins may be eliminated by microglial cells expressing complement receptors. In addition, developing astrocytes release signals that induce the expression of complement components in the CNS. In the…

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Topics & keywords

Topics
Keywords
  • Synaptic pruning
  • Neuroscience
  • Complement system
  • Synapse
  • Biology
  • Complement receptor
  • Central nervous system
  • Complement (music)
UN Sustainable Development Goals
  • Good health and well-being
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