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The role of complement in arterial hypertension and hypertensive end organ damage
  • Ulrich Wenzel,
  • Claudia Kemper,
  • Marlies Bode
Ulrich Wenzel
University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf Center of Internal Medicine

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Claudia Kemper
NIH, Complement and Inflammation Research Section
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Marlies Bode
University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf Center of Internal Medicine
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Abstract

Increasing evidence indicates that hypertension and hypertensive end organ damage are not only mediated by hemodynamic injury but that inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology and contributes to the deleterious consequences of this disease. The complement system is an ancient part of innate immunity comprising multiple serum proteins and cellular receptors that protect the host from a hostile microbial environment and maintain tissue and cell integrity through the elimination of altered or dead cells. As an important effector arm of innate immunity, it plays also central roles in the regulation of adaptive immunity. Innate and adaptive immune responses have been identified as crucial players in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and hypertensive end organ damage. Thus, complement activation may drive the pathology of hypertension and hypertensive injury through its impact on innate and adaptive immune responses aside from direct effects on the vasculature. Indeed, recent experimental data strongly support a role for complement in all stages of arterial hypertension and hypertensive end organ damage. The remarkably similar clinical and histopathological features of malignant nephrosclerosis and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, which is driven by complement activation, suggest also a role for complement also in the development of malignant nephrosclerosis. We herein review the role of complement proteins in hypertension and hypertensive end organ damage.
09 Apr 2020Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
11 Apr 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 Apr 2020Assigned to Editor
16 Apr 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
11 May 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
19 May 20201st Revision Received
26 May 2020Submission Checks Completed
26 May 2020Assigned to Editor
26 May 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Jun 2020Editorial Decision: Accept