Journal of leukocyte biology
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In recent studies, evidence has been provided for complement activation early during the onset of experimental sepsis. Excessive production of the anaphylatoxin C5a thereby appears to elicit various harmful effects. ⋯ Besides its known, other proinflammatory effects, recent work suggested an inhibitory role of C5a for innate-immune functions of phagocytic cells (phagocytosis, reactive oxygen species production, chemotaxis) during experimental sepsis. This review article provides an overview of the important role of C5a/C5aR activation for the onset and development of sepsis.