Complement activation in progressive renal disease

Figure 2 Complement-mediated renal injury. Complement proteins can access the tubulointerstitial compartment from the tubular lumen, the circulation or due to local synthesis. Activation can injure and activate the tubular epithelium inducing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines. This results in an increase in interstitial inflammatory cells and fibroblasts, finally resulting in the deposition of excess matrix proteins. TGFβ: Transforming growth factor beta; IL-1: Interleukin 1.