Complement Component 5

Complement component 5 (C5) links the amplification phase of complement to its terminal effectors. Cleavage by C5 convertases liberates C5a, the most potent anaphylatoxin and chemotactic factor in the system, which recruits and activates neutrophils and monocytes through the C5aR (CD88) receptor, while C5b nucleates assembly of the C6, C7, C8, and polymeric C9 membrane attack complex that lyses susceptible pathogens. Because C5 sits at the convergence of all three pathways, it is an attractive drug target: the anti-C5 antibodies eculizumab and ravulizumab are approved for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Recombinant C5 and C5a are standard reagents for complement activity assays and antagonist screening.