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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2010 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Dev Comp Immunol. 2009;33(1):5–13. doi: 10.1016/j.dci.2008.07.010

Table 1.

Complement subversion mechanisms developed by hematophagous parasites

Parasite Mechanism (molecule involved) Reference
Trematodes Schistosomes Antigen turnover [24]
Low immunogenicity of the membranocalyx [24]
Binding to Fc domain of host immunoglobulins (Paramyosin) [33]
Binding to C2 (CRIT) [29]
Binding to C3 (C3bp) [31]
Acquisition of host RCAs (DAF, Cryy) [32, 34]
CD59/Protectin-like protein (SCIP-1) [30]
Double membrane to resist to MAC lysis [24]
Nematodes Necator americanus Binding to C1q (Calreticulin) [67]
Haemonchus contortus Binding to C1q (Calreticulin) [66]
Insects Triatomines
Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma brasiliensis and Rhodnius prolixus Inhibition of the classical pathway [77]
Phlebotomines
Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lutzomyia migonei Inhibition of the classical pathway [77]
Lutzomyia longipalpis Inhibition of the alternative pathway [77]
Arachnids Ixodes scapularis Prevent deposition of C3b (Isac) [47]
Binding to properdin (Salp20) [55]
Ixodes ricinus Prevent deposition of C3b (IRACs and IxACs) [53, 54]
Binding to properdin (IRACs and IxACs) [54]
Ornithodoros moubata Binding to C5 (OmCI) [43]