Objectives

Study of the molecular mechanisms underlying the activation and regulation of the complement system and how these processes are altered by mutations and polymorphisms

Primary Objectives

Objective 1:  To perform retrospective analysis of large series of patients with glomerular diseases in multicenter studies, identifying complement risk factors for disease and determining optimal treatment approaches.

Objective 2: To implement a web-based registry of patients with aHUS and DDD.

Objective 3: To get further insights in the pathological consequences of primary and autoantibody-mediated deficiencies of complement.

Objective 4: To search for novel complement genes or genetic variants associated with aHUS, DDD, AMD and to study the role of common polymorphisms in components and regulators of the AP pathway in determining individual predisposition to common disorders.

Objective 5: To characterize structurally and functionally some specific complement variants associated with pathology.

Objective 6: To perform structural and functional analysis of complement proteins and of their complexes with other complement components and complement receptors.

Objective 7: To explore the interplay between complement and the cellular immune compartment in relation to autoimmunity, alloimmunity and inflammation.

Objective 8: Generation of novel moAbs and small molecules with potential application in complement therapeutics.

Objective 9: Organization of a theoretical and practical extramural educational and visibility program in complement biology and physiopathology and an intramural mobility program.