Complement system

Biology

Receptor

Thrombosis

Immunology

Physics

Blood pressure

Immune system

Optics

Renin–angiotensin system

Bradykinin

Angiotensin II

Inflammation

Internal medicine

Crosstalk

Medicine

Kinin

Nature reviews. Immunology

During severe inflammatory and infectious diseases, various mediators modulate the equilibrium of vascular tone, inflammation, coagulation and thrombosis. This Review describes the interactive roles of the renin-angiotensin system, the complement system, and the closely linked kallikrein-kinin and contact systems in cell biological functions such as vascular tone and leakage, inflammation, chemotaxis, thrombosis and cell proliferation. Specific attention is given to the role of these systems in systemic inflammation in the vasculature and tissues during hereditary angioedema, cardiovascular and renal glomerular disease, vasculitides and COVID-19. Moreover, we discuss the therapeutic implications of these complex interactions, given that modulation of one system may affect the other systems, with beneficial or deleterious consequences.

Crosstalk between the renin–angiotensin, complement and kallikrein–kinin systems in inflammation