Fig. 3

Complement activation plays both protective and detrimental roles in CAA and AD. Complement activation caused by Aβ can trigger inflammatory response in CNS, and the released inflammatory mediators together with the formation of MAC complex further leads to neuronal and vascular damage. However in CNS complement activation components can bind to Aβ-induced apoptotic cell surface and assist their phagocytosis by microglia which expresses many complement receptors. And in peripheral bloodstream Aβ can be transported by CR1 on erythrocyte after binding to C3b and further cleared in liver or kidney