A history of complement genetics

After a brief review of the history of the complement system from the original observations in the 1880s, the history of complement genetics is outlined, beginning in 1919 with the recognition of the complement-deficient guinea pig. A highly personal view is then presented of the early days of the discovery of human complement structural gene polymorphisms and deficiencies, particularly those of C3, BF and factor I. Finally, some recent work based on features in the DNA of the MHC-encoded complement genes is outlined that sheds some light on their evolution.