The Complement System

Upon contemplating an updated version of the 1974 edition of this book and envisioning its possible organization, it immediately became evident that the new version could no longer be written by one, two, or even three authors. The field has experienced an explosive expansion in various directions, and the wealth of newer data which has been accumulated over the last decade can hardly be presented by a single author in a critical and coherent manner. On the other hand, it appears worthwhile not to abandon the attempt to come foreward with a review which describes as comprehensively as possible the progress and the state of knowledge. It is the aim of this volume to present a general and comprehensive review on complement. It is intended not only for individuals working in this area, but also for those who are less familiar with the field. Several chapters in the book describe state-of-the-art experimental methods which are helpful to critically evaluate the experimental data. Simultaneously, they may provide the necessary technical tools for those who wish to enter this highly provocative and exciting field.