Undesirable complement activation contributes to the pathology of many huma
n diseases by damaging tissue and promoting inflammation. Because complemen
t-mediated damage is caused by the deposition of complement components on t
he cell surface, several strategies have been devised to target complement
regulator proteins to cell membranes. These strategies have resulted in eng
ineered proteins that have improved potency in vitro and enhanced therapeut
ic benefit in animal models of disease. One membrane-targeted complement in
hibitor has now entered clinical development and this class of second-gener
ation agents may provide effective therapies for the treatment of a variety
of disease states. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.