Factor H is the major soluble inhibitor of complement, where its binding to self markers (i.e., particular glycan structures) prevents complement activation and amplification on host surfaces. Not surprisingly, mutations and polymorphisms that affect recognition of self by factor H are associated with diseases of complement dysregulation, such as age-related macular degeneration and atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome. In addition, pathogens (i.e., non-self) and cancer cells (i.e., altered-self) can hijack factor H to evade the immune response.
CFHR1 is a secreted protein belonging to the complement factor H protein family.The human complement factor H protein family consists of the complement and immune regulators factor H, the factor H-like protein 1(FHL-1) and five factor H-related proteins (CFHR-1 to -5). Members of the H-related protein family are exclusively composed of individually folded protein domains, termed short consensus repeats (SCRs) or complement control modules. CFHR1 binds to Pseudomonas aeruginosa elongation factor Tuf together with plasminogen, which is proteolytically activated. CFHR1 might be involved in complement regulation. It can associate with lipoproteins and may play a role in lipid metabolism.
CFHR2 belongs to the complement factor H protein family. The human complement factor H protein family consists of the complement and immune regulators factor H, the factor H-like protein 1(FHL-1) and five factor H-related proteins (CFHR-1 to -5). Members of the H-related protein family are exclusively composed of individually folded protein domains, termed short consensus repeats (SCRs) or complement control modules. CFHR2 contains 4 Sushi (CCP SCR) domains and is expressed by the liver and secreted in plasma. CFHR2 might be involved in complement regulation. It can associate with lipoproteins and may play a role in lipid metabolism.