**Background of CFB Antibodies**
CFB (Complement Factor B) is a critical serine protease in the alternative pathway of the complement system, an essential component of innate immunity. It circulates as an inactive proenzyme and becomes activated upon cleavage into Bb and Ba fragments during complement activation. CFB plays a pivotal role in amplifying the complement response by forming the C3 convertase (C3bBb), which drives inflammation, opsonization, and pathogen clearance.
Antibodies targeting CFB have garnered interest in both research and clinical contexts. Dysregulation of the alternative pathway, often linked to CFB overactivation, is implicated in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), and certain glomerulonephritides. Anti-CFB antibodies are explored as therapeutic agents to inhibit pathological complement activation in these conditions.
Research also highlights their diagnostic utility. Elevated CFB levels or autoantibodies against CFB may serve as biomarkers for disease progression or complement-related pathologies. However, challenges remain in ensuring specificity and minimizing off-target effects in therapeutic applications. Current studies focus on optimizing antibody design (e.g., monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies) to enhance efficacy while preserving physiological complement functions. Overall, CFB antibodies represent a promising tool for modulating complement-driven diseases, bridging immunology and precision medicine.