Schematic representation of the three activation pathways of the complement system. All of the three pathways converge on the cleavage of C3 in C3a and C3b. C3b attaches to C3, becoming C5 convertase, which in turn cleaves C5, originating C5b. C5b, together with C6, C7, C8, and C9 forms the membrane attack complex. The Figure was created with BioRender software (https://biorender.com/). MASP: mannose-associated serine protease; MBL: mannose-binding lectin