What is the mechanism through which the complement system enhances the immune response?

The complement system plays a vital role in the immune response through several mechanisms, one of which is opsonization. Opsonization involves the binding of complement proteins to pathogens, which marks them for destruction by phagocytes. This tagging allows phagocytic cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, to recognize and engulf the pathogens more effectively.

In addition to opsonization, the complement system can lead to direct cell lysis by forming the membrane attack complex (MAC), which creates pores in the pathogen's cell membrane, resulting in cell death.

Additionally, the complement system enhances the immune response further by promoting inflammation and attracting immune cells to sites of infection.

While allergic responses are related to the immune system, they are not enhanced by the complement system, which focuses more on targeting pathogens and facilitating their clearance from the body. Thus, the true mechanism through which the complement system enhances the immune response is primarily through opsonization, which facilitates the recognition and ingestion of pathogens by immune cells.