Abstract: Disclosed are novel inhibitors of the alternative complement pathway and particularly, novel anti-factor B antibodies. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent airway hyperresponsiveness and/or airway inflammation by selectively inhibiting the alternative complement pathway, thereby treating diseases in which such conditions play a role. Also disclosed is the use of such inhibitors to reduce or prevent other diseases and conditions, including ischemia-reperfusion injury, by inhibition of the alternative complement pathway.

Abstract: Described are methods for treating, preventing, or reducing the risk of, miscarriages, especially recurrent miscarriages. The methods comprise administering to a female subject a therapeutic agent that modulates the activity or binding of components of the complement system, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. For example, the therapeutic agent can be a C3-convertase inhibitor, an antibody against C5, an antagonist of the C5a receptor, or an antibody against factor B or factor D. Screening methods for agents that can prevent or reduce the risk of miscarriages, especially recurrent miscarriages, are also described.