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Biomedical subjects

József Prechl

Publications and source records attributed to József Prechl.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Novel monoclonal antibodies against mouse C3 interfering with complement activation: description of fine specificity and applications to various immunoassays.

The role of complement proteins in various pathophysiological settings has been studied primarily using mouse models of disease. However, the specific contribution of C3-derived fragments to these biologic processes has not been addressed in a rigorous manner because of a lack of antibodies that can selectively recognize mouse C3 or any of its degradation fragments. Here we report the generation and characterization of a panel of rat monoclonal antibodies reacting with mouse C3 and its degradation products. We describe their performance in various immunological assays such as ELISA, Western blotting, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. Of all the antibodies generated, one selectively recognized the C3a anaphylatoxin, and all other reacted with C3c. Furthermore, two monoclonal antibodies preferentially reacted with the cleaved C3 fragments C3b/iC3b/C3c but not native C3. Except for the one recognizing C3a, all antibodies were suitable for detecting C3 deposited on cells and tissues, two effectively inhibited the hemolytic activity of mouse complement and one enhanced C3-deposition to the cell membrane. These novel monoclonal antibodies may serve as useful reagents for elucidating functions mediated by C3-derived fragments in various pathophysiological conditions.

Animals↗

Regulation of B-cell activation by complement receptors CD21 and CD35.

The role of complement in the development and regulation of antibody responses under both healthy and pathological conditions is known for long. Unraveling the elements involved and the molecular mechanisms underlying the events however is still in progress. This review focuses on the role of complement receptors CR1 (CD35) and CR2 (CD21) expressed on B lymphocytes, which interact with ligands generated upon activation of component C3, the major protein of the complement cascade. The binding and possible effects of immune complexes comprising antigen, antibody and complement on B-cell activation are discussed. Results of clinical studies of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis and conclusions drawn from animal models used to investigate various aspects of human diseases are also debated. We discuss similarities regarding the overall structure and certain functions of complement and complement receptors in mice and men however, call the attention to major differences regarding tissue distribution and their role in B-cell functions.

Animals↗

Mucosal type mast cells express complement receptor type 2 (CD21).

Fragments of complement component C3 generated upon activation of the cascade play an important role in the induction and regulation of immune responses. Receptors interacting with various fragments of this versatile complement protein are expressed on a wide variety of cell types, including lymphocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, follicular dendritic cells, granulocytes, erythrocytes and consequently, C3-products may influence several biological functions at different sites of the body, where complement activation occurs. Regarding the expression of various C3-receptors on mast cells, mainly rodent serosal type mastocytes have been investigated so far. It has been known for a long time that C3a triggers the release of mediators of immediate type hypersensitivity via binding to serosal-type cells. Complement receptor type 1 (CR1/CD35) and type 2 (CR2/CD21) interacting with the larger activation products, such as C3b and C3d, have so far been shown on serosal type mast cells only. In this study, the expression of CR1/2 on mucosal type mast cells is demonstrated. Using mouse CR1/2 specific single chain antibodies and the natural ligand C3d in cytofluorimetric measurements, we show that the rat mucosal mast cell line RBL-2H3 and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC) express CD21. RT-PCR experiments carried out with mouse CR1 and CR2 specific primers show CD21, but not CD35 specific products in BMMC. It is also demonstrated that, in contrast to serosal type mast cells, mucosal mastocytes do not express CD19. In an attempt to reveal the possible function of CR2 on mucosal type mast cells, the effect of receptor-clustering was tested regarding degranulation, Ca-response and IL-6 production, but no CR2-mediated change was detected in any of these processes.

Animals↗

Complement receptor type 1 (CD35) mediates inhibitory signals in human B lymphocytes.

The complement system---particularly component C3---has been demonstrated to be a key link between innate and adaptive immunity. The trimolecular complex of complement receptor type 2 (CR2), CD19, and CD81 is known to promote B cell activation when coligated with the B cell Ag receptor. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the role of human complement receptor type 1 (CR1), the other C3-receptor on B cells. As ligand, aggregated C3 and aggregated C3(H(2)O), i.e., multimeric "C3b-like C3", are used, which bind to CR1, but not to CR2. In experiments studying the functional consequences of CR1-clustering, the multimeric ligand is shown to inhibit the proliferation of tonsil B cells activated with a suboptimal dose of anti-IgM F(ab')(2). Importantly, this inhibitory activity also occurs in the presence of the costimulatory cytokines IL-2 and IL-15. The anti-IgM-induced transient increase in the concentration of intracellular free Ca(2+) and phosphorylation of several cytoplasmic proteins are strongly reduced in the presence of the CR1 ligand. Data presented indicate that CR1 has a negative regulatory role in the B cell Ag receptor mediated activation of human B lymphocytes.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Modeling the presentation of C3d-coated antigen by B lymphocytes: enhancement by CR1/2-BCR co-ligation is selective for the co-ligating antigen.

We have used a set of single-chain variable fragment antibodies (sc) genetically fused with an influenza hemagglutinin-derived peptide as a means to investigate the role of CR1 and CR2 in antigen presentation by B cells. When incubated with the B cell lymphoma 2PK3, peptide-containing sc specific for either CR1 or CR1/2 mediated activation of the hemagglutinin peptide-specific T cell line IP-12-7, as assessed by IL-2 production. Efficient presentation was dependent on the binding of the constructs to CR1/2, implying that receptor-mediated endocytosis is responsible for the effect. Cross-linkage of CR1/2 or CD19 by mAb did not increase the extent of T cell activation. However, when CR1/2 was co-ligated with the BCR--using either polyclonal goat anti-mouse IgG or recombinant protein LA--the antigen concentration required to activate T cells decreased by two orders of magnitude. Moreover, this enhancement was selective for the antigen included in these complexes and did not affect the presentation of a free peptide or of antigen bound to CR1/2 excluded from the complexes. These results suggest that B cells may bind various C3d-coated antigens at a time, but only the one which reacts with the BCR will be processed with high efficiency. This mechanism may ensure the specificity of cognate T cell help.

Animals↗

Targeting with scFv: immune modulation by complement receptor specific constructs.

The fate of a microbe in the host is determined by various molecules of the innate immune system, which recognize the microbe and enhance its interaction with antigen presenting cells. This 'natural targeting' phenomenon, however, does not function when antigens with limited immunogenicity enter the host. Peptide vaccines, for instance, require adjuvants to induce immune responses. As a surrogate for the natural targeting mechanisms, antibodies against selected receptors of antigen presenting cells, conjugated with the peptides, could be used as targeting devices. Here we review various antibody-mediated antigen-targeting strategies, paying special attention to complement receptor-mediated targeting. We also describe and summarize our method of single-chain antibody-mediated targeting of viral epitopes to complement receptor type two and discuss the perspectives of single-chain antibody-mediated antigen targeting.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗