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Biomedical subjects

T E Mollnes

Publications and source records attributed to T E Mollnes.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Heparin-binding properties of vitronectin are linked to complex formation as illustrated by in vitro polymerization and binding to the terminal complement complex.

Vitronectin (VN, complement S-protein) is a multifunctional protein which participates in cell adhesion, coagulation, fibrinolysis, and protection against complement lysis. VN is incorporated into several complexes, such as the terminal complement complex and thrombin-antithrombin III, and is bound to plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. The present study showed that purified VN spontaneously forms polymers of approximately 1000 kDa with a Stokes radius of 10 nm. The polymers are to a varying extent stabilized by disulfide bonds, but are quite stable even after reduction and alkylation, indicating the importance of noncovalent bonds. Plasma VN circulates mainly as a 65/75-kDa monomer containing a cryptic heparin-binding site which is exposed upon a conformational change induced by different stimuli, such as coagulation, heating, adsorption to surfaces, or exposure to acids, urea, or other denaturating agents. In the present study, VN was demonstrated to expose its heparin-binding site and its conformationally dependent 8E6 epitope when incorporated into the terminal complement complex. We suggest that exposure of the heparin-binding site and a putative hydrophobic binding site of VN are linked events dependent upon the same conformational change. In vivo, complex formation probably induces the heparin-binding site. Such a link might also explain why purified heparin-binding VN spontaneously forms polymers. The heparin-binding site may be involved in the elimination of multimolecular complexes containing VN.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Time for new concepts about measurement of complement activation by cardiopulmonary bypass?

Fifty-one patients admitted for routine coronary bypass operations were randomized to cardiopulmonary bypass with a membrane oxygenator (Capiox) or a bubbler (Polystan or William Harvey). Complement activation was measured using enzyme immunoassays for concentrations of C3 activation products and the terminal complement complex. From 5.8 to 8.1 arbitrary units (AU)/mL (medians), the plasma concentrations of C3 activation products increased by 119.9 AU/mL (Capiox), 124.6 AU/mL (Polystan), and 79.5 AU/mL (William Harvey) to a peak at closure of the sternum (not significant when related to baseline concentrations). The increase in C3 activation products and baseline C3 activation were linearly correlated (R2 = 0.30; p less than 0.0001). From 5.5 to 6.1 AU/mL, the plasma terminal complement complex concentrations increased by 45.2 AU/mL (Capiox), 15.4 AU/mL (Polystan), and 17.4 AU/mL (William Harvey) to a peak before termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. Maximal terminal (C5-C9) activation was significantly higher in the membrane oxygenator group (p less than 0.0001) and showed no relationship to C3 activation. Measurement of C3 activation only gives no information about C5-C9 activation. At present, terminal complement complex quantitation is probably the best index of C5-C9 activation during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Surface epithelium related activation of complement differs in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

IgG1 and activated complement are colocalised on the colonic epithelial brush border in active ulcerative colitis. To investigate whether such deposition is specific for ulcerative colitis, we examined ethanol fixed mucosal specimens from 18 patients with Crohn's colitis and 14 with terminal ileitis by indirect two colour immunofluorescence staining. Monoclonal antibodies to the IgG subclasses and to neoepitopes of activated complement C3b and the terminal complement complex were used in combination with rabbit antiserum to C1q, C4c or cytokeratin. Granular deposition of C3b and terminal complement complex were observed at the luminal face of the surface epithelium in 10 of 18 patients with Crohn's colitis. Specimens from eight of 14 patients with ileal involvement were intensely stained for activated complement (primarily C3b) within the surface mucus layer. No epithelial IgG, C1q or C4c deposition was observed. The results suggest that early and late phase complement activation takes place at the luminal face of the epithelium in Crohn's disease. The absence of colocalised IgG and complement components involved in the classical activation pathway (C1q and C4c), however, suggest that other immunopathological mechanisms (the alternative pathway?) are primarily involved in Crohn's disease in contrast with ulcerative colitis.

Adolescent

Platelets and vitronectin: immunocytochemical localization and platelet interaction with exogenously added vitronectin.

Vitronectin stores were localized in human platelets by immunofluorescence, confocal laser microscopy, and immunoelectron microscopy. In ultrathin cryosections, the immunogold labelling was mainly observed in the alpha-granules, although occasional immunolabelling of the platelet surface was present. The interaction between thrombin-stimulated platelets and exogenously added vitronectin was also explored. This vitronectin had been purified by heparin-affinity chromatography. Binding of vitronectin to thrombin-stimulated platelets was demonstrated by flow cytometry. The immunoelectron microscopical studies revealed that this binding was mainly restricted to clumps of released alpha-granular material on the platelet surface. The possible significance of the interaction between exogenous vitronectin and released platelet proteins is discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence

Reduced complement activation with heparin-coated oxygenator and tubings in coronary bypass operations.

Complement activation after cardiopulmonary bypass is correlated with postoperative organ dysfunction. Heparin coating of the entire blood-contact surface of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit has proved to reduce complement activation in vitro. A membrane oxygenator and tubing setup coated with functionally active heparin was compared with an uncoated, otherwise identical setup in 20 patients undergoing routine coronary bypass operations. The concentrations of C3 activation products and the terminal complement complex were measured in sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassays. Peak concentrations of C3 activation products were 90.1 (74.7 to 107.4) AU/ml (medians and 95% confidence intervals) and 52.4 (35.7 to 76.4) AU/ml with the uncoated and coated setups, respectively (p = 0.02). The corresponding concentrations of the terminal complement complex were 26.2 (20.1 to 37.5) AU/ml and 13.7 (11.1 to 25.1) AU/ml (p = 0.03). Blood loss from the mediastinal drains during the first 12 postoperative hours was 533 (416 to 975) ml in patients treated with the uncoated setup and 388 (313 to 579) ml in the coated treatment group (p = 0.06) and was significantly correlated with peak concentrations of the terminal complement complex (p = 0.01). There were no differences in neutrophil counts nor platelet numbers between the treatment groups. The approximate 45% reduction in complement activation with the heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass device indicates a substantial improvement of biocompatibility.

Aged

The use of flow cytometry to detect the biosynthesis of complement components.

Agarose beads, an activator of complement, were incubated with MRC-5 or He 9 fibroblast cell lines under serum-free conditions. The beads were tested for binding of anti-complement antibodies by flow cytometry with a FACS 440 using FITC-labelled anti-Ig detection antibodies. Controls consisted of co-cultured beads incubated with irrelevant antibody or albumin, beads maintained in cell cultures containing cycloheximide, and beads which were not exposed to cells. The histograms demonstrated positive staining with anti-C3c, -C5, -C7 and -C9, but not with anti-C6 and -C8. Flow cytometry with multiple histogram analysis confirmed that the differences between the positive curves and the controls were statistically significant. The results show that cell-derived complement components (C3, C5, C7 and C9) were deposited on the beads and could be detected by flow cytometry.

Cell Line

Formation of C5a during cardiopulmonary bypass: inhibition by precoating with heparin.

A novel enzyme immunoassay based on direct detection of C5a by a monoclonal antibody (C17/5) specific for a neoepitope exposed in C5a/C5adesArg was used to measure in vivo and in vitro C5a formation during cardiopulmonary bypass. In vivo, we observed a significant threefold to fourfold increase in patient plasma C5a/C5adesArg levels from baseline values (5.6; 1.6 to 12.9 ng/mL) (median and range) up to 42 hours postoperatively (17.5; 6.5 to 46.0 ng/mL) when two different uncoated cardiopulmonary bypass circuits were used. Coating of the extracorporeal circuit with end-point-attached heparin completely abolished C5a formation in vitro during circulation of blood through the circuit for 120 minutes. The C5a concentration (median and range) was 3.2 (2.6 to 15.9) ng/mL at the start and 3.1 (2.7 to 15.0) ng/mL at the end of the experiment. In the uncoated setups the corresponding C5a concentrations were 10.1 (6.2 to 17.5) and 19.7 (13.1 to 24.3) ng/mL. Finally, heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass circuits were examined in vivo. C5a levels did not increase significantly during the cardiopulmonary bypass period in the heparin-coated group in contrast to the uncoated group, but the postoperative increase in C5a levels was similar in the two groups. We conclude that heparin coating improves biocompatibility by completely abolishing C5a formation in vitro. The discrepancy between the in vitro and the in vivo findings is probably related to the complicated biological turnover of C5a.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Activation of complement, kallikrein-kinin, fibrinolysis and coagulation systems by urinary catheters. Effect of time and temperature in biocompatibility studies.

Urethral strictures induced by the use of latex catheters and combined silicone/latex catheters following open-heart surgery have been reported. These strictures differ from the post-catheterisation type in affecting a greater length of urethra. Recently it was shown that complement was activated by catheters which cause inflammation, in contrast to clinically silent catheters. The present study was designed to investigate a possible association between catheter-induced inflammation and activation of another mediator of inflammation, the contact system. We also investigated various in vitro conditions to optimise biocompatibility studies. Our data indicate that both the complement and the kallikrein-kinin system are activated by potentially harmful silicone/latex catheters and may be involved in the pathophysiology of catheter-induced urethral strictures. In vitro biocompatibility tests may be performed at both 20 and 37 degrees C. Glass test tubes may be used for in vitro complement but not for kallikrein-kinin investigations.

Adult

Immunopathology of subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules.

Nodules obtained from five patients with classical seropositive rheumatoid arthritis were studied by an immunofluorescence technique using polyclonal antibodies to IgG, IgA, IgM, C3c, and fibrin, and monoclonal antibodies to the terminal (C5b-9) complement complex (reaction with a neoantigen in C9 revealed during activation), DR antigens, T cells, macrophages, and interdigitating cells. In all instances the central necrotic areas stained strongly for fibrin and more weakly for IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, and terminal complement complex. The surrounding palisading cells reacted with antibodies to DR and macrophages. In the peripheral granulomatous tissue most of the lymphocytes reacted with the antibodies to T cells, whereas various amounts of the larger mononuclear cells were stained by antibodies to DR antigens, macrophages, and interdigitating cells. In all instances the walls of some of the smaller vessels in the granulomatous tissue stained for fibrin, C3, and terminal complement complex. Plasma cells were not seen except for scattered IgM cells in one nodule. These results support the view that the palisading cells are derived from macrophages, and indicate that there is vasculitis with activation of C3 and the terminal complement pathway in the granulomatous tissue.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid

C3 activation products, C3 containing immune complexes, the terminal complement complex and native C9 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Complement activation products, C9 and C3-containing circulating immune complexes (CIC), were evaluated in plasma and synovial fluid (SF) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis. C3 activation products and the fluid phase terminal complement complex were considerably elevated in SF from RA patients reaching levels five- to eighttimes that in plasma, consistant with a local activation of the whole cascade in the joints. The results emphazise the importance of detecting C3 activation by neoepitope expression instead of single fragment determinations. The concentration of native C9 was lower in synovial fluid compared with plasma, consistant with the excessive local complement activation. Increased CIC levels which correlated with the degree of complement activation were also found in the SF from the RA patients.

Adult

Activation of complement during apheresis.

C3 activation products and the terminal complement complex (TCC) were examined in plasma during plasmapheresis of patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) (n = 4), Waldenström's syndrome (n = 4), and hypercholesterolaemia (n = 1), or during cytapheresis of platelet (n = 10) and granulocyte (n = 2) donors. Blood specimens were taken before, during and after the procedures. There was a significant activation of complement after apheresis in the GBS patients and one of the patients with Waldenström's syndrome, but not in the other patients. There were no significant differences in complement activation products before compared with after cytapheresis in the healthy donors. This demonstrates the biocompatibility with respect to complement activation of the materials used. The observed complement activation in some of the patients during plasma exchange is probably caused by activation products in the replacement plasma.

Complement Activation

Complement activation and bioincompatibility. The terminal complement complex for evaluation and surface modification with heparin for improvement of biomaterials.

The degree of biocompatibility of biomaterials can be evaluated using various assay systems detecting activation of the blood cascade systems, leukocytes or platelets. Activation of complement is one mechanism associated with adverse effects observed when bioincompatible materials are used. We present data showing that the terminal complement complex, an indicator of terminal pathway activation, is suitable for evaluation of biocompatibility of biomaterials such as cardiopulmonary bypass devices. Furthermore, our results suggest that bioincompatibility is improved when artificial surfaces are modified with end point attached functionally active heparin.

Complement Activation

Biocompatibility of extracorporeal circulation. In vitro comparison of heparin-coated and uncoated oxygenator circuits.

Oxygenator/tubing sets coated with endpoint-attached heparin were compared to uncoated sets in a dynamic model of extracorporeal circulation. Biocompatibility was assessed by evaluations of complement activation and platelet loss. The median concentration of C3 activation products increased gradually from 12 AU/ml at baseline to 65 AU/ml after 120 minutes in the uncoated sets and from 12 AU/ml to 19 AU/ml after 120 minutes in the coated sets (p less than 0.002). The median concentration of the terminal complement complex in the uncoated sets increased gradually from 3.1 AU/ml at baseline to 18.2 AU/ml after 120 minutes. In the coated sets the terminal complement complex reached a peak of 12.0 AU/ml at 15 minutes and returned to baseline values at 60 minutes. Median platelet loss at 120 minutes was 166 x 10(9) in the uncoated and 21 x 10(9) in the coated sets (p less than 0.01). Heparin coating thus improved biocompatibility by reducing both complement activation and platelet loss.

Biocompatible Materials

Complement-mediated demyelination in patients with IgM monoclonal gammopathy and polyneuropathy.

We investigated the role of complement in the pathogenesis of the demyelinating polyneuropathy that occurs in some patients with IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Seven patients with chronic sensorimotor polyneuropathy and IgM monoclonal gammopathy were examined. In six patients, the monoclonal protein recognized an epitope shared by myelin-associated glycoprotein and two peripheral-nerve glycolipids, whereas in one patient, IgM bound to an unidentified myelin antigen. Direct and indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase assays showed colocalization along the myelin sheaths of peripheral-nerve fibers of monoclonal protein with complement components C1q, C3d, and C5. In addition, terminal-complement complex that was not associated with S protein was detected in myelin sheaths. It appeared that alterations in myelin geometry caused by the separation of myelin lamellae corresponded to sites at which terminal-complement complex was deposited. We conclude that demyelination in polyneuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy may be mediated by complement.

Aged

C3, C4, and the terminal complement complex differ from C1q by binding predominantly to the antigenic part of solid phase immune complexes.

The binding of the C components C1q, C4, C3, the terminal C5b-9 complement complex (TCC) and S protein to immune complexes was studied. The hapten 5-iodo-4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenacetyl (NIP) conjugated to BSA was adsorbed to polystyrene plates and reacted with a human IgG3-mouse chimeric anti-NIP antibody. After addition of serum a dose-dependent binding of C1q, C4, C3, and TCC to the immune complexes was found. An increase in the amount of NIP-BSA was associated with an increase in the binding of TCC and a decrease in the binding of S-protein. After addition of soluble NIP only 4 to 6% of the anti-NIP antibody remained bound to the Ag. C1q showed diminished binding after addition of NIP, whereas C4, C3, and TCC quantitatively remained bound to the Ag. Binding of TCC to the immune complexes was also found in an alternative assay, in which the anti-NIP antibody was adsorbed to the solid phase before NIP-BSA and an additional layer of anti-NIP antibody were added. The supernatants from the solid phase assay were tested for C3 activation and formation of the fluid phase TCC (SC5b-9). Activation of the C3 was reflected in the fluid phase by a dose-dependent increase in C3 activation products. This was not seen for TCC despite increased binding to the solid phase.

Animals

Complement activation with bubble and membrane oxygenators in aortocoronary bypass grafting.

Thirty-three patients admitted for coronary bypass grafting were randomized to cardiopulmonary bypass with a bubble oxygenator (Cobe or Polystan) or a membrane oxygenator (SciMed). Plasma concentrations of C3 activation products and the terminal complement complex were measured using enzyme immunoassays. Both variables increased almost linearly after onset of cardiopulmonary bypass, with maximal concentrations at closure of the sternum. From a baseline of 7.5 to 12.0 arbitrary units (AU)/mL (medians), the concentrations of C3 activation products increased by 117.5 AU/mL (Cobe), 120.5 AU/mL (Polystan), and 213.3 AU/mL (SciMed). The increase in the membrane group was significantly higher than in the two bubble oxygenator groups (p less than 0.01). From a baseline of 0.9 to 1.3 AU/mL, the concentrations of terminal complement complex increased by 5.4 AU/mL (Cobe), 6.6 AU/mL (Polystan), and 7.7 AU/mL (SciMed) (differences not significant). The higher C3 activation caused by the membrane oxygenator may be explained by differences in flow profile and surface area in contact with blood. The study cannot confirm the general assumption that membrane oxygenators lead to lower complement activation than do bubble oxygenators.

Aged