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HLA haplotypes with C4B5; evidence for further allelic heterogeneity.

Twenty-three individuals from various disease groups and normal controls were identified by immunofixation with anti-C4, C4-dependent lysis, determination of Rg (Rodgers) and Ch (Chido) phenotypes, and immunoblotting with C4-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. We found that one haplotype predominates with the C4B*5 allele, HLA-A11, B22(55), Cw3, Bf*S, C4A*4B*5, which also carries the Ch1,-2, 3 haplotype. The B5 allotype was also found with HLA-B60, HLA-B35 in Caucasoids, and HLA-B18 in non-Caucasoids; these carried the Ch-1, -2, -3 haplotype. Our results are in accord with an earlier report of two B5 subtypes, B5Rg+ and B5Rg- (Roos et al. 1984). The specificity of the mouse monoclonal antibodies IC4 and 2B12 had been previously related to C4A and C4B, respectively, but our results suggest that they relate more closely to Rg and Ch determinants.

Alleles

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for the quantification of the C4 isotypes (C4A and C4B) in human plasma.

Sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were developed to determine the concentration of the isotypes of the fourth component of human complement (C4A and C4B) in human plasma. In the case of C4A a monoclonal antibody against a common determinant of the alpha chain was used to capture the protein. The bound antigen was then detected with a biotinylated monoclonal antibody reacting exclusively with the C4A isotype, followed by peroxidase labeled avidin. For the quantification of C4B, C4B-specific monoclonal antibodies were coated onto a microtitration plate in order to capture the protein. Bound antigen was then detected with a biotinylated monoclonal antibody directed against C4 followed by peroxidase labeled avidin. The assays, which were rapid, selective and specific for C4A and C4B, respectively, provide an alternative to gel electrophoresis and blot procedures for the study of unexpressed alleles ('null alleles') at each of the C4 loci.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Inhibition of complement by mouse serum: selective inactivation of the fourth component of human complement.

Bound human C4b on EAC4 is rapidly inactivated in the presence of murine serum reagents. The functional characteristics of this inactivation suggest that it is probably caused by factor(s) homologous to human C3bI-C4bI: inactivation is temperature-dependent and occurs without concomitant consumption of the inactivator(s); loss of hemolytic function is associated with the cleavage of the bound C4b into C4c, which is released, and C4d, which is retained on the cell membrane. Murine serum reagents inhibit bound human C4b far more efficiently than C3b and may therefore be employed to selectively inhibit C4b.

Animals

Identification of distinct C3b and C4b recognition sites in the human C3b/C4b receptor (CR1, CD35) by deletion mutagenesis.

Complementary DNA clones encoding the NH2-terminal region of human CR1 have been isolated and sequenced. The deduced complete amino acid sequence of the F allotype of human CR1 contains 2,039 residues, including a 41-residue signal peptide, an extracellular domain of 1,930 residues, a 25-amino acid transmembrane domain, and a 43-amino acid cytoplasmic region. The extracellular domain is composed exclusively of 30 short consensus repeats (SCRs), characteristic of the family of C3/C4-binding proteins. The 28 NH2-terminal SCRs are organized as four long homologous repeats (LHRs) of seven SCRs each. The newly sequenced LHR, LHR-A, is 61% identical to LHR-B in the NH2-terminal two SCRs and greater than 99% identical in the COOH-terminal five SCRs. Eight cDNA clones were spliced to form a single construct, piABCD, that contained the entire CR1 coding sequence downstream of a cytomegalovirus promoter. COS cells transfected with piABCD transiently expressed recombinant CR1 that comigrated with the F allotype of erythrocyte CR1 on SDS-PAGE and that mediated rosette formation with sheep erythrocytes bearing C4b and C3b. Recombinant CR1 also had factor I-cofactor activity for cleavage of C3(ma). Analyses of six deletion mutants expressed in COS cells indicated that the NH2-terminal two SCRs of LHR-A contained a site determining C4 specificity and the NH2-terminal two SCRs of LHR-B and -C each had a site determining C3 specificity. The presence of these three distinct sites in CR1 may enable the receptor to interact multivalently with C4b/C3b and C3b/C3b complexes generated during activation of the classical and alternative pathways.

Amino Acid Sequence

C4 polymorphism: use of a monoclonal antibody to distinguish C4A and C4B locus products.

A monoclonal antibody reactive against C4B locus products was used in a passive immunoblotting technique to distinguish C4B from C4A electrophoretic variants. The technique is simple and has the advantage of being able to distinguish clearly those C4B variants which may be either difficult to define by conventional hemolytic assay alone or which would normally be designated as C4B products on account of their lack of hemolytic function. Patterns detected by immunoblotting can be compared directly with patterns obtained by immunofixation with anti-C4 from the same gel.

Alleles

Hypomorphic C4B* 15 variant of the fourth component of complement.

We report a rare 'hypomorphic' C4 allotype detected during routine screening in controls for the Rogers:1 epitope. C4B* 15 was distinguished by having only faint staining when using polyclonal anti-C4 antibody on agarose immunoelectrophoresis (e.g. hypomorphic), having relatively weak hemolytic activity but being strongly reactive with monoclonal antibody to Rodgers 1. TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) demonstrated that C4B* 15 segregated with 7 kb and 5.4 kb C4 gene fragments and with the haplotype HLA-A2,C-, B50,BW6,DR7,DQ2,DR52,SO7C2(1,15). The 5.4-kb fragment was more intense than the 7.0-kb fragment, suggesting duplication of the 5.4-kb fragment. This hypomorphic C4 allotype (genotype frequency = 0.0088) has diminished expression of C4 epitopes commonly recognized by polyclonal anti-C4 and may be missed by standard phenotyping methods.

Adult

Monoclonal anti-human C4b antibodies: stabilization and inhibition of the classical-pathway C3 convertase.

Two IgG mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), Abs 242 and 463, were prepared by fusion of spleen cells from mice immunized with human C4b with a myeloma cell line, P3/ X 63-Ag 8.653. They were assessed for their effect on the activation and stability of the cell-bound classical-pathway C3 convertase, EAC14b2a and on the binding of C2 and C4bp to EC4b. Ab 242 recognized a conformational neoantigen which appeared upon activation of C4 with C-1s and disappeared after chain separation of C4b, while Ab 463 recognized a linear epitope in the beta-chain of C4b. Ab 242 was found to be a C4bp-like MAb: it accelerates the decay-dissociation of C3 convertase and interferes with the binding of C2 to C4b. It also interfered with the binding of C4bp to C4b. These results suggest that Ab 242 recognizes an epitope which is closely related to the C2- and C4bp-binding sites in C4b. Ab 463, on the other hand, was found to be a nephritic factor like MAb: it prolongs the half-life of C3 convertase from 8 to 30 min at 37 degrees C.

Animals

The influence of venous occlusion on the status of protein S.

In the present study the effect of perturbation of the vessel wall by venous occlusion on protein S release, was evaluated in 10 healthy male volunteers. A 9% (P less than 0.01) increase in free protein S and a 7% (NS) in total protein S over the baseline were observed 7 min after venous occlusion, whereas von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag)--a known release product of vascular endothelium--increased by 11% (P less than 0.01). In addition, the possibility of free protein S release from unstimulated platelets was investigated in pre- and post-occlusion samples incubated at room temperature for 24 h as whole blood or platelet-rich plasma. An increase in the mean free protein S was observed in the pre-occlusion samples which peaked after 4 h of incubation--121% at time 0 to 130% (P less than 0.05) of the normal pooled plasma whereas total protein S increased by only 4% (NS). In the post-occlusion samples, a similar peak in mean free protein S levels was observed after 12 h of incubation--132% at time 0 increased to 142% (P less than 0.01) of the normal human plasma pooled and the total protein S was increased by 8.55 (P less than 0.05). Small but significant increases in vWF:Ag levels were observed at 2 h and 6 h for the pre- and post-occlusion samples, respectively. No changes in C4b-binding protein were observed throughout the study. We conclude that, firstly, venous occlusion causes release of protein S in addition to vWF:Ag and, secondly, unstimulated platelets release protein S in addition to vWF:Ag.

Adolescent

A study of a covalent-like interaction between soluble nascent C4b and C4-binding protein.

In the classical pathway of complement, the interaction between C4b and C4bp can be considered as a control of the C3 convertase formation. Purified C4-binding protein (C4bp) interacts with soluble nascent C4b to form covalent-like complexes; the interaction is also possible with nascent C4b-like C4, but not with C4, C4b or C4b-like C4. Formation of the complexes upon incubation of C4bp, C4 and C1s appears to involve a single link between a subunit of C4bp and the alpha' chain of C4b, as observed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in reducing conditions (160 000 dalton band). In non-reducing conditions, a mixture of C4b-C4bp complexes is observed as a function of the C4b:C4bp molar ratio, with apparent molecular weights differing by a value of 210 000 and reflecting different C4b-C4bp associations. A maximum of five molecules of C4b are bound per molecule of C4bp, which appears to consist of 10 subunits of apparent molecular weight 72 000. The link between C4b and C4bp is partially destroyed by 1 M hydroxylamine at pH 9.0; its formation is strongly inhibited by 3.5 mM hydroxylamine or 60 mM methylamine at pH 9.0. These findings suggest an ester or amide bond between the activated carboxyl group of the thioester bridge in the alpha' or alpha chain of nascent C4b or C4b-like C4 and a hydroxyl or amino group of C4bp. Thus, C4bp might compete with other C4b acceptors such as membranes or IgG.

Carrier Proteins

Tumour necrosis factor B gene polymorphism in relation to complotype in couples with spontaneous abortions and in control families.

NcoI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the tumour necrosis factor B (TNFB) gene gives two allelic fragments of 5.5 and 10.5 kb, corresponding to the TNFB*1 and TNFB*2 alleles, respectively. The frequencies of these alleles were analysed in 121 healthy Finns and 56 Finnish couples suffering from recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA). In the healthy Finns the frequency of TNFB*1 was 37% and that of TNFB*2 63%, of which the frequency of TNFB*1 was significantly increased compared with the Danish population. No deviation was seen between the RSA couples and the Finnish controls. TNF genes are located in major histocompatibility complex class III region close to complement (BF, C4A and C4B) genes. Some complotypes associated most often with the TNFB*1 (S01, S30, S02) and some (S31, F320) with the TNFB*2 allele in the healthy Finns. The combination of the TNFB and the C4 'null' allele differed between the RSA couples and the Finnish controls.

Abortion, Habitual

Marked shortage of C4B DNA polymorphism among insulin-dependent diabetic patients.

TaqI, BamHI and HinddIII polymorphisms of the C4 genes were studied with a 500-bp C4 cDNA probe (pAT-A153) specific for the 5' end of the gene. The restriction patterns obtained were correlated with the C4A and C4B genotypes in 35 patients suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), and results were compared to those from 40 healthy individuals. The controls, all Caucasian, were genotyped for HLA-A, B, C, DR, Bf, C2 and C4, together with 10 diabetics and their families; haplotypes for the other patients had been deduced using DNA and protein polymorphism, and taking into consideration linkage disequilibrium for neighbouring loci. No significant difference between genotypes at the C4A locus was seen in either population. The C4A gene deletion, associated with a C4B "short" gene (66.7%), was found mainly in the haplotype B8,Cw7,DR3,BfS,C2C, C4AQOB1, and the C4B gene deletion in the haplotype B18,Cw5,DR3,BfF1, C2C,C4A3BQO. When diabetic patients were compared with normal individuals, we observed, at the C4B locus, a decrease in the C4B "long" gene (22% vs. 49% respectively, p less than 0.001). A compensatory increase was observed in patients vs. controls for the frequency of C4BQO, both in the deleted and intact form (26% vs. 10% respectively, p less than 0.03).

Alleles

DQw7 and the C4B null allele in rheumatoid arthritis and Felty's syndrome.

DQ beta and C4 null alleles have been defined in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, Felty's syndrome, and in control subjects. Comparison of DR4 positive subjects shows that rheumatoid disease without extra-articular features has no preferential associations with either DQ beta or C4 null variants. In Felty's syndrome there are significant associations with both the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) DQw7 allele (86% of DR4 positive patients with Felty's syndrome and 53% of DR4 positive controls) and the class III MHC C4B null allele (50% of patients with Felty's syndrome and 20% of DR4 positive controls). DQw7 and the C4B null allele are in linkage disequilibrium and the B44-Bf *S-C4A*3-C4B*Q0-DR4-DQw7 haplotype accounts for five of 24 DR4 positive haplotypes assigned in subjects with Felty's syndrome. The results were not accounted for by articular disease severity and suggest that articular and extra-articular forms of rheumatoid disease may be immunogenetically heterogeneous.

Alleles

Cardiolipin antibodies and null alleles of C4 in black Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Twelve of 44 black American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (27%) studied during periods of disease activity had increased levels of IgG antibodies against cardiolipin (IgG aCL). IgG aCL occurred almost exclusively in patients who had a partial genetic deficiency of C4A or C4B. Eleven of 29 patients (38%) with a C4A or C4B deficiency allele had IgG aCL, compared with 1/15 patients (7%) who did not have C4A or C4B deficiency allele (p = 0.04). During periods when SLE was less active clinically, IgG aCL levels returned to normal in 10/12 patients. Active SLE, rather than null alleles, appeared to be associated with low C4 levels in patients with IgG aCL.

Adult

Characterization of two hybrid C4 allotypes (C4A*12 and C4B*3) by electrophoretic, serological and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses.

Informative pedigree analysis of two rare C4 allotypes is reported. One proband was C4A deficient as a consequence of having one haplotype with a deleted C4A gene, and the second haplotype with two C4B genes--one encoding the common C4B*1 and one encoding a unique hybrid gene product C4B*3. C4B*3 had approximately normal C4B hemolytic activity, a single alpha-chain of MR 94,000 by SDS-PAGE but was positive for Rg:1,2 by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and for Rg:1 by Western blotting. The hybrid nature was confirmed by RFLP analysis with a Rg:1-associated fragment by Eco0109 digestion but no C4A-associated fragments by N1aIV digestion were identified. A gene conversion at Locus I which included just the C4 isotype region could explain the structure of C4B*3. The second pedigree had a Rodgers negative C4A*12 allotype. This C4A gene, which segregated with a single 7.0 kb TaqI fragment, encoded a C4A alpha-chain, which was negative for Rg:1 epitope. The affected haplotype lacked the Rg:1-associated fragment by Eco0109 digestion yet had the C4A specific N1aIV digestion fragment. These studies successfully employed RFLP analyses to confirm serologic and electrophoretic observations.

Adolescent

Human C4 haplotypes with duplicated C4A or C4B.

In the course of study of families for the sixth chromosome markers HLA-A, C, B, D/DR, BF, and C2, the two loci for C4, C4A, and C4B, and glyoxalase I, we encountered five examples of probable duplication of one or the other of the two loci for C4. In one of these, both parents and one sib expressed two different structural genes for C4B, one sib expressed one, and one sib expressed none, suggesting that two C4B alleles were carried on a single haplotype: HLA-A2, B7, DR3, BFS1, C2C, C4A2, C4B1, C4B2, GLO1. In a second case, two siblings inherited C4B*1 and C4B*2 from one parent and C4B*Q0 from the other. This duplication appeared on the chromosome as HLA-AW33, B14, DR1, BFS, C2C, C4A2, C4B1, C4B2, GLO2. In a third, very large family with 3 generations, a duplication of the C4B locus occurred which was followed in 2 generations. In one individual, there were three C4B alleles and two C4A alleles. One of the C4B alleles had a hemolytically active product with electrophoretic mobility near C4B2 and was designated C4B*22. It segregated with C4B1 in the family studied. The complete haplotype was HLA-A11, CW1, BW56, DR5, BFS, C2C, C4A3, C4B22, C4B1, GLO2. In another family with 12 siblings, one parent and eight children expressed two C4A alleles on the haplotype HLA-AW30, BW38, DR1, BFF, C2C, C4A3, C4A2, C4BQ0, GLO1.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Chromosome Mapping

Antigenic determinants of human C4, Rodgers and Chido.

The duplicated genes, C4A and C4B, are located within the major histocompatibility complex on chromosome 6 and each exhibits a high degree of polymorphism expressed as both electrophoretic and antigenic variation (Rg/Ch). Eight high-frequency antigens and one low-frequency antigen have been defined by immune human polyspecific antisera in haemagglutination inhibition assays. Close association exists between different C4 allotypes and the antigens they express. Normally, C4A expresses Rg and C4B has Ch but rare reverse associations exist. Nucleotide sequences of the C4d region from C4 allotypes of known antigenic status have demonstrated four polymorphic sites that correlate with the antigens, which, in a structural model, are seen to be conformational or sequential epitopes. The observed interrelationships of the antigens on C4 allotypes accommodated by the model suggest that the electrophoretic variation is located outside the C4d region. The molecular genetics of C4 are also considered as part of the polymorphism.

Amino Acid Sequence

Quantitation of the human component C4: definition of C4 Q0 alleles and C4A duplications.

We determined the C4 plasma concentrations of 48 genotypically CA4- and C4B-defined unrelated individuals from 34 families with a total of 196 members by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using Rg:1,2 (C4A) and Ch:1 (C4B) specific monoclonal antibodies. The results obtained allowed the establishment of rules for the detection of C4 Q0 alleles in the heterozygous form and of C4A gene duplications. In the present study seven homoduplications of the C4A 3 allotype were defined which had not been detected by allotyping. This procedure allows the simple, reliable, and quick determination of Rg:1,2 and Ch:1 plasma levels which are not influenced by daily rhythms of C4 production.

Alleles