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The association of circulating endotoxin with the development of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Despite extensive investigation, the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains uncertain. As yet, there is no clear explanation of why some patients at risk for ARDS develop the syndrome, whereas others do not. Neutrophils and complement fragments have been implicated in the acute lung injury, but it is clear from published data that evidence of complement activation alone predicts neither the development nor the severity of ARDS. We investigated whether the combination of endotoxin, a leukocyte-priming agent, and complement fragments, leukocyte-stimulating agents, was associated with the development of ARDS. Ninety-eight patients were identified as being either at risk for the development of ARDS or having ARDS, and serial blood samples were obtained. There was no correlation between C5 fragments and the development of ARDS. C3 fragment levels were increased in 89% of the patients with ARDS, but they were also increased in 62% of patients at risk. Endotoxin was detected in 74% of the plasma samples obtained from patients at risk who subsequent developed ARDS and in 64% of the plasma samples obtained from the patients with ARDS. In contrast, only 22% of the plasma samples obtained from the patients at risk who did not develop ARDS had measurable endotoxin. We suggest that the combination of endotoxin and complement fragments may be one mechanism involved in the development of ARDS.

Adult

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum complement activity in pulmonary sarcoidosis.

In this work, using bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), we demonstrated the presence of complement within airways by assaying hemolytic activity of the whole classical pathway (CH50) and by measuring the complement component C2 (C2H50). Patients with sarcoidosis, patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and healthy control subjects were compared. No CH50 activity was found in BALF from healthy control subjects (n = 9), but some activity (mean, 20 CH50) was associated with IPF (n = 7). Complement activities ranged from 40 to 554 CH50 in patients with sarcoidosis (n = 27). During the treatment, complement activity decreased in BALF from the few patients in our series who received corticotherapy. C2 hemolytic activity was detected in BALF from the normal control group (in the absence of CH50 activity). In the sarcoidosis and IPF groups when CH50 was present, the variations in the C2/CH50 ratio were studied. The high ratio observed in BALF from patients with sarcoidosis and a chronic derangement of alveolar structure suggests either an increased C2 production or an alternative complement pathway (C2-independent) activation within their lungs.

Adult

Human lymphocyte complement receptors. Quantitative requirements for C3 of normal and chronic lymphocyte leukemia lymphocytes.

Erythrocytes coated with varying amounts of human complement were used to detect lymphocytes with complement receptors from normal subjects and patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The relationship between the percentage of lymphocytes rosetting and the quantity of C3 present on complement-coated erythrocytes were studied. Small quantities of C3 (less than 5 fg/erythrocyte) caused maximal rosetting of normal lymphocytes. Maximal rosetting with chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes was not reached until much greater amounts of C3 were used to coat the erythrocytes. This difference in sensitivity to erythrocyte-bound complement was not due to an increased fraction of complement receptor-bearing cells in the leukemic patients. This loss of sensitivity of the chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocyte for complement may play a role in the immune deficiency present in this disease.

Cell Membrane

Guinea pigs with inherited deficiencies of complement components C2 or C4 have characteristics of immune complex disease.

Guinea pigs genetically deficient in the second (C2) or fourth component of complement (C4) generally appear healthy in contrast to humans with a C2 or C4 deficiency. However, upon investigation of these genetic deficiencies in guinea pigs for signs of dysregulation in the humoral immune system and especially autoantibodies, many complement-deficient guinea pigs (greater than 50%) had elevated levels of serum IgM and higher concentrations of anti-hapten (dinitrophenyl) antibodies as signs of polyclonally stimulated antibody synthesis. In addition, a significant number of the complement-deficient animals, on average 30%, had IgM rheumatoid factors in their sera compared with less than 1% of the normal animals. These observations, therefore, indicate that guinea pigs, genetically deficient in C2 or C4, show characteristics of immune complex disease in general.

Aging

Pleural SC5b-9 in differential diagnosis of tuberculous, malignant, and other effusions.

A monoclonal antibody against soluble phase-terminal complement complex (SC5b-9) was used to try to differentiate pleural effusions of tuberculous vs malignant and other origin. Effusions of tuberculous origin showed a significantly higher SC5b-9 level than did plasma, suggesting activation of complement in the pleural space. All 26 patients with tuberculous effusions showed SC5b-9 levels in pleural fluid exceeding 2.0 mg/L, while 20 with malignant effusions had levels less than 2.0 mg/L. However, rheumatoid, some parapneumonic, and treated malignant effusions showed SC5b-9 levels above 2.0 mg/L. Considering a value exceeding 2.0 mg/L, the specificity and sensitivity of the SC5b-9 estimation in tuberculosis were 0.74 and 1.0, respectively. The mean values for C4d and Bb fragments of complement were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the tuberculous than in the malignant effusions. However, the values for Bb in 16 (62 percent) of the 26 patients with tuberculous or malignant effusions were in the same range. The activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA) was higher in the tuberculous than in the malignant effusions. While 18 of 26 patients with tuberculous effusions showed an ADA value exceeding 50 mU/ml, the estimated cutoff point (sensitivity = 0.69), 35 of the 36 nontuberculous effusions showed a true negative value (specificity = 0.97). A correlation between ADA and SC5b-9 values was observed in pleural effusions. These observations suggest that the estimation of SC5b-9 in pleural fluid presents a new approach to differentiating tuberculous vs malignant effusions.

Adenosine Deaminase

Complement fragment C4d and Bb levels in inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. SLE, atopic dermatitis, erythroderma and pustulosis palmaris et plantaris) for assessment of complement activation.

The complement is one of the major effector system in the process of inflammation. Complement activation has been shown to occur in inflammatory dermatoses such as systemic lupus erythematosus, atopic dermatitis, erythroderma of unknown origin, and pustulosis palmaris et plantaris by the elevated blood levels of complement fragments. To clarify the complement activation, especially the alternative pathway involvement, we have measured the concentrations of classical pathway-specific C4d and alternative pathway-derived Bb in the plasma of patients with these inflammatory disorders at a mild to exacerbated stage. Only the SLE plasma showed significantly elevated Bb levels. These results suggest that assessments of plasma C4d and Bb levels may be of value in monitoring the involvement of the complement system in patients with inflammatory dermatoses with significant complement activation.

Adult

Lymphocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, macrophages and platelets in synovium involved by rheumatoid arthritis. A study with monoclonal antibodies.

The inflammatory cell infiltrate involving synovial tissues from joints affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA)++ has been contrasted with that present in synovium removed from joints involved by previous trauma (T) or osteoarthritis (OA). Cell deployment has been mapped by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies which recognise epitopes characterising T and B cells, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, mononuclear phagocytes and platelets. Mononuclear phagocytes were the most consistent feature of the rheumatoid inflammatory cell exudate and were present, particularly in the synovial layer, in all OA/T samples. The synovial cells lacked the C3b complement receptor, CR1, but expressed CR3, the receptor for C3bi. In rheumatoid synovium, interdigitating cells were difficult to identify but cells of dendritic morphology bore at least one macrophage epitope. T cells far out-numbered B cells and generally lacked the IL-2 receptor which is an indicator of T cell activation. Care is required in the estimation of the T helper/inducer (TH) T suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts) ratio. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes were demonstrated around vessels and near the synovial intimal cell layer suggesting rapid tissue transit. Extravascular platelets were sparse. Follicular dendritic cells were defined by their central location in lymphoid follicles and strong expression of CR1 receptors. HLA-DR expression was widespread except on endothelial cells.

Aged

Antibody and complement-binding activity of viable and nonviable human spermatozoa.

Antibody and complement fixation by viable and nonviable spermatozoa were studied by means of immunofluorescence and a hemolytic assay (CH-50). Spermatozoa were incubated in sera from fertile male and female donors and in peritoneal fluid from fertile women undergoing laparoscopy. Nonviable spermatozoa were able to bind antibody or complement from sera and peritoneal fluid. There was no evidence of antibody or complement fixation by viable spermatozoa. The antibodies present in the serum that bind to spermatozoa belong to the IgG and IgM class; in peritoneal fluid, only IgG could be found. Complement fixation occurred via the classical (antibody-mediated) and alternative pathway. Viable spermatozoa possess antigenic properties different from nonviable spermatozoa. The lack of immunological reaction of women to viable spermatozoa and a possible mechanism for immunological infertility is considered.

Antibodies

The complement components of the major histocompatibility locus.

Polymorphism of complement components, recognized by differences in either their antigenic specificity or their electrophoretic mobility, together with studies of inherited deficiencies, has enabled many of their structural genes to be mapped. In humans, three genes (for C2, C4, and factor B) have been placed between HLA-D and HLA-B on chromosome 6 and in mice, C4 between H2-I and H2-D, chromosome 17. Structural studies show that these components have exceptional features. C2 and factor B which contain the proteolytic active site of the C3 and C5 convertases are of the classical and alternative pathway respectively and are similar in structure and function. Both are novel types of serine proteases. C4 (as C3) contains an intrachain thioester bond essential for hemolytic activity. Molecular genetic investigations are determining the relative positions of these genes, and their precise structure, and should clarify their relation to the inherited diseases which are associated with defects in this section of the human genome.

Amino Acid Sequence

Activation of the alternative complement pathway by Torulopsis glabrata.

Torulopsis glabrata is a yeast-like fungus with increasing importance as an opportunistic human pathogen. The role of serum complement in resistance to this infection was studied by chemotactic and opsonic assays. The results indicate that T. glabrata activates complement via the alternative pathway. This may be an important mechanism in host immunity to this fungus.

Candida

A phagocytosis-enhancing factor in human plasma.

A phagocytosis-enhancing factor (PEF) with the capacity to stimulate the ingestion of sensitized sheep erythrocytes by human polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leucocytes has been isolated from human plasma by chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and filtration on Sephadex G-150 and Sephadex G-100. PEF is a protein of approximately 70,000 molecular weight which is susceptible to inactivation by heating at 60 degrees or by tryptic digestion. PEF promotes phagocytosis of erythrocytes sensitized with intact 7S antibody or bearing the C3b complement fragment, but not of unsensitized erythrocytes or erythrocytes sensitized with 19S antibody. The specificity of PEF interaction with target erythrocytes and the persistence of its stimulatory effect after the target cells are washed suggest that it promotes phagocytosis by an action on the erythrocytes.

Antibodies

[Recent advances in xenotransplantation].

Interest in xenotransplantation has dramatically increased in the past 4 years, focusing on the potential use as donors of distantly related animals such as pigs (discordant xenografts). The major barrier is hyperacute rejection. The mechanisms responsible for this rejection include: specific reaction of the recipient's natural antibodies with antigens in the donor's organ, direct activation of the recipient's complement system by endothelial cells in the donor's organ, and/or relative failure of complement inhibitory proteins in the donor's organ to impede activation of the recipient's complement system. In case of vascularized xenograft, the temporary depletion of anti-donor antibodies (anti-ABH or anti-HLA class I) from a graft recipient may allow the long term survival of the graft despite a possible return of the antibodies to the circulation. This phenomenon is called accommodation. The mechanisms involved could be: the endothelial cells in a graft develop a resistance to complement mediated injury; the antigens expressed on the blood vessels become modulated or changed; the natural antibody repertoire changes in such a way that there are fewer anti-donor antibodies. The accommodation phenomenon encourages the view that the barrier to xenotransplantation is not immutable.

Complement C3b

Pattern of C3, iC3b, and C3d in patients hospitalized for acute asthma.

Twenty-three patients hospitalized for acute asthma were studied for a peripheral blood complement profile consisting of C3, C4, C3d, iC3b, C4d, and Bb concentrations. Compared with normals (n = 22) and patients (n = 10) with acute bacterial infections (ABI), asthmatic patients had significantly higher serum C3 concentrations (P less than .001). Plasma C3d levels and iC3b in asthmatic patients were both comparable to those observed in normal controls, whereas patients with ABI had significantly higher iC3b levels than both other groups. The ratio of iC3b to C3 concentrations were similar in asthmatic patients and controls, and iC3b levels were correlated with total serum C3 levels in asthmatic patients (r = .55, p less than .001) as well as in normal (r = .69, p less than .001). Both of these groups had significantly lower iC3b to C3 ratios compared with the ABI group (P less than .0001). Also observed in asthmatic patients were a significant correlation between serum C4 and C3 levels (r = .83, P less than .001) and a lower mean ratio of plasma C4d to C4 compared with normals (P less than .005). This profile of complement alterations is distinct from that observed in acute bacterial infection. These changes in asthmatic patients may relate to an acute phase reaction phenomenon affecting complement and/or complement regulatory proteins.

Acute Disease

The absence of factor B activation products in scleroderma.

Previous investigators have reported the presence of complement activation products in scleroderma. Using an assay consisting of isoelectric focussing followed by immunofixation (IEF/IF) for alternative pathway activation product Ba, and an ELISA for C3d that we developed for evaluating lupus plasmas, we assayed 48 plasmas from patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma, 16 patients with the limited CREST variant, 2 patients with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and 4 patients with Raynaud's disease. Ba was not detected in any patient's plasma. Only one plasma from a patient with CREST contained elevated levels of C3d. We cannot reconcile the absence of B activation products in our patients with scleroderma with the results of the previous report, and conclude that further studies are necessary.

Adult