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C1 subcomponent complexes and C2 cleavage in active systemic lupus erythematosus.

We studied the activation and C1 inactivator-dependent dissociation of the first component of complement, the C1q(C1r-C1s)2 complex, in relation to recruitment of the classical activation pathway in the circulation of 24 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patients were divided into three groups on a clinical basis, and were investigated during flares of disease activity. Group I had mild symptoms, group II major extrarenal manifestations, and group III manifest renal disease. High serum concentrations of trimer complexes containing C1 inactivator, activated C1r and zymogen C1s(C1 IA-C1r-C1s) were found in the majority of the patients. Some patients with high C1 IA-C1r-C1s concentrations showed no evidence of classical pathway activation, indicating that C1 activation was controlled by the action of C1 IA at the C1r level. By contrast, formation in serum of tetramer complexes in which C1 IA was firmly bound to both C1r and C1s (C1 IA-C1r-C1s-C1 IA) was associated with C2 and C3 cleavage in EDTA plasma, and with manifest hypocomplementemia. Low C1 IA-C1r-C1s-C1 IA values were observed in conjunction with substantial C2 cleavage in a few patients. Thus, C1 IA-C1r-C1s-C1 IA may not always be a sensitive indicator of classical pathway activation. Efficient recruitment of the classical pathway was related to disease severity, with some overlap between the clinical groups. In conclusion, C1 dissociation with formation of C1 IA-containing complexes was consistently found in patients with active SLE. The results suggested that C1 IA-dependent control of C1 activation was of biological significance in the disease.

Adolescent↗

Expression of the complement classical pathway by human glioma in culture. A model for complement expression by nerve cells.

In this paper we demonstrate the synthesis of the components of the classical complement pathway, namely C1q, C1r, C1s, C1-Inh, C2, C4, and C5, by human glioma cell lines (U118MG, T193, and T98G). All these components were structurally, antigenically, and functionally similar to their serum counterparts as determined by biosynthetic labeling experiments, Western blot analysis, and hemolytic assays. Northern blot analysis of mRNA demonstrated that, for each of these components, their specific mRNA had the same size as the equivalent mRNA from hepatic tissue. We could not detect the synthesis of C4bp by these cell lines, and the secretion of C1q was only detected after stimulation by interferon-gamma. All these syntheses were up-regulated by interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor. Interleukin-1 beta only increased C2 expression and reproducibly down-regulated C5 secretion when used at high doses. Glioma cell lines appear to be an efficient and convenient model for the analysis of complement expression in human astrocytic cells.

Astrocytes↗

C4-binding protein prevents spontaneous cleavage of C3 in sera of patients with hereditary angioedema.

We have studied the effects of polyclonal monospecific Fab' preparations against C1r, C1s, C1INH, C4, C4bp, and fragment Bb of factor B on complement activation in NHS and HAES. Furthermore, we have investigated complement activation in these sera after addition of purified C1s and purified C4bp. Blocking C1INH induced a spontaneous activation of the classical pathway in NHS and to a lesser extent in HAES. Addition of p-C1s resulted in a strong C3 conversion in NHS, but not in HAES. However, after the blocking of C4bp in HAES, addition of p-C1s produced a total C3 consumption. The ration of the protein concentration of C4bp to hemolytically active C4 was eight times higher in HAES than in NHS. This increased ratio may account for the resistance of HAES to the C1s induced C3 cleavage in our in vitro system and the stability of C3 in HAE despite C4 and C2 consumption in vivo.

Angioedema↗

The human gene for mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2), the effector component of the lectin route of complement activation, is part of a tightly linked gene cluster on chromosome 1p36.2-3.

The proteases of the lectin pathway of complement activation, MASP-1 and MASP-2, are encoded by two separate genes. The MASP1 gene is located on chromosome 3q27, the MASP2 gene on chromosome 1p36.23-31. The genes for the classical complement activation pathway proteases, C1r and C1s, are linked on chromosome 12p13. We have shown that the MASP2 gene encodes two gene products, the 76 kDa MASP-2 serine protease and a plasma protein of 19 kDa, termed MAp19 or sMAP. Both gene products are components of the lectin pathway activation complex. We present the complete primary structure of the human MASP2 gene and the tight cluster that this locus forms with non-complement genes. A comparison of the MASP2 gene with the previously characterised C1s gene revealed identical positions of introns separating orthologous coding sequences, underlining the hypothesis that the C1s and MASP2 genes arose by exon shuffling from one ancestral gene.

Base Sequence↗

Substituted isocoumarins as inhibitors of complement serine proteases.

Inhibition of complement proteins D, B, C2, C1s, C1r, I, and the catalytic fragments Bb and C2a by substituted isocoumarins was investigated. 3,4-Dichloroisocoumarin, a general serine protease inhibitor, inhibited factor D, C1r, and C1s moderately with second-order inhibition constants (kobs/[I]) of 40 to 190 M-1 s-1, but it did not inhibit C2, factor B, C2a, or Bb. The best inhibitor for factors D and B was 4-chloro-7-guanidino-3-methoxyisocoumarin with kobs/[I] values of 250 and 290 M-1 s-1, respectively. Most isocoumarins did not inhibit C2 or C2a; only 4-chloro-3-isothiureidoalkoxyisocoumarins were slightly inhibitory. 3-Alkoxy-4-chloro-7-guanidinoisocoumarins inhibited C1r and C1s moderately. The best inhibitor for C1r and C1s was 4-chloro-3-(3-isothiureidopropoxy)isocoumarin with kobs/[I] values of 6,600 and 130,000 M-1 s-1, respectively. Fifty amino acid or peptide thioesters containing Arg or other amino acids at the P1 site were tested as substrates of factor I, however none was hydrolyzed. Isocoumarins substituted with chloro and basic groups such as guanidino and isothiureidoalkoxy inhibited factor I activity with its natural substrate C3b, but kobs/[I] values were low. 4-Chloro-3-ethoxy-7-guanidinoisocoumarin inhibited activation of the alternative pathway and, to a lesser extent, of the classical pathway in serum. Several other substituted isocoumarins also inhibited cobra venom factor-initiated activation of the alternative pathway in serum.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Clr and Cls subcomponents of human complement: two serine proteinases lacking the 'histidine-loop' disulphide bridge.

The N-terminal amino acid sequence of human C1s b chain has been extended to 52 residues. The histidine residue involved in the charge-relay system is located at position 38, whereas the histidine-loop disulphide bridge is missing. So far, human complement sub-components C1r and C1s are the only known mammalian serine proteinases lacking this disulphide bridge.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Regulation of the function of the first component of complement by human C1q receptor.

A membrane-associated receptor for the C1q subcomponent of complement is widely distributed among different cell types. While a number of possible physiological functions of the C1q receptor (C1qR) on different cell types have been described, the way in which C1qR regulates complement activity remains unclear. This report describes the mechanism by which C1qR regulates activation of the first component of complement, C1. Using purified components of complement, we were able to show that membrane-associated C1qR as well as detergent-solubilized C1qR, purified from polymorphonuclear leukocytes, human umbilical vein endothelial cells or an endothelial cell line, EA.hy 926, are able to inhibit complement-mediated lysis of C1q-sensitized erythrocytes. Using hemolytic assays, we were able to demonstrate that C1qR prevents the association of C1q with C1r and C1s to form macromolecular C1. In addition, incubation of C1qR with the collagen-like stalks, but not with the globular heads of C1q, inhibits the effect of C1qR. This demonstrates that C1qR exerts its complement inhibitory effect by binding to the collagen-like stalk of C1q. No complement regulatory effect of C1qR was observed on preformed macromolecular C1. These data suggest that besides such-well-known complement regulatory molecules as CD55 (DAF), CD46 (MCP), CD35 (CR1) and CD59 (HRF), C1qR too is able to regulate complement activity.

Carrier Proteins↗

A novel murine complement-related gene encoding a C1r-like serum protein.

C1r and C1s are highly specific serine proteases that initiate the classical pathway of complement activation. We recently demonstrated that, in the mouse, the genes encoding these proteins are duplicated. Analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the murine C1rA gene, the homologue of human C1r, revealed the presence of a novel gene encoding a C1r-like protein (c1r-LP). Although this gene carries a large deletion, it shows an overall structure similar to that of c1rA, suggesting that it may have arisen from a duplication of the C1r gene. The c1r-LP gene is expressed primarily in the liver, and is not regulated by lipopolysaccharide. The open reading frame of full-length cDNA clones encodes a pre-protein with a calculated molecular mass of 50.6 kDa which, except for an internal deletion of several modules, has a modular organization similar to that of C1r and shows 51% overall amino acid identity to corresponding regions of C1rA. Western blot analysis demonstrates the presence of C1r-LP in mouse serum. The serine protease domain of C1r-LP displays 60% amino acid residue identity to that of C1rA, however, certain atypical features of the active center, and primarily the absence of the activation/cleavage site, suggest that C1r-LP is either an atypical enzyme, or it lacks proteolytic activity, perhaps serving a regulatory function in the classical pathway.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The biological functions of MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs).

The Mannose-binding lectin-associated serine proteases (MASPs) have been the subject of intensive research particularly over the past 10 years. First one, then two, and currently 3 MASPs have been characterized. Initially it was thought likely that the MBL + MASPs system would resemble very closely the C1 complex of the complement classical pathway, and that MASP1 and MASP2 would have similar activities to their classical pathway homologues C1r and C1s. MASP2 does certainly have similar activities to C1s, but MASP1 does not have the activities of either C1r or C1s. MASP1 has been thought to act on the complement system by cleaving C3 directly, but work with recombinant and purified native MASP1 shows that direct C3 cleavage by this protease is very slow, and may not be biologically significant. MASP1 and MASP2 appear not to have such a narrow specificity as C1r and C1s, and may have significant substrates other than complement proteins. As an example, MASP1 does cleave fibrinogen, releasing fibrinopeptide B (a chemotactic factor) and also cleaves and activates plasma transglutaminase (Factor XIII). These reactions are also relevant to defence against microorganisms, and may represent a biologically significant action of MASP1.

Animals↗

A second serine protease associated with mannan-binding lectin that activates complement.

The complement system comprises a complex array of enzymes and non-enzymatic proteins that is essential for the operation of the innate as well as the adaptive immune defence. The complement system can be activated in three ways: by the classical pathway which is initiated by antibody-antigen complexes, by the alternative pathway initiated by certain structures on microbial surfaces, and by an antibody-independent pathway that is initiated by the binding of mannan-binding lectin (MBL; first described as mannan-binding protein) to carbohydrates. MBL is structurally related to the complement C1 subcomponent, C1q, and seems to activate the complement system through an associated serine protease known as MASP (ref. 4) or p100 (ref. 5), which is similar to C1r and C1s of the classical pathway. MBL binds to specific carbohydrate structures found on the surface of a range of microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, parasitic protozoa and viruses, and exhibits antibacterial activity through killing mediated by the terminal, lytic complement components or by promoting phagocytosis. The level of MBL in plasma is genetically determined, and deficiency is associated with frequent infections in childhood, and possibly also in adults (for review, see ref. 6). We have now identified a new MBL-associated serine protease (MASP-2) which shows a striking homology with the previously reported MASP (MASP-1) and the two C1q-associated serine proteases C1r and C1s. Thus complement activation through MBL, like the classical pathway, involves two serine proteases and may antedate the development of the specific immune system of vertebrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a serpin-enzyme complex receptor on human hepatoma cells and human monocytes.

Formation of the covalently stabilized complex of alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) with neutrophil elastase, the archetype of serine proteinase inhibitor serpin-enzyme complexes, is associated with structural rearrangement of the alpha 1-AT molecule and hydrolysis of a reactive-site peptide bond. An approximately 4-kDa carboxyl-terminal cleavage fragment is generated. alpha 1-AT-elastase complexes are biologically active, possessing chemotactic activity and mediating increases in expression of the alpha 1-AT gene in human monocytes and macrophages. This suggested that structural rearrangement of the alpha 1-AT molecule, during formation of a complex with elastase, exposes a domain that is recognized by a specific cell surface receptor or receptors. To test this hypothesis, the known three-dimensional structure of alpha 1-AT and comparisons of the primary structures of the serpins were used to select a potentially exteriorly exposed and highly conserved region in the complexed form of alpha 1-AT as a candidate ligand (carboxyl-terminal fragment, amino acids 359-374). We show here that synthetic peptides based on the sequence of this region bind specifically and saturably to human hepatoma cells and human monocytes (Kd = 4.0 X 10(-8) M, 4.5 X 10(5) plasma membrane receptors per cell) and mediate increases in synthesis of alpha 1-AT. Binding of peptide 105Y (Ser-Ile-Pro-Pro-Glu-Val-Lys-Phe-Asn-Lys-Pro-Phe-Val-Tyr-Leu-Ile) is blocked by alpha 1-AT-elastase complexes, antithrombin III (AT III)-thrombin complexes, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (alpha 1-ACT)-cathepsin G complexes, and, to a lesser extent, complement component C1 inhibitor-C1s complexes, but not by the corresponding native proteins. Binding of peptide 105Y is also blocked by peptides with sequence corresponding to carboxy-terminal fragments of the serpins AT III and alpha 1-ACT, but not by peptides having the sequence of the extreme amino terminus of alpha 1-AT. The results also show that peptide 105Y inhibits binding of 125I-labeled alpha 1-AT-elastase complexes. Thus, these studies demonstrate an abundant, relatively high-affinity cell surface receptor which recognizes serpin-enzyme complexes (SEC receptor). This receptor is capable of modulating the production of at least one of the serpins, alpha 1-AT. Since the ligand specificity is similar to that previously described for in vivo clearance of serpin-enzyme complexes, the SEC receptor may also be involved in the clearance of certain serpin-enzyme complexes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Spontaneous activation of the first component of human complement (C1) by an intramolecular autocatalytic mechanism.

For biochemical characterization, the first component of human complement (C1) was reconstituted from physiologic concentrations of purified C1q, 125I C1r, and 131I C1s. Upon incubation at 37 degrees C, C1 spontaneously activated, as evidenced by the characteristic proteolysis of the C1r and C1s polypeptide chains as detected by SDS-PAGE analysis. This spontaneous C1 activation followed first-order kinetics (t 1/2 = 4 min and k = 0.173 min-1) with an activation energy of 19.1 kcal/mol. Spontaneous C1 activation was unaffected by the general protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) but reversibly blocked by a known inhibitor of C1 activation, nitrophenylguanidinobenzoate (NPGB). Spontaneous C1 activation was measured at C1 concentrations ranging from 9 to 160 nM (i.e., 0.05 to 1.0 times physiologic concentrations). The data indicate that C1 spontaneously activates by an intramolecular autocatalytic mechanism, for first-order kinetics were observed over the entire concentration range with t 1/2 = 4 min at each concentration. However, the percentage of activable C1 decreased with dilution due to C1 dissociation (i.e., C1qr2s2 leads to C1q + C1r2s2). The observed concentration of C1 that spontaneously activated at each dilution equalled the concentration of C1 present as macromolecular C1. When reconstituted C1 was mixed with normal human serum (NHS) and then incubated at 37 degrees C, spontaneous C1 activation was completely inhibited. Pretreating NHS at 56 degrees C for 30 min destroyed its inhibitory activity. In conclusion, C1 spontaneously autoactivates at 37 degrees C by an intramolecular mechanism. This activation is suppressed in NHS.

Benzoates↗

Nature of the metal ion requirement for assembly and function of the first component of human complement.

The first component of human complement (C1) was reconstituted from equimolar concentrations of its purified subunits C1q, C1r, and C1s, in the presence of each of nine different metal ions for the purpose of studying the qualitative and quantitative nature of the metal ion requirement for C1 assembly and function. For C1 reconstituted with each metal ion, three assays characteristic of C1 were performed as follows: (1) spontaneous C1 activation in the absence of the regulatory protein C1-inhibitor was assessed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis by simultaneously quantifying the specific proteolysis of the C1r and C1s subunits; (2) C1 activation induced by aggregated IgG in the presence of C1 inhibitor was similarly analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis; and (3) formation of 16 S macromolecular C1 was determined in the analytical ultracentrifuge. For all experiments, trace metal contaminants were removed from buffers and proteins. All divalent cations tested from the first transition period of the periodic table (i.e. Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+) effectively mediated the formation of functional macromolecular C1. Dose curves showed maximal C1 assembly and activation at ion concentrations of 30 to 50 microM for each of the above metal ions. However, when ion concentrations were increased above 50 microM, C1 assembly and activation became inhibited. The further to the right in the periodic table, the better inhibitor was the metal ion. Competition experiments indicated that the ion binding sites mediating inhibition are distinct from those promoting activation. Other metal ions that also effectively mediated C1 assembly and function were Cd2+ and Tb3+; however, Mg2+ and Ba2+ were ineffective. All metal ions that mediated C1 assembly and activation also promoted C2 consumption by C1 in normal human serum treated with aggregated IgG. In conclusion, the assembly and function of C1 can be mediated by numerous metal ions. In direct opposition to accepted theory, there is no specific requirement for calcium.

Calcium↗

SLE like syndrome and functional deficiency of C1q in members of a large family.

Two sisters and a brother from one family are described whose sera were deficient in haemolytic complement function. This defect was restored by addition of purified C1q. In their sera, C1q like material was found, whereas C1r and C1s were normal or increased in concentration, as were the other complement components tested. All three had suffered from glomerulonephritis during childhood. A renal biopsy in the brother recently disclosed a membranous glomerulopathy stage 1; otherwise, he is apparently healthy. In both sisters, a systemic lupus erythematosus like disease became manifest at the age of 20 and 23, respectively, resulting in the death of one of them. In the serum of these three family members, the C1q like material was antigenically deficient compared with normal C1q and had, on sucrose gradient analysis, a molecular weight of approximately 65,000 daltons. It did not bind to C1r and C1s. Binding of the dysfunctional C1q to aggregated human gammaglobulin could be demonstrated. On double immunodiffusion analysis, the abnormal C1q was identical with reduced and alkylated C1q. The possible structure of the abnormal C1q molecule is discussed.

Adult↗

Inhibitory effects of newly synthesized active center-directed trypsin-like serine protease inhibitors on the complement system.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain a synthetic anti-complement inhibitor which has stronger activity than FUT-175 (nafamostat mesilate), as a synthetic ester derivative containing amidino and guanidino groups. METHODS: We synthesized several modified compounds of FUT-175. The anti-complement activities were measured using synthetic substrates and complement-mediated hemolysis in vitro. The anti-complement activity in vivo was evaluated via Forssman systemic shock in guinea pigs. RESULTS: FUT-175 inhibited C1r and C1s with IC50s of 1.7x10(-6) and 3.2x10(-7) M, respectively. Inhibitory activities were decreased by substitution of the amidino group with a hydrogen atom (compound 2), but not the guanidino group with a hydrogen atom (compound 3). Compound 6, in which the benzene ring of compound 3 was substituted with a furan ring, inhibited C1r and the complement-mediated hemolysis in high-diluted serum with higher potency than FUT-175. The inhibitory activity of compound 6 in hemolysis was weakened in low diluted serum. Compound 7 had a guanidino group inserted into compound 6; however, Compound 7 strongly inhibited hemolysis even in low-diluted serum, and suppressed Forssman systemic shock more potently than both FUT-175 and compound 6. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the 2-furylcarboxylic acid derivatives have a strong potential for inhibiting the activities of the complement, and the guanidino group was required to retain high inhibitory activities in vivo, and compound 7 is a hopeful anti-complement agent.

Animals↗

Complement activation in Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

The pathogenetic mechanism underlying Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is poorly understood. Complement activation has been thought to have a role, but despite the demonstration of complement components in skin and renal biopsy material, serological evidence of complement activation is not convincing. We have assessed complement activation in 64 children with acute HSP. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure plasma levels of three multimolecular complement activation protein (CAP) complexes: C1r:C1s:C1-inhibitor, C3bP and C5b-9. We found no significant difference between the levels of CAPs in children with acute HSP and a control group of children. This study does not support a role for complement activation in the pathogenesis of HSP.

Adolescent↗

A calcium-binding monoclonal antibody that recognizes a non-calcium-binding epitope in the short consensus repeat units (SCRs) of complement C1r.

C1r is a Ca(2+)-binding serine protease that interacts with two other plasma proteins, C1q and C1s, to form C1, the first component of the complement cascade. A monoclonal antibody, BG6, has been produced which binds to C1r only in the presence of Ca2+, requiring 3-5 microM Ca2+ for half-maximal binding. The antibody reacts with native and heat-denatured C1r, and with zymogen C1r, but does not cross-react with C1s or C1q. BG6 did not significantly affect the esterolytic activity of C1r toward a synthetic thioester substrate nor the hemolytic activity of C1 reconstituted from subcomponents in the presence of the antibody. A tryptic fragment of C1r which consists of the C-terminal gamma region of the A chain disulfide-linked to the B chain (gamma B) binds in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner to BG6-Sepharose. Western blotting experiments have further localized the epitope to the gamma region of the A chain, which is composed of two short consensus repeat (SCR) units. The N-terminal alpha region contains the only previously determined Ca(2+)-binding site in the C1r molecule. Equilibrium dialysis experiments confirmed that C1r-gamma B does not bind Ca2+, and showed that antibody BG6 and the gamma B/BG6 complex do bind Ca2+. Thus, the Ca(2+)-dependent nature of this interaction is due exclusively to binding of the metal ion to the antibody. Equilibrium dialysis and immunoblotting have further localized the Ca(2+)-binding site to the Fab fragment of BG6, indicating that the metal-induced conformational change residues in or near the variable region of the IgG. BG6 may set a precedent for the preparation of Ca(2+)-dependent antibodies to non-Ca(2+)-binding epitopes in other proteins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Acute anaphylaxis associated with serum complement depletion.

A 45-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis developed anaphylaxis 6 min after receiving a subcutaneous injection of lidocaine, followed by an intra-articular injection of lidocaine mixed with methprednisolone acetate. One hour after the onset of anaphylaxis, serum complement component levels were markedly depressed and remained so far 18 hr. Circulating immune complexes and antibodies to lidocaine could not be demonstrated. Neither lidocaine nor methylprednisolone acetate activated the patient's complement system in vitro. Subsequently, total hemolytic activity (CH50) levels were variable, complement component protein concentrations of C1q, C1s, C4, C2, C3, C5, C6, C9, and Factor B were normal, but hemolytic activity of C4 and C2 was diminished. Serum C1 inhibitor concentrations were normal or slightly depressed. The patient has never had any symptoms suggestive of angiodema. It is postulated that the endogenous complement abnormality present in this patient may have contributed to the anaphylactic reaction.

Anaphylaxis↗