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Thromboxane B2 synthesis in human platelets induced by the late complement components C5b-9.

Sublytic doses of purified C5b6, C7, C8 and C9 induce the release of thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in human platelets. In the present study, we attempted to analyze the signal by which C5b-9 triggers the prostanoid synthesis in platelets. TXB2 release was accompanied by liberation of Ca++ from intracellular stores. Influx of Ca++ was not observed, indicating that C5b-9 did not form a channel large enough to permit passage of Ca++ ions. Therefore, channel formation is apparently not required for cell stimulation.

Arachidonic Acid↗

Molecular cloning of the cDNA coding for properdin, a positive regulator of the alternative pathway of human complement.

Northern blot analysis indicated that the mRNA for human properdin is approximately 1.5 kb long and that its level in U-937 cells is increased by pretreating the cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Using a human genomic probe clones coding for human properdin were isolated from a lambda gt10 cDNA library derived from PMA-treated U-937 cells. The sequence of the 1474-bp cDNA insert of the longest clone revealed an open reading fram of 1326 bp coding for the entire 442 amino acids of the mature form of human properdin and 67 bp coding for 22 amino acids of typical, but incomplete leader sequence. Polymerase chain reaction "RACE" experiments identified the start site ATG and revealed the complete, 27-amino acid-long, leader peptide sequence. Within the 81-bp 3' non-translated extension a polyadenylation signal was identified 41 bp downstream from the stop codon, TAA, and 12 bp upstream of a 19 nucleotide long poly(A) tail. The amino acid sequence of human properdin is clearly divided into three distinct regions: a 49 residue-long N-terminal region, a 32 residue-long C-terminal region and a middle region, covering residues 50 to 411, composed of six tandemly repeated thrombospondin repeat (TSR) motifs of the type first described in the adhesive glycoprotein thrombospondin and also known to be present in the C6, C7, C8 alpha, C8 beta and C9 terminal components of complement. Human and mouse properdin sequences show a high (approximately 76%) degree of identity with almost complete conservation of the relatively large number of Cys (44) and Trp (20) residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hereditary C3 hypocomplementemia in the rabbit.

Hereditary hypocomplementemia of the third component of complement (C3) was found in a strain of rabbits in which hereditary C8 alpha-gamma deficiency was also found. The serum C3 concentration, haemolytic C3 activity and total complement haemolytic activity (CH50) of these animals were, respectively, 6-12%, 8-13% and 27-37% of the normal levels. The haemolytic complement activity in the C3 hypocomplementemic (C3-hypo) rabbit serum was restored in a dose-dependent manner by the addition of purified rabbit C3. The levels of factor H and properdin and components C2 and C6 were in the normal range, and the levels of factors B and D and component C8 were higher than normal. The low level of serum C3 in C3-hypo rabbits was not due to C3 conversion, partial C3 antigenicity, presence of a C3 inhibitor or hypercatabolism of normal C3. Furthermore, no change in the ratio of C3 protein levels was observed between C3-hypo and normal rabbits, even after turpentine injection. In addition, the C8 alpha-gamma deficiency condition does not affect C3 activity and C3 catabolism in vivo. Mating tests showed that the C3 hypocomplementemia is transmitted as a simple autosomal co-dominant trait. C3-hypo rabbits have a lower survival at 3 months than normal rabbits. C3-hypo rabbit serum also has a lower bactericidal activity than normal rabbit serum. The PAGE under reducing conditions showed no difference in the molecular weights of C3 alpha and C3 beta chains between C3-hypo, heterozygous and normal animals.

Aging↗

Quantification of the terminal complement complex in human plasma by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on monoclonal antibodies against a neoantigen of the complex.

The fluid-phase terminal complement complex (TCC), consisting of the components C5b, C6, C7, C8, C9, and the S-protein, has recently been detected in normal human plasma by using antibodies against native terminal complement components. Increased amounts of TCC were then found in several patients with in vivo activation of complement. We now describe a sensitive, specific, and reliable enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for quantification of the TCC, based on monoclonal antibodies against a neoantigen of the complex. The results indicate that the TCC is present in normal human plasma and in increased amounts in patients with complement activation in vivo, thus confirming previously obtained results. The assay is easy to perform and can be used for examination of large numbers of plasma samples.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

C5b-9 terminal complement complex protects oligodendrocytes from death by regulating Bad through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway.

Apoptosis of oligodendrocytes is induced by serum growth factor deprivation. We showed that oligodendrocytes and progenitor cells respond to serum withdrawal by a rapid decline of Bcl-2 mRNA expression and caspase-3-dependent apoptotic death. Sublytic assembly of membrane-inserted terminal complement complexes consisting of C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9 proteins (C5b-9) inhibits caspase-3 activation and apoptotic death of oligodendrocytes. In this study, we examined an involvement of the mitochondria in oligodendrocyte apoptosis and the role of C5b-9 on this process. Decreased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and Akt activities occurred in association with cytochrome c release and caspase-9 activation when cells were placed in defined medium. C5b-9 inhibited the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in oligodendrocytes, as shown by decreased cytochrome c release and inhibition of caspase-9 activation. Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase and Akt activities were also induced by C5b-9, and the phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase inhibitor LY294002 reversed the protective effect of C5b-9. Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate kinase activity was also responsible for the phosphorylation of Bad at Ser112 and Ser136. This phosphorylation resulted in dissociation of Bad from the Bad/Bcl-xL complex in a G(i)alpha-dependent manner. The mitochondrial pathway of oligodendrocyte apoptosis is, therefore, inhibited by C5b-9 through post-translational regulation of Bad. This mechanism may be involved in the promotion of oligodendrocyte survival in inflammatory demyelinating disorders affecting the CNS.

Animals↗

Expression of complement messenger RNAs and proteins by human oligodendroglial cells.

Neurons, astrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells are capable of synthesizing most, if not all, of the complement proteins. Little is known, however, about the capacity of oligodendroglial cells to generate complement components. This study evaluated expression of complement mRNAs and their protein products by human oligodendrocytes. Cells were isolated and cultured from white matter of seven adult cases that had undergone surgical temporal lobe resection for epilepsy. Oligodendroglial cultures were characterized by the expression of such cell type-specific mRNAs as myelin proteolipid protein (PLP), oligodendrocyte-specific protein (OSP), and 2',3'-cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and were further characterized by immunostaining for such differentiation markers as myelin basic protein (MBP), PLP, CNPase, and O4. RT-PCR analysis showed that the oligodendroglial cells expressed detectable levels of complement mRNAs for the C1q B-chain, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 gamma subunit, and C9. Immunostaining was positive for C1q, C1s, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9. Double immunostaining for the oligodendrocyte marker O4 and the complement protein C3 demonstrated that all O4-positive cells were also positive for C3, indicating constitutive C3 expression. These results indicate that oligodendroglial cells may be a source of complement proteins in human brain and thus could contribute to the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases of the CNS, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and progressive supranuclear palsy, where complement-activated oligodendrocytes are abundant.

Adult↗

Assembly of complement components C5b-8 and C5b-9 on lipid bilayer membranes: visualization by freeze-etch electron microscopy.

We have visualized by freeze-etch electron microscopy the macromolecular complexes of complement, C5b-8 and C5b-9, respectively, assembled on synthetic phospholipid bilayers. These complexes were formed sequentially by using purified human complement components C5b-6 followed by C7, C8, and C9. Complexes of C5b-8 were observed on the external surface (ES) of vesicles as 12-nm particles that tended to form polydisperse aggregates. The aggregates were sometimes of a regular chainlike structure containing varying numbers of paired subunits. Etching of vesicles containing C5b-9 complexes revealed on the ES large rings of approximately 27-nm outer diameter. One or two knobs usually were attached to the perimeter of the rings. Splitting of the membrane resulted in partitioning of the C5b-9 with the outer leaflet. Thus, round holes of approximately 17-nm diameter were present in the protoplasmic face (PF), and raised circular stumps of a matching size were present on the exoplasmic face (EF) of C5b-9 vesicles. C5b-9 complexes were frequently localized in regions of the lowest lipid order. That is, in micrographs of the EF and ES, single C5b-9 complexes were located where the ripples of the P beta' phase bend or reach a dead end, and linear arrays of C5b-9 complexes outlined disclination-like structures in the lattice; the holes in the PF mirrored this distribution. The membrane immediately surrounding C5b-9 rings was often sunk inwardly over an area much larger than that of the ring itself.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Human monocyte spreading induced by activated factor B of the complement alternative pathway: differential effects of Fab' and F(ab')2 antibody fragments directed to C5, C6, and C7.

Human peripheral blood mononuclear phagocytes are induced by activated Factor B (Bb) of the complement alternative pathway to undergo morphological shape changes in vitro which have been described as "spreading." The spreading reaction induced by Bb has previously been shown to depend upon the enzymatic activity of Bb and to be inhibited by Fab' antibody fragments directed to C5 (but not anti-C3 Fab'). The possibility that Bb may exert its effect on monocytes by initiating assembly of terminal complement complexes comprised of C5b, 6, 7, C5b-8, or C5b-9 was addressed in the present study. The effects were tested of Fab' and F(ab')2 antibody fragments directed to C5, C6, C7, and C8 and to neoantigens expressed in the assembling terminal complement complexes on the monocyte spreading reaction induced by Bb. Differential effects of monovalent Fab' and divalent F(ab')2 antibody fragments were observed. Anti-C5, C6, and C7 Fab' were found to inhibit the spreading reaction induced by Bb in an immunologically specific manner. Divalent F(ab')2 fragments directed to these same proteins (but not to C3, C4, C8, or C9) induced monocyte spreading in the complete absence of Bb or other recognized inducing agents. Monocyte spreading induced by hybridoma immunoglobulin (Ig) directed to C5 and C7 was found to be correlated with the binding of 10(6) molecules Ig per cell. These findings support the notion that C5, C6, and C7 (or an analogous system of cellular proteins) are associated with the surface of human peripheral blood monocytes and that these proteins may play a role in certain reactions by which mononuclear phagocytes are induced to altered states of cellular physiology.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Fulminant meningococcemia in a child with hereditary deficiency of the seventh component of complement and proteinuria.

A previously healthy 14-year-old boy presented with fulminant meningococcemia. He was found to have a total deficiency of C7. His serum totally lacked bactericidal activity against Neisseria meningitidis. Addition of purified C7 restored the serum hemolytic and bactericidal activity. Susceptibility to disseminated Neisseria infections has previously been reported in 3 patients with C7 deficiency, as well as in a few patients with deficiency of C5, C6 and C8. These findings emphasize the importance of intact complement mediated bactericidal activity in host defense against disseminated Neisseria infections. Evaluation of the complement system in individuals with Neisseria infections appears mandatory.

Adolescent↗

Human seminal plasma inhibition of antibody complement-mediated killing and opsonization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other gram-negative organisms.

Seminal plasma diluted 1:5-1:1,000 gave marked inhibition of serum antibody complement-mediated bactericidal and opsonic effects against Neisseria gonorrhoeae and other gram-negative organisms. Serum that was bactericidal at a dilution of 1:5,120 was not bactericidal at a dilution of 1:10 when seminal plasma was added. Bactericidal action of immune human or rabbit sera, or purified immunoglobulin (Ig)G or IgM plus complement for six strains of N. gonorrhoeae, serogroups A, B, C, and Y of Neisseria meningitidis, Escherichia coli and other gram-negative rods was inhibited by seminal plasma. Using C8- or C7-deficient sera as antibody and complement sources, opsonization, phagocytosis, and killing of N. gonorrhoeae and E. coli 014-K7 were inhibited by seminal plasma. Opsonization, phagocytosis, and killing of Staphylococcus aureus 502A was not inhibited. For the gram-negative organisms, the early phase of the opsonization process, probably complement activation, appeared to be inhibited rather than the ingestion or polymorphonuclear leukocyte killing steps; addition of seminal plasma yielded a significant reduction in the percentage of polymorphonuclear cells with associated bacteria. Seminal plasma did not prevent attachment of IgG, IgM, or IgA antibodies to gonococci. It reduced serum hemolytic whole complement activity by 25%. The seminal plasma inhibitor was of low molecular weight and was stable at 56 degrees C for 30 min, but inhibitory activity was lost after heating to 100 degrees C for 10 min. It is likely that the inhibitory factor(s) is a low-molecular weight protease or protease inhibitor. Seminal plasma probably has an important role in inhibition of complement and antibody functions in the genital tract. It may enhance pathogenesis of agents of sexually transmitted diseases.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Heterozygous C8beta complement deficiency does not predispose to meningococcal disease.

We have identified 42 Russian patients with homozygous C8beta complement component deficiency, all of whom had experienced at least one episode of systemic meningococcal disease. About 90% of these individuals have a C --> T exchange in exon 9, leading to a premature stop codon. If, like the homozygous-deficient state, heterozygous C8beta deficiency constitutes a risk factor for meningococcal disease, it would be expected to be detected with increased frequency among individuals suffering from this disease. Using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we studied 153 consecutive patients with meningococcal disease admitted to the Moscow Hospital for Infectious Diseases to determine the frequency of C8 null allele. No individuals with heterozygous C --> T exchange were identified among these 153 patients, despite the fact that seven persons were detected who had homozygous C8beta deficiency, caused by the same C --> T exchange in exon 9, and one patient who had C7 component deficiency. Thus, heterozygous deficiency, although more frequent than homozygous deficiency in the general population, does not result in a substantial increase in susceptibility to meningococcal disease.

Complement C8↗

Human alveolar macrophages synthesize the functional alternative pathway of complement and active C5 and C9 in vitro.

Attachment of protein to agarose beads cultured with macrophages in protein-free medium containing 3H-leucine, shows that de novo synthesis of protein with affinity to the beads takes place. We also found that monoclonal antibodies against human C3c, C3g, and a C9-neoantigen as well as polyclonal antibodies against human C5 and C9, bound to agarose beads that had been kept with the macrophage cultures. Demonstration of C3 derivatives on the agarose beads shows that the essential complement factors of the alternative pathway are synthesized and have been activated by the beads. Deposition of C5 and the detection of a neoantigen of C9 on the beads, indicates that the whole terminal complement pathway has been formed and activated. We conclude that human alveolar macrophages form in vitro the functional alternative pathway of complement, C5 and C9, and we have indirect evidence for synthesis of C6, C7, and C8.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Recurrent meningococcal meningitis. A case report.

A 17-year-old Coloured youth presented at Tygerberg Hospital on six occasions between 1978 and 1981. He was admitted three times for meningococcal meningitis and three times for a meningitic illness clinically suggestive thereof. He had been admitted twice before to the City Hospital, Cape Town, in 1966 and 1968, for presumed meningococcal meningitis. He was fully evaluated in the outpatient department and found to have no detectable total haemolytic complement activity. There was no evidence of classic or alternative pathway activation. He has been tentatively designated as having a deficiency in the C6 or C8 components of the terminal membrane attack mechanism of the complement cascade.

Adolescent↗

Homologous species restriction of the complement-mediated killing of nucleated cells.

The homologous restriction of complement (C) lysis is attributed to membrane proteins: decay-accelerating factor (DAF), C8 binding protein (C8bp) and P18/CD59. Since these proteins are also expressed on peripheral blood cells, species restriction was tested for in the complement-mediated killing of antibody-coated human leucocytes by human or rabbit complement. Killing was more efficient when rabbit complement was used. Preincubation of cells with an antibody to DAF abolished the difference. When C1-7 sites were first attached to the cells and either rabbit or human C8, C9 were added, the killing of monocytes and lymphocytes was equally efficient; only in polymorphonuclear neutrophils was a higher efficiency of rabbit C8, C9 seen. Thus, in contrast to haemolysis, restriction occurred predominantly at the C3 level and the action of the terminal complement components was not inhibited. Since C8bp isolated from peripheral blood cells showed essentially similar characteristics as the erythrocyte-derived C8bp, the failure of C8bp to inhibit the action of the terminal components on nucleated cells might reflect differences of the complement membrane interactions between erythrocytes or nucleated cells, respectively.

Animals↗

Membrane attack complex of complement: a structural analysis of its assembly.

This study was conducted to gain insight into the process of assembly of the membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement through structural analysis. Four intermediate complexes and the MAC were examined by electron microscopy and by sucrose density-gradient ultracentrifugation. The C5b-6 complex has a sedimentation rate of 11S, an elongated, slightly curved shape and dimensions of 160 x 60 x 60 A. At protein concentrattions greater than 1 mg/ml, and physiologic ionic strength and pH, the complex forms paracrystals that have the appearance of parallel strands. Equimolar quantities of C5b-6 and C7 mixed in the absence of lipids or detergents give rise to C5b-7 protein micelles which are soluble in aqueous media and have a sedimentation rate of 36S, suggesting a tetrameric composition. Ultrastructurally, C5b-7 protein micelles consist of four half-rings, each measuring 200 x 50 A, which are connected to one another by short stalks extending from the convex side of the half-rings. C5b-7 bound to dioleoyl lecithin (DOL) vesicles has a similar ultrastructural appearance. After extraction with deoxycholate (DOC), C5b-7 has a sedimentation velocity of 36S which further suggests the occurrence of C5b-7 in the form of tetrameric protein micelles. Attachment of C8 to vesicle-bound C5b-7 results in dissociation of the protein micelles. An individual C5b-8 complex appears as a half-ring attached to the DOL-vesicle via a 100-A-long and 30-A-wide stalk. After extraction from the DOL-vesicles with DOC, C5b-8 has a sedimentation velocity of approximately 18S. Binding of C9 to DOL-vesicle bound C5b-8 induces the formation of the typical ultrastructural complement lesions. C5b-9 extracted from the vesicles with DOC has a sedimentation rate of 33S, which is characteristic of the C5b-9 dimer. It is concluded that dimerization is a function of C9. C5b-9 monomers are visualized when a single C5b-9 complex or an odd number of complexes were bound per DOL-vesicle. The C5b-9 monomer has an ultrastructural appearance that is theoretically expected of a half-dimer: a 200- x 50-A half-ring which is attached to the DOL-vesicle by a 100- x 80-A appendage. Extracted with DOC, the C5b-9 monomer has a sedimentation rate of 23S. At a higher multiplicity of MAC per DOL-vesicle, large structural defects in the lipid bilayer are seen which are attributed to direct physical destruction of membranes by the known lipid-binding capacity of the MAC. It is proposed that protein micelle formation at the C5b-7 stage of MAC assembly and dissociation of these micelles upon binding of C8 are events that facilitate dimerization of C5b-9 and thus MAC formation.

Binding Sites↗

Deposition of the terminal C5b-9 complement complex in infarcted areas of human myocardium.

Poly- and monoclonal antibodies to neoantigens of the human C5b-9 complement complex, as well as polyclonal antibodies to C5, C8, and C9, were used to detect and identify C5b-9 deposits in human myocardial tissue. Immunocytochemical studies were performed on fresh-frozen autopsy material derived from patients with myocardial infarctions; in addition, in 17 of these patients, paraffin sections of formalin-fixed tissue were investigated. Sixteen autopsies from patients with noncardiac diseases were analyzed as controls. Without exception, C5b-9 positivity was registered selectively and exclusively on and in myocardial cells located within the zones of infarction. The selectivity of staining was confirmed by control reactions for succinic dehydrogenase activity performed in adjacent, respective double-stained sections. Most intensive staining with anti-neoantigen antibodies was observed in the peripheral areas of the infarctions. Weak staining for C3d, rather strong staining for C5 and C9, and intermediate staining with anti-C8 antibodies were observed in the same localizations. Stainings for C4 and IgA were negative, whereas immunocytochemical reactions for IgG and IgM revealed an irregular and very weak staining. Only very weak staining was also observed with a monoclonal antibody to complement S-protein, indicating that the terminal complement components were deposited mainly in the form of membrane-damaging C5b-9 complexes. Immunocytochemical staining for C5b-9 was found to represent a most sensitive tool for detection of ischemic myocardial lesions, permitting easy detection even of single cell necroses. As a working hypothesis, we suggest that initial ischemia may cause loss of the ability of the heart muscle cells to regulate complement turnover at the membrane level. The resulting deposition of C5b-9 on the cell membranes may contribute to functional disturbance and irreversible damage of myocardial cells during the infarction process.

Adult↗

Glomerular complement components in human glomerulonephritis.

154 of 255 individual human renal biopsies studied by immunofluorescence contained varying combinations of immunoglobulins (Ig), complement (C) components C1q, C3, C4, C5, C6, C8, C3 proactivator (C3PA), and/or properdin. 10 patients had linear deposits of Ig in glomeruli characteristic of antiglomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies; nine patients had C3 deposits (minimal in three) with generally lesser amounts of C1q, C4, C5, C6, and/or C8. 118 of the patients had granular deposits of Ig, suggesting immune complex glomerulonephritis; 114 of these had deposits of C3, usually accompanied by C1q, C4, C5, and/or C6. These observations indicate that the entire C sequence is deposited in glomeruli in most Ig-mediated glomerulonephritides. However, certain cases of anti-GBM glomerulonephritis with few or no C deposits may utilize pathways of injury independent of C.21 patients had granular C3 deposits without detectable Ig. C5, C6, and C8 were present in the majority of these patients while C1q was absent and scant C4 was observed in only two patients. The presence of only late-acting C components in the absence of Ig, C1q, and C4 suggests selective, possible nonimmune activation of the alternate C pathway. Finally, five patients had granular deposits of C3, C5, C6, and/or C8 diffusely in all or most glomeruli with a lesser number of glomeruli having additional focal granular deposits of Ig, C1q, and C4. This observation suggests that at least two patterns of C activation can occur simulatenously, possibly triggered by antecedent immune complex deposition and then perpetuated by an as yet undetermined mechanism.

Adult↗

Involvement of the ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase in cell resistance to complement-mediated lysis.

Sublytic doses of complement desensitize cells and make them resistant to lytic complement doses. This process, named complement-induced protection, requires calcium ion influx, protein kinase C activation and protein synthesis. The involvement of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, ERK, in cell desensitization by sublytic complement was examined in erythroleukaemia K562 cells and in COS-7 cells. As shown here, ERK is activated in K562 and COS-7 cells within 10 min of sublytic immune attack and then shows a decline and a second peak of activation at 20 min. C7- and C8-deficient human sera have a small effect on ERK activity. However, a significant increase in ERK activation is observed when C7 or C8, respectively, is added back to these sera. Complement-induced ERK activation was blocked in cells treated with GF109203X or Go6976, two selective PKC inhibitors, as well as by treatment with PD098059, an inhibitor of MEK1, the ERK kinase. PD098059 treatment also sensitized K562 cells to complement-mediated lysis and prevented complement-induced protection. COS-7 cells transfected with a dominant-negative MEK plasmid were incapable of undergoing the process of complement-induced protection. In conclusion, cell desensitization by sublytic doses of the complement membrane attack complex involves a signalling cascade that includes PKC-mediated ERK activation.

Animals↗