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The membrane attack complex of complement causes severe demyelination associated with acute axonal injury.

Complement is implicated in pathology in the human demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis and in animal models that mimic the demyelination seen in multiple sclerosis. However, the components of the complement system responsible for demyelination in vivo remain unidentified. In this study, we show that C6-deficient (C6-) PVG/c rats, unable to form the membrane attack complex (MAC), exhibit no demyelination and significantly reduced clinical score in the Ab-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model when compared with matched C6-sufficient (C6+) rats. In C6+ rats, perivenous demyelination appeared, accompanied by abundant mononuclear cell infiltration and axonal injury. Neither demyelination nor axonal damage was seen in C6- rats, whereas levels of mononuclear cell infiltration were equivalent to those seen in C6+ rats. Reconstitution of C6 to C6- rats yielded pathology and clinical disease indistinguishable from that in C6+ rats. We conclude that demyelination and axonal damage occur in the presence of Ab and require activation of the entire complement cascade, including MAC deposition. In the absence of MAC deposition, complement activation leading to opsonization and generation of the anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a is insufficient to initiate demyelination.

Animals↗

[Genetics and some characterization of C6 deficiency in rabbits (author's transl)].

C6 deficient rabbits were found in a breed of Angora rabbits reared in Japan. The genetic studies confirmed that this complement deficiency was transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait. Alloimmunization of the deficient rabbits with normal rabbit serum produced a specific antibody to C6 component. This antiserum cross-reacted against human, cattle, sheep, goat, pig, dog, guinea pig and mouse serum, but not to horse, hamster and chicken serum. The C6 levels in the sera of Angora rabbits, measured by the single radial immunodiffusion method using the alloantiserum, were distributed in three distinct group; normal, about half of normal and null level. The C6 level in the sera of F1 rabbits (C6+/-), crosses between C6 deficient Angora rabbit (C6-/-) and New Zealand White rabbit (C6+/+), was about half of normal level. These results suggested that the level of C6 in the sera was under the dosage effect of C6 deficient gene.

Animals↗

The cellular basis of cardiac allograft rejection: VIII. Mechanisms underlying delayed allograft rejection in PVG C6-deficient rats.

BACKGROUND: The delayed allograft rejection in C6-deficient PVG C6- rats compared with normal PVG rats has been attributed to the lack of alloantibody activation of the membrane attack complex of complement. As T cells alone have been shown to effect graft rejection, we examined T-cell responses in PVG C6- rats. METHODS: The cellular infiltrate and its mRNA for cytokines and effector molecules in DA heart allografts to PVG and PVG C6- rats was compared by immunoperoxidase staining and semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The ability of pure populations of T cells or alloantibody to mediate DA heart graft rejection in irradiated (750 rads) PVG and PVG C6- rats was also compared. RESULTS: The median rejection time of DA heart allografts was 8 days in PVG rats and 17.5 days in PVG C6-. PVG C6- rats sensitized to DA by two skin grafts rejected DA heart grafts in 5-6 days. CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, interleukin-2 receptor-positive T cell, macrophage, and natural killer cell infiltration, as well as class II major histocompatibility complex and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 up-regulation, in grafts was similar in naive PVG and PVG C6- rats. mRNA for T helper 1 cytokine interleukin-2, interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor-beta, macrophage molecules tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, as well as cytotoxic T-cell effector molecules perforin and granzyme A and B, were found to be the same in the grafts from both naive PVG and naive PVG C6- rats. Thus, there appeared to be no difference in the T-cell effector response between the PVG and PVG C6- groups. There were higher alloantibody titers in PVG C6- rats than in PVG hosts. Irradiation ablated rejection and alloantibody responses and reconstitution with naive T cells alone restored rejection in both PVG and PVG C6- rats. Irradiated rats given serum from PVG rats that had rejected DA grafts did not effect rejection of DA grafts even if given naive T cells. Sensitized T cells restored second set. CONCLUSIONS: PVG C6- rats have normal T-cell responses and can mediate allograft rejection in the absence of alloantibody. The failure of PVG C6- to reject allografts rapidly may be a result of the poor clearance of alloantisera leading to enhancement of graft survival rather than a critical role for complement and membrane attack complex in acute rejection.

Animals↗

Hydrophilic-amphiphilic transition of the terminal SC5b-8 complement complex through tryptic modification: biochemical and ultrastructural studies.

the SC5b-8 complex of human complement is a hydrophilic molecule of mol. wt 800,000-850,000 that is seen in the electron microscope as an elongated, straight or curved structure of 50-55 nm total length and 8-9 nm width. Tryptic attack on the fluid-phase complex exposes lipid-binding surfaces on the molecule. The trypsinized complex can be incorporated into liposomal lipid bilayers, and the majority of protein is then viewed as ill-defined, larger tufts projecting exterior to the liposomal membrane. These tufts possibly represent clusters of a unit lesion, which consists of two diverging projections, each approximately 25 nm in length. The two projections are possibly joined to each other to give the membrane-bound complex a shape akin to that of an incomplete funnel. Analyses by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis show that the polypeptide subunits C5b, C7 and C8 beta entirely resist tryptic degradation in both SC5b-8 and SC5b-9 complement complexes. Limited proteolysis of C6, C8 alpha gamma and C9, and extensive degradation of the S-protein are effected by trypsin. The results are compatible with the concept that proteolytic cleavage of the S-protein in SC5b-8 and SC5b-9 is the cause of the trypsin-dependent, hydrophilic-amphiphilic transition of the terminal, fluid-phase complement complexes.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Metalloproteases of Serratia liquefaciens: degradation of purified human serum proteins.

Two representative strains of Serratia liquefaciens, SL 5 (serotype O5:H1) and SL 11 (serotype O1:H1), produced proteases characterized by molecular weights of 52.5 kilodaltons and isoelectric points of 6.2; both enzymes were inhibited by 50 mM EDTA. As demonstrated with SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, the two metalloproteases attacked the following purified human serum proteins: complement components C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9, transferrin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, fibronectin, type III fibrinogen, immunoglobulin G (heavy chains), and IgM (heavy chains). However, C1q, IgA, haptoglobin, and C-reactive protein were refractory.

Blood Proteins↗

Ccs1, a nuclear gene required for the post-translational assembly of chloroplast c-type cytochromes.

Nuclear genes play important regulatory roles in the biogenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus of eukaryotic cells by encoding factors that control steps ranging from chloroplast gene transcription to post-translational processes. However, the identities of these genes and the mechanisms by which they govern these processes are largely unknown. By using glass bead-mediated transformation to generate insertional mutations in the nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we have generated four mutants that are defective in the accumulation of the cytochrome b6f complex. One of them, strain abf3, also fails to accumulate holocytochrome c6. We have isolated a gene, Ccs1, from a C. reinhardtii genomic library that complements both the cytochrome b6f and cytochrome c6 deficiencies in abf3. The predicted protein product displays significant identity with Ycf44 from the brown alga Odontella sinensis, the red alga Porphyra purpurea, and the cyanobacterium Synechocystis strain PCC 6803 (25-33% identity). In addition, we note limited sequence similarity with ResB of Bacillus subtilis and an open reading frame in a homologous operon in Mycobacterium leprae (11-12% identity). On the basis of the pleiotropic c-type cytochrome deficiency in the ccs1 mutant, the predicted plastid localization of the protein, and its relationship to candidate cytochrome biosynthesis proteins in Gram-positive bacteria, we conclude that Ccs1 encodes a protein that is required for chloroplast c-type holocytochrome formation.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteremia associated with C6, C7, or C8 deficiency.

We summarize data from 24 previously described or newly diagnosed cases of homozygous deficiency of the sixth, seventh, or eighth components of complement. Thirteen of 24 patients had at least one episode, and usually two or more episodes of Neisseria meningitidis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacteremia, or both. Deficiency of C6, C7, or C8 is a meaningful risk factor for repeated neisserial bacteremia; conversely, hemolytic complement studies are indicated in patients who develop recurrent neisserial infections. When a person with C6, C7, or C8 deficiency is identified, family members should also be studied.

Adolescent↗

Complement-mediated serum cytotoxicity for Leishmania major amastigotes: killing by serum deficient in early components of the membrane attack complex.

Leishmania major, the agent of Oriental sore, is an obligate intracellular parasite of macrophages in mammalian hosts. Man's immune defense against this organism requires participation of specifically sensitized lymphocytes and activated macrophages. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that as little as 1/120 concentration of normal human serum is highly cytotoxic for the amastigote form of L. major. Initiation of the lethal process occurs rapidly, requiring only 30 sec of parasite exposure to serum, and is mediated by antibody-independent activation of the alternate complement pathway. The molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity is not known, but may require participation of the membrane attack complex, C5b-9. We investigated this possibility by treating amastigotes with human sera genetically deficient in complement components C5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. We then measured viability of treated parasites by amastigote-promastigote conversion. Our results were quite unexpected: not only did C9-deficient serum kill organisms, but sera singly deficient in each of the preceding components C6 to C8 were also cytotoxic. The degree of cytotoxicity was related both to serum concentration and to the point in the complement cascade at which deficiency occurred. Sera lacking C6 or C7 were less cytotoxic than those deficient in C8, which were less toxic than those deficient in C9. Cytoxicity of deficient sera was abolished by heating serum to 56 degrees C for 30 min. These findings indicate that an incomplete membrane attack complex may mediate cytotoxicity for L. major amastigotes. Moreover, our results raise important questions regarding the mechanism by which the complex is assembled on the surface of a living, unicellular eukaryotic organism.

Animals↗

The complement system in sclera.

Sclera from donor globes was eluted in phosphate-buffered saline at 4 degrees C for 24 hr. Hemolytic assays were used to measure functional C1, C4, C2, C3, C5 and C6 in scleral eluates. Radial immunodiffusion was used to measure Factor B, a component of the alternative complement pathway, and albumin in scleral eluates. Molecular weight appeared to be a factor in determining the hemolytic activities of complement components C1-C6 in the sclera, because complement components with higher molecular weights had lower percentages of hemolytic activity in sclera relative to serum, while complement components with lower molecular weights had higher levels of hemolytic activity in sclera relative to serum. The sclera contains complement which could be activated by immune complexes that may be important in the pathogenesis of scleritis.

Adult↗

The plastid-encoded ccsA gene is required for heme attachment to chloroplast c-type cytochromes.

A chloroplast gene, ycf5, which displays limited sequence identity to bacterial genes (ccl1/cycK) required for the biogenesis of c-type cytochromes, was tested for its function in chloroplast cytochrome biogenesis in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Targeted inactivation of the ycf5 gene results in a non-photosynthetic phenotype attributable to the absence of c-type cytochromes. The cloned ycf5 gene also complements the phototrophic growth deficiency in strain B6 of C. reinhardtii. B6 is unable to synthesize functional forms of cytochromes f and c6 owing to a chloroplast genome mutation that prevents heme attachment. The selected (phototrophic growth) as well as the unselected (holocytochrome c6 accumulation) phenotypes were restored in complemented strains. The complementing gene, renamed ccsA (for c-type cytochrome synthesis), is expressed in wild-type and B6 cells but is non-functional in B6 owing to an early frameshift mutation. Antibodies raised against the ccsA gene product recognize a 29-kDa protein in C. reinhardtii. The 29-kDa protein is absent in strain B6 but is restored in a spontaneous revertant (B6R) isolated from a culture of B6. Sequence analysis of the ccsA gene in strain B6R indicates that it is a true revertant. We conclude that the ccsA gene is expressed and that it encodes a protein required for heme attachment to c-type cytochromes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of sixth component of complement on the prostaglandin E1 stimulated adenyl cyclase activity in rat calvaria.

Human serum enhanced the PGE1 stimulated adenyl cyclase activity in membrane rich fraction of rat calvaria, but heated serum did not. Human C6 enhanced the PGE1 stimulated adenyl cyclase activity. C6 did not enhance the PTH stimulated adenyl cyclase activity. The enhancement of the PGE1 stimulated adenyl cyclase activity with C6 was due to increasing Vmax. The enhancement of the enzyme activity with C6 was significantly inhibited with anti-C6 antibody. Adenyl cyclase was not activated with C6 alone.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗

Novel mechanism of antibody-independent complement neutralization of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The envelope surface glycoprotein C (gC) of HSV-1 interferes with the complement cascade by binding C3 and activation products C3b, iC3b, and C3c, and by blocking the interaction of C5 and properdin with C3b. Wild-type HSV-1 is resistant to Ab-independent complement neutralization; however, HSV-1 mutant virus lacking gC is highly susceptible to complement resulting in > or =100-fold reduction in virus titer. We evaluated the mechanisms by which complement inhibits HSV-1 gC null virus to better understand how gC protects against complement-mediated neutralization. C8-depleted serum prepared from an HSV-1 and -2 Ab-negative donor neutralized gC null virus comparable to complement-intact serum, indicating that C8 and terminal lytic activity are not required. In contrast, C5-depleted serum from the same donor failed to neutralize gC null virus, supporting a requirement for C5. EDTA-treated serum did not neutralize gC null virus, indicating that complement activation is required. Factor D-depleted and C6-depleted sera neutralized virus, suggesting that the alternative complement pathway and complement components beyond C5 are not required. Complement did not aggregate virus or block attachment to cells. However, complement inhibited infection before early viral gene expression, indicating that complement affects one or more of the following steps in virus replication: virus entry, uncoating, DNA transport to the nucleus, or immediate early gene expression. Therefore, in the absence of gC, HSV-1 is readily inhibited by complement by a C5-dependent mechanism that does not require viral lysis, aggregation, or blocking virus attachment.

Adult↗

Complement membrane attack (MAC) in idiopathic IgA-glomerulonephritis.

Antigens of the membrane attack complex of complement (MAC), such as C5, C6, C9 and MAC-related neoantigen(s), were demonstrated in the mesangium of 23 cases with IgA-glomerulonephritis (IgA-GN) and two cases with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis (HSP). High specificity of the polyclonal antibodies was verified by dot-blot analysis. Control specimens lacking immunoglobulin deposits were negative for MAC-related antigens. Markers of classical pathway activation (Clq and C4) were observed only in two of 24 and one of 23 cases of IgA-GN and HSP, respectively. Glomerular distribution patterns (mesangial vs. mesangio-peripheral) of immunoglobulin or complement deposits were correlated for IgA and C3b/iC3b (P less than 0.002), for IgA and properdin (P less than 0.002) and for IgA and MAC neoantigens (P less than 0.01). Double immunostaining experiments revealed co-localization of IgA and MAC neoantigens at identical mesangial and capillary sites. Glomerular distribution of the less pronounced IgG or IgM deposits did not correlate with that of any complement-derived antigen. The pattern of MAC-related antigens was found to be uniformly either mesangial or mesangio-peripheral. Staining for MAC-related antigens was less intense in IgA-GN cases with minimal glomerular lesions than in cases with more advanced non-sclerosing lesions. IgA, C3d, and MAC localized in corresponding glomerular sites. This is consistent with complete local activation of complement by glomerular IgA deposits via the alternative pathway. The possibility exists that MAC plays a pathogenetic role, such as by irritation of bystander cells, in IGA-GN and HSP.

Adolescent↗

Complement membrane attack complex (C5b-9) mediates interstitial disease in experimental nephrotic syndrome.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the generation of complement activation products from filtered complement components in urine with nonselective proteinuria leads to tubulointerstitial disease, resulting in progressive loss of renal function. To elucidate the role of C5b-9 in complement-mediated effects on renal tubular cells exposed to proteinuric urine, equivalent levels of proteinuria were induced (using the aminonucleoside of puromycin) in normocomplementemic and genetically C6-deficient piebald viral glaxo (PVG) rats. Semiquantitative histologic analysis revealed that complement-sufficient animals developed more severe tubulointerstitial disease than did C6-deficient rats. Amelioration of tubulointerstitial damage in C6-deficient animals was confirmed by studies with three independent markers of tubular damage, i.e., vimentin, osteopontin, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. More tubular epithelial cells expressed osteopontin (an early marker of tubular injury) in normocomplementemic rats, compared with C6-deficient rats, at both days 7 and 12. Staining of vimentin in the tubules, near areas of tubular damage, was increased in normocomplementemic rats at day 12, and more proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive tubular cells were observed at day 12 in complement-sufficient animals. The tubulointerstitial damage in complement-sufficient rats was also associated with greater accumulation of extracellular matrix (fibronectin) at day 12. These studies document for the first time an important role for C6, and therefore C5b-9, in the pathogenesis of nonimmunologic tubulointerstitial injury induced by proteinuria. These findings suggest that C5b-9 formation resulting from proteinuria contributes to the loss of nephron function by damaging the tubulointerstitium and that prevention of C5b-9 formation in tubules could slow the deterioration of renal function.

Animals↗

Mouse-to-rabbit xenotransplantation: a new small animal model of hyperacute rejection mediated by the classical complement pathway.

BACKGROUND: Hyperacute rejection of porcine organs transplanted into primate recipients is initiated by the binding of preformed xenoreactive natural antibodies to the vascular endothelium of the graft and activation of the classical complement pathway. Several small animal models are currently employed to study various aspects of xenograft rejection; however, none has been shown to manifest hyperacute rejection mediated by the classical pathway of complement activation. METHODS: We performed heterotopic mouse heart transplants into weanling rabbits, adult rabbits, and C6-deficient rabbits. The recipients received no immunosuppression. Rejected grafts were subjected to histologic analysis and immunofluorescence staining for rabbit IgG, IgM, and C3. Levels of preexisting cytotoxic antibodies as well as classical and alternative complement pathway activities were determined in rabbit serum using mouse red cells as targets. RESULTS: Mean graft survival was 37+/-9.6 min for mouse-to-weanling rabbit transplants (n=10), and 40+/-11.1 min for mouse-to-adult rabbit transplants (n=5). Rejected grafts showed diffuse interstitial hemorrhage, endothelial cell damage, myocyte necrosis, moderate diffuse deposition of rabbit IgG, and dense deposition of rabbit IgM and C3 on the vascular endothelium of the graft, consistent with hyperacute rejection. One mouse-to-C6-deficient rabbit transplant was rejected at 21 hr with severe interstitial hemorrhage, cellular necrosis and a moderate cellular infiltrate consisting primarily of neutrophils and some mononuclear cells. A second transplant in a C6-deficient rabbit was functioning when the recipient died at 6.5 hr as a result of complications of surgery; the graft had normal myocytes and vasculature with minimal spotty interstitial hemorrhage. Both weanling and adult rabbit serum were found to have high titers of cytotoxic IgM anti-mouse antibodies and strong classical complement pathway activity with minimal alternative pathway activity towards mouse red cells. CONCLUSIONS: The mouse-to-rabbit species combination manifests hyperacute xenograft rejection. In vitro studies suggest that this process is mediated by IgM anti-mouse natural antibodies and activation of the classical pathway of complement.

Aging↗

Phylogeny of complement components in non-human primates.

The antigenic properties and functional activities of complement components were analyzed in primates to determine their relative evolutionary development. The sera of eight different sub-human primate species were examined by double diffusion in agar and compared to a pool of human serum with rabbit and goat antisera to human complement components Clq, Cls, C4, C2 C3, C5, C6, C8, C9, properdin, factor B (B), and C1 inhibitor. There are no apparent antigenic differences in complement proteins between man and the apes except for C1q. Old world monkeys are antigenically deficient in Clq,C1s, C9, and variably deficient in C4, C3, and C8. New World monkeys are antigenically deficient in all components (measured) except C5, C6, and properdin factor B. Prosimians are antigenically deficient in all components. Functional analyses of complement components showed similar levels in man and primates, except in prosimians. There is a dissociation between hemolytic assays and antigenic analyses, suggesting that functional sites may be separate from antigenic sites.

Absorption↗

Deposition of complement activation products on plastic-adsorbed immunoglobulins. A simple ELISA technique for the detection of defined complement deficiencies.

The activation of complement components in human serum has been studied using immunoglobulins adsorbed to microtiter plates. The sequential deposition of complement fragments was detected by a series of mono- and polyclonal antibodies in an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antibodies against C1q, C1s, C4b/d, C3b/d, factor B, C5b-9 membrane attack complex (MAC), the regulatory complement proteins C4 binding protein (C4bp) and properdin were reactive. Several lines of evidence suggest that complement activation was via the classical pathway: (1) complement activation was highly isotype-restricted with regard to the adsorbed Igs (human IgG1 and IgG3 as well as mouse IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b isotypes are strong activators in contrast to human IgG2, IgG4, IgA and mouse IgG1); (2) Ca2+ depletion, heat treatment (56 degrees C for 45 min), incubation with 0.5 M KSCN or heat-aggregated immunoglobulins (aggIgG) abrogated serum activity; (3) complement deficient sera (C1q def', C2 def', C6 def' human sera; C2 def', C4 def' guinea pig sera) showed impaired deposition of the complement components that follow the missing component in the cascade of activation. In a clinical study sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were investigated in order to measure the effect of hypocomplementemia due to complement consumption. The results obtained suggest that this new and simple assay is well suited for (1) the detection of various inherited complement deficiencies, (2) the semiquantitative evaluation of sera with decreased complement levels, (3) a more detailed study of complement components bound to a solid phase.

Adsorption↗