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Identification of a DtxR-regulated operon that is essential for siderophore-dependent iron uptake in Corynebacterium diphtheriae.

The diphtheria toxin repressor (DtxR) uses Fe(2+) as a corepressor and inhibits transcription from iron-regulated promoters (IRPs) in Corynebacterium diphtheriae. A new IRP, designated IRP6, was cloned from C. diphtheriae by a SELEX-like procedure. DtxR bound to IRP6 in vitro only in the presence of appropriate divalent metal ions, and repression of IRP6 by DtxR in an Escherichia coli system was iron dependent. The open reading frames (ORFs) downstream from IRP6 and previously described promoter IRP1 were found to encode proteins homologous to components of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport systems involved in high-affinity iron uptake in other bacteria. IRP1 and IRP6 were repressed under high-iron conditions in wild-type C. diphtheriae C7(beta), but they were expressed constitutively in C7(beta) mutant strains HC1, HC3, HC4, and HC5, which were shown previously to be defective in corynebactin-dependent iron uptake. A clone of the wild-type irp6 operon (pCM6ABC) complemented the constitutive corynebactin production phenotype of HC1, HC4, and HC5 but not of HC3, whereas a clone of the wild-type irp1 operon failed to complement any of these strains. Complementation by subclones of pCM6ABC demonstrated that mutant alleles of irp6A, irp6C, and irp6B were responsible for the phenotypes of HC1, HC4, and HC5, respectively. The irp6A allele in HC1 and the irp6B allele in HC5 encoded single amino acid substitutions in their predicted protein products, and the irp6C allele in HC4 caused premature chain termination of its predicted protein product. Strain HC3 was found to have a chain-terminating mutation in dtxR in addition to a missense mutation in its irp6B allele. These findings demonstrated that the irp6 operon in C. diphtheriae encodes a putative ABC transporter, that specific mutant alleles of irp6A, irp6B, and irp6C are associated with defects in corynebactin-dependent iron uptake, and that complementation of these mutant alleles restores repression of corynebactin production under high-iron growth conditions, most likely as a consequence of restoring siderophore-dependent iron uptake mediated by the irp6 operon.

Bacterial Proteins↗

The fifth component of complement (C5): purification without activation.

In the course of our studies on the structural change of C5 by acidification (U. Rother et al., 1978), we found that the C5 preparations purified according to published methods contained more or less activated C56. When added to sensitive target cells (guinea pig or chicken erythrocytes), C5 mediated lysis by C7-C9 without the addition of C6 or any activation procedure. Generation of C56 was probably due to drastic changes in the physicochemical environment during purification. Such changes like high or low pH or high ionic strength were shown to cause activation. A method for purification of C5 is described in which polyethyleneglycol (PEG) or (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, as well as low or high pH, was avoided. As a last step, traces of C6 were removed by affinity chromatography. The resulting preparation was free of C56. Activation by acidification was not possible without the addition of C6. The total recovery of C5 was 12% with almost no loss of specific activity.

Animals↗

Hydrolysis of myelin basic protein in human myelin by terminal complement complexes.

The participation of terminal complement complexes (TCC) in demyelination has been shown in rodent cerebellar cultures. Since TCC modulates activities of various membrane-associated enzymes and increases the level of cellular Ca2+ we investigated whether TCC could activate Ca2+-dependent neutral proteases in myelin that would lead to hydrolysis of myelin basic protein (BP). Addition of antibody and C7-deficient serum plus C7 to sealed myelin vesicles of two to six bilayers caused significant BP hydrolysis compared to the hydrolysis caused by antibody and C7-deficient serum. Significant hydrolysis occurred at the stage of C5b6,7 assembly, which increased in magnitude at the C5b6-8 stage. C5b6-9 formation did not enhance the effect of C5b6-8. BP hydrolysis by C5b6,7 did not require Ca2+ whereas the effect of C5b6-8/C5b6-9 was, in part, Ca2+-dependent. We postulated that TCC formation in myelin membranes causes activation of myelin-associated neutral proteases with subsequent hydrolysis of BP as a consequence of complement peptide insertion and channel formation. Such processes may alter the structure of myelin and augment the action of other inflammatory cells and their products in demyelinating diseases that could ultimately lead to the loss of myelin.

Complement Membrane Attack Complex↗

Blocking antibodies specific for human albumin interfere with the hemolytic activity of the membrane attack complex of complement.

Earlier, we showed that antibodies specific for human serum albumin are able to bind to erythrocyte-associated albumin and inhibit complement mediated hemolysis. In the present study we determine if inhibition is occurring at the membrane attack phase of complement activation or at an earlier step. We show that although cell-bound anti-albumin antibodies do not inhibit binding and activation of C3 or uptake of C9, they do appear to cause cells to become refractory to lysis by the membrane attack complex as they inhibit both the kinetics and the extent of hemolysis in a reactive lysis system which employs preformed C5b6 plus C7, C8, and C9. We believe that this is the first report of inhibition of the hemolytic activity of the membrane attack complex by antibodies bound to an erythrocyte surface antigen.

Animals↗

Isolation of a human erythrocyte membrane protein capable of inhibiting expression of homologous complement transmembrane channels.

Erythrocytes are poorly lysed by homologous complement, whereas they are readily lysed by heterologous complement. This phenomenon had been attributed to an interference by the cell surface with the action of complement components C8 and C9. To isolate the responsible membrane constituent, detergent-solubilized human erythrocyte (EH) membranes were subjected to affinity chromatography by using human C9-Sepharose. The isolated protein had a mass of 38 kDa and, incorporated into liposomes, was highly effective in inhibiting complement-mediated channel expression, including the C5b-8, membrane attack complex, and tubular polymer of C9 channels. Antibody produced to the 38-kDa protein caused a 20-fold increase in reactive lysis of EH by isolated C5b6, C7, C8, and C9. The antibody did not enhance C5b-7 uptake, but it affected C9 binding to the target cell membrane. Antibody to human decay-accelerating factor, used as a control, had no effect on reactive lysis of EH. Anti-38-kDa protein did not enhance the action on EH of C8 and C9 from other species, indicating that the action of this regulatory protein is species specific. It was therefore termed homologous restriction factor (HRF). Blood cells other than erythrocytes, such as polymorphonuclear leukocytes, also exhibited cell-surface HRF activity. In immunoblots of freshly isolated EH membranes, anti-38-kDa HRF detected primarily a 65-kDa protein, suggesting that the 38-kDa protein constitutes an active fragment of membrane HRF. Because of the specific binding reaction observed between HRF and C8 or C9, HRF was tested with anti-human C8 and anti-human C9. A limited immunochemical relationship of HRF to C8 and C9 could be established and solid-phase anti-C9 proved an efficient tool for the isolation of HRF from solubilized EH membranes.

Blood Proteins↗

Effects of complement activation on platelet-activating factor and eicosanoid synthesis in rat mesangial cells.

The effects of in vitro complement activation and of isolated complement components (C3a, C5a, C3b) on the activity of the microsomal enzyme acetyl coenzyme A: 1-0-alkyl-glycero-3-phosphocholine acetyl transferase (AcTr) in cultured mesangial cells and on the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were assessed. In vitro complement activation induced by the introduction of purified cobra venom factor (CVF) in culture media containing human serum enhanced mesangial cell PGE2 synthesis and had no effect on microsomal AcTr activity. When media containing C6-deficient serum were used, the stimulatory effect of CVF on PGE2 synthesis was abolished. Introduction of CVF in these media enhanced mesangial cell AcTr activity. These effects were partially reversed when the C6-deficient serum was supplemented with C7-deficient serum to allow formation of the C5b-9 complex. Isolated C3a, C5a, and C3b had opposite effects on PGE2 synthesis and on AcTr activity. Specifically, all components enhanced mesangial cell PGE2 synthesis. In contrast, AcTr activity was enhanced by C3a alone; C5a had no effect, whereas C3b had an inhibitory effect. The observations indicate that in response to complement activation and specific anaphylatoxin agonists, mesangial cell eicosanoid synthesis is not coupled with changes in the activity of AcTr and PAF synthesis.

Acetyltransferases↗

The genetics of dopa decarboxylase in Drosophila melanogaster. II. Isolation and characterization of dopa-decarboxylase-deficient mutants and their relationship to the alpha-methyl-dopa-hypersensitive mutants.

Of 84 lethals isolated over the dopa decarboxylase (DDC) deficiency Df(2L)50, 8 have been identified as DDC-deficient alleles on the basis of their effect on DDC activity when heterozygous over the Cgamma-O balancer chromosome with activities ranging from 28% to 53% of controls. Some of the Ddc-deficient alleles exhibit intracistronic complementation. Most of the complementing pairs of alleles are much reduced in viability, e.g. less than 5% of expected, and express a common syndrome of mutant phenes which can reasonably be inferred to derive from inadequately sclerotinized cuticle. Individuals heterozygous for the noncomplementing allele, Ddcn7, over the 12-band DDC deficiency, Df (2L)130, die at the end of embryogenesis as unhatched larvae with unpigmented mouth parts. The Ddc alleles and the l(2) amd alpha-methyl dopa (alphaMD) hypersensitive alleles are both located within the 11 band region 37B10-C7. The l(2) and locus is immediately to the right of hk(2-53.6). Ddc has been mapped within 0.004 Map Units to the right of l(2) and with a maximum estimated recombination frequency of 0.01%. None of the Ddc/CgammaOstrains are sensitive to the dietary administration of alpha-methyl dopa (alphaMD), and complementation occurs between the Ddc deficient alleles and the l(2) amd alleles both on the basis of viability and DDC activity. No effect on DDC by the amd alleles has been found to date. Even in the complementing heterozygote, amdH1/amdH89, the level of activity, thermostability, and in vitro alphaMD inhibition of DDC remains unaffected. Although no biochemical phene has yet been established for the alphaMD hypersensitive amd alleles, it seems likely that the two groups of mutants are functionally related.

Alleles↗

Use of a pool of monoclonal antibodies in diagnosing cells from serous cavities.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The usefulness of monoclonal antibodies that recognize markers of neoplastic lesions in complementing conventional cytology was evaluated by the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex, indirect immunoperoxidase technique. METHODS: In order to enhance the sensitivity of the traditional method, a pool of seven combined monoclonal antibodies (Pool C7), which reacts specifically with cells of epithelial origin and is able to distinguish between mesothelial and malignant cells, was tested on cytologic smears of 262 serous effusions. The effusions were benign or neoplastic, mainly from breast, ovary and lung cancers. RESULTS: Immunocytochemical method showed an 100% specificity and 100% of predictivity whereas the sensitivity was 98%, 96% and 95% for breast ovarian and lung carcinomas, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that the pool when used together with conventional methods, is useful in analysis of serous effusions in diagnostic investigations.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Serum terminal complement component levels in hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritides.

Measurements of serum C3 through C9 are reported for patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I (MPGN I), MPGN II, and MPGN III. Except in MPGN II, depressed C5 levels correlated with depressed C3 levels. In MPGN II, levels of C5 and of other terminal components were normal. In MPGN III, markedly depressed levels of C7 through C9 correlated strongly with depressed levels of C3 and C5. C6 was less severely depressed. In MPGN I, terminal component levels were less often depressed than in MPGN III and in AGN, depression of terminal components was seen only when levels of C3 and C5 were extremely low. The data indicate that late terminal components are activated in MPGN III to a greater extent than in the other nephritides despite C5 activation approximately equal in extent to that in AGN and MPGN I.

Acute Disease↗

Activation of the fifth and sixth components of the human complement system: C6-dependent cleavage of C5 in acid and the formation of a bimolecular lytic complex, C5b,6a.

Acidification of C5 and C6 or serum to pH 6.4 at 0 degrees C, followed by neutralization, generates a factor-designated C(56)a that causes lysis of nonsensitized erythrocytes in the presence of C7, C8, and C9. C(56)a is functionally similar to alternative pathway-generated C5b,6 in respect to the formation of C5b,6,7 sites on cells, the potentiation of lytic activity by membrane-bound C3b or the membrane-active agent A2C, and the required species compatibilities between target membranes and terminal components for optimal activity. The formation of C(56)a complex from purified components C5 and C6 proceeds independently of the classical or alternative pathway C5 convertases and requires the simultaneous H+ ion treatment of the components. The generation of C(56)a from C5 and C6 and the physicochemical properties of the complex were studied in detail and compared with those of C5b,6. Acid generation of C(56)a is dose-dependent on C5 and C6 and its efficiency is similar to that of the conventional convertase in the production of lytic activity. Sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of C(56)a containing activated 125I-C5 demonstrated a shift in sedimentation from that of native C5 to 11S, which is consistent with C5,6 complex formation. C(56)a sedimentation was identical to C5b,6, and both migrated coincident with lytic complex activity. These complexes, however, are not identical because unlike C5b,6, C(56)a is unstable at 37 degrees C, demonstrating a nonlinear decay curve. In the presence of C7, both complexes exhibit similar first order decay with a T1/2 of 3 min at 37 degrees C. SDS-PAGE autoradiographic analysis of the C5-subunit structure of 125I-C5 in C(56)a and the Zx-activated C5b,6 complex prepared from purified components showed similar alpha-chain cleavage to several fragments of 109,000, 100,000, and 58,000 daltons. Conversion to lower m.w. peptides by acid treatment was more extensive. Comparison of the 125I-C5 polypeptide chains in the membrane attack complex extracted from guinea pig erythrocyte membranes, prepared by acid activation or classical pathway lysis with whole serum, demonstrated similar C5 alpha-chain cleavage to a predominant subunit of 102,000 daltons. Acid activation also produced a 109,000 dalton C5 alpha'-fragment barely detectable with classical pathway activation. Low pH treatment of C5 alone did not inactivate C5 function, form a lytic complex on the subsequent addition of C6, or cleave the C5 alpha-chain. Thus, it is postulated that local high H+ ion concentration during simultaneous acidification of C5 and C6 allows complex formation with the concomitant C6-dependent cleavage of the C5 alpha-chain and the generation of lytic capacity.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Mechanism of killing of Giardia lamblia trophozoites by complement.

Only antibodies of the IgM class support the lytic effect of complement on Giardia lamblia (GL). We sensitized GL trophozoites (SGL) at 4 degrees C with serum containing anti-GL antibodies or IgM purified from this serum, and either normal human serum (NHS), complement 2-deficient human serum (C2d-HS), or C4-deficient guinea pig serum was used as source of complement. SGL were killed by NHS (86%) and by the deficient sera (50 and 40%, respectively), suggesting activation of the alternative pathway. However, the reaction was inhibited by Mg-EGTA. These observations led to studies of the role of C1. The lytic effect of NHS and C2d-HS on SGL was abolished by immunochemically depleting C1 from these sera, and reconstituted by adding purified C1q plus C1r and C1s. Factor B-depleted C2d-HS also lost its capacity to mediate killing, but reconstitution with factor B led to a dose-dependent increase in the killing of SGL. We next investigated the participation of the membrane attack complex in this system. SGL carrying C5b to C7 were lysed when incubated with C8 alone (56%); the addition of C9 further increased killing (98%), while C9 in the absence of C8 had no effect. We concluded that although activation of the classical pathway produces lysis of SGL, lysis may also proceed through a unique pathway of complement activation that requires C1 and factor B, but is independent of C4 and C2. Lysis of SGL can be accomplished by C5b to C8 in the absence of C9.

Animals↗

Evidence for the influence of the initial complement components on the assembly and activity of the membrane attack complex.

The failure of functionally purified C5gp to reconstitute the hemolytic complement (C) activity of C5-deficient human serum was studied. The lack of hemolytic activity of C5gp in this system could not be correlated with the failure of EAC1-3hu to bind and activate C5gp, but was related to the failure of EAC1-3hu5gp6hu to efficiently bind C7hu in a form that would lead to lysis when HuC8 and HuC9 were added. This failure was not observed with EAC1-3gp5gp6hu or EAC1-3hu5hu6hu, which could be lysed with any combination of human or guinea pig C7 through C9. The implications of these findings on the control of the lytic C attack mechanism by the initial components in the C cascade are discussed.

Animals↗

The membrane attack mechanism of complement. Isolation and subunit composition of the C5b-9 complex.

Isolation of the C5b-9 complex from inulin-activated whole human serum was effected by molecular sieve column chromatography employing Biogel A-15 M, preparative Pevikon block electrophoresis, and removal of low density beta-lipoproteins by flotation in CsCl. The final product was homogeneous upon cellulose acetate strip electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation. Ouchterlony analyses indicated that the complex reacted with antisera to C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9 to form a continuous, circular precipitin line without spurs. The C5b-9 complex was dissociated by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the absence of reducing agents, and analytical SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed seven protein bands after straining with Coomassie Blue. Bands 1, 2, 3, and 6 were identified as C5b, C7, C6, and C9, respectively. Bands 4 and 7 were identified as two noncovalently bound subunits of C8. Molar ratios among C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9 dissociated from the complex by SDS were estimated to be 1:1:1:1:3. Band 5 protein, which had an estimated mol wt of 88,000 and was found to occur with a molar ratio of 3, has not yet been identified. Its nature and possible biological functions are discussed.

Animals↗

Complement profiles in human skin lymph during the course of irritant contact dermatitis.

Using microsurgery a superficial peripheral lymph vessel draining the skin of the upper and medial part of the foot was cannulated on the lower leg of two healthy human volunteers. An irritant contact dermatitis was induced 2 days later by the application of 10% sodium lauryl sulphate to the drained skin area. After a further 3 days the spontaneously regressing skin reaction was treated with clobetasol propionate. Lymph was continuously collected in two aliquots per day for 7 days. The levels of total protein, of albumin and globulins, and of complement components of the classical, the alternative and the lytic pathway as well as the C4A and C4B gene products and the regulatory proteins FB, C1INH, C4BP, FH and FI were determined by ELISA and radial immunodiffusion techniques. Postoperatively, the levels of complement proteins and globulins in the lymph were 5-10 times lower than those in normal human serum, but increased during the course of the skin reaction, while the irritant contact dermatitis did not induce a change in their plasma concentration. In comparison to the baseline, the mean values for C1q, C1r, C2, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, FB, C1INH, C4BP, FH and FI exhibited a 3-5-fold increase, C3, total C4, albumin and the alpha 1-globulin fraction a 6-9-fold increase, and C1s, C4A, C4B, FB and alpha 2-, beta- and gamma-globulins a 10-20-fold increase.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Albumins↗

Molecular reorganization of lipid bilayers by complement: a possible mechanism for membranolysis.

The interaction between the membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement and flat lipid bilayers was investigated. Using spin-labeled derivatives of phospholipids and cholesterol and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we measured the penetration of the MAC into bilayers and its influence on the order of bilayers. The MAC precursor components C5b--6, C7, C8, and C9 did not exert any measurable influence on lipid membranes. Functional C5b--7 was shown to interact strongly with the bilayer surface without deep penetration into the bilayer. Formation of C5b--8 and especially C5b--9 caused a marked change in the anisotropy of spectra from probes located within the hydrocarbon phase. The spectral changes are not caused by changes in probe rotation and, in the case of the cholesterol probes, are not due to direct probe--protein interactions. For these reasons we interpret the spectral changes to be the result of reorientation of ordered bilayer lipids effected by strong binding of phospholipids to MAC proteins.

Cholesterol↗

Membrane attack complex of complement. Evidence for its dimeric structure based on hybrid formation.

Molecular hybridization experiments provided new evidence for the dimeric nature of the membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement. Monomeric C5b-6, which constitutes the first intermediate complex in MAC formation, was prepared in two differentially labeled forms: biotin-125I-C5b-6 and 131I-C5b-6. Using a mixture of the differentially labeled C5b-6, the MAC was assembled on phospholipid vesicles upon addition of C7, C8, and C9. The assembled MAC containing biotin-125I and 131I was extracted from the vesicles with deoxycholate, purified, and exposed to avidin-Sepharose. Biotin-mediated binding of the MAC to avidin-Sepharose not only effected binding of 125I, but also of 131I, indicating that both radiolabels resided in the same molecular entity. When equimolar amounts of differentially labeled C5b-6 were available for MAC formation, 50% of MAC formed contained one molecule of each form. Theoretical analysis of the experimental data clearly favored the dimer structure over the structure of a higher oligomer. In contrast, fluid phase SC5b-9 was clearly monomeric on the basis of the same analysis. The electron microscopic appearance of the biotinated MAC hybrid closely resembled that of the characteristic membrane lesions of complement lysed cells. An avidin-ferritin conjugate attached itself to the ring-shaped portion of the biotinated MAC and not to its perpendicular structures, suggesting that C5b-6 is an integral part of the ring structure of the MAC.

Biotin↗

Inhibition of immune haemolysis by a serum factor found in C3-deficient subjects.

A serum factor, which inhibits haemolysis of the buffer control used in a C3 haemolytic assay, was found in a C3-deficient subject (C3D). Since the buffer control consisted of EAC142, C5 and C6-9 reagent (C6-9R, prepared by treatment of guinea-pig serum with KSCN and hydrazine hydrate), the factor seems to be an inhibitor of C3-independent immune haemolysis. Gel filtration and CM cellulose column chromatography of C3D serum suggested that the inhibitor may be C8. The inhibition was not observed in C8-depleted C3D serum. Furthermore, isolated C8 was found to inhibit haemolysis of EAC142 by C5 and C6-9R in a dose-dependent fashion. Thus, C8 was found to be an inhibitor of C3-independent immune haemolysis in the assay. Further studies revealed that C8 also inhibits haemolysis of EAC142 by C3, C5 and C6-9R (C3 assay system) or that of EAC1423 by C5 and C6-9R (C5 assay system), indicating that C3 or C5 haemolytic activity can be underestimated by the presence of C8 in a sample. C8 did not inhibit haemolysis in the assay system when isolated C6-C9 of human origin were used, but did inhibit haemolysis when isolated C6-C9 of guinea-pig origin was used instead of C6-9R. Thus, it was suggested that the incompatibility of human C8 with guinea-pig C6-C9 might be responsible for this phenomenon. Additional experiments for the mechanism clearly showed that human C8 inhibits the haemolysis of EAC1-7 (EA bearing human C1-C5 and guinea-pig C6 and C7) by guinea-pig C8 and C9 by binding to EAC1-7 prior to guinea-pig C8.

Animals↗

A clinical method for measuring segmental flexion mobility in the cervico-thoracic spine and a model for classification.

Pain and limitation of spinal mobility are symptoms frequently reported by patients. Many methods have been used to assess the total range of mobility in the different parts of the spine, but there is no method for clinical examination of segmental mobility. The aim of this study was to describe such a technique concerning of segmental flexion mobility in the cervico-thoracic spine, C7-T5, and to present a model for classification of mobility. The results of this study show that the relative flexion mobility examined, according to the Cervico-Thoracic-Ratio technique (CTR), may become a valuable complement to conventional methods of assessing mobility in the cervical spine. The normalized CTR values are less influenced by the individual factors age, body weight, height and number of years at work and the classification model presented makes functional analysis of segmental flexion mobility in the cervico-junction and upper thoracic spine more substantial.

Adult↗