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Haemolytic complement in peripheral lymph of normal men.

The haemolytic activity of nine individual components of complement and the concentrations of C1q, C1s, C4, C3, C3PA and C9 proteins were measured in the leg lymph and serum of four normal men. The mean lymph/serum ratio for total haemolytic complement was 0.257, for C1H50 it was 0.138, for C4H50 0.105, for C2H50 0.279, for C3H50 0.063, for C5H50 0.266, for C6H50 0.145, for C7H50 0.25, for C8H50 0.244 and for C9H50 0.253. The mean lymph/serum ratio for complement proteins was: for C1q 0.048, for C1s 0.06, for C4 0.199, for C3 0.225, for C9 0.244 and for C3PA 0.263. The low haemolytic activity of total complement and of all components in lymph seems to be dependent on the low complement protein concentration. The remarkably low lymph C1q protein concentration may play a physiological role in controlling total complement activity in lymph and interstitial fluid. The total complement haemolytic activity in lymph exceeded the haemolytic activity of C1 and C3, which may indicate the possibility of independent activation of C5-7 and C8-9. The considerably low C3H50 level, with high C3 protein concentration, at present lacks a proper explanation.

Adolescent↗

The membrane attack mechanism of complement. Reversible interactions among the five native components in free solution.

Reversible interactions in free solution were demonstrated to occur (a) between C5 and C8, (b) between C5, 6, 7 and C8, and (c) between C8 and C9. No interaction was observed between C8 and C6 or C7 and between C9 and C5, 6, 7. Interactions between C8 and C9 were enhanced at lowered ionic strength (0.05) and a molar excess of C8 over C9. Complex formation was independent of pH over the range of 6.5-8.5. Under optimal conditions the C8, 9 complex had a sedimentation coefficient of 10.2-10.6S, while native C8 and C9 sedimented at 8.5 and 4.8S, respectively. Specificity and reversibility of these interactions were established. In spite of the limited number of interactions observed, all five of the native proteins of the membrane attack mechanism interacted to form an association product that sedimented at 10.8-11.2S. Demonstration of this product in free solution supports the concept that C5-9 on acquisition of cytolytic activity assemble into a stable multimolecular complex.

Animals↗

Detection of refolding conformers of complement protein C9 during insertion into membranes.

Human complement protein C9 is a hydrophilic serum glycoprotein responsible for efficient expression of the cytotoxic and cytolytic functions of complement. It assembles on the surface of a target cell together with C5, C6, C7 and C8 to form the membrane attack complex (MAC) and therefore has to change structure to become an integral membrane protein. As the protein assumes a stable structure in an aqueous environment, the question arises as to how it can enter the hydrophobic interior of a membrane. During MAC assembly C9 polymerizes into a circular structure, termed poly(C9) (ref. 8), which is responsible for the cylindrical electron microscopic appearance of the MAC. The suggestion has been made that C9 must at least partly unfold in order to enter a membrane and also that polymerization of the molecule is intimately linked to insertion and cytotoxicity. The extent of unfolding and the mechanism of polymerization are not understood, nor is it known precisely which parts of the molecule participate in the proposed structural changes. We have been able to capture refolding C9 conformers during membrane insertion with the help of sequence-specific anti-peptide antibodies. Some of these antibodies inhibit C9-mediated haemolysis but not C9 polymerization, while others have the opposite effect. This suggests that the two processes are independent.

Complement C9↗

Glutathione-catalyzed disulfide-linking of C9 in the membrane attack complex of complement.

The membrane attack complex of complement (the dimeric C5b-9 complex) is a multimolecular assemblage of five proteins (C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9) which are held together by noncovalent forces. We found that C9 molecules in the complex can be covalently crosslinked (disulfide-linked) by glutathione. In this experiment, the tetramolecular C5b-8 complex bound to phospholipid vesicles was first prepared from purified C5b-6, incubated (37 degrees C, 20 min) with an excess of 131I-C9 in the presence of 1 mM glutathione; an average of 5.3 molecules of C9 per C5b-8 were bound and the C5b-9 complex formed was predominantly a dimeric C5b-9 complex. About one-third of C9 in this C5b-9 complex was found to be in a disulfide-linked dimeric form. The C5b-9 complex, having only an average of 0.9 molecules of C9 per C5b-8, was also prepared in the presence of glutathione; this C5b-9 preparation contained both monomeric and dimeric C5b-9 complexes, and about one-fifth of the C9 subunits was in a cross-linked dimeric form. By contrast, C9 in the absence of the C5b-8 complex was not significantly cross-linked by glutathione. These results indicate that C9 has a unique property to associate with itself upon reaction with the C5b-8 complex.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Human protectin (CD59), an 18,000-20,000 MW complement lysis restricting factor, inhibits C5b-8 catalysed insertion of C9 into lipid bilayers.

Human cells are relatively resistant to lysis by the homologous complement system. Here we describe the mechanism of action of a recently discovered and widely distributed 18,000-20,000 molecular weight (MW) membrane glycoprotein (CD59), which appears to act as a major protective element against complement-mediated lysis (hence called protectin). When incorporated into heterologous erythrocyte membranes, protectin efficiently prevented cell lysis by human serum. Neutralization with antibody of the naturally occurring protectin on human erythrocytes or on nucleated K562 cells increased their susceptibility to lysis by homologous complement. During complement activation, protectin became incorporated into the membrane attack complex (MAC). By interacting with newly exposed regions in the C5b-8 complex and in aggregating C9 it limited the number of C9 molecules associating with the C5b-8 complex to a C8:C9 ratio of 1:1.5 instead of a normal average of 1:3.5. The results demonstrate directly that protectin is a powerful inhibitor of complement cytolysis and acts by inhibiting the C5b-8 catalysed insertion of C9 into the lipid bilayer.

Antigens, Differentiation↗

Preconditioning reduces tissue complement gene expression in the rabbit isolated heart.

Both preconditioning and inhibition of complement activation have been shown to ameliorate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The recent demonstration that myocardial tissue expresses complement components led us to investigate whether preconditioning affects complement expression in the isolated heart. Hearts from New Zealand White rabbits were exposed to either two rounds of 5 min global ischemia followed by 10 min reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning) or 10 microM of the ATP-dependent K+ (KATP) channel opener pinacidil for 30 min (chemical preconditioning) before induction of 30 min global ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion. Both ischemic and chemical preconditioning significantly (P < 0.05) reduced myocardial C1q, C1r, C3, C8, and C9 mRNA levels. Western blot and immunohistochemistry demonstrated a similar reduction in C3 and membrane attack complex protein expression. The K(ATP) channel blocker glyburide (10 microM) reversed the depression of C1q, C1r, C3, C8, and C9 mRNA expression observed in the pinacidil-treated hearts. The results suggest that reduction of local tissue complement production may be one means by which preconditioning protects the ischemic myocardium.

Animals↗

Complement C5b-9 increases plasminogen binding and activation on human endothelial cells.

Deposition of the terminal complement proteins (C5b-9) on human endothelial cells can result in cell lysis or nonlytic alterations of cell function including procoagulant responses. Because regulation of fibrinolysis is a central endothelial function and because C9 contains a carboxyl-terminal lysine similar to other proteins that bind and facilitate activation of plasminogen (PG), the effects of complement injury on PG binding and activation on these cells were investigated. Activation of complement through deposition of C5b67 complexes on endothelial cells resulted in a small increase (approximately 20%) in PG binding. Incorporation of C8 into C5b-8 resulted in no further increase in binding; however, specific 125I-PG binding was increased by approximately 100% after C5b-9 deposition. Moreover, PG was found to bind specifically to C7 and C9. The PG bound to endothelial cells after C5b-9 deposition was readily activated by tissue-type plasminogen activator (TPA). In a cell-free system, complement C9 and a synthetic peptide composed of the 20 carboxyl-terminal amino acids of C9 enhanced PG activation by TPA. Removal of the carboxyl-terminal lysine of C9 abolished the enhancement of PG activation without diminishing PG binding. We conclude that membrane C9 may comprise a binding site for PG and serve to enhance activation of this zymogen by TPA. These findings suggest that immune injury to the endothelium may enhance both the fibrin-generating and fibrinolytic capacity of the vessel wall.

Binding Sites↗

Comparison of channels formed by poly C9, C5b-8 and the membrane attack complex of complement.

The channels formed by poly C9, C5b-8 and C5b-9 were examined using the liposome swelling assay. By plotting the relative rate of swelling of C5b-8-containing liposomes vs the molecular weight of the sugar solute and by applying the Renkin equation, the size of the C5b-8 channel was estimated to be 1.5 mm radius. As increasing amounts of C9 were added during the formation of C5b-9, in C8:C9 ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:6 and 1:12, the size of the function channel increased. Poly C9 had a pore that was somewhat larger than C5b-9 at a C8:C9 ratio of 1:12. Using molecular sieving experiments with four different iodinated protein size markers, the channel diameter of poly C9 was estimated at between 90 and 100 A. Monoclonal antibodies to different complement proteins were added to the liposomes to see which might inhibit the channels. C5b-8 containing liposomes could be inhibited by antibodies to C8. Liposomes containing C5b-9 could be inhibited slightly by antibodies to C9 and most strongly by antibodies to the neoantigen of poly C9.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Role of complement in the aetiology of Pick's disease?

Complement in the postmortem brains of 15 cases of Pick's disease has been widely analyzed immunohistochemically and, in 2 cases, by immunoelectron microscopy. Astrocytes and the Pick bodies and cytoplasm of ballooned neurons were immunoreactive with antibodies to classical pathway components C1, C1q, C4, C2 and C3 and the terminal complex components C5, C6 and C8. In almost all cases, no immunostaining was obtained with antibodies against C9 and neoepitopes in the membrane attack complex (MAC), the complement complex responsible for cytotoxicity. However, unequivocal staining with antibodies to two soluble complement regulatory proteins, S-protein and clusterin, and to the membrane complement inhibitor CD59 was found, although three other membrane inhibitors, CR1(CD35), DAF (CD55), and MCP (CD46), were not detected. The complement immunoreactivity of astrocytes and neurons could be the result of complement biosynthesis or attack. Complement attack will be restricted by the expressed regulatory proteins. However, neurons may be the victims of attack since they show pathological change. The internalization of complement-attacked membrane, perhaps involving the genesis of Pick bodies and ballooning, may explain the intracellular immunolocalization of complement in damaged neurons. Immunoglobulins, as a possible source of complement activation, were observed in only two cases, leaving unresolved the trigger for complement activation in the other cases.

Aged↗

Complement-induced glomerular epithelial cell injury. Role of the membrane attack complex in rat membranous nephropathy.

In passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) in rats, antibody (anti-Fx1A) reacts in situ with a glomerular epithelial antigen and induces complement (C)-mediated cell-independent proteinuria. To assess the role of the membrane attack complex (MAC), we determined the need for C8 in the pathogenesis of proteinuria in an autologous-phase model of PHN. Isolated rat kidneys, containing nonnephritogenic, non-C-fixing gamma 2 sheep anti-Fx1A (planted antigen), when perfused in vitro with C-fixing guinea pig anti-sheep IgG and a source of C (fresh human plasma 50% vol/vol in buffer containing bovine serum albumin), developed marked proteinuria after 20 min (0.58 +/- 0.08 mg/min X g, n = 8) that increased further to 3.20 +/- 0.93 mg/min X g after 80 min. In contrast, identical kidneys perfused with antibody and heat-inactivated or C8-deficient human plasma and normal kidneys perfused with antibody and fresh plasma excreted only 0.27 +/- 0.03 (n = 6), 0.27 +/- 0.04 (n = 5), and 0.40 +/- 0.05 mg/min X g (n = 6) after 20 min, and 0.13 +/- 0.02, 0.22 +/- 0.03, and 0.32 +/- 0.05 mg/min X g after 80 min, respectively. When C8-deficient plasma was reconstituted with sources of C8 (n = 3), proteinuria was restored to the level observed with fresh normal plasma. Differences in protein excretion could not be explained by quantitative differences in glomerular antigen or antibody content. Extensive ultrastructural damage to glomerular visceral epithelial cells was exclusively seen in antigen-containing kidneys perfused with antibody and C8-replete plasma. Thus, glomerular injury in this model results from an antigen-specific, antibody-directed, C8-dependent reaction involving assembly of the MAC. The ultrastructural findings argue in favor of MAC-induced cytotoxicity of the glomerular visceral epithelial cells.

Animals↗

Complement proteins C5b-9 induce secretion of high molecular weight multimers of endothelial von Willebrand factor and translocation of granule membrane protein GMP-140 to the cell surface.

The effect of immune activation of the serum complement system on the secretory response of human endothelial cells was examined. Exposure of antibody sensitized cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells to human serum resulted in secretion of very high molecular weight multimers of von Willebrand factor which coincided with new surface expression of the intracellular granule membrane protein GMP-140. This response required complement activation through deposition of C5b-9 and was not observed with cells exposed to antibody plus C8-deficient serum or to membrane C5b-8 (in the absence of C9). This C5b-9-induced secretion was observed with minimal cell lysis, as assessed by the release of lactic dehydrogenase. Delayed addition of C8 and C9 to cells exposed to antibody plus C8-deficient serum revealed a rapid decay of membrane C8 binding sites accompanied by loss of the secretory response, suggesting a process of removal or inactivation of nascent C5b67 complexes deposited on the endothelial surface. Membrane assembly of C5b-9 complexes caused an increase in endothelial cytosolic [Ca2+], due to influx across the plasma membrane. This C5b-9-dependent increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] and concomitant von Willebrand factor secretion were both abolished by removal of external calcium. In addition to being linked to the level of external Ca2+, the C5b-9-induced secretory response was partially inhibited by the protein kinase inhibitor, sphingosine. The capacity of the C5b-9 proteins to stimulate endothelial cells to secrete a platelet adhesive protein provides one mechanism for increased platelet deposition at sites of inflammation, and suggests the potential for other functional changes in endothelium exposed to C5b-9 during intravascular complement activation.

Antibodies↗

Complement-induced expression of chemokine genes in endothelium: regulation by IL-1-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Activation of complement in the vicinity of endothelium is thought to contribute to the tissue manifestations of inflammatory and immune responses. Endothelial cells contribute to these processes in part by the elaboration of chemokines that activate various leukocytes and direct their migration into tissues. We investigated the mechanisms by which activation of complement on endothelial cell surfaces might influence the expression of chemokine genes in endothelial cells. In a model for the immune reaction occurring in a xenograft, human serum, as a source of xenoreactive anti-endothelial Abs and complement, induced expression of the monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8, and RANTES genes. The MCP-1 and IL-8 genes were expressed within 3 h as a first phase and at > 12 h as a second phase. The RANTES gene was expressed in porcine endothelial cells only 12 h after exposure to human serum. The expression of these genes required activation of complement and assembly of membrane attack complex, as it was inhibited by soluble CR1 and did not occur in the absence of C8. The early phase of MCP-1 and IL-8 gene expression did not require de novo protein synthesis. The late phase of MCP-1, IL-8, and RANTES gene expression predominantly required the production of IL-1alpha as an intermediate step. The results indicate that the expression of chemokine genes in endothelial cells occurs as a function of differential responses to complement and may in part be conditioned by the availability of IL-1alpha.

Animals↗

The attack phase of human complement: differentiation between membrane binding and complex formation by the detection of neoantigen expression in situ. A morphometric immunoferritin study.

C5-9 neoantigen was found by morphometric immunoferritin staining on the membrane of guinea pig erythrocytes lyzed by reactive lysis C5b6 or acid-activated C5 + C6 and C7, C8, and C9. Neoantigen first appeared at the C7 step, increasing with C8, and decreasing after the addition of C9. The incubation of E with C5-C8 or C5-C9 at 0 degrees C resulted in EC5-8 without neoantigen. Reincubation of these cells after washing at 37 degrees C for 5 min led to neoantigen expression. An energy-requiring step is postulated after binding of C5-C8 and needed for C9 binding and lysis.

Animals↗

Biosynthesis of the third and fifth complement components by isolated human lung cells.

Increasing research efforts have been directed at determining the contribution of locally synthesized (cell-derived) complement in host defense and inflammation. In the studies presented here, we determined the ability of a continuous cell line of type II pneumocytes (A549) and a cell line of human lung fibroblasts (WI-38) to produce complement components in vitro. Complement biosynthesis by A549 pneumocytes and WI-38 fibroblasts was demonstrated by incorporation of [35S]methionine into immunoprecipitable complement proteins. Using this technique, A549 pneumocytes were demonstrated to synthesize Clr, Cls, C4, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, Factor B, Factor H, Factor I, and C1s inactivator. In comparison, WI-38 fibroblasts were shown to synthesize Cls, C4, C3, C5, C6, C8, and C9. Because previous work has demonstrated the central role of C3, C5, and their activation products in regulating lung inflammation and tissue injury, we further investigated the production of C3 and C5 by both lung pneumocytes and fibroblasts using enzyme-linked immunospecific assays. A549 cells cultured in the presence of 15% fetal bovine serum (FBS) produced antigenic C3 (135 ng C3/ml/24 h) at a greater rate than did identical cells maintained in serum-free culture conditions (70 ng C3/ml/24 h). Similarly, antigenic C5 production by A549 pneumocytes was greatest in the presence of FBS when compared with cells maintained in serum-free culture conditions (245 ng C5/ml/24 h versus 155 ng C5/ml/24 h).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Line↗

A reason for the cytolytic inefficiency of murine serum.

Murine serum exhibits very poor haemolytic and bactericidal activity. We report that this is due, at least in part, to the presence of a potent, naturally occurring plasma inhibitor of the terminal complement sequence. The inhibitor is a heat-stable euglobulin. It is highly effective in suppressing haemolysis following complement activation on target erythrocytes with heterologous serum. It also inhibits C3-independent reactive haemolysis of guinea-pig erythrocytes with human C5b-9. Current evidence indicates that the inhibitory factor acts at the C5b-7 stage by preventing binding of the terminal complement complex to cells undergoing complement attack. In this respect, the inhibitor differs from the previously recognized regulators of the terminal complement sequence including plasma S-protein. The inhibitor does not protect C5b-7-laden cells from the action of C8 and C9, and also does not suppress formation of haemolytically inactive SC5b-9 in the fluid phase. The action of murine inhibitory factor is not confined to the red cell, and its presence can totally abolish the bactericidal activity of human serum on a sensitive, rough E. coli K12 strain.

Animals↗

Neuronal expression of mRNAs for complement proteins of the classical pathway in Alzheimer brain.

To determine possible sources of complement proteins in the brain, we investigated by in situ hybridization expression of the mRNAs of C1q, C2, C3, C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9 in postmortem Alzheimer disease (AD) and control brain tissue. We found detectable hybridization for all these components in the temporal cortex and hippocampus, with significantly higher levels being found in AD tissue. Hybridization signals were strongest over pyramidal neurons. Low or absent hybridization was seen in the visual cortex or cerebellum. These results suggest that the activated complement components found in association with AD lesions may be, in part, derived from neurons.

Aged↗

Molecular analysis of the membrane attack mechanism of complement.

The molecular arrangement of the membrane attack mechanism of complement was explored. The molar ratios of the components within the C5-9 assembly on the target cell surface were determined using human complement proteins in highly purified and radiolabeled form. With the aid of monospecific complement antisera it was possible to probe the spatial relationships between the components of the assembly. C5 and C6, in the presence of C7, were bound to EAC1-3 in equimolar quantities irrespective of the amounts and the relative proportions of C5, C6, and C7 offered. The amount of C8 bound to EAC1-7 increased with input and at saturation of all C8 binding sites the molar ratio of bound C8/bound C5 approached 1.0. Uptake of C9 by EAC1-8 increased with input and at saturation of all C9 binding sites the molar ratio of bound C9/bound C8 became 6.0. However, calculations suggest that the binding of three C9 molecules to one C8 molecule is sufficient to achieve a full hemolytic effect. Evidence was obtained indicating that binding and hemolytic function of C9 depends upon cooperative interaction of multiple C9 molecules. Binding of C8 to EAC1-7 and the generation of hemolytic C8 sites were inhibited by antibody to either C5, C6, or C7. Uptake of C9 by EAC1-8 and the generation of hemolytic C9 sites were strongly inhibited by anti-C8 and to a lesser degree by anti-C5. Binding of C9 (but not hemolysis) was also reduced by antibody to C6 or C7. The data are consistent with the concept that the fully assembled membrane attack mechanism of complement consists of a decamolecular complex: a trimolecular arrangement composed of C5, C6, and C7 forms the binding site for one C8 molecule which in turn furnishes binding sites for six C9 molecules, saturation of three sites apparently being sufficient for expression of full cytolytic activity of the complex. This work made it possible to design a simple molecular model.

Animals↗