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Cyclic AMP-mediated upregulation of the expression of neuronal NO synthase in human A673 neuroepithelioma cells results in a decrease in the level of bioactive NO production: analysis of the signaling mechanisms that are involved.

The expression level of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) can vary depending on the (patho)physiological conditions. Here we document a marked induction of nNOS mRNA, protein, and total NO production in response to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) in human A673 neuroepithelial cells. However, the upregulation of nNOS was associated with a decreased level of production of bioactive NO and by an increase in the level of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS production could be prevented by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME, suggesting nNOS itself is involved in ROS generation. Sepiapterin supplementation of db-cAMP-treated A673 cells could restore full bioactive NO production, most likely by preventing the uncoupling of nNOS. nNOS was upregulated by other stable analogues of cAMP, by the activator of adenylyl cyclase forskolin, by isoproterenol or by dopamine through activation of D1 receptors, and by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase. cAMP did not change the half-life of the nNOS mRNA. Inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), H-89 and R(p)-cAMPS, produced a partial inhibition of basal and cAMP-induced nNOS expression. cAMP response element binding and modulator transcription factors (CREB and CREM), typical target proteins of PKA, were expressed in A673 cells, as was the coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP). cAMP-stimulated induction of nNOS was significantly enhanced in A673 cells stably transfected with wild-type CREB and almost abolished in cells transfected with KCREB (containing a mutation of the DNA binding domain). In A673 cells transfected with CREB(133) (containing a mutation of the phosphorylatable serine 133), the overall level of nNOS expression was reduced, but the expressional stimulation by cAMP remained. This suggests that CREB bypasses, in part, the classical requirement for phosphorylation and association with CBP. Three members of the recently described four-and-a-half-LIM-domain proteins (FHL1-FHL3) were found to be expressed in A673 cells; FHL-1 and FHL-3 were upregulated by cAMP. These proteins can provide direct activation function to both CREB and CREM, and may be responsible for the PKA-independent component of CREB and CREM activity.

Animals↗

H deficiency in two brothers with atypical dense intramembranous deposit disease.

We report an H deficiency in two Algerian brothers who had early-onset glomerulonephritis. In addition, one suffered from serious lung infections. The H deficiency was defined by undetectable CH50 and AP50, and low levels of H, C3 and B (less than 10% of normal levels). I and classical pathway components, including C4-bp were normal. CR1 was present on both patients' erythrocytes. No nephritic factor or other circulating alternative pathway activator was detected. The parents, who are first cousins, and a healthy brother and sister had half-normal levels of H. These findings favor an autosomal recessive transmission of the H defect. Although by electron microscopy renal biopsies from both patients were typical for dense intramembranous deposit disease, immunofluorescence microscopy showed an atypical pattern with abundant granular C3 deposits within the mesangium and along the capillary walls. Alternative pathway activators, possibly related to dense deposits, may allow the formation of membrane-associated C3/C5 convertases, unusually stable in the absence of H, since C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9 levels were decreased in both patients. This observation may represent an interesting clue to the relationship between nephritic factor, alternative pathway activation, and dense intramembranous deposit disease.

Adolescent↗

A novel fold for the factor H-binding protein BbCRASP-1 of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete transmitted to human hosts during feeding of infected Ixodes ticks, is the causative agent of Lyme disease. Serum-resistant B. burgdorferi strains cause a chronic, multisystemic form of the disease and bind complement factor H (FH) and FH-like protein 1 (FHL-1) on the spirochete surface. Here we report the atomic structure for the key FHL-1- and FH-binding protein BbCRASP-1 and reveal a homodimer that presents a novel target for drug design.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Complement factor H-binding protein of Raji cells and tonsil B lymphocytes.

Several reports have indicated that Factor H has specific effects on certain cell populations, suggesting that Factor H receptors may exist. Lambris & Ross [(1982) J. Exp. Med. 155, 1400-1411] purified a protein from Raji B-lymphoblastoid cell culture supernatants, using Factor H-Sepharose affinity chromatography. This species appeared to consist of two disulphide-linked components each of Mr 50,000, with an additional 50,000-Mr chain attached non-covalently. The existence of cell-surface Factor H-binding proteins has now been re-investigated with 125I surface-labelled Raji and tonsil B cells. Non-ionic-detergent extracts of the cells, in 0.1% Nonidet P40/10 mM-sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, were incubated with Factor H-Sepharose in the presence of proteinase inhibitors. After the beads had been washed, bound components were eluted with 50 mM-NaCl. A single radioactive species was eluted from the resin, which migrates identically with Factor H (apparent Mr 170,000) in SDS/polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis under reducing and non-reducing conditions. Biosynthetic radiolabelling studies confirmed that this species was synthesized by Raji cells. Examination of culture supernatants from biosynthetically radiolabelled Raji cells showed again the presence of a single soluble species that bound to Factor H-Sepharose, but this species was of lower Mr (approx. 105,000) than the membrane-derived protein. The soluble form may be produced by proteolysis of the membrane form, or may be of separate origin. The similarity in size of the cell-surface protein to Factor H was initially confusing, but it is distinct from cell-surface Factor H on the basis of three criteria: (1) it is not recognized by anti-(Factor H) monoclonal antibodies MRC OX23 and MRC OX24, nor by polyclonal F(ab')2 anti-(Factor H); (2) it does not bind to Zn2+-chelate resin, whereas Factor H does; (3) cell-surface Factor H present on U937 cells does not bind to Factor H-Sepharose.

B-Lymphocytes↗

The complete amino acid sequence of human complement factor H.

The complete amino acid sequence of the human complement system regulatory protein, factor H, has been derived from sequencing three overlapping cDNA clones. The sequence consists of 1213 amino acids arranged in 20 homologous units, each about 60 amino acids long, and an 18-residue leader sequence. The 60-amino-acid-long repetitive units are homologous with those found in a large number of other complement and non-complement proteins. Two basic C-terminal residues, deduced from the cDNA sequence, are absent from factor H isolated from outdated plasma. A tyrosine/histidine polymorphism was observed within the seventh homologous repeat unit of factor H. This is likely to represent a difference between the two major allelic variants of factor H. The nature of the cDNA clones indicates that there is likely to be an alternative splicing mechanism, resulting in the formation of at least two species of factor H mRNA.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Two populations of complement factor H differ in their ability to bind to cell surfaces.

Using hydrophobic affinity chromatography on phenyl-Sepharose, human complement factor H can be separated into two subpopulations, phi 1 and phi 2. Although phi 1 and phi 2 are known to differ in their aggregation properties under non-physiological low ionic strength conditions, no difference in aggregation state was detected under the conditions used for cell-binding experiments. We have investigated these two subpopulations further to determine whether functional differences exist between them. The subpopulation phi 2 was found to bind specifically and saturably to the surface of Raji cells. The binding of the other subpopulation, phi 1, was low, and essentially non-specific. A monoclonal anti-factor H antibody, BGH-1, was raised which recognizes preferentially the phi 2 subpopulation and inhibits the binding of factor H to cell surfaces.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Truncated forms of human complement factor H.

By the use of Western-blot analyses with polyclonal anti-(Factor H) antibodies, two low-Mr protein species of Mr 41,000 and 37,000 under non-reducing conditions and 43,000 and 40,000 under reducing conditions are consistently detected together with the well-known 155,000-Mr Factor H in human plasma and serum. These two additional species are also found in plasma, urine and synovial fluids. The 41,000-Mr species but not the 37,00-Mr species is detected by a monoclonal anti-(Factor H) antibody directed at the N-terminal part of Factor H. The 37,000-Mr species but not the 41,000-Mr species is detected by a monoclonal anti-(Factor H) antibody directed at the C-terminal part of Factor H. The 41,000-Mr and 37,000-Mr species are different from the well-characterized 36,000-Mr N-terminal tryptic fragment of Factor H. They are likely to represent translational products of the short Factor H mRNA species of 1.8 kb and 1.2-1.5 kb occurring in human liver that we have recently described.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Interferon-induced transcriptional and post-transcriptional modulation of factor H and C4 binding-protein synthesis in human monocytes.

Cultured human monocytes synthesize factor H (H) and C4 binding protein (C4-bp), as assessed by measuring their presence in culture fluids, and demonstrating the presence of their corresponding mRNAs in total monocyte RNA by Northern blot analysis and by nuclear run-on experiments. H mRNA (4.3 kb and 1.8 kb) could only be detected when cycloheximide (2.5 micrograms/ml) was present in monocyte culture fluid. Recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and lymphoblastoid interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) produce dose-related increases in the synthesis of H and C4-bp and in the abundance of C4-bp mRNA (2.5 kb). Increased abundance of H mRNA was also seen when cycloheximide (2.5 micrograms/ml) was present in the cultures. Both cytokines increased the transcription rates of the H and C4-bp genes. These changes in transcription were rapid, with significant increases being observed within 30 min of exposure. Following the removal of the cytokines from the cultures the transcription rates of both genes returned to control levels within 4 h. The effects of combining IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma on H and C4-bp transcription rates, mRNA abundances and protein secretion rates were not quantitatively additive. The half-life of H mRNA in monocytes was 15 min, whereas that of C4-bp mRNA was 2 h 45 min. Neither half-life was altered by IFN-gamma.

Carrier Proteins↗

Different regulation of factor H and FHL-1/reconectin by inflammatory mediators and expression of the two proteins in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Factor H and the FHL-1/reconectin protein are two human plasma proteins that act as important regulators of the alternative complement pathway. Each protein is encoded by a unique transcript, but both mRNAs are derived from the factor H gene by means of alternative processing. In order to address potential functional differences between the two proteins we analysed their expression in hepatic and non-hepatic cells and studied their regulation by inflammatory mediators. We demonstrate that factor H and FHL-1/reconectin transcripts which are regulated by the same gene promoter and are initiated at the same transcription start site are differently expressed. Expression of the molecules is induced and regulated by the inflammatory mediators interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid dexamethasone. Both factor H and FHL-1/reconectin are expressed and secreted by synovial fibroblasts and are present in synovial fluid derived from patients suffering from rheumatoid or reactive arthritis. The local synthesis in synovial fibroblasts and their induction by IFN-gamma and dexamethasone, but not by tumour necrosis factor-alpha, suggests for each of the two complement regulators a protective role in RA.

Alternative Splicing↗

Release of endogenous anti-inflammatory complement regulators FHL-1 and factor H protects synovial fibroblasts during rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown aetiology predominantly affecting cells and tissues of synovial joints. Here we show that the two important complement regulators FHL-1 and factor H play a protective anti-inflammatory role in rheumatoid arthritis. Expression analyses at the mRNA- and protein level show in vitro expression and secretion of both regulators by synovial fibroblasts derived from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Similarly the two regulators are synthesized in vivo in diseased synovial tissue, and in particular synovial lining cells express high levels of FHL-1. The anti-inflammatory role of these regulators in rheumatoid arthritis is highlighted by their induction with IFN-gamma and dexamethasone, whilst the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha had no effect. Transient transfection experiments with various FHL-1/factor H promoter-luciferase reporter constructs into cells of distinct origin show independent cell and tissue specific promoter regulated transcription of these two regulators. The inducible expression, specifically of FHL-1 has physiological consequences. By binding directly to surfaces the released proteins protect cells from inflammatory damage and complement-mediated cell lysis. This study shows a novel protective and anti-inflammatory role of the two important complement regulators FHL-1 and factor H in rheumatoid arthritis and suggests a disease controlling role of the two proteins.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Enzymatic treatment transforms trypomastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi into activators of alternative complement pathway and potentiates their uptake by macrophages.

In the absence of bound antibody, trypomastigote bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma cruzi fail to activate the alternative complement pathway. We now demonstrate that treatment with trypsin and, to a lesser extent, with sialidase converts these protozoa into activators of the pathway, as judged by their lysis in normal sera or sera genetically deficient in fourth or second component of complement (C4 or C2) and their Mg2+-dependent consumption of C3 as measured by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. In addition, after pretreatment with enzyme and incubation in C5-deficient serum, trypomastigotes were shown to possess both C3 and properdin factor B (B) on their surface as judged by immunofluorescence. Requirement for the late components C5-C9 was suggested by the failure of C5-deficient sera to lyse trypsin-treated parasites. The inability to activate the alternative complement pathway was regained by these organisms after incubation in vitro. This restoration of insusceptibility was inhibited when puromycin was included in the culture medium. Treatment of the trypomastigotes with trypsin also potentiated their uptake by mouse peritoneal macrophages without apparent interference with their capacity to differentiate and multiply inside the cell. These findings suggest that untreated trypomastigotes normally escape recognition by the alternative pathway in vivo because of the presence on their surface of trypsin- and sialidase-sensitive regulatory molecules, the expression of which is dependent on protein synthesis.

Animals↗

Normal polymorphic variations and transcription of the decay accelerating factor gene in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria cells.

In paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), an acquired hemolytic anemia, deficiency of decay accelerating factor (DAF) renders blood cells susceptible to increased deposition of autologous complement activation fragments (C3b) and complemented-mediated injury. To investigate the mechanism of the DAF defect, DNA and mRNA from normal and PNH leukocytes were compared in blot hybridization assays by using DAF cDNA and oligonucleotide probes. Southern analyses of DNA from normal cells revealed a single gene spanning approximately equal to 35 kilobases of DNA. Six HindIII banding patterns were distinguishable among normal individuals. In family studies, the patterns segregated as three homozygous and three heterozygous genotypes deriving from three haplotypes: A, B, and C with frequencies of 0.47, 0.36, and 0.17, respectively. Oligonucleotide mapping localized the polymorphic HindIII sites to two noncoding regions in the vicinity of exons encoding (i) the protein oligosaccharide-rich domain and (ii) the mRNA 3'-untranslated region. Analyses of DNA from DAF-negative leukocytes of eight PNH patients demonstrated restriction fragment profiles identical to those of normal individuals for all enzymes studied. Three patients had the BC (normals = 3/32), three patients had the AA (normals = 6/32), and two patients had the AC (normals = 8/32) HindIII genotype. Of the three PNH patients exhibiting the BC genotype, family studies of two demonstrated the expected inheritance patterns, and RNA gel blot analyses of two showed mRNA transcripts indistinguishable from those in normal cells. The absence of DAF gene or mRNA alterations in affected PNH cells that lack other glycolipid-anchored proteins as well as DAF argues that the lesion underlying PNH cells resides in the glycolipid-anchor pathway.

Blood Proteins↗

The complement regulator factor H binds to the surface protein OspE of Borrelia burgdorferi.

Spirochete bacteria of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex cause Lyme borreliosis. The three pathogenic subspecies Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto differ in their disease profiles and susceptibility to complement lysis. We investigated whether complement resistance of Borreliae could be due to acquisition of the main soluble inhibitors of the alternative complement pathway, factor H and the factor H-like protein 1. When exposed to nonimmune EDTA-plasma, the serum-resistant B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strains bound factor H/factor H-like protein 1 to their surfaces. Assays with radiolabeled proteins showed that factor H bound strongly to the B. burgdorferi sensu stricto strain. To identify factor H ligands on the borrelial surface, we analyzed a panel of outer surface proteins of B. burgdorferi sensu stricto with the surface plasmon resonance technique. The outer surface lipoprotein OspE was identified as a specific ligand for factor H. Using recombinant constructs of factor H, the binding site for OspE was localized to the C-terminal short consensus repeat domains 15-20. Specific binding of factor H to B. burgdorferi sensu stricto OspE may help the pathogen to evade complement attack and phagocytosis.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Interaction of C4-binding protein with cell-bound C4b. A quantitative analysis of binding and the role of C4-binding protein in proteolysis of cell-bound C4b.

Purified C4-binding protein (C4-bp) was shown to bind to cell-bound C4b by radioactive tracer techniques. With EAC4 bearing greater than 3,000 C4b-molecules/cell, the number of C4-bp molecules bound was directly proportional to the number of C4b molecule on the cell surface; EAC4 bearing less than 3,000 C4b-molecules/cell bound a very small amount of C4-bp. Scatchard analysis of binding of C4-bp indicated an equilibrium constant of 4.6 X 10(8) L/M and a maximum of 0.43 C4-bp molecules bound per C4b molecule, equivalent to an average of one molecule of C4-bp per two or three molecules of C4b. Fluid-phase C4b inhibited the binding of C4-bp to cell-bound C4b in a dose-dependent manner, whereas native C4 had little effect. C2 inhibited this binding and also released C4-bp from EAC4,C4-bp. However, C2 was 27 times less effective than unlabeled C4-bp on a molar basis and a considerable amount of C4-bp remained bound to C4b on the cell surface even in the presence of a large excess of C2. We also examined the cofactor activity of C4-bp in the cleavage of cell-bound C4b by C3b/C4b inactivator (I). Cleavage of the alpha' chain of C4b on the cell surface by I alone was incomplete and an intermediate cleavage product, alpha-75, was observed. When C4-bp bound to C4b on the cell surface, the alpha' chain of the C4b cleaved into three fragments, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 4. The alpha 3, alpha 4, beta, and gamma peptides (C4c) were released into the fluid phase, and the alpha 2 fragment (C4d) remained linked covalently to the cell membrane via an ester bond. In some situations, therefore, C4-bp enhances the proteolytic activity of I on cell-bound C4b.

Animals↗

Human genes for three complement components that regulate the activation of C3 are tightly linked.

A new cluster of complement component genes, including C4BP, C3bR, and FH, is described. Family segregation data indicate that FH is linked to the genes for C4-bp and C4bR, previously reported to be linked and to maintain linkage disequilibrium. This cluster is not linked to the major histocompatibility complex, which contains the genes for the complement components, C4, C2, and factor B, or to the C3 locus. These data further suggest that the organization of genes for functionally related proteins in clusters may be a rule for the complement system.

Carrier Proteins↗

Interferon gamma induces synthesis of complement alternative pathway proteins by human endothelial cells in culture.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells grown in vitro under standard conditions contain a high level of mRNA specific for the complement regulatory factors H and I. An additional 1.8-kb mRNA encoding a truncated form of factor H is also present. IFN-gamma stimulation of the cells causes a 6-7 fold increase in both factor H mRNA species, and a greater than 10-fold increase in factor I mRNA. IL-1 and LPS slightly suppressed factor H mRNA, while TNF had no effect. mRNA for factor B is also detectable in IFN-gamma-stimulated cells, but messengers for C1q, C4bp, and CR3 beta chain were not found. Secretion of factor H protein was also stimulated by IFN-gamma. The presence of mRNA for factors H, B, and I, together with C3 secretion, demonstrated by others, suggests that endothelial cells can assemble the complete alternative complement pathway. Endothelial cell complement may be involved in leukocyte-endothelium interactions mediated by leukocyte C3 receptors.

Blotting, Northern↗

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by monoclonal lambda light chains in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis.

Immunopathological evidence suggests that activation of the alternative pathway of complement (AP) is involved in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) and in immunoglobulin A nephropathy. In this report we describe an AP dysfunction-associated factor that was isolated from the serum and urine of a patient with hypocomplementemic MPGN. Extensive glomerular deposits of C3, properdin, and of the terminal complement components were observed in the kidney of the patient. In her serum the AP hemolytic activity was virtually absent. When mixed with fresh normal serum, the patient's serum induced a 96% C3 conversion during a 30-min incubation at +37 degrees C. This activity was found to be due to a circulating factor that by immunochemical characterization proved to be a 46-kD monoclonal immunoglobulin lambda light (L) chain dimer (lambda L). Purified lambda L, but not control lambda or kappa L chains from patients with L chain disease, activated the AP in a dose- and ionic strength-dependent manner. Functionally, lambda L was differentiated from C3 nephritic factor (an autoantibody against the AP C3 convertase, C3bBb) by its inability to bind to and stabilize the C3bBb enzyme. Instead, lambda L was observed to interact directly with the AP control factor H. Thus, lambda L represents a novel type of immunoglobulin-related AP-activating factor with the capacity to initiate alternative complement pathway activation in the fluid phase.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗