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Molecular and cellular characterization of the membrane attack complex, C5b-9, in Alzheimer's disease.

The membrane attack complex, C5b-9, is of considerable importance in many inflammatory reactions. It is the terminal, cytolytic component of both classical and alternative pathway activation, and its presence presupposes other potentially destructive complement constituents, including anaphylotoxins and opsonins. We have characterized C5b-9 and its C9 constituent in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) and nondemented elderly (ND) brain using immunohistochemistry at the light and electron microscopic levels, Western blot analysis, and the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. We have also conducted in vitro ELISA assays of amyloid beta-peptide-stimulated SC5b-9 production. C5b-9 is abundantly present in Alzheimer's disease cortex, associated with neurofibrillary tangle containing neurons, dystrophic neurites within neuritic plaques, and neuropil threads, but is weakly detected, if at all, in nondemented elderly cortex under the same conditions. Staining of Alzheimer's disease sections is abolished both by deletion of primary antibody or preabsorption with purified SC5b-9.

Alzheimer 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↗

Restriction of the alternative pathway of human complement by intact Trypanosoma brucei subsp. gambiense.

We studied the interaction of African trypanosomes with human complement. Bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei subsp. gambiense isolated from mice activated the alternative pathway of complement during a 30-min incubation in vitro. In human serum, all cells remained intact and motile during this period. C3 was detected on the surface by a direct binding assay with a monoclonal antibody which recognizes C3b and iC3b. C3 deposition could also be detected by this radioimmunoassay when parasites were incubated with purified C3. Such C3 binding was enhanced by factor B, factor D, and magnesium. Surface deposition of factor B was demonstrated both by flow immunofluorescence analysis and binding of radiolabeled factor B. C3 binding and factor B binding were inhibitable by EDTA but not by ethylene glycol-bis(beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N' -tetraacetic acid (EGTA). The inhibited binding could be restored by addition of magnesium. No human immunoglobulin G or mouse immunoglobulin was detected on the trypanosome surface. By flow cytometry, neither human C5 nor polymerized C9 was detected on trypanosomes incubated in serum, although this assay was able to detect C5 and C9 on the surface of complement-treated human erythrocytes. Using a radioimmunoassay which measures C5b-9 in serum, we found that there was no generation of SC5b-9 in serum which had been incubated with trypanosomes. We concluded that, although trypanosomes activate the alternative pathway of complement, they are not lysed, because the cascade does not continue beyond the establishment of C3 convertase.

Animals↗

Complement in inflammation: induction of nephritides and progress to chronicity.

The C5b-9 complex has a dual role as a factor involved in the initiation of nephritides and in the progress to chronicity and sclerosis. The unique pathophysiology of the membrane attack complex, distinct from other mediators, is its independence from specific receptors. It inserted in any membrane lipid bilayer tested so far.

Animals↗

Active Heymann nephritis in complement component C6 deficient rats.

The mechanisms of renal injury that result in proteinuria in active Heymann nephritis (AHN) remain unclear, though data suggest that in analogy of the passive form of the disease the membrane attack complex C5b-9 may be involved. AHN was induced in an inbred strain of PVG/c-rats that are totally deficient in the C6 component of complement and are unable to form the lytic C5b-9 complex, as well as in non-complement deficient PVG/c+ rats that are immunologic identical to the deficient strain. In both groups of animals comparably high titers of anti-Fx1A autoantibodies were found after three weeks and persisted at 40 weeks. Proteinuria was also similar in both groups, and was first evident at six weeks. High levels of urinary protein, ranging from 200 mg/24 hr to 500 mg/24 hr, were found after 10 weeks and persisted up to one year. Renal biopsy findings at various times post-immunization were identical in both groups, including immunofluorescence staining for Ig and C3 deposits, and also EM findings of subepithelial electron-dense deposits were not different. The injection of heterologous rabbit complement, that partially and temporarily restored the CH50 activity in PVG/c- rats did not alter or hasten the disease. Long-term follow-up showed that all rats in both groups continued to have severe proteinuria and that most animals died between 8 to 12 months after disease induction, without renal impairment. EM findings in serial biopsies demonstrated that the growth of the subepithelial deposits as measured by surface area occurred between weeks 4 and 12. A positive correlation (r = 0.94) between the size of the deposits and the level of proteinuria was found. These studies demonstrate that the membrane attack complex of complement does not play a major role in AHN. The relationship of the size of the immune deposits to the level of proteinuria suggests that the growth of the immune deposits on itself initiate secondary mechanisms that damage the permselective characteristics of the glomerular membrane.

Animals↗

Overexpression of Crry protects mesangial cells from complement-mediated injury.

Crry is a membrane-associated complement regulatory protein expressed on glomerular mesangial, endothelial, and epithelial cells, which reduces C3/C5 convertase activity. This study utilized an overexpression strategy to determine the functional significance of Crry in cultured rat mesangial cells. A Crry expression vector was constructed and was tagged with a c-myc epitope that allowed transfected Crry to be distinguished from the constitutively expressed protein. In stable clones, overexpressed Crry was clearly detected immunocytochemically both by anti-c-myc and anti-Crry antibody in a membrane localization. The overexpression of Crry was also confirmed by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. To determine if overexpression of Crry by mesangial cells confers a protective effect from complement attack, complement-mediated cell lysis assays were performed. Crry-transfected mesangial cells demonstrated complete resistance to complement-mediated cell lysis, which was reversed by neutralization of Crry with both monoclonal antibody and F(ab')2 fragments of the antibody. This study also investigated the role of Crry in protecting cells from the effects of sublytic complement attack. Overexpressed Crry suppressed antibody/complement induced production of superoxide, one of the inflammatory mediators induced by sublytic complement attack. Immunocytochemical staining confirmed a reduction in C3 and C5b-9 deposition in Crry-transfected cells. These results demonstrate directly that transfected Crry functions as a potent protector of mesangial cells against complement-mediated injury. Crry may play an important role in modulating the glomerular response to immune injury in vivo.

Animals↗

The heparin binding domain of S-protein/vitronectin binds to complement components C7, C8, and C9 and perforin from cytolytic T-cells and inhibits their lytic activities.

S-Protein/vitronectin is a serum glycoprotein that inhibits the lytic activity of the membrane attack complex of complement, i.e., of the complex including the proteins C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9n. We show that intact S-protein/vitronectin or its cyanogen bromide generated fragments also inhibit the hemolysis mediated by perforin from cytotoxic T-cells at 45 and 11 microM, respectively. The glycosaminoglycan binding site of S-protein/vitronectin is responsible for the inhibition, since a synthetic peptide corresponding to a part of this highly basic domain (amino acid residues 348-360) inhibits complement- as well as perforin-mediated cytolysis. In the case of C9, the synthetic peptide binds to the acidic residues occurring in its N-terminal cysteine-rich domain (residues 101-111). Antibodies raised against this particular segment react 25-fold better with the polymerized form of C9 as compared with its monomeric form, indicating that this site becomes exposed only upon the hydrophilic-amphiphilic transition of C9. Since the cysteine-rich domain of C9 has been shown to be highly conserved in C6, C7, and C8 as well as in perforin, the inhibition of the lytic activities of these molecules by S-protein/vitronectin or by peptides corresponding to its heparin binding site may be explained by a similar mechanism.

Animals↗

Immunohistochemical demonstration of enzymatically modified human LDL and its colocalization with the terminal complement complex in the early atherosclerotic lesion.

Treatment of low density lipoprotein (LDL) with degrading enzymes transforms the molecule to a moiety that is micromorphologically indistinguishable from lipoproteinaceous particles that are present in atherosclerotic plaques, and enzymatically modified LDL (E-LDL), but not oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), spontaneously activates the alternative complement pathway, as do lesion lipoprotein derivatives. Furthermore, because E-LDL is a potent inducer of macrophage foam cell formation, we propose that enzymatic degradation may be the key process that renders LDL atherogenic. In this article, we report the production of two murine monoclonal antibodies recognizing cryptic epitopes in human apolipoprotein B that become exposed after enzymatic attack on LDL. One antibody reacted with LDL after single treatment with trypsin, whereas recognition by the second antibody required combined treatment of LDL with trypsin and cholesterol esterase. In ELISAs, both antibodies reacted with E-LDL produced in vitro and with lesion complement activator derived from human atherosclerotic plaques, but they were unreactive with native LDL or ox-LDL. The antibodies stained E-LDL, but not native LDL or ox-LDL, that had been artificially injected into arterial vessel walls. With the use of these antibodies, we have demonstrated that early human atherosclerotic coronary lesions obtained at autopsy as well as lesions examined in freshly explanted hearts always contain extensive extracellular deposits of E-LDL. Terminal complement complexes, detected with a monoclonal antibody specific for a C5b-9 neoepitope, colocalized with E-LDL within the intima, which is compatible with the proposal that subendothelially deposited LDL is enzymatically transformed to a complement activator at the earliest stages in lesion development.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A sensitive method to detect synthesis of the functional classical, alternative and terminal pathway of complement by cells cultured in vitro.

A new method used to study in vitro synthesis by human monocytes and alveolar macrophages of the essential complement components for the functional classical, alternative and terminal pathway is presented. The method is based on accumulation of major complements components on activators of the alternative (agarose beads) and classical (lgM-sensitized sheep erythrocytes; ElgM) pathway during co-culture with the phagocytes. There was a time-dependent increase in binding of labelled protein to the co-cultured activators, demonstrating de novo protein synthesis by the phagocytes. Moreover, there was a significant binding to the co-cultured agarose beads and ElgM of monoclonal anti-C3c, anti-C3g, polyclonal anti-C5-C9 and of two monoclonal antibodies (poly C9-MA and MCaEll) to a neoantigen of polymerized C9 present in the terminal complement complex (TCC). In addition, we found a significant binding of polyclonal anti-C4 antibodies to co-cultured ElgM. Incubation of the activators in human serum, subsequently revealed the same pattern of antibody binding. There was no binding of anti-S protein antibodies to the activators after incubation with serum or with the phagocytes. We thus conclude that mononuclear phagocyte-produced complement in the form of C3b, iC3b, and the TCC (C5b-9) was deposited on both activators, whereas C4b was detected on the ElgM. It is our hope that this method can be applied when studying complement biosynthesis by cells other than mononuclear phagocytes.

Animals↗

Cardiopulmonary bypass circuit treated with surface-modifying additives: a clinical evaluation of blood compatibility.

BACKGROUND: The cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit induces blood activation and a systemic inflammatory response in cardiac surgical patients. The CPB circuit treated with surface-modifying additive (SMA) has been found to reduce blood activation by in vitro and ex vivo experiments. This study evaluates the surface thrombogenicity and complement activation of SMA circuits during clinical CPB. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly divided into two groups. In the SMA group (n = 10), all blood-contacting surfaces in the CPB circuit were treated or coated with SMA, whereas in the control group (n = 10) patients were perfused with an identical circuit without treatment. RESULTS: During CPB, platelet count and beta-thromboglobulin were found similar in both the SMA and the control groups. Prothrombin activation indicated by fragment F1 + 2 was found less in the SMA group (p < 0.05). After CPB, platelet deposition on the CPB circuit was significantly less (p < 0.05) in the SMA group than in the control group as assessed by the labeled monoclonal antibody against platelet glycoprotein IIIa. Complement activation identified by C3a and terminal complex C5b-9 did not differ between the two groups, but C4a generation was less in the SMA group (p < 0.05). Leukocyte activation identified by elastase and cytokine release indicated by interleukin-8 were found uniformly in both groups. Postoperatively, chest tube drainage, blood transfusion, duration of ventilatory support, as well as the intensive care unit and hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary clinical results suggest that SMA inhibits platelet interaction with the biomaterial surface of the CPB circuit. Complement activation assessed by the terminal complement complex is not influenced by SMA. The clinical benefit of this surface-modifying technique has yet to be assessed in a larger population of patients undergoing cardiac operations.

Blood Platelets↗

Cutting edge: murine CD59a modulates antiviral CD4+ T cell activity in a complement-independent manner.

CD59 blocks formation of the membrane attack complex of complement by inhibiting binding of C9 to the C5b-8 complex. To investigate a role for CD59 in promoting T cell responses, we compared T cell activation in CD59a-deficient (Cd59a-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice after in vitro stimulation and after infection with rVV. Virus-specific CD4+ T cell responses were significantly enhanced in Cd59a-/- mice compared with WT mice. Similarly, Cd59a-/- T cells responded more vigorously to in vitro stimulation with CD3-specific Abs compared with WT mice. This effect of CD59a on T cell proliferation was found to be complement-independent. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CD59a down-modulates CD4+ T cell activity in vitro and in vivo, thereby revealing another link between complement regulators and T cell activation.

Animals↗

Generation of diacylglycerol and ceramide during homologous complement activation.

Formation of sublytic terminal complement complexes (TCC) on nucleated cells produces transient increase in [Ca2+]i and activates protein kinase C. The present study is to evaluate whether TCC can generate endogenous signal messengers other than Ca2+ that regulate cell activities by measuring mass-levels of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and ceramide. As targets, lymphoblastoid human B cell lines JY25 and its mutant JY5 were used. JY5, cells deficient in glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins with higher lytic susceptibility to human complement, are four times more efficient in forming C5b-9. When cells sensitized with limited anti-class II IgG were exposed to human serum to generate sublytic TCC, a sustained increase in DAG and ceramide was observed with a maximum 3.6-fold DAG increase over basal level in JY25 and 2.8-fold in JY5, and 6.3-fold ceramide increase in JY25 and 2.8-fold in JY5. The effect of TCC was evaluated with C7-deficient human serum (C7D) +/- C7 and also with C5b6, C7, C8, and C9 proteins. The DAG and ceramide increase by C7D + C7 over C7D control were 1.6- and 1.8-fold, respectively, in JY25, and 2.3-, and two-fold in JY5. TCC activation also induced an increased hydrolysis of sphyingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine. In addition, DAG increase by TCC was primarily achieved by C5b-7 and preincubation of cells with pertussis toxininhibited DAG increase, suggesting an involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. As important signal transduction molecules, DAG and ceramide generated in response to TCC assembly, could participate in cell activation during inflammation and repair.

Animals↗

Measuring human complement activation by HLA antibodies.

CONTEXT: The clinical significance of HLA antibodies in transplantation depends on their ability to activate complement, which is measured by the standard complement-dependent cytotoxicity test. Recent reports indicate that C3b measurement on target cells may be a better indicator of human complement activation than standard cytotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: To determine the characteristics of the test, the role of other complement components, and the potential influence of the patient's own complement activity. DESIGN: The T-cell deposition of multiple complement components triggered by HLA alloantibodies was evaluated by flow cytometry using normal human serum as the source of complement. Complement activity in patients' sera was measured after activation with a standard antibody. RESULTS: When HLA antibodies activate complement, C3b deposition is usually highest, followed by that of C4b and C5b. Deposition of C1q, C3d, iC3b, or C5b-9 was low or undetectable in this study. The C5 was activated only when relatively high levels of C3b were present. There was a critical concentration of antibody, unique for each patient, below which activation of C3 declined abruptly. The complement activity in the serum of candidates for liver, heart, and lung transplantation that was tested with a standard antibody was similar to normal serum. In contrast, kidney transplant candidates exhibited higher complement activity. Unexpectedly, serum C3 activity was retained for at least 72 hours after collection. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of C3b, and in some instances C4b or C5b, offers a better definition of the ability of HLA antibodies to activate human complement than tests that are in current use. The results provide a necessary baseline to conduct clinical correlation studies.

Complement Activation↗

Clusterin and the terminal complement pathway synthesized by human umbilical vein endothelial cells are closely linked when detected on co-cultured agarose beads.

Clusterin and the terminal complement pathway synthesized by human umbilical vein endothelial cells are closely linked when detected on co-cultured agarose beads. Clusterin is a multifunctional regulatory protein rendering the terminal complement complex (TCC) soluble and unable to insert into cell membranes. The aim of the present study was to examine whether clusterin was an integral part of serum-derived TCC bound to agarose beads which activate the alternative pathway of complement. Further, we searched for evidence of clusterin synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) and whether this synthesis was regulated by various proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, and TNF) and IFN-gamma. The clusterin and TCC on co-incubated beads were measured by radioimmunoassay based on primary anti-complement antibodies (anti-C3c, anti-TCC, anti-clusterin). We found that clusterin in serum experiments is bound to C9 in agarose bound TCC and not directly to the agarose. Addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide to cultured human umbilical vein cells resulted in a strong reduction (about 70%) of anti-clusterin binding to co-cultured beads, which strongly supports de novo synthesis of clusterin in EC. The results indicate that clusterin derived from the EC is linked with the TCC on the co-incubated beads for the following reasons: First, in serum experiments clusterin like vitronectin, was co-deposited with C9 in agarose-bound TCC. Second, cytokine stimulation of the EC with proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF, known to increase the detection of bound TCC, also increased the amount of clusterin detected on the beads. Third, IFN-gamma, which reduces the concentration of bound TCC, exhibited the same effect on the amount of clusterin detected on such beads. There was a strong and dose-dependent reduction of anti-TCC binding from about 45% to about 95% when clusterin (5-40 micrograms/ml) was added to EC cultures. This effect was also evident (about 40-50% inhibition of bound TCC) using human serum as complement source. These results are probably mainly caused by clusterin binding to C5b-7, making this complex soluble without the capacity to bind to the agarose surface. This study supports the view that clusterin is a potent regulator of TCC at the levels of C5b-7 and C9.

Cells, Cultured↗

West Nile virus nonstructural protein NS1 inhibits complement activation by binding the regulatory protein factor H.

The complement system, by virtue of its dual effector and priming functions, is a major host defense against pathogens. Flavivirus nonstructural protein (NS)-1 has been speculated to have immune evasion activity, because it is a secreted glycoprotein, binds back to cell surfaces, and accumulates to high levels in the serum of infected patients. Herein, we demonstrate an immunomodulatory function of West Nile virus NS1. Soluble and cell-surface-associated NS1 binds to and recruits the complement regulatory protein factor H, resulting in decreased complement activation in solution and attenuated deposition of C3 fragments and C5b-9 membrane attack complexes on cell surfaces. Accordingly, extracellular NS1 may function to minimize immune system targeting of West Nile virus by decreasing complement recognition of infected cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural properties of the glycoplasmanylinositol anchor phospholipid of the complement membrane attack complex inhibitor CD59.

CD59, the membrane regulator of autologous C5b-9 channel formation, exhibits variable sensitivity to cleavage by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), an enzyme that releases glyco-inositolphospholipid (GPI)-anchored proteins from cell surfaces. To determine whether the GPI-anchor phospholipid of CD59 is similar to that of decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and whether variation in its structure underlies its variable enzyme susceptibility, the GPI anchors of the two proteins expressed on erythrocytes, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear leucocytes were compared in situ and after purification. Flow cytometric analyses of PI-PLC-treated cells showed parallel cell type specific release of both proteins as a function of enzyme concentration. Non-denaturing PAGE analyses of alkaline/hydroxylamine-treated proteins (affinity-purified from [125I]-surface-labelled cells) provided evidence for (i) comparable proportions of GPI-anchor acylation, and (ii) alkali-resistant rather than alkali-sensitive lipid substituents in erythrocytes. These findings argue that the differential C5b-9 sensitivity that distinguishes paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria II and III erythrocytes does not derive from expression of CD59 molecules with alternative GPI-anchor phospholipid structures.

Antigens, CD↗

A new in vitro model to study interaction between whole blood and biomaterials. Studies of platelet and coagulation activation and the effect of aspirin.

We have developed a versatile in vitro chamber model with a double purpose: first, to be able to study mechanisms of bio-incompatibility, and, second, to test biomaterials at all levels of interactions, in whole blood. The use of biomaterials in the form of microscope slides as walls in the chamber makes it possible to analyse both the biomaterial surface with regard to protein and cell binding, as well as the molecular events taking place in the fluid. Incubation of blood in the chamber, for 60 min at 37 degrees C resulted in the rapid binding of complement and coagulation proteins and of leukocytes and platelets to polyvinylchloride (PVC) slides. The cells formed a layer which more or less covered the underlying surface. Unlike complement activation, as reflected by soluble C3a and C5b-9, the thrombin-antithrombin formation was completely nullified in cell-depleted plasma. Despite the fact that thrombin-antithrombin generation was also negligible in platelet-rich plasma, inhibition of platelet aggregation on the material surface with aspirin resulted in suppressed generation of thrombin antithrombin complexes. Taken together, the coagulation activation in the chamber was dependent on the presence of blood cells which suggests that bound/aggregated platelets initiate a sequence of events involving leukocytes that results in coagulation activation.

Anticoagulants↗

Transplantation of mouse pancreatic islets into primates--in vivo and in vitro evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Islets transplanted from other species to man has the potential to cure diabetes but whether islets are subject to hyperacute rejection after xenotransplantation is contentious. We transplanted mouse pancreatic islets of mouse beneath the primate renal capsule and assessed natural xenoantibody binding, complement activation and cell lysis in vitro. METHODS: Freshly isolated mouse islets were transplanted in a blood clot under the renal capsule of cynolmogus monkeys. The graft was removed after 24 hr for histological and ultrastructural analysis. Freshly isolated mouse pancreatic islets were analyzed in vitro by immunohistochemistry for Gal(alpha1,3)Gal and Von Willebrand factor expression and for IgG, IgM, C3, C4, and C5b-9 binding after incubation in 100% human serum. Complement mediated cell lysis was evaluated by 51Cr release assays after incubation of islets for 4 hr in human serum, plasma, and lymph with and without added neutrophils. RESULTS: Mouse islets transplanted under the renal capsule of cynomolgus monkeys were destroyed within 24 hr by a process involving necrosis with neutrophil and mononuclear cell infiltration. Gal(alpha1,3)Gal was strongly positive on only 10% of islet cells. After islet incubation in 100% human serum before frozen section, human IgG and IgM, C3, C4, and C5b-9 was deposited on islets with increased intensity in the periphery. Measurement of 51Cr release from labeled fresh islets after four hours incubation in 100% human serum showed 17% lysis and was not changed by addition of neutrophils. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that mouse islets in a primate recipient undergo rapid destruction by a process that has features similar to hyperacute rejection in vascularized organs and we propose the same term be used.

Animals↗