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Reaction mechanisms of beta1H globulin.

The reaction mechanisms of beta1H were studied. The generation of alternative pathway C3 and C5 convertases on the cell surface as well as in the fluid phase was inhibited by beta1H globulin. The cell preparation bearing the C3b site could bind beta1H with little effect on the C3b hemolytic activity. Bound beta1H was dissociated by the action of C3bINA and C3bINA-treated C3b bearing cell did not bind beta1H anymore. Cell-bound beta1H was also dissociated by the action of B (or Bb). From these and other results, the following conclusions were obtained. The C3b site-bearing cell could bind beta1H on the C3c region of C3b molecules facilitating the C3bINA action on C3b, and beta1H shared the same binding site with B (or Bb) inhibiting the generation of the alternative pathway convertases competitively.

Beta-Globulins↗

Complement breakdown products in plasma from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and patients with membranoproliferative or other glomerulonephritis.

A dynamic estimation of the involvement of the complement system in various diseases was obtained by the direct quantitation of breakdown products of C3 and of properdin factor B. The methods used were based, first on the separation of native and fragmented molecules according to their molecular size through a precipitation with polyethylene glycol and, secondly, on an immunochemical quantitation, using specific antisera for the major antigens of C3 and factor B. The sensitivity and the specificity of these methods were demonstrated by activation of complement in vitro with generation of C3 and factor B fragments. A clinical investigation was carried out in 41 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 31 with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), 26 with other types of glomerulonephritis, and 6 with severe alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. The following observations were made: (a) an elevated plasma level of C3d fragment of C3 was found in 68% of SLE patients, in 87% of MPGN patients, in 62% of patients with other hypocomplementemic nephritis, and in 15% of those with normocomplementemic nephritis, but in only 33% of patients with liver cirrhosis and very low levels of C3; (b) a significant difference was observed between the levels of C3 obtained with either anti-"native" C3 or anti-C3c sera for immunochemical quantitation, in patients with SLE or MPGN, indicating the presence of "altered" or fragmented C3 in plasma; (c) an elevated plasma level of Ba fragment of properdin factor B was found in 46% of SLE patients, in 67% of MPGN patients, in 50% of patients with other hypocomplementemic nephritis, and in 9% of patients with normocomplementemic nephritis, while the level of properdin factor B was only slightly decreased in these diseases; (d) in SLE and MPGN there was an inverse correlation between the levels of C3d and Ba and the level of C3 in plasma. The level of these fragments was directly correlated with the clinical manifestations of SLE; (e) some patients with a normal C3 level exhibited an elevated plasma concentration of C3 and factor B fragments, suggesting the coexistence of an increased synthesis with a hypercatabolism of complement components. Therefore, the quantitation of complement breakdown products by simple immunochemical methods provides additional information concerning the involvement of complement in disease and new features for the evaluation of the intensity of immune reactions during immune complex diseases.

Adolescent↗

Mechanism of complement inactivation by glycoprotein C of herpes simplex virus.

Glycoprotein C (gC) of both herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and HSV-2 interacts with complement C3b and protects the virus from complement-mediated neutralization. To study the mechanism by which gC modulates complement activation, we expressed both gC-1 and gC-2 in a baculovirus expression system. Baculovirus recombinants containing gC genes spanning the entire gC-1 sequence (gC-1-TMR) or only the extracellular domain(s) of gC-1, gC-2, or a deletion mutant of gC-1 lacking residues 33 through 123 were expressed in sf9 insect cells. Binding of the expressed proteins to human C3 and C3 fragments was assessed by direct and competition ELISA. All four expressed proteins bound to C3, C3b, and C3c but not to C3d, suggesting 1) that the binding sites for these proteins are located in the C3c region of C3; and 2) that gC, in contrast to other C3-binding proteins, interacts with native C3. We have also examined the interaction of native C3 with gC-1 expressed on the HSV-1-infected cells. Analogous to recombinant proteins, gC-1 expressed on the infected cells also bound to native C3. The ability of baculovirus-expressed gCs to inhibit the interaction of C3b with its ligands was also analyzed. We found that gC-1, but not gC-2, inhibited the binding of C5 and properdin to C3b and also inhibited the alternative pathway-mediated lysis of rabbit erythrocytes. Inhibition of alternative pathway-mediated lysis and properdin binding to C3b, but not of C5 binding to C3b, required the transmembrane segment of the gC-1. The specificity of gC interactions was examined by studying the interaction of gC with C3 from various species. In contrast to properdin, both gCs bound to cobra C3; this finding suggests that gC-1 and properdin bind to different sites on C3b. Further analyses suggested that gC-1 sterically hindered access of C5 and properdin to C3b.

Binding, Competitive↗

C3 nephritic factor protects bound C3bBb from cleavage by factor I and human erythrocytes.

C3 nephritic factor is an autoantibody to the alternative-pathway C3 convertase (C3bBb) which increases the half-life of the convertase both in the presence and absence of serum regulatory proteins. Human erythrocytes contain membrane proteins which also can regulate C3bBb. One of these proteins, the C3b/C4b receptor (CR1), plays an important role in the processing of soluble immune complexes. C3b which is fixed to immune complexes binds to CR1 and is cleaved by factor I to C3c and C3dg. We have tested the effectiveness of the nephritic factor in protecting bound C3b from cleavage by factor I and human erythrocytes. Sheep erythrocyte intermediates EAC1423b were prepared using 125I-labeled C3 and incubated with factors B and D in the presence and absence of nephritic factor. Breakdown of C3b was measured by release of 125I-C3c following incubation with human erythrocytes and factor I. Purified IgG from two patients with nephritic factor prevented C3c release in a dose-dependent manner. Normal human IgG was ineffective as was nephritic factor in the absence of factor B. Factor P also inhibited the release of C3c in the presence of factor B with equivalent activity at approx. 20-fold higher concns than nephritic factor. These results indicate that nephritic factor can impair human erythrocyte dependent degradation of C3b in alternative-pathway-activating immune complexes.

Complement Activating Enzymes↗

Antisperm antibodies and microorganisms in genital secretions--a clinically significant relationship?

In asymptomatic infertility patients, no significant relationship was found between the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) in serum and in semen samples (IgG and/or IgA ASA), differentiated with the mixed antiglobulin reaction (MAR), and the microbial colonization of ejaculates covering a broad spectrum of microorganisms. Likewise, there was no significant association of ASA with microbial findings in patients' female partners, who also presented without symptoms of genital tract infection and were screened at the same time. Furthermore, ASA in semen (IgG and IgA) were not significantly related to several potential markers of subclinical male sexual gland infection or inflammation (leukocytes, PMN elastase, albumin, C3c) evaluated in aliquots of the same ejaculates used for immunological testing.

Adult↗

C4d and C4bp deposition along the glomerular capillary walls in a patient with preeclampsia.

Complement (C) 4d and cofactor C4b binding protein (C4bp) are detected in the glomerular capillary walls of a patient with preeclampsia. A 32-year-old nullipara had proteinuria of 1.2 g/d and edema at the 33rd week of pregnancy. Gradually the urinary protein excretion increased, reaching 5.1 g/d at the 37th week. The patient also showed hypertension at this stage. After normal mature delivery, the level of the urinary protein excretion remained at 3 to 4 g/d. Renal biopsy performed by means of light and electron microscopy, 15 days after delivery, showed almost normal glomeruli and modest subendothelial widening. Immunohistochemistry indicated that immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG, C1q, C3c, and C4c were not deposited in the glomeruli, whereas weakly positive IgM and fibrin-related antigen (FRA) were observed. Conversely, C4d, C3d, and C4bp were strongly deposited. Protein S (PS) also was observed, with a similar distribution pattern to that of C4bp. Immunoelectron microscopy showed the deposition of C4d along the capillary walls and of C4bp in the subendothelium. These findings suggest that the C4 activation process as well as the regulation process of C system and of the inflammatory coagulation axis by C4bp and PS may play an important role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia, so-called glomerular capillary endotheliosis (GCE).

Adult↗

Inefficient binding of IgM immune complexes to erythrocyte C3b-C4b receptors (CR1) and weak incorporation of C3b-iC3b into the complexes.

The binding of soluble complement-reacted IgM immune complexes (IC) to erythrocyte (E) C3b-C4b receptors (CR1) and the incorporation of C3b-iC3b into solid phase IgM-IC was investigated. The optimal binding of liquid phase IgM-IC to E-CR1 was obtained with IC formed at moderate antibody excess, but the binding was low (2-3%) when compared to the binding of the corresponding IgG-IC (50-60%). Solid phase IC were prepared by coating microwells with heat-aggregated bovine serum albumin (BSA) followed by incubation with rabbit IgM anti-BSA antibody. The IC were reacted with human serum at 37 degrees C. The binding of C3b-iC3b was determined by use of biotinylated F(ab')2 antibodies to C3b-C3c and avidin-coupled alkaline phosphatase. The incorporation of C3b-iC3b into solid-phase IgM-IC increased when increasing amounts of IgM antibody were reacted with the antigen. The binding reaction was slow, reaching a maximum after about 2 h at 37 degrees C. The binding of C3b-iC3b to the IgM-IC was remarkably inefficient when compared to the incorporation into IgG-IC reacted with the same amounts of BSA-precipitating antibody.

Animals↗

Renal cortical complement C3 gene expression in IgA nephropathy.

Glomerular C3 deposits are commonly found in immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. Renal gene expression and protein synthesis of complement components have been shown in settings of tissue inflammation. In this study, the pathogenetic involvement of locally produced C3 in IgA nephropathy was analyzed. C3 gene expression was analyzed by reverse transcription, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization techniques. C3 mRNA was detected in 56% of cases, with a significantly higher percentage in patients with moderate-to-severe lesions than in those with mild lesions (P < 0.01). By in situ hybridization, C3 transcript was predominantly expressed by tubular cells and some interstitial cells. C3 mRNA was also observed on glomerular parietal epithelial cells. Immunoreactive native C3 was detected on cortical tubuli by an anti-C3c immunoalkaline-phosphatase technique. A significant correlation was found between renal C3 transcription and glomerulosclerosis, intracapillary proliferation (both P < 0.005) and markers of interstitial damage, including tubular atrophy (P < 0.05), interstitial infiltration (P < 0.05), and fibrosis (P < 0.005). Proteinuria (P < 0.05), but not serum creatinine, at the time of renal biopsy correlated with C3 mRNA. In conclusion, it was demonstrated that the C3 gene was expressed primarily in proximal tubular cells and occasionally in glomerular crescents, and that its expression correlated with clinical and histologic markers of severity and poor outcome of IgA nephropathy. Thus, a pathogenetic involvement of the local transcription and translation of the C3 gene in IgA nephropathy was suggested.

Adolescent↗

Identification of a C3bi-specific membrane complement receptor that is expressed on lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and erythrocytes.

Cells expressing a membrane C receptor (CR(3)) specific for C3b-inactivator- cleaved C3b (C3bi) were identified by rosette assay with C3bi-coated sheep erythrocytes (EC3bi) or C3bi-coated fluorescent microspheres (C3bi-ms). C3bi- ms, probably because of their smaller size, bound to a higher proportion of cells than did EC3bi. C3bi-ms bound to greater than 90 percent of mature neutrophils, 85 percent of monocytes, 92 percent of erythrocytes, and 12 percent of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Binding of C3bi-ms to neutrophils, monocytes, and erythrocytes was inhibited by fluid-phase C3bi, Fab anti-C3c, or Fab anti-C3d but was not inhibited by F(ab')(2) anti-CR(1) (C3b receptor) or F(ab')(2) anti-CR(2) (C3d receptor) nor by fluid-phase C3b, C3c, or C3d. This indicated that monocytes, neutrophils, and erythrocytes expressed C3bi receptors (CR(3)) that were separate and distinct from CR(1) and CR(2) and specific for a site in the C3 molecule that was only exposed subsequently to cleavage of C3b by C3b inactivator and that was either destroyed, covered, or liberated by cleavage of C3bi into C3c and C3d fragments. Lymphocytes differed from these other cell types in that they expressed CR2 in addition to CRa. Lymphocyte C3bi-ms rosettes were inhibited from 50 to 84 percent by F(ab')(2)-anti-CR(2) or fluid-phase C3d, whereas C3d-ms rosettes were inhibited completely by F(ab')(2) anti-CR(2), fluid-phase C3bi, or fluid- phase C3d. Thus, with lymphocytes, C3bi was bound to CR(3), and in addition was bound to CR(2) by way of the intact d region of the C3bi molecule. In studies of the acquisition of C receptors occurring during myeloid cell maturation, the ability to rosette with C3bi-coated particles was detected readily with immature low-density cells, whereas this ability was nearly undetectable with high density mature polymorphonuclear cells. This absence of C3bi binding to polymorphs was not due to a loss of the CR(3) but instead was due to the maturation-linked acquisition of the abiity to secrete elastase that cleaved reagent particle-bound C3bi into CR(3)-unreactive C3d. Neither neutrophils nor monocytes bound C3d-coated particles at any stage of maturation. Assay of CR(3) with mature neutrophils required inhibition of neutrophil elastase with either soybean trypsin inhibitor or anti-elastase antibodies, and the amounts of these elastase inhibitors required to allow EC3bi rosette formation increased with neutrophil maturation. Because lymphocytes bound C3bi to CR(2) as well as to CR(3), specific assay of lymphocyte CR(3) required saturation of membrane CR(2) with Fab' anti-CR(2) before assay for rosettes with C3bi-ms. Only 3.5 percent of anti-CR(2)- treated peripheral blood lymphocytes bound C3bi-ms. Therefore, among normal blood lymphocytes the majority of the 12 percent C3bi-ms-binding cells expressed only CR(2) (8.5 percent), and the small proportion of C3bi-ms- binding cells that expressed CR(3) (3.5 percent) represented a distinct subset from the CR2(+) cells. Double-label assay indicated that 3.0 percent out of 3.5 percent of these CR(3)-bearing lymphocytes were B cells because they expressed membrane immunoglobulins. Of the remaining CR(3)(+) cells, 0.2 percent expressed either Leu-1 or 3A1 T cell antigens, and 0.6 percent expressed the OKM-1 monocyte-null lymphocyte determinant.

Cell Membrane↗

Isolation of a fragment (C3a) of the third component of human complement containing anaphylatoxin and chemotactic activity and description of an anaphylatoxin inactivator of human serum.

A small fragment of C3, called C3a, which has smooth muscle contracting activity, was isolated by three different methods. At pH 8.6, C3a behaved as cation, and using the Archibald method, its mol wt was determined to be 7000. A specific antiserum to C3a showed the fragment to be antigenically distinct from the rest of the C3 molecule, i.e., the C3b portion. The same antiserum and an anti-whole C3 were able to inhibit the biologic activity of C3a. In addition to anaphylatoxin activity, leukocyte chemotactic activity was shown to reside in C3a. Treatment with trypsin caused the cationic fragment to become anionic and abolished the anaphylatoxin but not the chemotactic activity. C3a fragments with identical biologic activity and comparable cationic properties, as determined by acid disc electrophoresis, were obtained by treatment of C3 with C3 convertase, C3 inactivator complex, trypsin, and plasmin. Thrombin produced a similar C3 fragment which was inactive. It was concluded that C3a corresponds to an unusually basic portion of C3 which may be liberated by attack of a variety of enzymes on a highly susceptible region of the native C3 molecule. C3b was cleaved by trypsin and less efficiently by thrombin or plasmin into two antigenically distinct pieces: the larger C3c fragment corresponding to beta(1A) and the smaller C3d fragment to alpha(2D) of aged serum. The c- and the d-fragments were separated and characterized. Isolated C3a rapidly lost its anaphylatoxin activity when treated with small amounts of a partially purified, thermolabile 10S alpha-pseudoglobulin of human serum. The conditions of inactivation suggested an enzymatic reaction. The anaphylatoxin inactivator also destroyed the activity of C5-derived anaphylatoxin and of lysyl bradykinin.

Anaphylaxis↗

Detection of a neoantigen on human C3bi and C3d by monoclonal antibody.

A neoantigen was detected on human C3bi and C3d by using the monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 130. The antibody bound to EC3bi and EC3d cells but not to EC3b. Although highly purified C3bi or C3d strongly inhibited the binding of the antibody to EC3d, highly purified C3c had no such effect. Native C3, C3b, or C3(H2O) inhibited this binding only weakly. The neoantigen was also detected in serum after activation with zymosan or heat-aggregated IgG, and it was found bound to the aggregated IgG and zymosan particles. Plasma samples from patients with immunologic disorders were tested for this neoantigen, and 25 out of 43 samples tested were found to have levels of neoantigen corresponding to 2 to 11.5% complement activation, whereas 13 out of 14 normal donor plasmas contained amounts of neoantigen indicating much less than 1% complement activation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Binding of C3 and C3dg to the CR2 complement receptor induces growth of an Epstein-Barr virus-positive human B cell line.

The effect of ligand interactions with the C3d/C3dg complement receptor (CR2) on proliferation of human B lymphoblastoid cells was investigated by using cell cultures performed at low density (1 to 1.5 x 10(3) cells/ml) in a serum-free defined medium to which only transferrin had been added. This medium does not allow proliferation of Raji cells which die within 48 hr with formation of polykaryons. Addition of purified human C3 to the cultures resulted in a dose-dependent proliferation of the cells. A steady growth of Raji cells with a doubling time of 36 hr was observed in cultures containing 10 micrograms/ml of C3. A growth rate similar to that observed in the presence of native C3 was found in the presence of equimolar concentrations of purified C3dg but not of C3c. F(ab')2 anti-C3d but not F(ab')2 anti-C3c antibodies inhibited the mitogenic effect of C3. Preincubation of Raji cells with monoclonal antibody OKB7 which directly inhibits the binding of C3dg to CR2, totally suppressed C3-induced growth of the cells. C3 did not enhance growth of the T lymphoma-derived cell line JM and monocytic cell line U937 which do not express CR2. These results provide direct evidence that the interaction between CR2 and C3 fragments stimulates proliferation of human cells of the B lineage. Because CR2 also acts as a receptor for Epstein-Barr virus on B cells, our results may pertain to the B cell mitogenic properties of the virus.

B-Lymphocytes↗

[Protein concentrations in the ejaculate of patients with chronic prostatitis].

In 158 patients suffering from chronic prostatitis and 23 healthy men seminal fluid concentrations of IgG, IgA, C3c, coeruloplasmin, alpha-1-antitrypsin and alpha-1-glycoprotein were determined by immunodiffusion. Concentration of IgG is closely correlated to leucocyte counts, that of IgG, C3c, and coeruloplasmin to erythrocyte counts. C3c, coeruloplasmin, alapha-1-glycoprotein and alpha-1-antitrypsin are further correlated to sperm counts. IgG and C3c concentrations are related to pathogenetic factors. If pathogenic bacteria are found, they are significantly higher than in patients with mycoplasmas, without bacteria or normal men. The same relation is found when observing the leucocyte count. IgG is significantly lower when mycoplasmas are found.

Cell Count↗

Purification and characterization of bovine complement component C3 and its cleavage products.

OBJECTIVE: To purify complement component C3 from bovine serum, characterize and analyze NH2-terminal amino acid sequences from its various cleavage products, and do cross-species homology comparisons. ANIMALS: 2 healthy lactating Holstein cows, and 2 healthy adult female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURE: Bovine C3 was isolated from serum, and was cleaved to C3b. The resulting protein was analyzed to determine apparent molecular mass of resulting protein segments. Bands were electroblotted onto a membrane and excised, then NH2-terminal amino acid sequences were determined. RESULTS: The C3 preparation consisted of 6 segments, with molecular mass of 30, 40 (2 bands, a and b), 70, 75, and 115 kd. Via sequence comparisons, the 115-kd band was identified as the alpha chain; the 75-kd segment was determined to be the NH2-terminal portion of alpha chain; the 70-kd piece was identified as the intact beta chain; and the two 40-kd bands are believed to be located at the C-terminal portion of the alpha chain, at the cleavage site that yields C3f. The 30-kd band is the NH2-terminal portion of the alpha chain (minus the C3a segment). Sequence analysis of each band revealed a high degree of homology with human, rat, mouse, and horse C3. Polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits yielded sera that reacted to the purified sample in manner similar to that of commercially available antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The purified preparation contained intact C3, C3b, and the degradation products iC3b and C3c, which had high sequence homology with those of other species. The C3a and C3d, and C3g segments of protein were not detected and may have been lost during purification, lyophilization, or transfer steps. Structure and cleavage characteristics of bovine C3 can be used to better understand immune responses to bacterial pathogens in the mammary gland.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dissection of CR1, factor H, membrane cofactor protein, and factor B binding and functional sites in the third complement component.

Previous studies have suggested that the residues 727-768 of human (Hu) C3 contain the binding sites for CR1, factor H, and factor B. Here, we have (1) characterized further some of the C3 structural requirements for its binding to CR1, H, and B, (2) investigated the functions associated with these C3-ligand interactions, and (3) studied the relationship of MCP-binding sites in C3 with those for CR1, H, and B. Hu C3 molecules in which residues 727-768 were deleted (designated C3delta727-768) or substituted with the corresponding segment of cobra venom factor, Xenopus, or trout C3 (chimeric C3s) were expressed in the baculovirus system and analyzed for their reactivity with C3-binding proteins. In contrast to wild-type iC3 which, in the presence of CR1, is cleaved by factor I to iC3b-a and C3c-a and C3dg, all chimeric C3s were cleaved only to iC3b-a. In addition, the cleavage of deleted (C3delta727-768) iC3 to iC3b-a by factor I in the presence of CR1 was significantly reduced, whereas it remained unaltered in the presence of MCP. Cleavage of iC3 to iC3b-a by factor I and H was similar in all expressed C3s except C3delta727-768, whose cleavage was significantly reduced. All of the expressed molecules except C3delta727-768 were capable of forming the fluid-phase alternative pathway C3 convertase, and all reacted with properdin. These results suggest that during cleavage of iC3 by factor I and CR1, or H, CR1 and H bind to at least two sites on C3 and that the MCP binding site(s) on C3b are different from those for CR1. They also indicate that some or all of the C3 residues that are directly involved in, or contribute to, the structure of one of the CR1 and H binding sites are located within residues 727-768. These studies also demonstrate that, although this segment of C3 may be involved in C3-factor B interaction, other residues in addition to 736EE (previously implicated in B binding) must also contribute significantly to this interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evidence for multiple sites of interaction in C3 for complement receptor type 2 (C3d/EBV receptor, CD21).

Multivalent but not monovalent CR2 ligands are required to elicit Raji cell proliferation as well as other B cell responses. It has been reported (C. Servis and J. D. Lambris, J. Immunol. 1989. 142: 2207) that the tetrameric peptide T-(C31202-1214)4, which represents the CR2-binding site in C3d, was able to support Raji cell growth. We show here that the tetrameric peptide T-(gp350(19-30)4, which contains the CR2-binding site in gp350 protein of EBV also induces Raji cell growth and this effect is inhibited by the monomeric peptides gp350(19-30) and C3(1201-1214). We also investigated the nature of the interaction between C3 fragment and CR2 in order to explain the Raji cell growth-supporting effect exerted by C3. The following findings suggest that there are multiple sites in the C3 molecule able to interact with CR2: (1) both C3c and C3d immobilized on microspheres are able to bind to Raji cells through CR2. (2) soluble C3d inhibits to a greater extent the binding of CR2 to fixed C3d than to fixed C3b, which suggests the existence of additional CR2-binding sites within C3b not present in the C3d portion of the molecule; (3) synthetic peptides C3(1187-1214), C3(741-757) and C3(295-307) which represents regions of similarity in the C3 molecule bind specifically to CR2 on Raji cells and compete with each other for binding to the receptor and (4) preincubation of microtiter plate-fixed C3b with monoclonal or polyclonal anti-peptide antibodies (C3-9, anti-C3(727-768) recognize the N terminus of the alpha chain of C3 (including residues 741-757) inhibited CR2 binding. Therefore, these data suggest that the N terminus of the alpha chain of C3 is involved in binding to CR2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Homologous C3 deposition and homotypic cell adhesion in a human myeloid cell line, P39.

It has been accepted that decay-accelerating factor (DAF) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) on human cells block C3 deposition, thereby preventing homologous complement attack. In this study, we discovered that a human myeloid cell line, P39, was a target for human C3 even though it expressed normal DAF and MCP. This homologous C3 deposition was induced by serum containing Mg2+ and EGTA (Mg(2+)-EGTA serum) selectively on a P39 subline [P39(+)cells] having the capacity to form cell aggregates. Another P39 subline [P39(-)cells] growing as a separated form did not induce homologous C3 deposition. Multiple C3 fragments, C3b and C3bi, were fixed on P39(+) cells and a significant amount of C5a was released. Several distinct C3 fragment-membrane acceptor molecule complexes were immunoprecipitated with anti-C3c antibody from surface-labeled P39(+) cells treated with Mg(2+)-EGTA serum and from unlabeled cells incubated with 125I-labeled C3 and Mg(2+)-EGTA serum. Two-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed 90, 60 and < or = 40 kDa C3 acceptors on P39(+) cells. On these cells, some of the C3 bound to these acceptors remained in the form of C3b, which can form C3/C5 convertases. P39(+) cells differed phenotypically from P39(-) cells in that P39(+) cells expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), whereas P39(-) cells did not. Both cells were lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1)+/CR3- counter-receptors for ICAM-1. However, homotypic cell adhesion was not completely inhibited by antibodies against ICAM-1 and LFA-1, suggesting that the homotypic cell aggregation of P39(+) cells is due only in part to ICAM-1 and LFA-1. In addition, C3 deposition, the expression of ICAM-1, and cell aggregation were enhanced by both tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. Although the principal causative mechanisms remain obscure, C3 deposition and cell adhesion appear in parallel in this cell line and may be involved in the modulation of cell-mediated immune reactions.

Cell Adhesion↗

A simple solid phase radioimmunoassay specific for human C3b to detect C3b receptors on human lymphoblastoid cell surfaces.

Our aim was to detect C3b receptors on human lymphoblastoid cells using a solid phase radioimmunoassay (RIA) specific for human C3b. RIA was performed by coupling rabbit antihuman C3b to acrylamide beads to make immunobeads. The specificity and sensitivity of binding of 125I-C3b to immunobeads allowed the detection of as little as 6 X 10(-10) M unlabeled human C3b. The cells were incubated with a C3b concentration (10(-9) M) giving 25% inhibition in the RIA. The concentration of unbound C3b was then measured in the cell supernatants using RIA. Results showed that: (a) loss of C3b antigen in the cell supernatant was not due to degradation of C3b molecules, (b) C3b binding could be detected at 37 degrees C on the four B cell lines, but not on the two T cell lines or on the two non T-non B cell lines tested, (c) C3b bound on the B lymphoblastoid cells was not cleaved, neither into iC3b nor C3c and C3d fragments, supporting the presence of C3b receptors on the cells tested. This method allows screening of a variety of C3b receptor-positive cells.

Animals↗