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Identification and synthesis of a receptor binding site of human anaphylatoxin C5a.

C5a is a 74 amino acid polypeptide that likely plays an important role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the discovery of a C5a antagonist is of considerable therapeutic interest. A series of peptides designed to survey various regions of the molecule was synthesized by solid-phase peptide synthesis and evaluated for receptor-binding activity with polymorphonuclear leukocyte membranes. The C-terminal octapeptide (Ac-His-Lys-Asp-Met-Gln-Leu-Gly-Arg-OH) was identified as the smallest fragment which possessed reasonable C5a receptor binding activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cytotoxic effect of radiolabeled C5a on U937 cells in vitro.

We studied whether the receptor (R) for C5a could be exploited to deliver the radiolabeled ligand into U937 cells. A dose-response for uptake of 125I-C5a was demonstrated. Incorporation of [3H]leucine by unstimulated or gamma-INF-stimulated U937 cells treated with 125I-C5a, was significantly lower compared with cells treated with 125I alone. Trypan blue exclusion experiments indicated that gamma-INF stimulated cells incubated with 125I-C5a were less viable than cells exposed to 125I or C5a alone. The results suggest that 125I-C5a is internalized into myeloid cells via C5a-R and is more cytotoxic in vitro than the radiolabel alone, but only at/above a specific activity of 4 microCi/microg.

Cell Survival↗

Anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a adsorption on acrylonitrile membrane of hollow-fiber and plate dialyzer--an in vivo study.

We studied the adsorption of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a on acrylonitrile (AN69) hollow-fiber (AN69HF) and plate (AN69P) dialyzers in 8 patients during 4-hour hemodialyses (HD). Blood passed first through a cuprophan dialyzer and then through AN69 dialyzers that were not in contact with dialysis fluid. Plasma C3a and C5a were measured in samples taken from the afferent and efferent blood lines of the acrylonitrile dialyzers at 15, 60 and 240 min. Plasma C3a concentrations decreased significantly in blood that had passed through AN69 dialyzers. This decrease, indicating membrane adsorption, was maximal (by 65% in AN69HF and by 59% in AN69P) at 15 min and minimal (by 53% in AN69HF and by 18% in AN69P) at 240 min. The decrease in plasma C5a concentrations was smaller and significant throughout HD only with AN69HF. The amount of C3a adsorbed was at least 45,000 micrograms in AN69HF and 18,000 micrograms in AN69P. These findings demonstrate that acrylonitrile dialyzers adsorb more C3a and C5a than they produce. This membrane adsorption may explain why the increase of plasma C3a and C5a is inhibited during HD.

Acrylonitrile↗

Development of response-selective agonists of human C5a anaphylatoxin: conformational, biological, and therapeutic considerations.

Numerous studies on the relationship between the structure and function of peptide agonists derived from the biologically active, C-terminal region of human C5a anaphylatoxin have been reported over the past decade. These studies have been performed with the objective of parlaying this structure-function information into the design of peptide/peptidomimetic modulators of C5a receptor (C5aR)-mediated function. In this review, we describe a rational approach for the development of conformationally biased, decapeptide agonists of C5a and described how these stabilized and specific conformational features relate to the expression of specific C5a-like activities in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic potential of such response-selective C5a agonists is discussed and underscored by the results of one such response-selective C5a agonist that was used in vivo as an effective molecular adjuvant capable of generating antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Finally, we describe the synthesis of a new generation of highly response-selective, conformationally biased C5a agonist and discuss the in vitro and in vivo biologic results that so indicate this biologic selectivity.

Animals↗

Mediators of C5a-induced bronchoconstriction.

Previous studies had suggested that histamine and products of arachidonate metabolism were mediators of the bronchoconstriction induced in guinea pigs by the complement cleavage product C5a. The present study was conducted to further define the arachidonate metabolite(s) involved. Tracheal airflow and transpulmonary pressure were measured in anesthetized and artificially ventilated guinea pigs and pulmonary resistance and dynamic lung compliance were calculated as a measure of bronchoconstriction. The effect of the peptido-leukotriene antagonist L-649,923 and the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor U-63557A on the C5a-induced bronchoconstriction was determined. Also, the response to C5a was evaluated in animals made tachyphylactic to the bronchoconstrictor actions of LTB4. C5a-induced bronchoconstriction was not altered in animals treated with L-649,923 or made tachyphylactic to LTB4 suggesting that LTB4 and peptido-leukotrienes are not major mediators of the response. C5a challenge caused a significant increase in plasma thromboxane B2 levels which was prevented in part by the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor U-63557A. In addition, C5a-induced bronchoconstriction was significantly inhibited by U-63557A. Thus, these studies suggest that thromboxane is the arachidonate metabolite at least in part responsible for C5a-induced bronchoconstriction.

Animals↗

Expression of C5a receptor in mouse brain: role in signal transduction and neurodegeneration.

In this study we explored the potential role of the complement derived anaphylatoxin C5a and the expression of its receptor in mouse brain. Using in situ hybridization, we found that C5a receptor messenger RNA is expressed in mouse brain. In response to intraventricular kainic acid injection, there was marked increase in the C5a receptor messenger RNA expression, particularly in hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex. C5a ligand-binding autoradiography confirmed the functional expression and elevation of the C5a receptor post-lesioning. The expression of C5a receptor messenger RNA in brain was confirmed by northern blot hybridization of total RNA from neuronal and glial cells in vitro. Based on these findings we explored the role of C5a in mechanisms of signal transduction in brain cells. Treatment of primary cultures of mouse astrocytes with human recombinant C5a resulted in the activation of mitogen-activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase. This response appeared to be mediated by the C5a receptor since astrocyte cultures derived from C5a receptor knockout mice were not responsive to the treatment. Understanding the regulation of C5a receptor in brain and mechanisms by which pro-inflammatory C5a modulates specific signal transduction pathways in brain cells is crucial to studies of inflammatory mechanisms in neurodegeneration.

Animals↗

Receptor-operated activation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes: different effects of NAP-1/IL-8 and fMet-Leu-Phe or C5a.

We examined the production of PAF and LTB4 by PMN in response to NAP1/IL-8 alone, or after preincubation with GM-CSF, which has been shown to enhance PMN responsiveness and to prime PMN for production of those bioactive lipids. NAP-1/IL-8 does not induce the synthesis of PAF and LTB4 from endogenous phospholipid precursors, even after preincubation with GM-CSF. In addition and again in contrast to fMLP and C5a, NAP-1/IL-8 fails to induce an enhanced oxidative burst in GM-CSF primed PMN. Exogenously added PAF or LTB4 can mimic the priming effect of GM-CSF for an enhanced oxidative burst in response to all examined chemotactic peptides including NAP1/IL-8. Our data reveal a possible autocrine role of PAF and LTB4 in the enhanced responsiveness of GM-CSF primed PMN towards fMLP or C5a, but not NAP-1/IL-8.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase↗

Effects of human anaphylatoxins on guinea pig atria.

Purified human C3a and C5a produce positive inotropic effects on spontaneously contracting atria isolated from guinea pigs. The increased amplitude of contraction induced by C5a has a threshold at 1 X 10(-9)M. This effect is concentration dependent, increasing by 180% at 1.7 X 10(-7)M C5a. The threshold concentration for a C3a-induced effect is four times greater than that for C5a. The C3a-induced effect is also concentration dependent, maximizing at 1 X 10(-7)M. Above that concentration, the increased response to C3a reaches a plateau value at approximately a 70% greater amplitude than that of untreated tissue. Unlike effects induced by anaphylatoxins in other tissues, these positive inotropic responses are not tachyphylactic. The same atrium will respond repeatedly to either C3a or C5a for a period of up to 4 h. Studies with histamine, leukotriene and prostaglandin inhibitors revealed that the anaphylatoxin-induced responses are not solely histamine mediated. Cimetidine partially inhibited the response of isolated guinea pig atria to C5a (e.g. 25%) and failed to affect the response of this tissue preparation induced by C3a. FPL 55712 inhibited the response to both anaphylatoxins by approximately 40%. The atrial response to C3a was inhibited by more than 70% by indomethacin, whereas the response to C5a was unaffected. This is the first report characterizing the specific action of purified C3a and C5a on isolated cardiac tissue. It was concluded that C3a acts primarily via prostaglandins and leukotrienes while C5a affects contractile intensity via vasoamines and leukotrienes.

Alprostadil↗

Good biocompatibility of the polyamide hemofilter.

Chronic hemofiltration (HF) is now a well-established method, especially for elderly uremic patients and those suffering from cardiovascular problems. This is due to the fact that chronic HF offers superior treatment comfort with less hypotensive episodes, vomiting, muscle cramps and febrile reactions. Apart from the different blood purification techniques involved in chronic HF compared to hemodialysis (i.e. convection versus diffusion), it might well be that the better treatment comfort is attributable to a certain extent to the polyamide HF membrane used in our HF treatments. We studied different biocompatibility parameters and received the following data: (a) leukocytes and thrombocytes remained unchanged during a treatment session; (b) elastase increased slightly but there was no difference between the polyamide and polycarbonate membrane, and (c) arterial and venous concentrations of C5a and C3d remained almost unchanged. The superior treatment comfort and better vascular stability of HF over hemodialysis might also be due to the improved biocompatibility of the applied hemofilter as the polyamide membrane induces no changes in different biocompatibility parameters such as leukocytes, thrombocytes, C5a or C3d.

Biocompatible Materials↗

Anaphylatoxin C5a actions in rat liver: synergistic enhancement by C5a of lipopolysaccharide-dependent alpha(2)-macroglobulin gene expression in hepatocytes via IL-6 release from Kupffer cells.

The effects of the anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a on the liver are only poorly characterized in contrast to their well known systemic actions. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the anaphylatoxin C5a enhanced glucose output from hepatocytes (HC) indirectly via prostanoid release from Kupffer cells (KC). In the present study, it is shown that recombinant rat C5a (rrC5a), together with LPS, activated the gene of the acute phase protein alpha(2)-macroglobulin (alpha(2)MG) in HC also indirectly via IL-6 release from KC. RrC5a alone increased neither IL-6 mRNA in nor IL-6 release from KC, whereas LPS alone did so. However, rrC5a synergistically enhanced the LPS-dependent increase in IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 release. Only rIL-6, but not TNF-alpha or IL-1beta, enhanced alpha(2)MG mRNA in HC. In line with the actions of rrC5a and LPS on KC, conditioned medium of KC stimulated only with rrC5a did not increase alpha(2)MG mRNA in HC. However, medium of KC stimulated with rrC5a plus LPS induced alpha(2)MG mRNA expression in HC more strongly than medium from cells stimulated only with LPS; thus, C5a acted synergistically with LPS. The stimulatory effects of KC-conditioned medium could partially be inhibited by a neutralizing anti-IL-6 Ab, indicating that KC-derived IL-6 was a major mediator in C5a- plus LPS-elicited alpha(2)MG gene expression. These results suggest that C5a, besides enhancing glucose output via prostanoids, is involved in the initiation of the acute phase response in HC via proinflammatory cytokines from KC. This provides evidence for another important function of C5a in the regulation of hepatocellular defense reactions.

Animals↗

Methotrexate inhibits the human C5a-induced skin response in patients with psoriasis.

In this study we examined the effects of intradermal injections of human complement split product C5a in 10 patients with psoriasis in long-term treatment with methotrexate (MTX). The C5a was injected at the end of the weekly MTX cycle just before the intake of the first MTX dose and 3 h after the second of the 3 doses. The C5a-induced skin response was evaluated by measuring the diameter of the wheal and the area of the flare and by erythema index (EI), which was determined objectively by reflectance spectrophotometry. In all patients the skin response was significantly depressed when C5a was injected after MTX intake. The decrease of wheal, flare, and EI averaged 61.6%, 71.1%, and 57.5%, respectively, when all parameters were obtained at maximal skin response. The in vitro chemotaxis of peripheral blood neutrophils and monocytes from the patients toward C5a was markedly inhibited after intake of MTX (p less than 0.01). The skin biopsies obtained after C5a injection before intake of MTX revealed a perivascular inflammatory infiltrate and considerable dermal edema. After MTX intake the number of infiltrating leukocytes and the degree of dermal edema was markedly reduced. This study indicates that MTX is a potent inhibitor of C5a-induced skin inflammation, and that this inhibition may be caused by a direct effect on circulating neutrophils and monocytes. The results obtained in this work support the idea that anti-inflammatory effects of MTX may be partially responsible for its antipsoriatic effect.

Adolescent↗

Anaphylactic actions of platelet-activating factor.

Platelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) is a potent inducer of systemic anaphylactoid reactions in animals. It was found to be similarly potent in contracting smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum and lung and in enhancing vascular permeability when injected subcutaneously into these animals. This factor, therefore, possesses in vitro and in vivo bioactions that resemble those of C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins. However, platelet-activating factor induces a slowly developing, sustained contractile wave in ileum that is not inhibited by an antihistaminic compound, pyrilamine, whereas C3a and C5a stimulate rapid transient contraction that is abrogated by the antihistamine. Furthermore, platelet-activating factor desensitized the ileum to restimulation by itself but not by C3a or C5a; conversely, C3a and C5a desensitized the ileum to themselves but not to platelet-activating factor. Thus, platelet-activating factor possesses a distinctive set of anaphylactic actions. It stimulates a slow wave of muscle contraction and can act independently of histamine release and receptors for the C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Complement-dependent acute-phase expression of C-reactive protein and serum amyloid P-component.

The acute-phase response (APR) is regulated by TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 acting alone, in combination, or in concert with hormones. The anaphylotoxin C5a, generated during complement activation, induces in vitro the synthesis of these cytokines by leukocytes and of acute-phase proteins by HepG2 cells. However, there is no clear evidence for a role of C5a or any other complement activation product in regulation of the APR in vivo. In this study, using human C-reactive protein (CRP) transgenic mice deficient in C3 or C5, we investigated whether complement activation contributes to induction of the acute-phase proteins CRP and serum amyloid P-component (SAP). Absence of C3 or C5 resulted in decreased LPS-induced up-regulation of the CRP transgene and the mouse SAP gene. Also, LPS induced both the IL-1beta and IL-6 genes in normocomplementemic mice, but in complement-deficient mice it significantly induced only IL-6. Like LPS injection, activation of complement by cobra venom factor led to significant elevation of serum CRP and SAP in normocomplementemic mice but not in complement-deficient mice. Injection of recombinant human C5a into human CRP transgenic mice induced the IL-1beta gene and caused significant elevation of both serum CRP and SAP. However, in human CRP transgenic IL-6-deficient mice, recombinant human C5a did not induce the CRP nor the SAP gene. Based on these data, we conclude that during the APR, C5a generated as a consequence of complement activation acts in concert with IL-6 and/or IL-1beta to promote up-regulation of the CRP and SAP genes.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Selection of novel ligands from a whole-molecule randomly mutated C5a library.

Novel antagonists of the proinflammatory leukocyte chemoattractant C5a have been produced from a phage display library of whole-molecule random mutants. The cDNA for the inflammatory polypeptide C5adR(74) was used as template in a PCR reaction doped with the mutagenic nucleoside triphosphates dPTP [dP: 6-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-3,4-dihydro-8H-pyrimido-[4,5-c][1,2]oxazin-7-one] and 8-oxodGTP (8-oxodG: 8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine) to allow the introduction of mutations in a highly controlled manner throughout the cDNA. The resultant library of mutants was displayed on bacteriophage M13 using a jun/fos linker sequence. Functional polypeptides were isolated by several rounds of selection against the receptor for C5a expressed on the surface of CHO cells. From this selection procedure, a limited number of variants of C5adR(74) were obtained. When expressed as free polypeptide, the binding affinities of the selected C5adR(74) sequences were increased 5-fold relative to wild-type protein. Site-directed mutagenesis of the C-terminus of these variants resulted in the production of antagonists of C5adR(74) activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of C5a in the induction of tumoricidal activity in C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) and C3H/OuJ (Lpsn) macrophages.

Thioglycollate-elicited macrophages from C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) and C3H/OuJ (Lpsn) mice were cultured in a two-signal, tumoricidal assay using recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) as the "priming" signal and recombinant human C5a (rC5a) as the "trigger" signal. These experiments were compared directly with a well established, two-signal tumoricidal assay in which rIFN-gamma was used as the "priming" signal and protein-rich, butanol-extracted lipopolysaccharide (But-LPS) as the "trigger" signal. These studies showed that rIFN-gamma-primed macrophages can be triggered in a dose-dependent manner by rC5a to effect high levels of tumoricidal activity. Maximum levels of cytotoxicity achieved using this endogenously produced, biologically active peptide as a "trigger" signal were comparable to those obtained using But-LPS. Moreover, experiments in which anti-C5 antibody was included in macrophage cultures stimulated with rIFN-gamma and But-LPS showed a significant reduction (P less than .05) in tumoricidal activity. Because LPS has been shown to induce macrophage C5 production and enzyme release, these findings suggest that macrophage-derived C5 is locally converted to C5a (or some other biologically active C5 cleavage fragment), which functions as an autocrine trigger signal for the induction of tumoricidal activity. In summary, these data suggest 1) that rC5a can provide a "second signal" to rIFN-gamma-primed murine macrophages for the induction of tumoricidal activity and 2) that macrophage-derived C5 or C5a may represent an autocrine signal induced by exogenous "trigger signals."

Animals↗

NMR analysis of a potent decapeptide agonist of human C5a anaphylatoxin.

A NMR investigation in H2O, TFE and DMSO of a conformationally constrained, potent decapeptide agonist of human C5a, YSFKDMPLaR (C5a65-74, Y65, F67, P71, D-Ala73) showed that its N-terminal region (YSFKD) exhibited an extended backbone conformation in H2O and a more twisted conformation in both TFE/H2O (30:70, v/v; referred to as TFE) and DMSO. The C-terminal region (MPLaR) of the peptide adopted compact, turn-like structures. In H2O, the C-terminal region adopted a type II beta-turn or a distorted type V/II beta-turn involving residues PLaR. In the distorted type V/II beta-turn, Leu72 exhibited a conformation typical of a type V beta-turn, whereas D-Ala73 exhibited a conformation typical of a type II beta-turn. The distorted type V/II beta-turn overlapped with an inverse gamma-turn involving residues MPL. In DMSO, the C-terminal region had the analogous inverse gamma-turn and the V/II beta-turn found in H2O. In many of the DMSO structures, two inverse gamma-turns in the MPL and PLa positions formed a double-inverse gamma-turn. None of the turns observed in H2O were present in TFE. However, in TFE, the PLa residues formed an inverse gamma-turn. Overall, the turn-like structural motifs in the C-terminal region of the peptide in both H2O and DMSO (but not in TFE) agreed with the biologically important conformations obtained earlier by the structure-function analysis of a panel of C5a agonist peptides. These motifs may represent key structural elements important for C5a agonist activity and may be used to design the next generation of C5a agonist and antagonist analogues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗