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Polymerase chain reaction based C4AQ0 and C4BQ0 genotyping: association with systemic lupus erythematosus in southwest Han Chinese.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of complement C4 null genes (C4Q0, including C4AQ0 and C4BQ0) and C2 gene with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in southwest Han Chinese; 136 patients with SLE and 174 matched controls were genotyped. METHODS: C4 null genes were determined by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP). The 2 bp insertion in exon 29, which was previously identified in non-Chinese populations and caused defective C4A genes, was directly typed by sequencing the whole exon 29 using exon specific primers. The exon 6 of complement C2 was also sequenced in both the patients and controls. RESULTS: The frequency of homozygous C4AQ0 allele was 12.5% (17/136) in patients with SLE compared with 1.1% (2/174) in controls (p<0.001, odds ratio (OR)=12.286, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.786 to 54.170). There was no significant difference for homozygous C4BQ0 allele between patients with SLE and controls (p=0.699). Patients with the C4AQ0 gene had an increased risk of acquiring renal disorder, serositis, and anti-dsDNA antibodies compared with those without C4AQ0 (for renal disorder, p=0.018, OR=8.951, 95% CI 1.132 to 70.804; for serositis, p=0.011, OR 4.891, 95% CI 1.574 to 15.198; for anti-dsDNA, p=0.004, OR 7.630, 95%CI 1.636 to 35.584). None of the patients or controls had the 2 bp insertion in exon 29 of the C4 gene. The type I C2 deficiency was not detected in the 310 samples. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that deficiency of C4A (not due to a 2 bp insertion in exon 29), but not C4B or C2, may be a risk factor for acquiring SLE in south west Han Chinese; this results in increased risk of renal disorder, serositis, and anti-dsDNA antibodies in patients with SLE. Racial differences seem to be relevant in susceptibility to SLE

Adolescent↗

Family study of the major histocompatibility complex in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: importance of null alleles of C4A and C4B in determining disease susceptibility.

The families of 29 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and 42 normal subjects were studied to determine the inheritance of the HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens and also the complement polymorphisms for C2, C4A, C4B, and Bf, which are encoded in the same region of the sixth chromosome. Null (silent) alleles for C4A, C4B, or C2 were found in 24 of the 29 (83%) patients compared with 18 of the 42 (43%) normal controls. HLA-DR3 was present in 20 (69%) of the patients and seven out of 39 (18%) of the normal controls. There was strong linkage disequilibrium between DR3 and the null alleles for C4A and C4B. The data did not permit the relative contributions of DR3 and null factors of C4A and C4B as genetic risk factors to be distinguished. The known association of systemic lupus erythematosus with uncommon inherited and acquired deficiencies of complement components suggests, however, that the presence of null alleles for C4A and C4B, as well as C2, found in most of the patients, is relevant to their genetic susceptibility to this disease.

Adolescent↗

Complement factor 2 deficiency: a clinical and serological family study.

Inherited complement deficiencies are associated with a variety of connective tissue diseases. A family with inherited deficiency of complement factor 2 (C2) is described in which two family members with homozygous C2 deficiency developed cutaneous vasculitis and sicca syndrome. The other family members had heterozygous C2 deficiency and each member had the HLA-A25, B18, DR2 (w15) haplotype. The mother had seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Further studies showed the presence of cryoglobulins, antibodies against endothelial cells, and anticardiolipin antibodies.

Adult↗

Frequency in Spanish population of familial complement factor 2 type I deficits and associated HLA haplotypes.

We present two familial cases of complement factor 2 (C2) type I deficiency. Probands had experienced severe pyogenic bacteria infections in childhood and had undetectable levels of C2 and very low level of CH50. Both children were homozygous for the deletion of 28 bp in exon 6 of the C2 gene. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing in family 1 had the commonly reported associations, but family 2 demonstrated a new association of the mutated C2 gene to HLA-A*3101, -Cw*0602, -B*1801, and -DRB1*0901. In addition, for the first time, the frequency of the 28-bp deletion of C2 and its HLA haplotypic associations have been analyzed in a sample of the Spanish population containing 790 haplotypes and 105 phenotypes. Cw*0602 is frequently found in Spanish haplotypes linked to the C2 mutated gene instead of the commonly reported -Cw*1203. The presence of heterozygous or homozygous individuals for the C2 deletion with low levels of IgD in both families supports the existence of a putative dominant susceptibility gene for IgD deficiency in haplotype HLA-B18, -S042, and -DR2. The frequency of the C2 28-bp deletion in heterozygosis is 1.4% (gene frequency 0.007) in Spanish healthy controls, similar to that reported in other white populations.

Child↗

DNA polymorphism of MHC III genes in inbred and wild mouse strains.

Genes encoding the second component (C2), factor B, and complement protein C4 and Slp (sex-limited protein) are members of the major histocompatibility complex class III gene cluster. In this report we describe isolation of a mouse C2 cDNA clone and its use together with factor B and C4 cDNA clones to examine the S region in a panel of 42 haplotypes in laboratory and wild mice representing 5 species and subspecies of Mus. Conservation of the C2 factor B gene duplex was evidenced by relatively limited polymorphism associated with speciation and nucleotide sequence homology between mouse and human C2 and factor B. The C4-Slp gene duplex, on the other hand, showed extensive polymorphism by DNA blot analysis. This polymorphism correlated poorly with the C2/factor B restriction fragment length polymorphism, suggesting independent evolution of these two segments of the S region. Taken together, these data will be of particular importance in studies of mouse strains with abnormal regulation of immune effector systems since the class III gene products are essential for activation of the complement cascade.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hereditary factors in Takayasu disease. III. Polymorphism of human complements.

Genetic polymorphisms in C2, C4, C6, C7 and BF alleles of human complement were studied in 80 Japanese patients with Takayasu disease, and compared with those of 433 normal Japanese. Statistically significant high frequencies of C4A2 (chi 2: 27.2; p less than 0.01) and C4BQ0 allotype (chi 2: 8.7; p less than 0.01) were found in patients with Takayasu disease. Furthermore, all patients carrying C4A2 were found to be associated with C4BQ0. In addition, patients with HLA Bw52 were strongly associated with C4A2BQ0. In 5 patients homozygous C4BQ0 was found. These data suggest that some genetic factor(s) may contribute to the pathophysiological condition of Takayasu disease, which is strongly associated with the complotype of HLA Bw52-C4A2BQ0.

Adult↗

[A mechanism of human complement activation by immunostimulators from the bacterial cell wall].

Effects on the human complement system of the cell wall preparations: lipopolysaccharides and polysaccharides of E. coli, Salmonella typhi (pyrogenal, salmosan), Bact. prodigiosum (prodigiosan) and peptidoglycan of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (blastolysin) have been studied. Lipopolysaccharide of E. coli, pyrogenal and salmosan were found to bind efficiently the first complement factor C1q. The constants for inhibition of the C1q binding to antibodies by the mentioned preparations were determined, and their ability to initiate the classical pathway of complement activation (consumption of C4, C2 and C3 factors) was assayed. These preparations only slightly affect the alternative pathway. Prodigiosan, not influencing the classical pathway, initiates the alternative one. Its binding constant with the activated Bb factor was determined. This constant reflects the Bb association with C3b and is (2,4 +/- 0,1) x 10(7) mole-1 l. Blastolysin is effective both in the C1q binding and initiation of the alternative pathway of complement activation. Immunostimulating activity of the bacterial cell wall preparations seems to involve activation of the complement system and the release of the fragments from the complement factors which are mediators of the immune response.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

C2 deficient systemic lupus erythematosus: its association with anti-Ro (SSA) antibodies.

C2 deficiency is the most common complement component deficiency. While individuals with C2 deficiency may be completely normal, a lupus erythematosus-like disease process has developed in some. A 28-year-old woman had a chronic photodermatitis, arthralgias, and mesangial lupus nephritis, She has C2 deficiency associated with an HLA-Dw2 transplantation antigen. Her serum has shown antibodies to the macromolecule Ro (the A antigen in Sjögren's syndrome), while failing to demonstrate antinuclear antibodies in routine laboratory determinations.

Adult↗

Two clusters of acidic amino acids near the NH2 terminus of complement component C4 alpha'-chain are important for C2 binding.

Previous work has indicated a role for the NH2-terminal segment of the C3 alpha'-chain in the binding interactions of C3b with a number of its protein ligands. In particular, we have identified two clusters of acidic residues, namely, E736 and E737 and to a lesser extent D730 and E731, as being important in the binding of C3b to factor B and complement receptor 1 and the binding of iC3b to complement receptor 3. Whereas human C3 and C4 have an overall sequence identity of 29%, over a segment near the NH2 termini of their respective alpha'-chains the sequence identity is 56% (70% chemical similarity). Given the functional similarity between the C4b-C2 and C3b-B interactions in the respective formation of the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases, as well as the sequence conservation of two acidic clusters, we hypothesized that residues 744EED and 749DEDD within the NH2-terminal segment of the C4 alpha'-chain would mediate in part the binding of C2 to C4b. We tested this hypothesis using three independent approaches. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments revealed that replacing subsets of the charged residues by their isosteric amides within either acidic cluster resulted in molecules having reduced C2 binding activity. Moreover, a synthetic peptide (C4 residues 740-756) encompassing the two acidic clusters was a specific inhibitor of the binding of C2 to red cell-associated C4b. Finally, Ab raised against the above peptide was able to block the interaction between red cell-associated C4b and fluid phase C2. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the NH2-terminal acidic residue-rich segment of C4 alpha'-chain contributes importantly to the interaction of C4b with C2.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The factor B and C2 genes.

Factor B and C2, components of the complement system, are novel types of serine proteinase that are encoded by genes in the major histocompatibility complex. cDNA probes specific for these two proteins have been used to isolate cosmid clones of genomic DNA which contain the Factor B and C2 genes. Southern blot analysis of the cosmid clones and of uncloned genomic DNA has shown that there are single Factor B and C2 loci that are less than 1 kilobase apart. The Factor B gene has been further characterized by DNA sequence analysis. It is approximately 6 kilobases in length, and is split into 18 exons. The amino acid sequence of the Ba fragment contains three homologous regions which are encoded by separate exons, suggesting that they arose by DNA duplication events. In the serine proteinase domain each of the functionally important parts of the active site are encoded on separate exons. Comparison of this region of the gene with the exon organization of other serine proteinases shows a close correlation between them, but also reveals the presence of an exon in Factor B with no homologous counterpart in the other serine proteinases. The possible functional significance of the peptide encoded by this exon and the evolution of this novel serine proteinase are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of sequential glycolysis of the lectin of Euonymus europaeus on activation of the classical complement pathway in normal human serum.

The lectin of Euonymus europaeus at concentrations of 5-21 micrograms/ml causes activation of the classical complement (C) pathway (C1, C4, C2) when added to normal human serum at 37 degrees C. At higher concentrations, C3 is also consumed. The effect is dependent on a 'natural antibody' in serum of the IgM class which reacts with an epitope of the lectin. With physicochemical methods, the carbohydrate of the lectin was shown to be involved in the activation of C, but not involved in the agglutination of group B erythrocytes. Removal of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine from the lectin with an exoglycosidase greatly reduced the activation of C in serum, but it did not affect erythroagglutination. Using competitive binding studies with various sugars, it was confirmed that N-acetyl-D-glucosamine is the dominant specificity of a determinant for activation of the classical C pathway in serum.

Binding, Competitive↗

A conserved element in the serine protease domain of complement factor B.

Factor B and C2 are serine proteases that carry the catalytic sites of the complement C3 and C5 convertases. Their protease domains are activated by conformational changes that occur during convertase assembly and are deactivated upon convertase dissociation. Factor B and C2 share an 8-amino acid conserved sequence near their serine protease termini that is not seen in other serine proteases. To determine its importance, 24 factor B mutants were generated, each with a single amino acid substitution in this region. Whereas most mutants were functionally neutral, all five different substitutions of aspartic acid 715 and one phenylalanine 716 substitution severely reduced hemolytic activity. Several aspartic acid 715 mutants permitted the steps of convertase assembly including C3b-dependent factor D-mediated cleavage and activation of the high affinity C3b-binding site, but the resulting complexes did not cleave C3. Given that factor B and C2 share the same biological substrates and that part of the trypsin-like substrate specificity region is not apparent in either protein, we propose that the conserved region plays a critical role in the conformational regulation of the catalytic site and could offer a highly specific target for the therapeutic inhibition of complement.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The complement system in bullous pemphigoid: VII. Fixation of the regulatory protein beta 1H globulin by pemphigoid antibody.

Using in vitro complement immunofluorescent staining methods, serum samples from 5 active cases of bullous pemphigoid, with pemphigoid antibody titers of 320 or greater, were tested for their ability to fix the regulatory protein beta 1H globulin in addition to C4 and C3. All 5 samples yielded positive C3, C4 and beta 1H staining reactions in a linear fashion along the basement membrane zone. Heat inactivation or treatment of the complement source (fresh normal human serum) with EDTA, Mg2-EGTA abolished all 3 staining reactions. Substitution of C2-deficient serum as the source of complement inhibited both C3 and beta 1H staining but had no effect on C4 staining. Use of serum devoid of beta 1H (R beta 1H) minimally enhanced C3 staining while no beta 1H staining was observed. The addition of beta 1H to R beta 1H restored positive beta 1H staining. Skin biopsies of perilesional skin from 6 patients with bullous pemphigoid demonstrated heavy in vivo deposition of beta 1H in addition to C3. These studies suggest that pemphigoid antibodies will fix the regulatory protein beta 1H in addition to other complement components, a phenomenon which requires activation of the classical complement pathway and generation of the C3b amplification convertase.

Antibodies↗

Interaction of complex polysaccharides with the complement system: effect of calcium depletion on terminal component consumption.

Complex polysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides can activate the terminal components of complement by either the classical (antibody, C1, C4, and C2) or alternative complement pathways, but the relative importance of either pathway for terminal component consumption in normal serum is poorly understood. Since classical complement pathway function requires both calcium and magnesium ions, whereas the alternative pathway requires only magnesium ions, selective chelation of calcium ions in serum can be used to block the classical complement pathway while leaving the alternative pathway intact. In these studies, ethyleneglycol-bis-(beta-aminoethyl ether)N, N-tetraacetic acid, a potent chelator or calcium, was used to block the classical complement pathway in normal guinea pig serum. Consumption of the terminal complement components by endotoxin, inulin, and zymosan in such serum was strikingly depressed when compared to serum containing an intact classical complement pathway. These studies demonstrate that in normal serum, both the classical and alternative complement pathways participate in the consumption of the terminal complement components by complex polysaccharides and lipopolysaccharides.

Animals↗

Genetic deficiencies of the complement system and association with disease--early components.

Genetic deficiency of one of the early components of the classical pathway of complement (C1q, C1r, C1s, C4 and C2) is often associated with clinical symptoms and immunochemical abnormalities common in idiopathic autoimmune diseases, such as lupus erythematosus, but also with an increased incidence of various, local and generalized infections. These observations are consistent with the current view of the complement system's role in handling immune complexes and combating microbial invasion. However, the absence of absolute correlations in these experiments of nature suggests that genetic defects of the classical pathway act only epistatically to other host factors and the primary etiologies of the associated diseases. In contrast, the strong association of properdin and factor D deficiency with serious infections caused by encapsulated Gram-negative bacteria suggests a more immediate involvement of the alternative pathway in a specific segment of immunity and its pathology. This concept is also supported by the primordial role of the alternative pathway in the evolution of the complement system and the apparent lethality of factor B deficiency. The gene structures of most of these early components have now been elucidated providing the basis for detailed analyses of the defective alleles, the determination of carrier status, and prenatal diagnosis.

Complement C1↗

MASP-2, the C3 convertase generating protease of the MBLectin complement activating pathway.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) activates the complement system through cleavage of C4 and C2. Until recently it was thought that only one serine protease in complex with MBL (MBL-associated serine protease, MASP) mediates complement activation, but with the finding of a second MBL-associated serine protease, MASP-2, the activation process appears more elaborate, possibly resembling that of the C1 complex. The two MASPs share the domain organisation of C1r and C1s and it may be speculated that interaction between the two MASPs is required for complement activation in the same manner as with the C1 proteases. We have demonstrated that MASP-2 is a C4 cleaving component of the MBL/MASP complex. By analogy, one may thus speculate that, upon binding of MBL to carbohydrate, MASP-1 autoactivates and then activates MASP-2, but there is as yet no evidence for this. The components of C1 are present in serum in approximately equimolar amounts, whereas MASP-1 is in large excess over MBL. Pairwise comparison of the four proteases shows the primary structures to be approximately 40% identical. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that MASP-2 is closer to C1r and C1s than is MASP-1, but no particular association between MASP-2 and the C4 cleaving enzyme, C1s, can be deduced from sequence comparison.

Animals↗

[Fatal pneumococcal meningitis in a 1-year-old child with homozygous C2 deficiency].

The 1-year old girl died of recurrent bacterial meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid. The analysis of the immune system revealed only a defect of the complement system. The following results were obtained: 1. No function of the classical complement pathway. 2. Reduced function of the alternative complement pathway. 3. No functional C2 activity. 4. No C2 protein. The parents had half normal C2 titers. HLA typing was only possible for the parents with the following results: A1, A32(w19), B18, DR2, DRw11(5) (father) and A3, A10, B18, B7, DR2 (mother). These data are compatible with a B18, DR2 haplotype of the child which is found in most cases of homozygous C2 deficiency. Our patient list another example for the high risk of recurrent severe infectious diseases in persons with a total complement defect.

Complement C2↗