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The influence of different sera on the in vitro immobilisation of Percoll purified Treponema pallidum, Nichols strain.

OBJECTIVES: Investigation of sera, especially rabbit serum, in preventing in vitro immobilisation of Percoll purified T. pallidum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The immobilisation of Percoll purified T. pallidum (Nichols) was studied after pre-incubations with basal reduced medium (BRM), heat-inactivated serum of seven different species of animals, heat-inactivated normal human serum (NHS) and rabbit sera containing a different level of antitreponemal antibodies. Also increasing percentages of heat-inactivated normal rabbit serum (NRS) were studied. RESULTS: The rapid immobilisation of purified treponemes by NHS is delayed by pre-incubation with NRS in a dose-dependent manner. The treponemes from 5-day infections were immobilised significantly more slowly than treponemes from 7- and 8-day infections. Compared with NRS, pre-incubations with a high-titred, low-titred and "autologous" serum resulted in significantly more rapid immobilisation of the treponemes. With most other animal sera resistance to immobilisation was slight compared with that produced by NRS. Immunofluorescent studies revealed that the treponemes were covered with a layer of the human third complement factor (C3b), within an hour of incubation. With two sequential pre-incubations, a delay of the immobilisation was only noted in those test mixtures in which NRS had been present in both preincubations. CONCLUSION: Rabbit serum delays the rapid in vitro immobilisation of Percoll purified treponemes by normal human serum. There was no evidence that this was caused by preventing access of antibodies (in vivo as well as in vitro) to, or preventing the activation of complement on, the treponemal surface. The evidence points to a mechanism in the fluid phase, suggesting participation of a third factor in the immobilisation process, for instance an enzyme, which can be partially inhibited by rabbit serum component(s).

Animals↗

The carbohydrate specificity of conglutinin and its homology to proteins in the hepatic lectin family.

Inhibition experiments with D-mannose oligosaccharides establish that conglutinin recognises terminal alpha 1----2 mannobiosyl units present in the glycopeptide of the alpha-chain of the complement component C3b. On the basis of its three domain structure and the homology of its N-terminal amino-acid sequence to that of the dog pulmonary surfactant protein, it is proposed that conglutinin is a member of the hepatic lectin family.

Animals↗

Structural and functional studies on the human C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) purified by affinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody.

A procedure was devised that has several advantages over previously described methods to purify CR1 from both erythrocytes (E) and the HL-60 promyelocytic cell line. Using a monoclonal antibody immunoaffinity column, CR1 was purified to homogeneity as assessed by silver staining and 2-D gel analysis. Protein purified by this method comigrates on SDS-PAGE with 125I surface-labeled CR1 isolated by immunoprecipitation or iC3-Sepharose affinity chromatograhy and can be specifically immunoblotted with a second monoclonal anti-CR1 antibody. Employing this method, CR1 can be purified to homogeneity in amounts adequate for both functional studies and biochemical microanalysis. Purified E CR1 is functionally active as assessed by its ability to specifically rebind to an iC3-Sepharose affinity column, act as a cofactor for I-mediated cleavage of C3b to C3c and C3d, g and to accelerate decay of both the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases. Its specific activity is similar to that of CR1 purified by a method not employing the potentially denaturing washing and eluting conditions of immunoaffinity chromatography. The pIs of the two major E CR1 allotypes are both approximately 7.1. Using pooled human E CR1, an amino acid composition was derived which revealed a relatively high proline content. This has also been found in two functionally related and genetically linked complement-regulatory proteins, H and C4-binding protein, NH2-terminal sequencing of E CR1 and HL-60 CR1 was unsuccessful indicating that the NH2-terminus is blocked.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interaction of iC3b with recombinant isotypic and chimeric forms of CR2.

CR2 is a component of a signal transduction complex on B lymphocytes that augments B cell responses to Ag. We have quantitatively assessed binding by the two isotypic forms of CR2 for two of its ligands, the polymerized iC3b (p(iC3b)) fragment of C3, and gp350/220, the EBV membrane protein. The recombinant 15-SCR or 16-SCR forms of CR2 bound p(iC3b) with identical affinities. Full binding activity of CR2 for p(iC3b) was observed with a chimera comprised of SCR-1 and -2 of CR2 fused to SCR-17 through -30 of CR1. Therefore, the alternatively spliced SCR-10a has no role in binding p(iC3b), and the binding activity of wild type receptor for iC3b can be reconstituted with SCR-1 and -2 of CR2. The binding affinities of the two isoforms of CR2 for soluble gp350/220 were also similar. Additional sites in the C3c region of C3 have been postulated also to interact with CR2. However, monomeric iC3b and C3d were equally effective in inhibiting the binding of p(iC3b) to CR2, indicating that the C3c region of iC3b does not contribute to the interaction of iC3b with CR2. Finally, the relative abilities of C3b and iC3b to bind to CR1 and CR2 were compared. The conversion of C3b to iC3b generated a ligand with an approximate 100-fold decrease in affinity for CR1 and a 10-fold increased affinity for CR2, resulting in a 1000-fold greater likelihood for binding to the latter receptor that may then promote B cell activation.

Animals↗

A solid-phase anti-C3 assay for detection of immune complexes in six distinguished forms.

A solid-phase anti-C3 assay detecting immune complexes associated with C3 fragments is described. Two monoclonal antibodies against C3 fragments are used; one recognizes an epitope expressed on C3b, C3c and C3i, the other recognizes an epitope expressed on C3dg and iC3b. Combining these monoclonal anti-C3s with antibodies against class-specific immunoglobulins in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immune complexes (ICs) are detected in six distinguished forms; C3b-IgG-IC, iC3b/C3dg-IgG-IC, C3b-IgA-IC, iC3b/C3dg-IgA-IC, C3b-IgM-IC and iC3b/C3dg-IgM-IC. About three-fourths of the plasma samples from patients with active SLE or IgA-nephritis were found positive in one or more types of ICs. IgA-type ICs were found very frequently in patients with autoimmune or renal diseases.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Generation of low m.w., C3-bearing immunoglobulin in human serum.

The generation of low m.w. C3-bearing immunoglobulin (lg) in normal human serum by an immune complex (IC) model was investigated in vitro by using discontinuous sucrose density gradient centrifugation (DGC) and an assay that measures C3-bearing Ig. In this method developed to measure circulating IC, all C3 and C3-bearing material is precipitated from serum by using anti-C3 sera in C3d antibody excess, and immune precipitated, C3-bearing Ig is quantitated by the uptake of 125I-5S-anti-IgG. When plasma from patients with clinically active systemic lupus erythematosus was assayed after DGC, most of the reactive material was low m.w. (7S), rather than greater than or equal to 19S as expected for IC, in agreement with a previous report. Low m.w., C3-bearing Ig was found in normal EDTA plasma after extended storage at -29 degrees C but not after storage at -70 degrees C. Such material was also generated in normal human serum during incubation at 37 degrees C and its generation was stimulated by the addition of an IC model, high m.w., heat-aggregated IgG (HMW-HAIgG). In experiments in which the participation of serum IgG was monitored by the addition of 125I-7S-IgG and 131I-HMW-HAIgG was used as an IC model, low m.w., C3-bearing Ig was generated exclusively from serum IgG and the amount generated was proportional to the concentration of 131I-HMW-HAIgG. No significant decrease in sedimentation of 131I-HMW-HAIgG was observed, but the ability of anti-C3 sera to precipitate 131I-HMW-HAIgG decreased 66% 4 hr after initial C activation. These results indicate that generation of nascent C3b in serum results in its interaction with monomeric serum IgG, producing low m.w., C3-bearing IgG. In addition, the data indicate that circulating IC that activate C have a brief time span during which they can be detected by methods that depend upon the binding of C3.

Animals↗

Cleavage of C3 by a neutral cysteine proteinase of Entamoeba histolytica.

The major secreted proteinase of Entamoeba histolytica, a 56-kDa neutral cysteine proteinase, activates C by cleaving C3. The action of the proteinase is similar to C-derived C3 convertases because it produces a single cleavage of the alpha-chain in a dose- and time-dependent manner and cleaves C3 between residues 78 and 79, only one amino acid residue distal to the natural site acted on by the C3 convertases. C3a generation was detected by RIA. The 105-kDa fragment produced by the cleavage of the alpha-chain was structurally and functionally equivalent to the alpha'-chain of C3b, as demonstrated by susceptibility to the action of factors I and H and participation in the activation of the alternative pathway of C. Activation of C by the 56-kDa neutral cysteine proteinase may play a role in the early inflammatory response in amebic lesions and thus contribute to the pathogenesis of invasive amebiasis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

C3-mediated cytoadherence. II. Dependence of cell attachment on similar topographic distribution of the receptors (for C3) and the ligands (C3/C3b).

Particles carrying C3 in a random distribution (Etan-C3) bound to C3 receptor (Raji+) cells independent of temperature and irrespective of whether the Raji cells were fixed with glutardialdehyde. In contrast, the reactivity of EAC43b, having grouped C3b in clusters, was dependent on temperature. The interaction with Raji cells was inhibited if the latter were treated with a fixative. The reaction of both Etan-C3 and EAC43b was a function of the concentration of C3 and C3b, respectively. The conclusion is drawn that for the interaction between C3/C3b-carrying particles and C receptor cells the receptors and the ligands have to be grouped in a similar typographic distribution, irrespective if this arrangement is provided already from the beginning or if it is obtained only by lateral movement of one or both reaction partners.

Animals↗

Human anti-idiotypic antibody responses to autoantibody against the alternative pathway C3 convertase.

Anti-idiotypic antibodies to autoantibody against the alternative pathway C3 convertase (C3NeF) were isolated and purified from normal human serum as well as from serum from six patients with membrano-proliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). All preparations of anti-id antibody blocked C3NeF deposition on EC3bBb as well as C3NeF stabilization of EC3bBb functional activity. The Ka of these ant-id antibodies for C3NeF was 10(9) liters/mol which is comparable to the Ka of C3NeF for its antigen. In addition, 90% of anti-id antibody isolated from patients with MPGN and 20% isolated from normal individuals resembled Bb and bound to C3b as well as to antibody specific for the Bb portion of Factor B. These anti-id antibodies also resembled C3b and bound to antibody specific for the C3c portion of C3b. Immunization of rabbits with this latter form of anti-id antibody led to the production of functionally active C3NeF. These data indicate that C3NeF anti-idiotypic antibodies exist in two distinct forms, with and without internal imagery of C3bBb, and can occur in both normal individuals and patients with MPGN.

Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic↗

Proposed structure of the F' allotype of human CR1. Loss of a C3b binding site may be associated with altered function.

Human CR1 is composed of tandem long homologous repeating (LHR) segments that encode separate binding sites for C3b or C4b. Homologous recombination with unequal crossover has been proposed as the genetic mechanism that gave rise to the CR1 alleles that differed in their total numbers of LHR. The F allotype has four LHR, named LHR-A, -B, -C, -D, 5' to 3'. The site in LHR-A preferentially binds C4b and those in LHR-B and -C prefer C3b. A previous study revealed the presence of a fifth LHR with sequences similar to LHR-B and a third C3b binding site in the S allotype of higher m.w. In the present study, an 18-kb EcoRV fragment that was associated with the expression of the lower m.w. F' allotype hybridized with a unique pattern of cDNA and intron probes specific for LHR-C. Deletion of LHR-B and one C3b binding site was proposed as the mechanism for the appearance of this F'-specific fragment. Functional differences among the CR1 variants were sought by comparative analyses of soluble rCR1 having one, two or three C3b binding sites. Although these three variants did not exhibit any significant differences in their capacities to act as cofactors for the cleavage of monomeric C3b, their relative affinities for dimeric ligand varied more than 100-fold. Furthermore, the variant with only one C3b binding site was at least 10-fold less effective in the inhibition of the alternative pathway C3 and C5 convertases. These observations suggested that the F' allotype may be impaired in its capacity to bind opsonized immune complexes, to inhibit the formation of the alternative pathway C3 and C5 convertases, and perhaps to mediate other CR1-dependent cellular responses.

Alleles↗

The influence of C3-coated homologous erythrocytes on pokeweed-mitogen-induced polyclonal differentiation of human B cells.

The present study was undertaken in order to test the hypothesis that homologous erythrocytes (E) coated in vivo with C3d could modulate the immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in vitro. E from healthy individuals were found to enhance markedly the Ig synthesis of PMBC cultures stimulated with suboptimal doses (0.01 microgram/ml) of PWM. E coated in vivo with increasing amounts of C3d (1.4-6.3 times the amounts on normal E), obtained from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, failed to induce any significant increase in Ig synthesis of PBMC cultures stimulated with suboptimal PWM doses, compared with cultures co-stimulated in parallel with normal E. In contrast, an increase in IgM and IgG synthesis was observed in about 50% of PBMC cultures from different donors when stimulated with PWM in the presence of E coated with C3b in vivo (from a patient with congenital factor I deficiency), compared with the Ig synthesis in cultures co-stimulated in parallel with normal E. In contrast to the inability of C3d-coated E to modulate B-cell proliferation, the monoclonal anti-CR2 antibody OKB7 was found to be mitogenic for unstimulated peripheral B cells.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗

Enhancement of antibody-independent phagocytosis by N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7).

A low-molecular weight compound N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) resulted in strongly enhanced phagocytosis of polystyrene latex beads by peritoneal macrophages of BALB/c mice after intraperitoneal administration. Binding of C3 cleavage product (C3b) to peritoneal macrophages after intraperitoneal injection of W-7 was also enhanced as shown by fluorescent antibody technique. Antibody against W-7 was not detected in the sera of these mice. Therefore, close association of enhanced phagocytosis of polystyrene latex beads with increased binding of C3 cleavage product to macrophages was demonstrated through induction by a low-molecular weight compound in vivo.

Animals↗

The influence of membrane components on regulation of alternative pathway activation by decay-accelerating factor.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a C regulatory protein which functions in membranes to inhibit autologous C activation on cell surfaces. A liposome model was used to study the mechanism of DAF action and examine the effects of membrane-bound glycophorin and LPS on the regulatory activity of DAF. Liposomes were incubated in MgEGTA-treated human serum and activation of the alternative pathway measured by C3b binding. Liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol activated the alternative pathway in proportion to their content of PE. Incorporation of 10(-7) mol/mol phospholipid of either human E or HeLa cell-derived DAF inhibited C activation by liposomes containing 40% phosphatidylethanolamine by 50%, an efficiency comparable to that observed in intact E. HeLa DAF that had been treated with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C to remove its glycolipid anchor had no effect on C activation by liposomes at concentrations as high as 10(-5) mol/mol phospholipid. Incorporation of DAF into liposomes prepared with bound C3b inhibited the deposition of additional C3b by C3bBbP. However, the incorporated DAF increased the amount of Bb generated from B in the presence of D indicating that accelerated decay of the convertase was the primary effect of DAF. Similarly, treatment of intact human E with anti-DAF decreased the amount of Bb generated by the alternative pathway convertase. To study the effects of other membrane components on DAF activity, liposomes were prepared with purified human glycophorin A or LPS. In glycophorin liposomes the presence of PE was required to activate the alternative pathway and DAF inhibited this activation. In contrast, LPS liposomes bound C3b independently of PE and the incorporation of DAF had no effect. These results demonstrate that within a membrane, DAF's inhibitory activity on the alternative pathway C3 convertase is mediated independently of other membrane proteins, that in this model the major activity of DAF is to accelerate convertase decay, and that the presence of other membrane molecules that may serve as C3 acceptors can circumvent DAF function.

CD55 Antigens↗

Analysis of C3 deposition and degradation on bacterial surfaces after opsonization.

C3b and iC3b, opsonic fragments of C3, interact with specific receptors on phagocytic cells. After bacterial opsonization, C3 fragments were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, western blotting, and immunodetection. For bacteria opsonized in 50% pooled human serum (PHS), C3 deposition and cleavage to iC3b occurred rapidly. C3b, iC3b, and C3d made up 17%, 64%, and 19%, respectively, of the C3 on Staphylococcus aureus and 53%, 44%, and 2% respectively, on Escherichia coli. Residual C3b was refractory to factor I cleavage, an occurrence enabling alternative pathway activation to continue. C3 deposited was quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; with 50% PHS, greater than 50% and 90% of total C3 deposition occurred within 5 and 10 min, respectively. With a lower percentage of PHS, maximal deposition required up to 60 min and was not achieved in less than 10% PHS. Ester-bound fragments represented 34% and 82% of covalently bound C3 on S. aureus and E. coli, respectively.

Amides↗

Modulation of the formation of the human amplification C3 convertase of complement by polycations.

Neutralization of the negative charges of heparin by polycations in the fluid phase suppressed the inhibitory effect of heparin on the generation of the C3b-dependent amplification convertase of complement C3b,Bb. Polymeric polycations alone, whether natural or synthetic, prevented formation of the cell-bound amplification convertase and of the fluid-phase interaction of C3b, B and D, in a dose-related fashion in the concentration range of 1 to 2 X 10(-8)M for poly-L-lysine (PLL) 50,000. The inhibitory effect of PLL on formation of the cell-bound convertase was independent of the presence of P. Percent inhibition of C3b,Bb,P and C3b,B,P formation was constant when the convertases were formed with a fixed concentration of PLL and increasing amounts of B; PLL was more effective in preventing convertase formation on cells bearing low numbers of C3b and developed with high doses of B. The decay of the preformed P stabilized convertase was not altered by PLL whether in the presence or absence of H. Thus, polycations in the fluid phase specifically inhibit formation of the amplification C3 convertase by preventing the association between C3b and B, most likely by acting on C3b. The low-affinity interaction between C3b and B is a privileged site for natural or pharmacological modulation of complement by polyelectrolytes.

Complement Activating Enzymes↗

Covalent binding of C3b to C4b within the classical complement pathway C5 convertase. Determination of amino acid residues involved in ester linkage formation.

C5 convertase of the classical complement pathway is a protein complex consisting of C4b, C2a, and C3b. Within this complex C3b binds to C4b via an ester linkage. We now present evidence that the covalent C3b-binding site on human C4b is Ser at position 1217 of C4. We also show that formation of the covalently linked C4b.C3b complex occurs in the mouse complement system and that the C3b-binding site on mouse C4b is Ser at position 1213 which is homologous to Ser-1217 of human C4. Therefore, covalent binding of C3b to a single specific site on C4b within the classical pathway C5 convertase is likely a common phenomenon in the mammalian complement system. Specific noncovalent association of metastable C3b with C4b would occur first, leading to reaction of the thioester with a specific hydroxy group. This is supported by two lines of experimental evidence, one which shows that a mutant C4 that does not make a covalent linkage with C3b is still capable of forming C5 convertase and a second in which the C4b.C3b complex has been demonstrated by cross-linking erythrocytes bearing this C5 convertase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Capsular sialic acid limits C5a production on type III group B streptococci.

The majority of type III group B streptococcus (GBS) human neonatal infections are caused by a genetically related subgroup called III-3. We have proposed that a bacterial enzyme, C5a-ase, contributes to the pathogenesis of neonatal infections with GBS by rapidly inactivating C5a, a potent pro-inflammatory molecule, but many III-3 strains do not express C5a-ase. The amount of C5a produced in serum following incubation with representative type III strains was quantitated in order to better understand the relationship between C5a production and C5a-ase expression. C5a production following incubation of bacteria with serum depleted of antibody to the bacterial surface was inversely proportional to the sialic acid content of the bacterial capsule, with the more heavily sialylated III-3 strains generating less C5a than the less-virulent, less-sialylated III-2 strains. The amount of C5a produced correlated significantly with C3 deposition on each bacterial strain. Repletion with type-specific antibody caused increased C3b deposition and C5a production through alternative pathway activation, but C5a was functionally inactivated by strains that expressed C5a-ase. The increased virulence of III-3 strains compared to that of III-2 strains results at least partially from the higher sialic acid content of III-3 strains, which inhibits both opsonophagocytic killing and C5a production in the absence of type-specific antibody. We propose that C5a-ase is not necessary for III-3 strains to cause invasive disease because the high sialic acid content of III-3 strains inhibits C5a production.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

C3 activation by a new factor B-dependent enzyme detected in culture supernatant from guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages.

Culture supernatants (c.s.) collected from thioglycollate-elicited macrophages were concentrated and incubated with purified C3. In this reaction mixture loss of haemolytic C3 according to classical enzyme kinetics was observed. As revealed by SDS-PAGE, c.s.-catalysed fragmentation of the C3 alpha-chain occurred. The cleavage products were identified by size and function as C3a and C3b. The apparent molecular weight of this C3-activating enzyme in c.s. was approximately 220,000 according to ultracentrifugation studies. This large enzyme showed the following characteristics: it had no activity against C5; it was inhibited by EDTA; Mg2+ was required for its optimal function; its half-life at 37 degrees was approximately 35 min; it was completely inhibited by anti-B IgG. Thus, we were able to detect a C3-activating enzyme in c.s. containing B but differing otherwise from a preformed C3 convertase of the alternative pathway. The exact component composition of this new enzyme is under further investigation.

Animals↗