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PubMed1983

Surface-dependent modulation by H of C5 cleavage by the cell-bound alternative pathway C5 convertase of human complement.

Regulation by H of formation of the C3 and C5 alternative pathway convertases of complement on cells is dependent on such chemical characteristics of the cell surfaces as their membrane content in sialic acid. Properdin-stabilized C5 convertase sites were assembled on the non-activating cells of the alternative pathway, sheep erythrocytes (Es), and on the activating cells, desialated Es and rabbit erythrocytes (Er). C5 hemolytic sites were revealed by incubation of the convertase-bearing cells with limiting C5 and excess C6-C9. H inhibited generation of C5 hemolytic sites in a dose-related fashion on Es, Er, and desialated Es at molar ratios of H/C5 of 0.03 to 0.5. H similarly inhibited C5 utilization by the cell-bound C5 convertase on Es and desialated Es regardless of the cell membrane sialic acid content; however, H was three to five times less effective on Er. Kinetic experiments also suggested that C5 hemolytic sites are generated more rapidly on Er than on Es and desialated Es. The inhibition effect of H was independent of the number of C5 convertase sites per cell on all cell types; two to three times more residual hemolytic sites were found on convertase-bearing Es that had been incubated with C5 and H as compared with cells that had been decayed by H before incubation with C5. Furthermore, H also inhibited C5 interaction with a preformed classical pathway C5 convertase. These results suggest that H interacts with C5 so as to alter C5 binding and/or cleavage by the cell-bound C5 alternative pathway convertase. Sialic acid-independent modulation by H of C5 cleavage by the C5 convertase represents an additional regulatory step in the activation of the human alternative complement pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Combined homozygous factor H and heterozygous C2 deficiency in an Italian family.

Three of four children in a family have homozygous (less than 1% of normal) deficiency of factor H of the complement system and both parents, who are first cousins, are heterozygous for the same defect. The father and two of the H-deficient siblings also have a partial C2 deficiency. One of the children with combined deficiencies is affected by systemic lupus erythematosus with nephritis. No increased susceptibility to infections has been observed in the family. H deficiency is inherited in an autosomal codominant manner and is independently transmitted from C2 deficiency and HLA haplotypes. In the homozygous state it is associated with very low serum concentrations of B and C3, barely demonstrable as activated molecules. C5 is greatly reduced (less than 5%). Also, properdin and C6-9 are decreased. The findings in this family demonstrate that the occurrence of systemic lupus erythematosus in one of the children affected by a combined deficiency of factor H and C2 raises the question whether this pathology is related to the complete factor H or to the heterozygous C2 deficiency. Complete H deficiency is not necessarily accompanied by overt illness.

Child↗
PubMed1993

Mutations in ORF D13L and other genetic loci alter the rifampicin phenotype of vaccinia virus.

Phenotypic analysis of vaccinia virus temperature-sensitive mutants identified several virus isolates that were either resistant or hypersensitive to rifampicin. Temperature-sensitive mutants 1085, 7743, 1085R, and 7743R were found to be rifampicin resistant (RifR). Each virus contained at least one mutation in ORF D13L which resulted in a change of amino acid sequence. Analysis of each point mutation by marker rescue demonstrated that mutations gly to asp at residue 80, pro to phe at 458, lys to asn at 484, and ile to val at 485 conferred the resistance phenotype, while the mutation changing ser to leu at 176 did not affect the rifampicin phenotype. Temperature-sensitive mutants C6, C17, and C43 were found to be rifampicin hypersensitive. Only C43, however, was found to contain a lesion in ORF D13L. This mutation, ser to asn at 169 was confirmed by marker rescue to confer the hypersensitive phenotype. The results presented here along with those from previous reports show that known mutations conferring rifampicin resistance cluster at the C or N-terminus of D13L while a mutation mapping at residue 169 confers rifampicin hypersensitivity. Further, the finding that the hypersensitive mutants C6 and C17 contain a wild-type D13L ORF suggests a possible role of other viral functions in the interaction of rifampicin with vaccinia virus.

Codon↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Enhanced generation of O2- by human neutrophils via a complement iC3b/Mac-1 interaction.

There is evidence for a tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha)-initiated and CD11b/CD18-dependent burst of superoxide anion (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide production by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes which are adherent to surfaces bearing a variety of proteins. In the current studies neutrophils were stimulated with opsonized (by fresh human serum) zymosan particles in the presence of cytochalasin B, to prevent internalization of particles and to simulate the interaction of neutrophils with protein-bearing surfaces. Under these conditions, the cells demonstrated 2.9-fold greater production of O2- when compared to nonopsonized zymosan particles. Heat inactivation or cobra venom factor treatment of human serum prior to opsonization resulted in 98% and 66% reductions, respectively, in O2- responses. C3 and factor B were required for this response, since sera deficient in either component caused 56 and 68% reductions, respectively, in O2- production. Sera deficient in Clq, C2, C4, C5, C6, C7 or C9 showed no defect in their ability to enhance O2- responses to zymosan particles. Monoclonal antibody to iC3b, but not monoclonal antibodies to C3c or C3d, caused a 29% reduction (p < 0.01) in O2- generation. Antibodies to CD18 (R15.7) or CD11b (CL44 and 60.1) reduced the incremental production of O2- by 76, 71 and 77%, respectively. Two antibodies directed against CD11a as well as the isotype-matched control (MOPC 21) were without effects. These data suggest that, in this model of neutrophil activation, the pathway for O2- generation is a Mac-1 (but not LFA-1)-dependent pathway and also requires iC3b. These findings may be relevant to complement-mediated, neutrophil-dependent vascular injury in vivo.

Complement C3b↗
PubMed2003

Expression of H-ficolin/Hakata antigen, mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease (MASP)-1 and MASP-3 by human glioma cell line T98G.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a C-type lectin involved in the first line of host defense and it requires MBL-associated serine proteases (MASP) for activation of the lectin complement pathway (LCP). Recently we reported that human ficolins, L-ficolin/P35 and H-ficolin/Hakata antigen, as well as MBL activate the LCP in association with MASP. We investigated in vitro expression of complements of the lectin complement pathway in several cell lines. Out of 17 cell lines tested using RT-PCR, a human glioma cell line, T98G, expressed high levels of H-ficolin/Hakata antigen, MASP1 and MASP3 mRNAs. Similar results were obtained in four other glioma lines. In addition, mRNAs for C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6 were also detected in T98G cells, but very low amount of mRNAs for C1q and MBL. MBL mRNA was seen in two of the other glioma cell lines. An ELISA of culture supernatants showed that T98G cells secreted a considerable amount of MASP-1 and MASP-3 proteins. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting analyses showed the secreted H-ficolin/Hakata antigen, MASP-1 and MASP-3 to be 34, 81 and 105 kDa in size respectively, similar to their serum counterparts. Since the glioma cells used are derived from astrocytes, this suggests that human astrocytes may be a source of some components of the LCP in the brain.

Cell Line↗
PubMed1973

Bacteroidaceae in thromboembolic disease: effects of cell wall components on blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro.

The effects of Bacteroides sp., Fusobacterium mortiferum, Bacteroides fragilis, and Sphaerophorus necrophorus on various parameters of blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro were determined and compared to the coagulation effects of Escherichia coli and Salmonella minnesota, wild type and R595. Intravenous injection of washed cells, culture filtrate, lipopolysaccharide, or lipid A of the anaerobic gram-negative microorganisms into mice resulted in acceleration of coagulation. Lipopolysaccharide and lipid A of the anaerobic microorganisms had no apparent effect on circulating platelets in mice or rabbits and did not cause aggregation of human platelets in vitro. Washed cells, lipopolysaccharide, and lipid A of Bacteroides sp. and F. mortiferum also significantly accelerated the clotting time of recalcified platelet poor normal human plasma and C6-deficient rabbit plasma. Lipid A, but not lipopolysaccharide, of E. coli and washed cells of S. minnesota R595 accelerated coagulation by a similar mechanism. These results indicated that Bacteroides sp. and F. mortiferum can accelerate blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro by a mechanism which does not involve platelets or terminal components of complement.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Humoral immunostimulation. IV. Role of complement.

When L cells were treated with anti-L-cell antibody in medium containing heat-inactivated fetal calf serum, nucleoside uptake and cell growth were stimulated. The response was markedly increased when fresh, unheated sera from calves, guinea pigs, humans, mice, or rabbits were also present. The factors in unheated serum responsible for the enhancement of immunostimulation were studied. Using low concentrations of sera deficient in various complement (C) components and low concentrations of antibody no augmentation of immunostimulation was seen with Clr-deficient human serum, C2-deficient human serum, C2,4-deficient human serum, C4-deficient guinea pig serum, C3-C9-depleted guinea pig serum (by administration of cobra venom factor to animals), but stimulation was observed with C5-deficient human serum, C5-deficient mouse serum, and C6-deficient rabbit serum. When the concentration of anti-serum was raised, however, augmentation was observed with C4-deficient guinea pig serum. Thus, at low concentrations of antiserum enhancement appeared to occur through the classical C pathway, whereas at high concentrations of antibody either the classical or alternate C pathways appeared to be involved. Stimulation was specifically restored by purified C2 in C2-deficient serum and by C3 in C3-C9-deficient serum. Under the usual reaction conditions consumption of guinea pig C component C4 could be demonstrated which provided direct evidence for activation of the classical C pathway under conditions leading to immunostimulation. By immunofluorescence, cells treated with antibody and normal human serum had human C3 deposited at the cell surface. Taken together these observations suggest that C activated through C3 by either the classical or alternate pathways has the potential to enhance nucleoside incorporation into DNA and cell growth of cells exposed to limiting amounts of antibody. Although the mechanism of stimulation is unknown, it is likely to involve a direct effect of C3 at the level of the cell membrane.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Effect of selective complement deficiency on the rate of neutralization of enveloped viruses by human sera.

The capacity of human sera genetically deficient in selective complement (C) components to enhance neutralization of enveloped viruses was examined by kinetic plaque reduction assays. Vaccinia virus, a DNA virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), an RNA virus, were studied. Exogenous rabbit: or human antibody to vaccinia virus, and guinea pig or human antibody to VSV were provided in limiting, C-dependent concentrations. IgG antibodies predominated in most of the antisera employed. C5-deficient and C6-deficient human sera consistently supported normal rates of neutralization of either virus; this effect was heat-labile. C4-deficient human serum did hot exceed heat-inactivated serum in any neutralization assay. C1r-deficient serum displayed slight heat-labile neutralizing capacity against vaccinia but none against VSV. C2- and C3-deficient sera consistently exhibited measurable but clearly subnormal rates of neutralization. Two fresh agammaglobulinemic sera failed to inactivate either virus in the absence of added antibody. These results confirm and extend earlier evidence, based on neutralization of herpes simplex and Newcastle disease viruses in the presence of early (IgM) antibody and functionally pure guinea pig C components or C-deficient animal sera, that the late-acting components C5-C9 are not required for C-dependent neutralization. Data on four enveloped viruses now agree that this function is mediated by C1-C3, although C1 plus C4 appear to have some neutralizing capacity. This requirement for C1-C3 is overcome, however, in the presence of higher antibody cohcentrations, suggesting that the contribution of the C system to viral neutralization in vivo may be chiefly in the early phase of infection when antibody is limited.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1978

Complement lysis: evidence for an amphiphilic nature of the terminal membrane C5b-9 complex of human complement.

The terminal, membrane-derived C5b-9 complex of human complement (C) is an apparently hollow, cylindrical macromolecule vertically oriented on the target membrane. In the present study, an antiserum to the complex has been used to probe its immunobiochemical properties. "Neoantigenic" determinants characteristic of the complex have been detected, which are absent on native C5-C9 molecules. Evidence that the C5b-9 complex is an amphiphilic molecule that possesses apolar, detergent-binding surfaces has been obtained by using charge-shift crossed immunoelectrophoresis, and by direct demonstration of Triton X-100 binding to the complex in quantitative immunoelectrophoresis. By the same criteria, serum C5, C6, and C9 are hydrophilic molecules. The results indicate that assembly of C5-C9 into the terminal membrane C5b-9 complex is accompanied by conformational changes in the individual C components that lead to the exposure of apolar molecular regions in the complex. It is proposed that this constitutes the basis for the lipid-binding properties of the macromolecule, which enable it to become inserted into biologic and artificial lipid membranes with apparent generation of a transmembrane pore.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Analysis of C3 deposition and degradation on Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

The deposition and degradation of human complement component C3 on the cell surfaces of Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae were studied. Bacteria were incubated in human serum, and ester-linked C3 fragments were analyzed by hydroxylamine release and immunoblot detection. Similar patterns of C3 degradation were found for both serum-resistant and serum-sensitive meningococcal strains of serogroups A, B, C, Y, and W135, as well as for serum-sensitive gonococcal strains and their sialylated serum-resistant variants. The predominant fragments in all cases were the 40-kDa alpha' 2 chain of iC3b and the 75-kDa beta chain common to both C3b and iC3b. The 67-kDa alpha' 1 chain of iC3b was also detected. The 105-kDa alpha' chain of intact C3b represented a minor proportion of deposited C3. Capsule-specific immunoglobulin G or immunoglobulin A1 did not alter the observed degradation patterns, nor did incubation of meningococci in properdin-deficient serum. The degradation of C3 in C5-, C6-, or C8-deficient serum was the same as that in normal serum, although the deposition of C3 was severely limited, based as indicated by the intensity of the fragments. With the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that measured total iC3b and C3, I found that both iC3b deposition and C3 deposition varied among meningococcal and gonococcal strains and that the amounts of iC3b and C3 were independent of the relative quantities of cell surface sialic acid and of serum sensitivity for meningococci but not for gonococci. I conclude that complement activation on neisserial cell surface results in the formation of an identical repertoire of predominantly iC3b fragments of ester-linked C3b molecules regardless of the presence of sialic acid in either the capsule or the lipooligosaccharide or of the sensitivity of the organism to complement-mediated lysis but that the quantities of both ester- and amide-linked iC3b molecules deposited exhibit strain variability.

Complement Activation↗
PubMed1985

Self-association of the seventh component of human complement (C7): dimerization and polymerization.

Two association reactions of isolated C7 are described. The incubation of isolated C7 in 1% deoxycholate results in hemolytically inactive dimeric C7 that has a sedimentation coefficient of 7.3S. Dimeric C7 expressed hydrophobic domains that bound 41 +/- 4 mol deoxycholate per mol C7 and that aggregated upon removal of the detergent. The dimeric nature of the deoxycholate-treated C7 was demonstrated by analytical ultracentrifugation and by gel filtration, and yielded the following parameters: Mr = 230,000; diffusion coefficient, D = 2.9 X 10(-7) cm2/sec, and Stokes' radius, rH = 7.3 nm. Dimeric C7 exhibits an increased electrophoretic mobility and an increased beta-sheet structure, as compared with monomeric C7. Upon incubation with deoxycholate-phospholipid mixed micelles and removal of the detergent, the dimeric C7 became firmly associated with the lipid vesicles and was partially aggregated in the lipid bilayer. Trypsin treatment released approximately 50% of the protein material from the C7 vesicle complex. The other association reaction of isolated C7 occurs upon incubation with 1 M guanidine HC1; C7 forms soluble, linear protein polymers that have sedimentation coefficients ranging from 20 to 30S. The strands are 5 to 8 nm wide and vary in length between 20 to 100 nm. They tend not to aggregate, they are hemolytically inactive, and they exhibit increased beta-sheet structure, as compared with monomeric C7. They can be dissociated to hemolytically active monomers by exposure to 4 M guanidine HC1 and by subsequent 100-fold dilution with buffer. Isolated C5 or C6 did not exhibit any of these properties. The results suggest that the properties acquired by C7 in the hydrophilic-amphiphilic transition may be responsible for the expression of the membrane binding site of "metastable" C5b-7 and for the polymerization of C5b-7 within the target membrane.

Complement Activation↗
PubMed1999

Two antigens recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes on a melanoma result from a single point mutation in an essential housekeeping gene.

We have pursued our analysis of antigens recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTLs) on the melanoma cells of patient LB33. This patient enjoys an unusually favorable evolution, which is associated with a strong and sustained antitumor CTL response. We reported previously the analysis of two melanoma cell lines, MEL.A and MEL.B, which were derived from metastases removed from the patient at 5 years' distance. Autologous CTL clones derived from blood lymphocytes recognized several antigens presented by different HLA class I molecules on MEL.A. The MEL.B cells resisted lysis by these CTLs because they have lost expression of most HLA molecules, suggesting that they were selected in vivo by the anti-MEL.A CTL response. One of the MEL.A antigens was shown to result from a point mutation in the tumor. Here we report the cloning of a gene that encodes two other MEL.A antigens. This new gene, MUM-2, is expressed ubiquitously. In the melanoma cells of patient LB33, it contains a point mutation that changes one amino acid in the translated protein. Two different antigenic peptides, one presented to CTL by HLA-B44 molecules and another by HLA-C6 molecules, overlap and contain the mutated residue. Gene MUM-2 is homologous to an essential yeast gene, bet5, that was recently shown to be implicated in the vesicular transport of proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi. In a mutant yeast with a disrupted bet5 gene, both the wild-type and the mutated MUM-2 genes could complement for bet5 function. These results indicate that the antigenic mutation does not destroy the function of the protein, a function that is conserved in eukaryotic cells. The identification of these antigens suggests that point mutations could be the major cause of the strong immunogenicity of MEL.A cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Effects of rottlerin, an inhibitor of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III, on cellular proliferation, viability, and cell cycle distribution in malignant glioma cells.

Calmodulin-dependent protein kinases phosphorylate certain substrates that have been implicated in regulating cellular proliferation. For example, upon mitogenic stimulation, there is a rapid activation of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase III (CaM kinase III), which leads to the phosphorylation of elongation factor 2. Recently, our laboratory demonstrated that the activity of CaM kinase III is increased in glioma cells following exposure to mitogens and is diminished or absent in nonproliferating glial tissue. Rottlerin, a 5,7-dihydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-6-(2,4,6-trihydroxy-3-methyl-5-acetylbenzy l)-8-cinnamoyl-1,2-chromene isolated from the pericarps of Mallotus phillippinensis, has been shown to be an effective CaM kinase III inhibitor. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of rottlerin on the growth and viability of glioblastoma cell lines. Rottlerin decreased growth and induced cytotoxicity in rat (C6) and two human gliomas (T98G and U138MG) at concentrations that inhibited the activity of CaM kinase III in vitro and in vivo. Far less demonstrable effects were observed on other Ca2++/CaM-sensitive kinases. Incubation of glial cells with rottlerin produced a block at the G1-S interface and the appearance of a population of cells with a <2N complement of DNA. In addition, rottlerin induced changes in cellular morphology such as cell shrinkage, accumulation of cytoplasmic vacuoles, and packaging of cellular components within membranes. These data suggest that CaM kinase III may be an important link between the activation of CaM-dependent signaling, proliferation, and viability in malignant cells, and that inhibition of CaM kinase III may represent an interesting pharmacological target in malignant gliomas.

Acetophenones↗
PubMed1991

Urinary excretion of terminal complement complexes in glomerular disease.

To evaluate renal terminal complement activation in patients with glomerular diseases, we measured terminal complement complexes (TCCs) in plasma and urine with sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody against a C9 neoepitope expressed on TCC and a polyclonal antihuman C7 antibody. TCCs were detectable in plasma but not in urine in most of normal controls. In plasma, TCC levels were elevated in 4 of 22 patients with lupus nephritis and in 6 of 12 with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. However all patients with IgA nephritis, focal glomerulosclerosis, idiopathic membranous nephritis and idiopathic minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MC) showed normal values. In urine, TCCs were detectable in almost all patients with heavy proteinuria (greater than or equal to 100 mg/ml) except MC. The TCCs present in urine were partially purified by gel filtration using Sepharose 6B and were found to contain C5, C6, C7, C8, C9 and S protein by ELISA. Although the molecular weight of TCC is similar to that of IgM, the fractional excretion rate of TCC was about 100 times higher than that of IgM. These results suggest that TCCs detectable in urine contain SC5b-9 complexes and are mostly of renal origin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Two different mechanisms of serum resistance in Escherichia coli.

Fifty-three serum-resistant strains of E. coli which were all able to grow in at least 50% normal human serum (NHS) were tested in respect to binding and consumption of C3b, factor H, C5, and C6 after incubation in pooled NHS. The results of immunofluorescence tests, hemolytic assays, and binding studies using radiolabeled components were comparable. The different binding patterns allowed us to divide the strains into three different groups. The main features of group I were the attachment of C3, C5, and C6 to the bacterial cells as well as consumption of C3 and C5, whereas factor H did not bind at all or only in small amounts. In addition, released MAC was detectable in the supernatant of reaction mixtures containing bacteria of a group I strain and NHS. In group II factor H was easily bound to the bacteria, but no C3, C5, and C6 binding or C5 consumption was detectable. In addition, strains of group III bound C3 and factor H and some strains also bound and consumed C5. Because of the inhomogeneity of group III, this investigation was restricted to a comparison of groups I and II. From the results presented in this study we conclude that group I bacteria activate the whole complement cascade, whereas with bacteria of group II, complement activation is interrupted at the C3 level. These findings therefore indicate a second, alternative mechanism of serum resistance in E. coli.

Blood↗
PubMed1983

[Immunogenetics of myasthenia gravis. Significance of HLA-, complement and Cm gene systems for clinical and immunologic parameters].

In 82 non-related patients with myasthenia gravis the following immunogenetic marker systems were investigated: HLA-A, -B, -C, -DR antigens, complement polymorphisms for Bf, C3 and C4 as well as immunoglobulin allotypes G1m, G3m and Km. In 78 patients the level of circulating acetylcholin receptor autoantibody was measured. The HLA antigens showed no significant differences in frequency when compared with healthy controls. This was also true for the HLA-bound Bf and C4 polymorphism, the non-HLA-bound C3 polymorphism and the immunoglobulin allotypes. A significant (P less than 0.005) increase in heterozygote frequency of 39.7% in the Gm allotype combination G1m (1), (17); (3) when compared with an expected frequency as calculated from the gene frequency of 19.8% was found. HLA-B8 and/or HLA-DR3 positive myasthenia gravis patients showed a significantly (P less than 0.025 and less than 0.005) earlier average onset of the disease whereas in HLA-DR2 positive patients the average onset was later (P less than 0.05). The same HLA antigens correlated with quantitative differences in the acetylcholine receptor autoantibodies: HLA-B8 and/or -DR3 positive patients had on average higher antibody levels than HLA-B8 or -DR3-negative patients. The difference for HLA-DR3 was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). On the other hand patients with HLA-DR2 antigens had significantly lower antibody levels (P less than 0.025). Increased mean antibody levels were also seen in G1m(1), (17) allotype (P less than 0.005) and G3m(21) (P less than 0.05). As the HLA antigens and Gm allotype genes are situated on different chromosomes (C6 and C14) two distinct gene regions are identified in myasthenia gravis. These are associated with quantitative differences in acetylcholine receptor antibody titres.

Autoantibodies↗
PubMed1978

Leukocyte complement: neoantigens of the membrane attack complex on the surface of human leukocytes prepared from defibrinated blood.

The neoantigenic determinants (neoAg) which have been identified in the human C5b-9 membranolytic C complex were detected here by the direct fluorescent antibody technique on the surface of 27 +/- 11% of viable peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). The cells were prepared from defibrinated blood by sedimentation on Ficoll-Hypaque. Specificity of the antisera was established by quantitative inhibition of the fluorescent staining reaction, and of agglutination of EAC1-7, by highly purified C5b-9 complex. No inhibition was observed with fresh normal human serum. The majority of the PBL with surface neoAg was found in the B lymphocyte subpopulation that failed to form rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. NeoAg on B lymphocytes was removed to differing degrees by trypsin, papain, or pepsin treatment, and by maintaining the cells at 4 degree C for 20 hr in serum-free medium. The individual components, C5, C6, C7, C8, and C9, were also detected on the surface of PBL. With differential fluorescent stains, C5 and neoAg as well as C8 and neoAg could be detected on the same cells. The results indicate that viable B lymphocytes prepared from defibrinated blood, have the components of the membrane attack complex of C on their surface. The concomitant occurrence of the neoAg indicates that these proteins are present at least in part in the form of the assembled terminal complex.

Antigens↗
PubMed1988

The structure of human complement component C7 and the C5b-7 complex.

The molecular architecture of human complement component C7 was elucidated at several structural levels. The complete primary structure of C7 was derived from the cDNA sequence of clones isolated from a human liver library. C7 is a mosaic protein that consists of 821 amino acids. The amino-terminal two-thirds of C7 has 23-30% homology with complement components C8 and C9. In addition, the carboxyl-terminal third contains four cysteine-rich segments that have overlapping internal homology. The protein is a single polypeptide chain with 28 disulfide bonds and is glycosylated at two sites. Virtually all the cysteines are found in small units of 35-77 amino acids that exhibit homology with those of various proteins including the low density lipoprotein receptor, epidermal growth factor precursor, thrombospondin, and blood coagulation factors IX and X. The secondary structural analysis, estimated by circular dichroism, suggested a high content of beta-sheet (38%) and beta-turns (24%). The tertiary structure, visualized by transmission electron microscopy, indicated a flexible elongated molecule with dimensions of 151 X 59 X 43 A. The quaternary structure of the C5b-7 complex bound to lipid vesicles was observed to be in the form of monomers or dimers. The monomer C5b-7 consists of a leaflet and a long flexible stalk, and the dimer has two leaflets linked through a supercoiled stalk. Membrane binding is mediated by the stalk part of the complexes. Using a radioiodinated photoreactive cross-linking reagent bound to the polar head group of phosphatidylethanolamine, the stalk part of the C5b-7 complex could be labeled preferentially, and it was found to consist mainly of C6 and C7. Thus, C7 plays a major role in bringing about the hydrophilic-amphiphilic transition during the formation of the membrane attack complex, and it serves as a membrane anchor for the C5b-7 complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗