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Pathogenesis of Campylobacter fetus infections. Failure of encapsulated Campylobacter fetus to bind C3b explains serum and phagocytosis resistance.

Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus strains causing systemic infections in humans are highly resistant to normal and immune serum, which is due to the presence of high molecular weight (100,000, 127,000, or 149,000) surface (S-layer) proteins. Using serum-resistant parental strains (82-40 LP and 23D) containing the 100,000-mol wt protein and serum-sensitive mutants (82-40 HP and 23B) differing only in that they lack the 100,000-mol wt protein capsule, we examined complement binding and activation, and opsono-phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes. C3 consumption was similar for all four strains but C3 was not efficiently bound to 82-40 LP or 23D even in the presence of immune serum, and the small amount of C3 bound was predominently the hemolytically inactive iC3b fragment. Consumption and binding of C5 and C9 was significantly greater for the unencapsulated than the encapsulated strains. Opsonization of 82-40 HP with heat-inactivated normal human serum caused greater than 99% killing by human PMN. Similar opsonization of 82-40 LP showed no kill, but use of immune serum restored killing. Findings in a PMN chemiluminescence assay showed parallel results. Association of 32P-labeled 82-40 HP with PMN in the presence of HINHS was 19-fold that for the 82-40 LP, and electron microscopy illustrated that the difference was in uptake rather than in binding. These results indicate that presence of the 100,000-mol wt protein capsule on the surface of C. fetus leads to impaired C3b binding, thus explaining serum resistance and defective opsonization in NHS, mechanisms that explain the capacity of this enteric organism to cause systemic infections.

Blood Bactericidal Activity↗

Complement component deposition in uteroplacental (spiral) arteries in normal human pregnancy.

There is conflicting evidence for the deposition of complement in spiral arteries in normal and abnormal human pregnancies. The immunogold silver staining (IGSS) technique was used to investigate the distribution of C1q, C3d, C4, C6 and C9 within the spiral arteries of formalin-fixed normal pregnancy hysterectomy specimens ranging in gestational age from 4 to 40 weeks. Deposition of complement components studied was observed in all cases suggesting classical pathway activation. Reactivity was not confined to vessels showing endovascular trophoblast though the latter showed a characteristic linear deposition subjacent to the trophoblast. Reactivity was most intense for C3d and C9. An appreciation of complement deposition as a feature of normal pregnancy is essential before significant immunopathology can be recognised in placental bed vessels in abnormal pregnancy.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Interaction between the C8 alpha-gamma and C8 beta subunits of human complement C8: role of the C8 beta N-terminal thrombospondin type 1 module and membrane attack complex/perforin domain.

Human C8 is one of five complement components (C5b, C6, C7, C8, and C9) that interact to form the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC). It is an oligomeric protein composed of a disulfide-linked C8alpha-gamma heterodimer and a noncovalently associated C8beta chain. C8alpha and C8beta are homologous; both contain an N-terminal thrombospondin type 1 (TSP1) module, a low-density lipoprotein receptor class A (LDLRA) module, an extended central segment referred to as the membrane attack/perforin (MACPF) domain, an epidermal growth factor (EGF) module, and a second TSP1 module at the C-terminus. In this study, the segment of C8beta that confers binding specificity toward C8alpha-gamma was identified using recombinant C8beta constructs in which the N- and/or C-terminal modules were deleted or exchanged with those from C8alpha. Constructs were tested for their ability to bind C8alpha-gamma in solution and express C8 hemolytic activity. Binding to C8alpha-gamma was found to be dependent on the TSP1 + LDLRA + MACPF segment of C8beta. Within this segment, the TSP1 module and MACPF domain are principally involved and act cooperatively to mediate binding. Results from activity assays suggest that residues within this segment also mediate binding and incorporation of C8 into the MAC.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Function of subunits within the eighth component of human complement: selective removal of the gamma chain reveals it has no direct role in cytolysis.

The eighth component of human complement (C8) consists of a disulfide-linked alpha-gamma dimer that is noncovalently associated with beta. Previous results from this laboratory established that two of these subunits have distinct roles in the cytolytic function of C8. Binding of C8 to the precursive C5b-7 complex is mediated strictly through beta while interaction between C8 and the lipid bilayer of target membranes occurs primarily through alpha. In the present study, we examined the importance of the gamma subunit in cytolysis by characterizing functional properties of C8', a derivative of C8 that lacks gamma. Preparation of this derivative was accomplished by limited cleavage of disulfide bonds in purified alpha-gamma and separation of alpha from gamma. When mixed, purified alpha and beta combined to form C8'. When tested for functional similarity to normal C8, the following results were obtained. (1) Specific and saturable binding of C8' to the C8 binding site on C5b-7 could be achieved. Significantly, the resulting C5b-8' supported subsequent C9 binding and cell lysis, which was equivalent to that observed with C5b-8. (2) Complement activation of (C8 + C9)-depleted serum containing C8' resulted in formation of SC5b-8'. Inclusion of C9 in the serum resulted in further conversion to SC5b-(8')9. These observations indicate that C8' is functionally similar to C8. Furthermore, they indicate that unlike alpha and beta, the gamma subunit has no direct role in facilitating C8 interaction with the nascent cytolytic complex or in mediating C9 binding and membrane lysis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Isolation of the terminal complement complex from target sheep erythrocyte membranes.

(1) Membranes from sheep erythrocytes lysed with antibody and human complement were solubilized in Triton X-100 and subjected to isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gels containing 1% Triton X-100. Membrane-bound serum proteins were located in the gels by subsequent immunoelectrophoresis against antisera to human serum proteins. Monospecific antisera against C9 and C5 were used to locate the terminal complement complex, which is not dissociated by Triton X-100. The complex focused between pH 5.8 and pH 6.5 and was separated from the bulk of other membrane-bound serum proteins, which focused at pH ranges below than 6.0. (2) In a second step, proteins electrophoretically eluted from the gel sections containing the terminal complement complex were chromatographed on Sepharose 6B equilibrated with 0.05% Triton X-100. Fused rocket immunoelectrophoresis was used to monitor separations. This step separated the terminal complement complex from the remaining contaminating proteins. The complex eluted in a broad peak corresponding to a molecular weight range of 800000-4000000. (3) The terminal complement complex thus obtained migrated with alpha-mobility and yielded a single precipitation arc in crossed immunoelectrophoresis using polyvalent antisera to human serum proteins. A distinct precipitate was obtained with monospecific anti-C9. The presence of C5 and C6, in complex with one another and with C9 was demonstrable by immuno-double-diffusion. No immunoprecipitate was obtained with antisera to sheep erythrocyte membrane proteins. (4) Dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis of the complex revealed seven protein bands of 190000, 160000, 115000, 93000, 85000, 68000 and 60000 daltons. Planimetric quantitation of densitometric scans gave a molar ratio of approx. 0.7:0.3:1:1:1:2:1 for these bands, respectively. All bands stained faintly with periodate-Schiff. Two-dimensional dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis showed that the first two bands (190000 and 160000 daltons, probably C5b and C5c) represented proteins possessing more than one peptide chain linked by disulfide bonds. The main subunit for both bands was a protein of approximately 68000 daltons. Band 5 (83000 daltons, probably C8alpha) was split into two peptide chains of approximately 68000 and 15000 daltons. The other components were not affected by dithiothreitol treatment. (5) The dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoretograms obtained were very similar to that described by Kolb and Müller-Eberhard (Kolb, W.P. and Müller-Eberhard, H.J. (1975) J. Exp. Med. 141, 724-735) for the terminal complement complex isolated from inulin-activated serum. However, certain minor but consistent deviations were observed. A preliminary correction of the electrophoretograms is presented.

Animals↗

A 41.7 kDa serine protease from Clostridium perfringens type A: degradation of purified human serum proteins.

Two clinical isolates of Clostridium perfringens type A produced a novel caseinolytic serine protease. Both enzymes had a molecular weight of 41.7 kilodaltons and an isoelectric point of 9.1. The two enzymes were immunogenic for rabbits and closely related serologically. Both enzymes partially degraded the heavy chains of human immunoglobulins (Ig) G and IgM, but not IgA. Purified human complement (C) components C3, C5, C8, and C9 were attacked; C1q was refractory. Both enzymes were active against human transferrin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, alpha 2-macroglobulin, haptoglobin, type III fibrinogen, and fibronectin. C-reactive protein was refractory.

Blood Proteins↗

The properdin-like type I repeats of human thrombospondin contain a cell attachment site.

Thrombospondin (TS) is a modular adhesive glycoprotein that contains three domains previously implicated in the attachment of cells to TS. These include the amino-terminal heparin-binding domain, the carboxy terminal cell or platelet-binding domain, and an RGDA sequence of TS. We have characterized a mAb against human TS, designated A4.1, which inhibits the attachment of human melanoma cells (G361) to TS. The epitope for A4.1 lies within the amino terminal half of the central stalklike region of TS which is distinct from the three known cell attachment sites. This region of TS is recovered in a 50-kD peptide after chymotryptic digestion of TS in EDTA. It contains the procollagen-like domain of TS as well as three type I repeats of a 60-residue segment homologous to two malarial proteins and the complement proteins properdin, and factors C6 through C9. The purified chymotryptic fragment is an effective attachment factor for G361 cells. A4.1 blocks adhesion to the 50-kD domain, as do some sulfated glycoconjugates. RGD (and RGE) peptides and mAbs against other domains of TS are not inhibitory. Peptides (19 mers) based on the core homology sequence of the three type I repeats of TS are potent attachment factors for these cells, and this adhesion is also inhibited by sulfated glycoconjugates. A polyclonal antibody raised against one of these peptides inhibits adhesion of G361 cells to the peptides, to the 50-kD fragment and to intact TS. Thus a new cell-adhesion site has been identified in TS whose sequence is very similar to the site identified in region II of the circumsporozoite protein of malaria parasites (Rich, K. A., F. W. George IV, J. L. Law, and W. J. Martin. 1990. Science (Wash. DC) 249:1574-1577. Thus there may be a common receptor which binds TS, malarial proteins, and properdin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immune cell populations in cutaneous delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) is a prototypic T lymphocyte-mediated response to antigenic challenge. In this study, mononuclear cells infiltrating the skin during cutaneous response to tuberculin in presensitized human subjects (responders) and nonimmune controls were identified using monoclonal antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence. In both responders and controls the infiltrate consisted mainly of T lymphocytes (T11+ and OKT3+) and monocytes (OKM1+, 63D3+, Mo2+) which initially accumulated in proximity to small blood vessels and later infiltrated the interstitial dermis and epidermis. More T lymphocytes reacted with OKT4 than with OKT8. 6 h after tuberculin the ratio of OKT4/OKT8 in tissue from responders exceeded that in blood, whereas in tissues studied at 15-48 h and in all control tissues those ratios in blood and tissue were similar. Evidence of T lymphocyte activation was sought using monoclonal antibodies anti-Tac, OKT9, and OKT10. In responders but not in controls the proportion of infiltrating cells reactive with these antibodies increased during the course of DTH. The presence of activated T lymphocytes in tissue was not associated with a comparable increase in peripheral blood cell populations identified by anti-Tac and OKT10. Studies using anti-B1, Leu-7, and anti-IgD/IgM revealed comparatively few reactive cells. Dual-labeling studies demonstrated that most Leu-7--reactive cells also bound T11 while fewer bound OKM1 or OKT8 and that cells reactive with OKIa1 and T11 constituted largely nonoverlapping populations. Specific patterns of reactivity were not observed when tissues were stained with anti-human C3, or poly C9-MA, a monoclonal antibody reactive with a neoantigen on polymerized C9 of the membrane attack complex of complement. The number of epidermal Langerhans cells identified by OKT6 was similar in responders and controls. Thus, the cutaneous response to tuberculin in sensitized individuals is characterized by early enrichment of the OKT4 subpopulation of T lymphocytes in tissue infiltrates and subsequent (15-48 h) evidence of T lymphocyte activation.

Animals↗

The membrane attack complex of complement alters the membrane integrity of cultured endothelial cells: a possible pathophysiology for immune complex vasculitis.

Recently, the possibility of direct involvement of the membrane attack complex of complement in the endothelial damage of immune complex vasculitis has been pointed out. However, no studies have so far elucidated this mechanism. The present study investigated the effects of complement on the membrane integrity of endothelial cells, using the fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide staining method. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were maintained in medium containing 10% zymosan-activated normal human serum. Cell detachment began to occur after 3 h of incubation, and the number of fluorescein diacetate-positive adherent cells decreased significantly, whereas that of ethidium bromide-positive detached cells increased significantly. Heat inactivation of the serum or replacement of the complement source with non-activated normal human serum or C5-, C7- or C9-deficient serum resulted in complete inhibition of these effects. These results suggest that complement induces detachment of endothelial cells by altering the cell membrane integrity and support the contention that the membrane attack complex of complement plays a significant role in the mechanisms of endothelial cell damage in immune complex vasculitis.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Increased plasma levels of the terminal complement complex in patients with evidence of complement activation.

The terminal C5b-9 complex of human complement has recently been described and quantified in normal human plasma by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We collected EDTA plasma samples from 20 patients clinically suspected to have complement activation. The terminal complement complex (TCC) and C3d split products were measured. The TCC was increased in 8 patients, and 6 of these also had increased C3d values, whereas 4 patients had increased C3d and normal TCC values. Two different double-antibody assays were used to detect terminal pathway activation: the combination of anti-C6 and anti-C9 detecting only the whole complex, and the combination of anti-C6 and anti-C5 detecting intermediate complexes as well. There was a close correlation between the observations in these two assays, suggesting that in general the whole cascade including C9 is involved when the terminal pathway of complement is activated in vivo. Quantification of TCC in plasma is an important supplement to already established methods for the evaluation of complement activation in vivo.

Adult↗

Generation of diacylglycerol and ceramide during homologous complement activation.

Formation of sublytic terminal complement complexes (TCC) on nucleated cells produces transient increase in [Ca2+]i and activates protein kinase C. The present study is to evaluate whether TCC can generate endogenous signal messengers other than Ca2+ that regulate cell activities by measuring mass-levels of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and ceramide. As targets, lymphoblastoid human B cell lines JY25 and its mutant JY5 were used. JY5, cells deficient in glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins with higher lytic susceptibility to human complement, are four times more efficient in forming C5b-9. When cells sensitized with limited anti-class II IgG were exposed to human serum to generate sublytic TCC, a sustained increase in DAG and ceramide was observed with a maximum 3.6-fold DAG increase over basal level in JY25 and 2.8-fold in JY5, and 6.3-fold ceramide increase in JY25 and 2.8-fold in JY5. The effect of TCC was evaluated with C7-deficient human serum (C7D) +/- C7 and also with C5b6, C7, C8, and C9 proteins. The DAG and ceramide increase by C7D + C7 over C7D control were 1.6- and 1.8-fold, respectively, in JY25, and 2.3-, and two-fold in JY5. TCC activation also induced an increased hydrolysis of sphyingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine. In addition, DAG increase by TCC was primarily achieved by C5b-7 and preincubation of cells with pertussis toxininhibited DAG increase, suggesting an involvement of a pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding protein. As important signal transduction molecules, DAG and ceramide generated in response to TCC assembly, could participate in cell activation during inflammation and repair.

Animals↗

Trimeresurus flavoviridis (habu snake) venom induces human erythrocyte lysis through enzymatic lipolysis, complement activation and decreased membrane expression of CD55 and CD59.

Trimeresurus flavoviridis (habu snake) bites can be fatal to man because of its virulent venom, which is clinicopathologically classified as haemorrhagic, necrotic, and haemolytic toxins. Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom causes lysis of human erythrocytes in conditions where plasma is present as well as in plasma-free conditions in a dose-dependent manner. The haemolytic process requires Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the solution. Additionally, the venom initiates activation of the human complement cascade as evidenced by C3a and C5a releases, complement consumption indicated by CH50 and formation of soluble membrane attack complex. The insertion of membrane attack complex into the erythrocyte membranes is morphologically identified by electronmicroscopy. Immunofluorescence analysis reveals that incubation of erythrocytes with the venom decreased cell-surface expression of CD55 (decay accelerating factor) and CD59 (protectin), which renders erythrocyte more vulnerable to adherent C3 and C5 convertases and to polymerization of C9 into membranes, and may enhance autologous complement-mediated haemolysis triggered by the venom. Our data demonstrate that Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom induces haemolysis in the presence of plasma by three distinct mechanisms, direct lipolysis through PLA2 activity, activation of the human complement system, and cleavages of CD55 and CD59 from erythrocyte membranes.

Animals↗

Clinical manifestations in humans of combined C7 and C4 deficiency associated with low levels of C2, C8, and C9.

64 members of a large kindred with inherited deficiency of the seventh component of complement, C7, were studied for plasma levels of antigenetic and functional components of complement as well as for clinical manifestations of infections and autoimmune diseases. Thirty-six individuals showed a low level of C2, C7, C8, and/or C9, including null alleles for C4A and C4B. Two subjects had a complete C7 deficiency. One of them concomitantly presented a low C2 level and a C4BQ0 allele. HLA allotyping strongly suggested C2 depression associated with a C4BQ0 allele. The 2 individuals with total absence of C7 suffered from fulminant disseminated meningococcal infections. The partial depression of one or more complement components associated with apparent good health. These results may indicate that simultaneous partial depressions of up to four complement components do not lead to clinical manifestation of infectious and autoimmune disease.

Adult↗

Expression of human CD59 in transgenic pig organs enhances organ survival in an ex vivo xenogeneic perfusion model.

The serious shortage of available donor organs for patients with end stage organ failure who are in need of solid organ transplantation has led to a heightened interest in xenotransplantation. The major barrier to successful discordant xenotransplantation is hyperacute rejection. Hyperacute rejection results from the deposition of preformed antibodies that activate complement on the luminal surface of the vascular endothelium, leading to vessel occlusion and graft failure within minutes to hours. Endogenous membrane-associated complement inhibitors normally protect endothelial cells from autologous complement -- however, these molecules are species-restricted and therefore are ineffective at inhibiting activated xenogeneic complement. To address the pathogenesis of hyperacute rejection in the pig-to-human combination, F1 offspring were generated from a transgenic founder animal that was engineered to express the human terminal complement inhibitor hCD59. High-level cell surface expression of hCD59 was detected in the hearts and kidneys of these transgenic F1 animals, similar to expression levels in human kidney tissue. The hCD59 was expressed on both large vessel and capillary endothelium. Ex vivo perfusion experiments, using human blood as the perfusate, were performed with transgenic porcine hearts and kidneys to evaluate the ability of hCD59 to inhibit hyperacute rejection. These experiments demonstrated that transgenic organs expressing hCD69 resisted hyperacute rejection, as measured by increased organ function for both the hearts and the kidneys, as compared with control pig organs. Hearts from hCD59-expressing animals demonstrated a five-fold prolongation in function compared with controls, 109.8 +/- 20.7 min versus 21.2 +/- 2.9 min (P = 0.164). The hCD59-expressing kidneys also demonstrated significantly prolonged function at 157.8 +/- 27.0 min compared with 60.0 +/- 6.1 min for controls (P = 0.0174). Deposition of C9 neoantigen In the vasculature of porcine organs perfused with human blood was markedly reduced in organs expressing hCD59. These studies demonstrate that C5b-9 plays an important role in hyperacute rejection of a porcine organ perfused with human blood and suggest that donor pigs transgenic for hCD59 may be an integral component of successful clinical xenotransplantation.

Animals↗

The human complement system in thrombin-mediated platelet function.

Thrombin-mediated platelet membrane-specific uptake of C3 and C5 was demonstrated by radiolabeled components and was visualized electron microscopically utilizing a ferritin marker conjugated to monospecific antibody to each component. The role of complement in thrombin-induced platelet function was determined. Though complement was not essential for thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and release of serotonin, these activities were significantly increased if complement was present. The release of serotonin was found to be a nonlytic process because under the conditions employed, no lactic dehydrogenase was released. The activation of complement was induced by a mechanism which has not been previously described. Thrombin associated with the platelet membrane presumably formed a C3 convertase that entered the known complement sequence at the C3 stage and proceeded to activate the terminal components through the known sequence to C9.

Blood Platelets↗

Differences between plasma and serum complement in patients with chronic liver disease.

Of sixty patients with chronic liver disease, eight with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis had very low serum CH50 but normal plasma CH50. The complement component profiles of these sera revealed markedly decreased C4 and C2 activities and normal C3T (C3-C9) activities. From these results, it is suggested that the early acting complement components had been non-specifically activated during blood coagulation in these patients. No difference between plasma and serum CH50 was found in patients with hepatitis B(s) antigen.

Adult↗

Normal rat serum cytotoxicity against syngeneic oligodendrocytes. Complement activation and attack in the absence of anti-myelin antibodies.

The role of complement in mediating oligodendrocyte and myelin injury has been investigated by studying the effects of normal adult rat serum on syngeneic cultured neonatal glial cells. Rat serum has cytotoxic activity directed against oligodendrocytes but not astrocytes, the potency of which increases with cell maturation. The effects of heat inactivation, decomplemented rat serum, EGTA treatment, removal of any possible anti-myelin antibody by absorption using syngeneic myelin and absence of surface staining for immunoglobulins on serum-treated oligodendrocytes, C9 depletion and reconstitution, and oligodendrocyte staining for surface C9 demonstrate that this cytotoxicity is mediated by complement via antibody independent activation of the classical pathway and is membrane attack complex dependent. These findings significantly extend the previous demonstration of complement activation by extracted myelin, and may have significance for the pathogenesis of demyelinating diseases.

Animals↗

Serum terminal complement component levels in hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritides.

Measurements of serum C3 through C9 are reported for patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (AGN), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type I (MPGN I), MPGN II, and MPGN III. Except in MPGN II, depressed C5 levels correlated with depressed C3 levels. In MPGN II, levels of C5 and of other terminal components were normal. In MPGN III, markedly depressed levels of C7 through C9 correlated strongly with depressed levels of C3 and C5. C6 was less severely depressed. In MPGN I, terminal component levels were less often depressed than in MPGN III and in AGN, depression of terminal components was seen only when levels of C3 and C5 were extremely low. The data indicate that late terminal components are activated in MPGN III to a greater extent than in the other nephritides despite C5 activation approximately equal in extent to that in AGN and MPGN I.

Acute Disease↗