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[Genetics of complement: recent aspects (author's transl)].

Genetic deficiencies of complement proteins are now more often recognized and analysed more precisely because the structure of the different complement proteins is better known. Partial defects may be detected in some components by the combined utilization of titration techniques, polymorphism studies and linkage analyses. The partial deficiency in C4 seems to be the most frequent protein deficiency in the human. The complement markers on the short arm of the sixth chromosome in man (BF, C2, C4A and C4B) are located in close proximity to the HLA-D/DR region. The combined study of the complement and HLA markers will probably allow the fine structure of the HLA region to be better defined. The association of some diseases with HLA types will probably also be better specified by the definition of associations not only with HLA-B or HLA-D types but also with the BF, C2 and C4 types.

Animals↗

Induction of C3 expression in astrocytes is regulated by cytokines and Newcastle disease virus.

Synthesis of complement proteins and their regulation in resident cells of the central nervous system are important pathophysiologic factors that can affect the outcome of inflammatory central nervous system diseases. Primary cultures of rat astrocytes constitutively express C3 mRNA and produce C3 protein; both of them were enhanced by LPS or by a live as well as inactivated Newcastle disease virus, a neurotropic paramixovirus. TNF, IL-1 beta, and IL-8 also increased the levels of C3 mRNA and protein whereas IL-1 alpha and IL-6 had no effect, although all of these cytokines are inducible by LPS. LPS stimulation in the presence of cycloheximide decreased the LPS-mediated C3 mRNA induction by 60%. These data suggest that LPS effect on C3 regulation is mediated directly by LPS as well as by LPS-induced cytokines. Interestingly, C3 mRNA induced by Newcastle disease virus or inactivated Newcastle disease virus was inhibited by protein kinase inhibitors, H-7 and staurosporine, whereas these inhibitors had no effect on C3 induction mediated by LPS or cytokines, indicating the existence of different signal transduction pathways.

Alkaloids↗

Preferential inactivation of the C5 convertase of the alternative complement pathway by factor I and membrane cofactor protein (MCP).

Human C3b bound to the ghost of sheep erythrocytes (E*) via activation of the alternative complement pathway (E*AC3b) consists of four major constituents on SDS-PAGE of 350, 260, 210 and 180 kDa. 350 kDa C3b is a dimeric form of C3b in which the alpha' chain of one C3b binds covalently to that of the other C3b. This complex is presumed to serve as a core for the alternative pathway C5 convertase. The other C3b populations are monomers complexed with membrane proteins or sugars. Using E*AC3b (C3b labeled) as a substrate, we have investigated functional properties of membrane cofactor protein (MCP), which is an integral membrane protein with C3b-binding and factor I-dependent cofactor activities. In conjunction with factor I, MCP was found to degrade the protein-bound C3b preferentially including the 350 kDa dimer. There was a similar but lesser tendency of this selective cleavage of C3b-dimer by CR1 but not by factor H or C4bp. In contrast to CR1 and factor H, detergent solubilization of EAC3b was required for MCP to fully express its cofactor activity for this selective degradation of C3b. We next separated the C3b dimer from the monomers and assessed their ability to assemble the alternative C5 convertase. The C3b dimer but not the monomers expressed C5 convertase activity following the addition of factors B and D, C5 and Ni2+. Kinetic analysis of the degradation of the C3b dimer by MCP and factor I suggested that only one C3b was efficiently converted to C3bi and this occurred concomitant with a decrease in C5 convertase activity. These results suggest that MCP has the ability to more efficiently interact with protein-bound C3b and that this may relate as well to its preferential ability to irreversibly inactivate the C5 convertase.

Antigens, CD↗

Human factor H and C4b-binding protein serve as factor I-cofactors both encompassing inactivation of C3b and C4b.

Human factor H in the complement (C) system has been characterized as a decay-accelerator for the alternative C pathway C3 convertase and a cofactor for factor I-mediated inactivation of C3b. The current concept is that it does not serve as a C4b-inactivating cofactor. In the present study, we demonstrated that in fluid-phase, factor H and Factor I can cleave methylamine-treated C4(C4ma), a C4b analogue, to C4d, regardless of its isotype. The buffer pH and ionic strength were critical factors for the C4ma cleavage, which proceeded at around pH 6.0 and low conductivity around 3.0 mS. Similar results were obtained with fluid-phase C4b. Cell-bound C4b, however, did not undergo factor I-mediated inactivation by factor H. Hence, all of the human cofactors reported to date can mediate factor I-mediated cleavage of both C3b and C4b at least in the fluid-phase.

Carrier Proteins↗

Solubilization of immune precipitates by six isolated alternative pathway proteins.

Immune precipitates were solubilized by the alternative pathway of complement assembled from isolated proteins, i.e., C3, factor B, factor D, properdin, C3b inactivator (C3bINA), and beta 1H. The kinetic curves of solubilization in the isolated system and in EGTA-serum were virtually indistinguishable. No requirement of other factors was apparent. Deletion of C3bINA and beta 1H from the complete mixture caused total consumption of C3 in the fluid phase and resulted in neither C3 binding to the complexes nor solubilization. Thus, the presence of a regulated fluid-phase reaction is essential for efficient fixation of C3 and the consequent solubilization. In addition, properdin plays an essential role in the complement-mediated solubilization in the presence of the two regulators. A large amount of C3 was incorporated into the antigen-antibody lattice. Solubilization of immune complexes started after the binding of one C3 molecule to one antibody molecule in the complexes, and the molar ratio of C3:antibody in the solubilized complexes also is approximately 1.

Animals↗

Increased plasma concentrations of C9, C1-inhibitor and alpha 1-protease inhibitor associated with cigarette smoking.

The association between various parameters of acute and chronic smoking status and plasma levels of three proteins, C9, C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) and alpha 1-protease inhibitor (alpha 1-PI) were determined for 49 male cigarette smokers and 49 age-matched nonsmokers (mean age = 32.2 years). The mean number of cigarettes smoked was 28.7 per day while the cumulative consumption was only 18.1 pack-years. Plasma levels of all three proteins were significantly higher in the smokers than nonsmokers. Plasma C9 and alpha 1-PI concentrations correlated with cumulative cigarette consumption and plasma nicotine concentrations. While C1-INH concentration did not correlate with either cumulative cigarette consumption or plasma nicotine concentration, it correlated significantly with serum thiocyanate concentration. No consistent correlation was found between plasma concentration of these proteins and parameters of pulmonary function.

Adult↗

Complement escape of human pathogenic bacteria by acquisition of complement regulators.

Pathogenic micro-organisms employ a broad range of strategies to survive in and to persistently infect the human host. Far from being completely understood by which highly sophisticated means invading pathogens overcome the host's destructive immune defence, there is a growing body of evidence on particular mechanisms which play a pivotal role for immune evasion. This review focuses on evasion of medically and scientifically important bacteria by acquisition of host derived fluid-phase complement regulatory proteins, in particular factor H, FHL-1, and C4b binding protein. Expression of microbial surface molecules binding to human complement regulators and thus fixing them in a functionally active state allows pathogens to inhibit and finely regulate complement activation directly on their surface. Further studies on the utilization of host complement regulatory proteins will likely have a marked impact on a more efficient and specific clinical treatment.

Bacteria↗

Angioedema with acquired deficiency of the C1 inhibitor: a constellation of syndromes.

Patients with angioedema are often referred to an allergist to rule out an allergic cause. In most of these cases, no allergic cause is identified, and the cases are labeled "idiopathic." Occasionally, a deficiency of the inhibitor of the first component of complement (C1INH) is discovered, which may be either hereditary or acquired. In comparison with the hereditary variant, the acquired deficiency of C1INH is extremely rare, approximately 40 cases having been reported to date. Measurement of the C1q subunit is the key to the differential diagnosis between hereditary and acquired deficiencies of C1INH--it is normal in the former and decreased in the latter. The acquired deficiency of C1INH is usually found in association with benign or malignant B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, and the angioedema responds to therapy with androgens. A subset of six patients with acquired C1INH deficiency has been reported recently; they had anti-C1INH autoantibodies, no evidence of an underlying disease, a benign course, and variable responses to therapy. Two new cases of angioedema in patients with acquired C1INH deficiency are described in this report. One patient had no evidence of an underlying disease 11 years after the onset of angioedema. The other case was associated with a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder that became evident 9 months after C1INH deficiency was diagnosed, and androgen therapy stopped the attacks of angioedema. In this second case, the functional activity of C1INH mirrored the clinical response to therapy.

Adult↗

Cyclic AMP-mediated upregulation of the expression of neuronal NO synthase in human A673 neuroepithelioma cells results in a decrease in the level of bioactive NO production: analysis of the signaling mechanisms that are involved.

The expression level of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) can vary depending on the (patho)physiological conditions. Here we document a marked induction of nNOS mRNA, protein, and total NO production in response to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP) in human A673 neuroepithelial cells. However, the upregulation of nNOS was associated with a decreased level of production of bioactive NO and by an increase in the level of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS production could be prevented by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME, suggesting nNOS itself is involved in ROS generation. Sepiapterin supplementation of db-cAMP-treated A673 cells could restore full bioactive NO production, most likely by preventing the uncoupling of nNOS. nNOS was upregulated by other stable analogues of cAMP, by the activator of adenylyl cyclase forskolin, by isoproterenol or by dopamine through activation of D1 receptors, and by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase. cAMP did not change the half-life of the nNOS mRNA. Inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA), H-89 and R(p)-cAMPS, produced a partial inhibition of basal and cAMP-induced nNOS expression. cAMP response element binding and modulator transcription factors (CREB and CREM), typical target proteins of PKA, were expressed in A673 cells, as was the coactivator CREB binding protein (CBP). cAMP-stimulated induction of nNOS was significantly enhanced in A673 cells stably transfected with wild-type CREB and almost abolished in cells transfected with KCREB (containing a mutation of the DNA binding domain). In A673 cells transfected with CREB(133) (containing a mutation of the phosphorylatable serine 133), the overall level of nNOS expression was reduced, but the expressional stimulation by cAMP remained. This suggests that CREB bypasses, in part, the classical requirement for phosphorylation and association with CBP. Three members of the recently described four-and-a-half-LIM-domain proteins (FHL1-FHL3) were found to be expressed in A673 cells; FHL-1 and FHL-3 were upregulated by cAMP. These proteins can provide direct activation function to both CREB and CREM, and may be responsible for the PKA-independent component of CREB and CREM activity.

Animals↗

Secretion of soluble complement inhibitors factor H and factor H-like protein (FHL-1) by ovarian tumour cells.

We observed that the soluble complement regulators factor H and factor H-like protein were abundantly present in ascites samples as well as in primary tumours of patients with ovarian cancer. RT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses showed that the two complement inhibitors were constitutively produced by the ovarian tumour cell lines SK-OV-3 and Caov-3, but not PA-1 or SW626 cells. The amounts of factor H-like protein secreted were equal to those of factor H. This is exceptional, because e.g. in normal human serum the concentration of factor H-like protein is below 1/10th of that of factor H. In ascites samples the mean level of factor H-like protein (130+/-55 microg ml(-1)) was 5.5-fold higher than in normal human serum (24+/-3 microg ml(-1)). Ovarian tumour cells thus preferentially synthesise factor H-like protein, the alternatively spliced short variant of factor H. The tumour cells were found to bind both (125)I-labelled factor H and recombinant factor H-like protein to their surfaces. Surprisingly, the culture supernatants of all of the ovarian tumour cell lines studied, including those of PA-1 and SW626 that did not produce factor H/factor H-like protein, promoted factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b to inactive iC3b. Subsequently, the PA-1 and SW626 cell lines were found to secrete a soluble form of the membrane cofactor protein (CD46). Thus, our studies reveal two novel complement resistance mechanisms of ovarian tumour cells: (i) production of factor H-like protein and factor H and (ii) secretion of soluble membrane cofactor protein. Secretion of soluble complement inhibitors could protect ovarian tumour cells against humoral immune attack and pose an obstacle for therapy with monoclonal antibodies.

Ascitic Fluid↗

Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects of recombinant soluble complement receptors.

CR1 and CR2 have served as unusual probes for the analysis of the two major functions of the immune system involving inflammation and the immune response, respectively. CR1, or some construct containing its active site SCRs, may find a role in the therapy of complement-dependent tissue injury, and may be used to define which diseases are caused by the inappropriate or excessive activation of this system. Although soluble forms of CR2 may be shown to have potential clinical utility when foreign antigen is given prospectively, as in monoclonal antibody therapy, perhaps the most important finding emanating from the analysis of this receptor is the recognition of a previously unrecognized membrane protein complex whose role in B cell development is yet to be determined. It is reasonable to predict that the function of the CD19 complex will be significant as it serves as the link between two evolutionarily distinct systems that share a common purpose of anti-microbial host defense.

Animals↗

Demonstration of factor H-like protein 1 binding to Treponema denticola, a pathogen associated with periodontal disease in humans.

Treponema denticola is an important contributor to periodontal disease. In this study we investigated the ability of T. denticola to bind the complement regulatory proteins factor H and factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1). The binding of these proteins has been demonstrated to facilitate evasion of the alternative complement cascade and/or to play a role in adherence and invasion. Here we demonstrate that T. denticola specifically binds FHL-1 via a 14-kDa, surface-exposed protein that we designated FhbB. Consistent with its FHL-1 binding specificity, FhbB binds only to factor H recombinant fragments spanning short consensus repeats (SCRs) 1 to 7 (H7 construct) and not to SCR constructs spanning SCRs 8 to 15 and 16 to 20. Binding of H7 to FhbB was inhibited by heparin. The specific involvement of SCR 7 in the interaction was demonstrated using an H7 mutant (H7AB) in which specific charged residues in SCR 7 were replaced by alanine. This construct lost FhbB binding ability. Analyses of the ability of FHL-1 bound to the surface of T. denticola to serve as a cofactor for factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b revealed that C3b is cleaved in an FHL-1/factor I-independent manner, perhaps by an unidentified protease. Based on the data presented here, we hypothesize that the primary function of FHL-1 binding by T. denticola might be to facilitate adherence to FHL-1 present on anchorage-dependent cells and in the extracellular matrix.

Bacterial Proteins↗

C4-binding protein prevents spontaneous cleavage of C3 in sera of patients with hereditary angioedema.

We have studied the effects of polyclonal monospecific Fab' preparations against C1r, C1s, C1INH, C4, C4bp, and fragment Bb of factor B on complement activation in NHS and HAES. Furthermore, we have investigated complement activation in these sera after addition of purified C1s and purified C4bp. Blocking C1INH induced a spontaneous activation of the classical pathway in NHS and to a lesser extent in HAES. Addition of p-C1s resulted in a strong C3 conversion in NHS, but not in HAES. However, after the blocking of C4bp in HAES, addition of p-C1s produced a total C3 consumption. The ration of the protein concentration of C4bp to hemolytically active C4 was eight times higher in HAES than in NHS. This increased ratio may account for the resistance of HAES to the C1s induced C3 cleavage in our in vitro system and the stability of C3 in HAE despite C4 and C2 consumption in vivo.

Angioedema↗

Regulation of the mannan-binding lectin pathway of complement on Neisseria gonorrhoeae by C1-inhibitor and alpha 2-macroglobulin.

We examined complement activation by Neisseria gonorrhoeae via the mannan-binding lectin (MBL) pathway in normal human serum. Maximal binding of MBL complexed with MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs) to N. gonorrhoeae was achieved at a concentration of 0.3 microg/ml. Preopsonization with MBL-MASP at concentrations as low as 0.03 microg/ml resulted in approximately 60% killing of otherwise fully serum-resistant gonococci. However, MBL-depleted serum (MBLdS) reconstituted with MBL-MASP before incubation with organisms (postopsonization) failed to kill at a 100-fold higher concentration. Preopsonized organisms showed a 1.5-fold increase in C4, a 2.5-fold increase in C3b, and an approximately 25-fold increase in factor Bb binding; enhanced C3b and factor Bb binding was classical pathway dependent. Preopsonization of bacteria with a mixture of pure C1-inhibitor and/or alpha(2)-macroglobulin added together with MBL-MASP, all at physiologic concentrations before adding MBLdS, totally reversed killing in 10% reconstituted serum. Reconstitution of MBLdS with supraphysiologic (24 microg/ml) concentrations of MBL-MASP partially overcame the effects of inhibitors (57% killing in 10% reconstituted serum). We also examined the effect of sialylation of gonococcal lipooligosaccharide (LOS) on MBL function. Partial sialylation of LOS did not decrease MBL or C4 binding but did decrease C3b binding by 50% and resulted in 80% survival in 10% serum (lacking bacteria-specific Abs) even when sialylated organisms were preopsonized with MBL. Full sialylation of LOS abolished MBL, C4, and C3b binding, resulting in 100% survival. Our studies indicate that MBL does not participate in complement activation on N. gonorrhoeae in the presence of "complete" serum that contains C1-inhibitor and alpha(2)-macroglobulin.

Adult↗

Characterization of recombinant mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease (MASP)-3 suggests an activation mechanism different from that of MASP-1 and MASP-2.

Mannan-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine proteases (MASP-1, -2, and -3) are homologous modular proteases that each associate with MBL and L- and H-ficolins, which are oligomeric serum lectins involved in innate immunity. To investigate its physicochemical, interaction, and enzymatic properties, human MASP-3 was expressed in insect cells. Ultracentrifugation analysis indicated that rMASP-3 sedimented as a homodimer (s(20,w) = 6.2 +/- 0.1 S) in the presence of Ca(2+), and as a monomer (s(20,w) = 4.6 +/- 0.1 S) in EDTA. As shown by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy, it associated with both MBL (K(D) = 2.6 nM) and L-ficolin (K(D) = 7.2 nM). The protease was produced in a single-chain, proenzyme form, but underwent slow activation upon prolonged storage at 4 degrees C, resulting from cleavage at the Arg(430)-Ile(431) activation site. Activation was prevented in the presence of protease inhibitors iodoacetamide and 1,10-phenanthroline but was not abolished upon substitution of Ala for the active site Ser(645) of MASP-3, indicating extrinsic proteolysis. In contrast, the corresponding mutations Ser(627)-->Ala in MASP-1 and Ser(618)-->Ala in MASP-2 stabilized the latter in their proenzyme form. Likewise, the MASP-1 and MASP-2 mutants were each activated by their active counterparts, but MASP-3 S645A was not. Activated MASP-3 did not react with C1 inhibitor; had no activity on complement proteins C2, C4, and C3; and only cleaved the N-carboxybenzyloxyglycine-L-arginine thiobenzyl ester substrate to a significant extent. Based on these observations, it is postulated that MASP-3 activation and control involve mechanisms that are different from those of MASP-1 and -2.

Alanine↗

Regulation of complement activation by C-reactive protein: targeting the complement inhibitory activity of factor H by an interaction with short consensus repeat domains 7 and 8-11.

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a major acute phase protein whose functions are not totally clear. In this study, we examined the interaction of CRP with factor H (FH), a key regulator of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement. Using the surface plasmon resonance technique and a panel of recombinantly expressed FH constructs, we observed that CRP binds to two closely located regions on short consensus repeat (SCR) domains 7 and 8-11 of FH. Also FH-like protein 1 (FHL-1), an alternatively spliced product of the FH gene, bound to CRP with its most C-terminal domain (SCR 7). The binding reactions were calcium-dependent and partially inhibited by heparin. In accordance with the finding that CRP binding sites on FH were distinct from the C3b binding sites, CRP preserved the ability of FH to promote factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b. We propose that the function of CRP is to target functionally active FH and FHL-1 to injured self tissues. Thereby, CRP could restrict excessive complement attack in tissues while allowing a temporarily enhanced AP activity against invading microbes in blood.

Binding Sites↗