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Perioperative effect of methylprednisolone given during lung surgery on plasma concentrations of C3a and C5a.

Methylprednisolone or saline (placebo) solution was infused intravenously in 28 patients undergoing elective lobectomy for lung cancer. The state of the complement system during and after surgery and the effects of methylprednisolone on biologically active products of complement were studied by measurements of plasma C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins and leukocyte counts in peripheral blood perioperatively. In the placebo group plasma concentrations of C3a were significantly increased on postoperative days 1 and 2, whereas C5a had risen significantly 6 hours after surgery and on days 1 and 2. Methylprednisolone infusion during surgery eliminated the postoperative elevation of C3a and C5a. The postoperative leukocyte count in peripheral blood was higher in the methylprednisolone group than in the controls. The observations indicated that methylprednisolone may reduce the influx of leukocytes from peripheral blood into the airways by attenuating production of biologically active complements.

Complement Activation↗

Biocompatibility evaluation of polyamide hemofiltration.

INTRODUCTION: Postdilution hemofiltration with a polyamide membrane is a renal replacement technique widely used, but very little information is available regarding the biocompatibility of this treatment. In this paper we report the results of an acute study of the biocompatibility of polyamide hemofiltration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Complement activation such as C3a and C5a Des Arg (RIA), granulocyte degranulation like alpha 1 elastase intradialytic increase (ELISA) and the expression of high affinity membrane receptors for IL-2 (anti-TAC) were determined. Beta 2-microglobulin (RIA) intradialytic decrease, as well as its convective removal, was evaluated. The nature of protein layer adsorbed onto the polyamide membrane, at the end of the dialytic session was investigated with a new immunohistochemical technique. Cell-associated cytokine concentration (like IL-1 beta and IL-1Ra - ELISA) was determined on mononuclear cell lysates. RESULTS: A low degree of complement activation was detected with the polyamide membrane when data were adjusted for hemoconcentration and for 1 m2 of membrane surface area. An important convective removal not only of Beta 2-microglobulin (258+/-20 mg/session), but also of the activated anaphylatoxins (225+/-76 ng/ml for C3a and 22.5+/-4 ng/ml for C5a) was revealed. A marked deposition of all coagulation factors with no detectable amount of immunoglobulins and complement factors was revealed on the polyamide membrane at the end of the dialytic session. No intradialytic (for IL-1beta) (from 14. 1+/-3.0 to 13.5+/-2.9 pg/2.5 x 10(6) cell) and interdialytic (for IL-1Ra) (from 4572+/-1076 to 5408+/-615 pg/2.5 x 10(6) cell) cell-associated cytokine expression was induced by hemofiltration. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Polyamide hemofiltration is a highly biocompatible technique due to the use of a synthetic membrane with a sterile reinfusion fluid and the convective removal of the activated anaphylatoxins and Beta 2-microglobulin.

Adult↗

Biocompatibility of hemodialysis membranes: evaluation in an ovine model.

We studied the cardiopulmonary, hematologic, and inflammatory response to hemodialysis with seven different membranes in sheep. We also compared acetate dialysate with bicarbonate dialysate and evaluated the role of thromboxane in mediating these responses to dialysis with Cuprophan membranes (Baxter Healthcare Corp., Renal Division, Deerfield, Ill.) in sheep. The data generated in these studies indicate that dialyzer membranes can be divided into three major categories, defined by propensity to activate complement. High complement activators such as Cuprophan (low surface-area CF-1511 and high surface-area ST-25 dialyzers) produced dramatic neutropenia and hypoxemia and significant (p < 0.01) increases in the plasma concentration of thromboxane and in mean pulmonary artery blood pressure. The magnitude of these effects appeared to be surface area related. The low-flux Fresenius F-6 polysulfone membrane (Fresenius USA Inc., Concord, Calif.) also resulted in the generation of significant levels of C3a. In contrast, low complement activators such as polyacrylonitrile (AN-69; Gambro Hospal, Inc., Lakewood, Colo.) and cellulose triacetate (CT-110G; Baxter) produced little or no neutropenia, small transient increases in thromboxane, and no rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure. Dialyzers with intermediate complement-activating potential such as cellulose acetate (CA-110; Baxter) and Hemophan (HT-100; Baxter) produced small to moderate degrees of neutropenia and small increases in thromboxane and mean pulmonary artery pressure. Treatment of sheep with sodium ibuprofen before dialysis with Cuprophan CF-1511 membranes prevented the initial increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and thromboxane generation and the decrease in arterial oxygen tension, but did not affect the degree of complement activation or neutropenia. In sheep undergoing Cuprophan dialysis, bicarbonate dialysate did not prevent the increase in circulating complement and the associated neutropenia otherwise seen during the early portions of dialysis with acetate dialysate. Bicarbonate dialysate did, however, reduce (not prevent) the initial increases in thromboxane and mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and the magnitude of the hypoxemia seen with the use of acetate dialysate. The results of these experiments therefore indicate that (1) reactions in sheep correlate well with data collected in human beings and the model can be an effective means for comparing novel dialysis membranes and pharmacologic interventions during dialysis and (2) although complement appears to be the transducer of the hematologic and immunologic response, thromboxane appears to be the final effector of the cardiovascular responses to hemodialysis with Cuprophan membranes.

Acute Disease↗

Sulfonated dextran inhibits complement activation and complement-dependent cytotoxicity in an in vitro model of hyperacute xenograft rejection.

In the present study, we demonstrate that a substituted soluble dextran derivative bearing 73% carboxylic groups and 15% benzylamide sulfonate groups, termed CMDBS25, inhibits complement activation and complement-mediated damage in an in vitro model of xenogeneic rejection. Incubation of porcine aortic endothelial cells with normal human serum resulted in time-dependent complement consumption as assessed by C3a generation in the fluid phase and deposition of activated complement fragments C3, C5 and of C5b-9 on target cells. The presence of C5b-9 membrane attack complex was associated with 51Cr release from prelabelled endothelial cells. The addition of 5-25 mg of CMDBS25/ml under the experimental conditions used, inhibited complement activation and C3a generation in a dose-dependent fashion. CMDBS25 (25 mg/ml) totally suppressed iC3b, C5 and C5b-9 cytolytic complex deposition on cells and inhibits by 42% lysis of target endothelial cells. Native dextran had no effect. Our observations document the anti-complementary properties of sulfonated dextran derivatives and their potential as therapeutic agents for the prevention of complement-dependent hyperacute xenograft rejection.

Animals↗

Ulex europaeus agglutinin II (UEA-II) is a novel, potent inhibitor of complement activation.

Complement is an important mediator of vascular injury following oxidative stress. We recently demonstrated that complement activation following endothelial oxidative stress is mediated by mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and activation of the lectin complement pathway. Here, we investigated whether nine plant lectins which have a binding profile similar to that of MBL competitively inhibit MBL deposition and subsequent complement activation following human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) oxidative stress. HUVEC oxidative stress (1% O(2), 24 hr) significantly increased Ulex europaeus agglutinin II (UEA-II) binding by 72 +/- 9% compared to normoxic cells. UEA-II inhibited MBL binding to HUVEC in a concentration-dependent manner following oxidative stress. Further, MBL inhibited UEA-II binding to HUVEC in a concentration-dependent manner following oxidative stress, suggesting a common ligand. UEA-II (< or = 100 micromol/L) did not attenuate the hemolytic activity, nor did it inhibit C3a des Arg formation from alternative or classical complement pathway-specific hemolytic assays. C3 deposition (measured by ELISA) following HUVEC oxidative stress was inhibited by UEA-II in a concentration-dependent manner (IC(50) = 10 pmol/L). UEA-II inhibited C3 and MBL co-localization (confocal microscopy) in a concentration-dependent manner on HUVEC following oxidative stress (IC(50) approximately 1 pmol/L). Finally, UEA-II significantly inhibited complement-dependent neutrophil chemotaxis, but failed to inhibit fMLP-mediated chemotaxis, following endothelial oxidative stress. These data demonstrate that UEA-II is a novel, potent inhibitor of human MBL deposition and complement activation following human endothelial oxidative stress.

Binding, Competitive↗

Complement activation by vascular prostheses and its role in progression of arteriosclerotic lesions.

This study, using C3a, C4a, and C5a assay and crossed immunoelectrophoresis in vitro and in vivo, was designed to determine whether vascular prostheses activate the complement system. The degree of complement activation and the pathway of activation were also studied. The complement levels (C3, C4, CH50) in different arterial diseases were measured, and the relationship of complement levels to serum lipids in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) was also investigated, in order to clarify a relationship between the complement system and arteriosclerosis or other arterial diseases. Bovine graft, dacron, and PTFE activated the complement system in vitro. In order of the degree of complement activation, bovine graft ranked first, followed by dacron and PTFE. The patient group with acute arterial occlusion showed high C3 and C4 levels. The healthy elderly group showed higher C3 and C4 levels than the healthy persons in their twenties. In ASO patients, C3 levels correlated with serum lipid levels. Judged from the relation of complement activation by vascular prostheses to the progression of arteriosclerotic changes, vascular prostheses should be assessed with regard to complement activation.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

IgG binding to cytoskeletal intermediate filaments activates the complement cascade.

The cellular plasma membrane becomes permeable to macromolecules during the cell injury process. This results in exposure of the interior of the cell to plasma proteins and to high-affinity binding of the Fc part of IgG to intermediate filaments (Hansson, G K, Starkebaum, G A, Benditt, E P & Schwartz, S M, Proc natl acad sci USA 81 (1984) 3103). Such IgG binding could be an early step in a process that serves to eliminate the injured cell. We have now identified its effect on the complement system. Intermediate filaments were reconstituted in vitro from purified vimentin, and incubated with plasma proteins. Cross-linker experiments showed binding of the heavy chain of IgG to vimentin, indicating that the vimentin protein carries an Fc-binding site. In contrast, no direct binding of complement factor Clq to vimentin could be detected. Binding of both IgG and Clq could, however, be detected by immunofluorescence when cytoskeletons of cultured endothelial cells were incubated with fresh serum. Therefore, IgG binding to filaments in the presence of serum is accompanied by Clq binding to IgG. This was in turn followed by fixation of C4 and C3 to intermediate filaments in a process that was dependent on both Ca2+, Mg2+ and Clq, indicating that it was part of a complement activation via the classical pathway. Exposure of fresh serum to intermediate filaments also resulted in production of the anaphylatoxic complement cleavage fragment. C3a, with a dose-response relationship between the amount of filaments present and the amount of C3a generated. Chemotactic activity towards granulocytes and monocytes was also generated by exposure of serum to intermediate filaments, and this activity was dependent on the presence of complement factor C5 and on the classical complement activation cascade, implying that it was due to the C5a peptide. Exposure of the interior of the cell to plasma proteins thus results in binding of IgG to intermediate filaments and activation of the complement cascade via the classical pathway. This, in turn generates bioactive mediators which may recruit leukocytes to the injured cell (C5a) and have profound effects on vascular permeability (C3a, C5a). We propose that this is part of a scavenger mechanism for the elimination of damaged cells.

Binding Sites↗

Complement activation produced by biomaterials.

The complement-activating potential of biomaterials may be defined by appropriate application of C3a and C5a anaphylatoxin radioimmunoassays. Studies performed with hemodialysis membranes demonstrate that blood contact with these model biomaterials results in complement activation that may be ascribed to specific properties of the material surface. Further delineation of these chemical and physical properties may permit design of biocompatible materials.

Anaphylatoxins↗

In vitro inhibition of the classical and alternate pathways of activation of human complement by N acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid (NAAGA).

A synthetic dipeptide, magnesium salt of N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-glutamic acid (NAAGA) identical to a natural dipeptide found as traces in cerebral tissues of mammalian brains, was shown to inhibit, in vitro, the hemolytic activity of both classical and alternate pathways complement; the required concentration of NAAGA was 2 to 10 mM. Cross immuno electrophoretic analysis demonstrated an inhibition of C3 cleavage by both classical and alternate pathway C3 convertases with 24 mM NAAGA. As expected, if C3 convertases were really the target of inhibition, the release of highly inflammatory C3a, C5a fragments scored by R.I.A. was impaired when complement was incubated with activators of classical and alternate pathways. Such a low molecular weight dipeptide, quite atoxic and inhibiting the complement dependent cytotoxicity and release of phlogistic by-products could be interesting for pharmacological manipulation of complement activation in inflammatory processes.

Complement Activation↗

Elevated plasma levels of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C4a are associated with a fatal outcome in sepsis.

PURPOSE AND PATIENTS AND METHODS: Both complement and contact system of coagulation have been implicated in the pathophysiology of sepsis. We therefore measured levels of the complement activation products C1-C1-inhibitor complexes and C3a in serial plasma samples (obtained every six hours) from 48 patients with clinically suspected sepsis, and related these levels to the clinical outcome. C4a was also measured in samples obtained on admission. RESULTS: C3a levels were elevated in 47 patients at least once during the observation period. These levels appeared to be considerably higher in patients who died than in patients who survived. This difference was found for the levels on admission (p = 0.0003), as well as for the highest (p = 0.0010) and the lowest (p less than 0.0001) levels encountered in each patient. The mortality in patients with plasma C3a levels of 13 nmol/liter or less on admission (27 patients) was 33 percent, compared with 86 percent in patients with levels of 14 nmol/liter or more. Patients with septic shock had significantly higher C3a levels than normotensive patients (p values between 0.046 and 0.004). No significant differences in C3a were found between patients who had respiratory distress syndrome and those who did not. C4a levels in plasma samples obtained on admission were elevated in 43 patients. These levels correlated very significantly with C3a levels (p less than 0.0001), and showed similar associations with a fatal outcome. C1-C1-inhibitor complexes were elevated in 23 patients at least once during the observation period. These patients had significantly higher levels of C4a and C3a than patients with normal amounts of C1-C1-inhibitor complexes. Patients who died had higher levels of C1-C1-inhibitor complexes than patients who survived. However, this difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: On the basis of our results, we propose that activation of the complement system via the classical pathway is involved in the development of fatal complications in sepsis.

Adolescent↗

Endotoxemia and complement activation after severe burn injuries--effects on leukocytes, soluble selectins, and inflammatory cytokines.

In this study we followed the development of an inflammatory response in a group of patients the first week after a burn injury. We detected elevated plasma endotoxin levels, on at least one occasion, in 6 of 8 patients. No endotoxin was detected in the two patients with the lowest total burned surface area (< or = 30%). We found evidence of complement activation as increased C3a levels, in parallel with a production of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6). The TNF-alpha levels increased significantly during the observation period, while the IL-6 levels were elevated already at admission, and remained so. Elevated levels of soluble E-selectin were detected, indicating endothelial cell activation. Despite the inflammatory response and a loss of inflammatory cells during the first days of the monitoring period, we found no evidence of cellular activation measured as increased expression of beta 2 integrin CD11b, nor increased plasma levels of soluble L-selectin.

Adolescent↗

Anaphylatoxin generation in multisystem organ failure.

Complement components were studied in 44 patients with extensive injuries or infections. The concentrations of anaphylatoxins (C4a, C3a, and C5a) and other complement components (C1INH, C4, C3, and C5) were determined in plasma using radioimmunoassay and rocket immunoelectrophoresis techniques. The results were correlated with the development of multisystem organ failure (MSOF). In particular, plasma concentrations of C3a and C4a were found elevated in trauma patients. These elevated anaphylatoxin levels were correlated with severity of the injury. As reported in other types of patients, the apparent C5a plasma levels were not elevated. Therapy reduced the plasma levels of C3a with great predictability. It appears that plasma C3a and C4a levels may relate not only to severity of the injury but may signal onset of secondary events such as bacteremia. Consequently, longitudinal monitoring of anaphylatoxin levels may prove helpful in diagnosing the status of trauma patients.

Adolescent↗

The proinflammatory mediators C3a and C5a are essential for liver regeneration.

Complement has been implicated in liver repair after toxic injury. Here, we demonstrate that complement components are essential for liver regeneration, and mediate their effect by interacting with key signaling networks that promote hepatocyte proliferation. C3- or C5-deficient mice exhibited high mortality, parenchymal damage, and impaired liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Mice with dual C3 and C5 deficiency had a more exacerbated phenotype that was reversed by combined C3a and C5a reconstitution. Interception of C5a receptor signaling resulted in suppression of IL-6/TNFalpha induction and lack of C3 and C5a receptor stimulation attenuated nuclear factor-kappaB/STAT-3 activation after hepatectomy. These data indicate that C3a and C5a, two potent inflammatory mediators of the innate immune response, contribute essentially to the early priming stages of hepatocyte regeneration.

Animals↗

Investigation of the mechanisms of anti-complement activity in Ixodes ricinus ticks.

The feeding success of a tick upon a host depends on its ability to suppress host anti-tick responses which include activation of the complement system. We investigated the mechanism of inhibition of the alternative pathway of complement by salivary gland extract (SGE) of the ixodid tick species, Ixodes ricinus. SGE treatment strongly inhibited C3a generation and factor B cleavage in serum when rabbit erythrocytes were used as complement activator, but not when cobra venom factor (CVF) was used as an activator. SGE treatment strongly inhibited C3b deposition on rabbit erythrocytes, and the turnover of C3 (to C3b/iC3b) in serum. However, there was no significant effect upon the formation, stability or activity of C3 convertase (C3bBb) when formed from purified C3b, factor B and factor D. SGE treatment of isolated C3 resulted in a shift in mobility of the alpha-chain (by about 5 kDa). N-terminal sequencing of this species suggests that cleavage occurs at the C-terminus of the alpha-chain of C3. Consistent with this hypothesis, the modified alpha-chain was still a substrate for pre-formed convertase. The activity was specific for the alpha-chain of C3 but not of C3(H2O) nor the alpha'-chain of C3b. It is proposed that SGE-modified C3 does not participate in convertase formation, probably having a reduced affinity for factor B.

Animals↗

Rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm causes priming of phagocytic oxidative burst.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether rupture and repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm induced activation of phagocyte oxidant burst, reflecting a systemic inflammatory state, when compared with elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. METHODS: Blood samples were harvested from 22 patients with elective AAA and 15 patients with ruptured AAA. Phagocyte oxidant activity was measured in response to a panel of activators with luminol and lucigenin as chemiluminescent substrates. Activity of the complement pathways was measured with plasma levels of C3a des arg. RESULTS: Elective AAA repair resulted in significant elevation in phagocyte count and oxidative activity after surgery in response to maximal dose phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) when compared with the baseline sample. In patients with ruptured AAA the oxidative activity of phagocytes was significantly increased in response to both unopsonized zymosan (899.8 +/- 192 ruptured vs 300 +/- 40 elective, p < 0.01) and maximal dose PMA (8769 +/- 2011 vs 3508 +/- 382, p < 0.01) compared with elective cases at the initial sampling. Phagocyte priming has occurred by way of two distinct pathways: receptor-mediated (unopsonized zymosan, CR3 receptor) and receptor-independent (PMA, protein kinase c). CONCLUSIONS: Rupture of an AAA resulted in priming of the phagocyte oxidant capacity before operative repair compared with elective AAA. Phagocyte activation is a critical component of the systemic inflammatory response that may contribute to the high incidence of systemic organ dysfunction and death in this patient group.

Acridines↗

A protective role for the fifth complement component (c5) in allergic airway disease.

RATIONALE: Reports from our laboratory, as well as those from others, have documented the importance of complement activation, the C3a anaphylatoxin, and its receptor, C3aR, in promoting Th2 effector functions in a mouse model of bronchopulmonary allergy. Although deficiency in the fifth complement component (C5) has been linked to enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness in mice, the contribution of C5 to other major biological hallmarks of asthma has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: Accordingly, congenic C5-sufficient and C5-deficient mice were subjected to a mouse model of bronchopulmonary allergy to assess the impact of C5 on pulmonary inflammation and Th2 effector functions in experimental asthma. METHODS AND MAIN RESULTS: In contrast to observations reported for C3- and C3aR-deficient animals, C5-deficient mice exhibited significantly increased airway hyperresponsiveness relative to wild-type congenic control mice after antigen challenge. Moreover, challenged C5-deficient mice had a 3.4-fold and 2.7-fold increase in the levels of airway eosinophils and lung interleukin (IL)-4-producing cells, respectively, compared with challenged wild-type mice. Consistent with the numbers of IL-4-producing cells, C5-deficient mice also had increased bronchoalveolar lavage levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-5 and IL-13 and elevated serum levels of total and antigen-specific IgE. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that C5 plays an important protective role in allergic lung disease by suppressing inflammatory responses and Th2 effector functions observed in this experimental model. The protection provided by the presence of C5 is likely mediated by C5a, suggesting that C5a may play a significant role in tempering inflammation in Th2-driven diseases such as asthma.

Animals↗

Accentuated formation of the terminal C5b-9 complement complex in patient plasma precedes development of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Extensive studies have been conducted to determine the pathogenesis of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) by investigating the role of complement, a mediator of inflammation. Complement activation products have been detected in blood samples from patients during ARDS. However, the individual complement components that have been assessed only indicated generalized inflammation, and none could unequivocally discriminate the onset of this acute inflammatory lung injury. In this two-year prospective study of 87 septic patients, 22 of whom developed ARDS (25%), we determined complement activation by quantifying the terminal complement complex (TCC), C5b-9. The TCC is a stable complement by-product formed following activation of either the classical or alternative pathways. Our results show that plasma TCC concentrations increased an average of 110% (p = 0.002) two days prior to the onset of ARDS and also transiently increased an average of 45% (p = 0.01) immediately preceding its resolution. Furthermore, plasma TCC concentrations were a more sensitive measure of this acute inflammatory lung injury than levels of C3a desarginine, C4a desarginine, C5a desarginine, and total hemolytic complement activity. We conclude that a temporal association exists between accentuated formation of plasma TCC and the development and also resolution of septic ARDS. Therefore, we suggest that researchers include plasma TCC concentrations in clinical studies when they could use a potential early indicator for ARDS.

Complement Activation↗

Influence of 4 different membrane oxygenators on inflammation-like processes during extracorporeal circulation with pulsatile and non-pulsatile flow.

The influence of four different membrane oxygenators (HF 4000, BOS-CM 50, CML 2, Maxima) on leucocyte count, concentrations of PMN-elastase, clotting factor XII, AT-III, C1-INH, alpha 2-antiplasmin and C3a was registered before, during and after CPB with pulsatile and nonpulsatile flow in 80 male patients aged between 36 and 67 years. With all systems tested, there was a drop in the concentrations of clotting factor XII, AT-III, C1-INH and alpha 2-antiplasmin in the early extracorporeal circulation (ECC) phase, exceeding the average hematocrit reduction accounted for by dilution. This drop was the least distinct with CML 2 systems, both with pulsatile and nonpulsatile perfusion, indicating system-inherent influences. Leucocyte cound and PMN-elastase concentration rose significantly during ECC irrespective of oxygenator tested of flow type applied. The rise in leucocyte count even continued for about 4 h after ECC. During the first 40 min of ECC, these changes were paralleled by a significant rise in C3a concentration, suggesting complement activation as a main cause for PMN activation. However, there is reason to suppose involvement of further mechanisms operating in PMN activation, since the elevated C3a-concentrations began to fall off while leucocyte count and PMN-elastase concentrations were still increasing.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗