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Oxiagin from the Naja oxiana cobra venom is the first reprolysin inhibiting the classical pathway of complement.

A basic glycoprotein oxiagin with molecular mass of 49.8 kDa was isolated from the venom of Central Asian cobra Naja oxiana. Partial amino acid sequence determination has shown that oxiagin belongs to reprolysins, a subfamily of animal metalloproteinases possessing a characteristic multidomain structure. Oxiagin was found to inhibit the classical pathway of the complement system. A study of the oxiagin influence on the different stages of the classical pathway showed that it inhibited the formation of C3-convertase. To achieve it, oxiagin binds to IgG on the surface of sheep erythrocytes sensitized with rabbit antibodies, thus, preventing the interaction of component C2 (without its inactivation) with immobilized C4b. IC50 for the inhibiton of classical pathway of complement system by oxiagin is 80 nM, while it does not affect the alternative pathway at concentrations up to 1.2 microM. Oxiagin possessed hemagglutinating activity towards sheep and rabbit erythrocytes, and this activity as well as the complement inhibition by oxiagin were suppressed by D-galactose. Oxiagin is the first representative of snake venom reprolysins that inhibits the complement system, utilizing non-proteolytic inhibiting strategy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Coagulation inhibitor substitution during sepsis.

This review presents the rationale for and main results of coagulation inhibitor substitution during experimental and human sepsis. Activation of the contact system induces activation of the classical complement pathway with generation of anaphylatoxins, of the kinins pathway and of fibrinolysis. Physiologic inhibition depends on the C1-inhibitor (C1-Inh.). Septic patients exhibit a relative deficiency of biologically active C1-Inh. Substitution with concentrations of C1-Inh has been safely performed and preliminary results are consistent with a possible beneficial effect on hypotension and vasopressor requirement in septic shock. The extrinsic pathway is the main initial coagulation process involved in sepsis-induced DIC. Endothelial and monocyte generation of tissue factor (TF) is activated by bacterial products and endotoxin. Activation of TF is counteracted by a specific tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). The potential for TFPI substitution to inhibit the activation of the coagulation cascade in sepsis requires further study. Thrombin generation is inhibited by antithrombin III (AT III) and the protein C-protein S system. During sepsis, AT III is consumed and degraded by elastase. Animal studies have shown that DIC and death were prevented by high doses of AT III concentrates. Although a significant reduction in the duration of biological symptoms of DIC has been reported in most human studies, the usefulness of AT III substitution in human sepsis is still debated. None of the studies was able to document a statistically significant reduction in mortality. Protein C is activated by thrombomodulin and, with its cofactor protein S, inhibits factors Va and VIIIa. The free level of protein S depends on the level of the C4b binding protein (C4bBP), an acute-phase complement regulatory protein. During sepsis, protein C activity is significantly reduced, either by acute consumption or by thrombomodulin down-regulation, and increased levels of plasma C4bBP inhibit protein S. Infusion of activated protein C and protein S substitution both protect animals from the lethal effects of bacteria. Combining these different coagulation inhibitors should be carefully studied before its use in septic patients is recommended.

Animals↗

Estimating protein isoform abundances with [Formula: see text].

A single gene can encode multiple versions of a protein, dubbed isoforms, with varying functionality. Cellular control of isoform abundances is critical for multiple aspects of biology and is only partially regulated by transcript levels. While long-read sequencing facilitates transcript quantification, quantifying the resulting protein isoforms on a large scale is a major challenge, complicating biological interpretation of transcript alterations. Standard "bottom up" mass spectrometry can assess only short portions of isoforms called peptides, and these peptides often map onto more than one isoform. We introduce [Formula: see text] (Protein isoform Abundance Quantification), a Bayesian method that leverages multiomic information from the peptidome and transcriptome to provide accurate estimates of isoform abundance even when peptide mapping is ambiguous. [Formula: see text] offers several advantages over existing methods in a unified framework. It provides uncertainty quantification, integrates multiomic information for improved accuracy, and provides a rigorous framework for hypothesis testing. Extensive simulations show that [Formula: see text] consistently outperforms competing methods in detecting differentially abundant protein isoforms and estimating their abundances. We use [Formula: see text] to investigate differences in isoform abundance levels between people with schizophrenia and control subjects, confirming a long-held hypothesis that levels of the C4A isoform of Complement Component 4 are increased in schizophrenia while C4B is not. These results demonstrate that [Formula: see text] can identify significant variations in isoform abundance levels not previously possible.

Protein Isoforms↗

Molecular cloning, expression and functional characterization of rabbit anticoagulant vitamin-K-dependent protein S.

Vitamin-K-dependent protein S is an anticoagulant plasma protein which functions as cofactor to activated protein C (APC) in the degradation of coagulation factors Va and VIIIa. In addition, it interacts with C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a regulator of the complement system. Using a human protein S cDNA clone as probe, cDNA clones for rabbit protein S were isolated from a rabbit liver cDNA library. The cDNA sequence encoded the mature protein S and 12 residues of the leader sequence. The amino acid sequence of the single-chain 634-amino-acid-residue-long rabbit protein S molecule was 82% and 81% identical to those of human and bovine protein S, respectively. Northern blotting demonstrated protein S mRNA not only in liver but also in reproductive organs (testis, ovary and uterus), in lung and brain. Recombinant rabbit protein S was expressed in eucaryotic cells and found to be post-translationally modified, i.e. it had the correct amino terminus, contained N-linked carbohydrate side chains, gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residues and beta-hydroxylated aspartic acid and asparagine residues. Recombinant rabbit protein S bound calcium like its human counterpart, as judged by its migration in the presence of calcium on agarose-gel electrophoresis. Rabbit protein S has been reported to be species specific with respect to its interaction with APC and not to function with bovine APC. However, we found it to act as cofactor to both human and bovine APC, albeit it was somewhat more efficient with human than with bovine APC. Rabbit protein S, like its human and bovine counterparts, bound human C4BP in a reaction which was associated with the loss of its APC-cofactor activity. However, unlike human plasma, rabbit plasma appeared to contain only the free form of protein S as a radiolabeled rabbit protein S tracer added to rabbit plasma migrated as free protein S on agarose-gel electrophoresis. Addition of human C4BP to rabbit plasma resulted in the formation of a C4BP-protein-S complex, suggesting an explanation for the absence of complexed protein S in rabbit plasma to be sought for in the structure of rabbit C4BP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Multicentre evaluation of IL Test Free PS: a fully automated assay to quantify free protein S.

Deficiency of the anticoagulant vitamin K-dependent protein S (PS) is associated with increased risk of venous thrombosis. In human plasma, PS circulates in two forms: as free protein (free PS) and PS bound to C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a regulator of the complement system. Assays for free PS have higher sensitivity and specificity for protein S deficiency than assays for total protein S. We have extensively evaluated the analytical performance of a novel assay for free PS, the IL Test Free Protein S, which takes advantage of the affinity of C4BP for free PS, and compared its performance to existing methods. IL Test Free Protein S is a rapid, fully automated turbidimetric assay consisting of two reagents: a C4BP coated latex and an anti-PS monoclonal antibody coated latex. The test range, precision and linearity were adequate and the assay tolerated high concentrations of interfering substances of clinical significance. The reference range agreed with previously published studies. The analysis of 903 patient samples belonging to 20 different clinical categories with the new assay yielded free PS results that agreed well with those obtained using the assays established in the participating laboratories. The study demonstrated the IL Test Free Protein S to be rapid, reliable and easy to perform.

Adolescent↗

Isoforms of human C4b-binding protein. II. Differential modulation of the C4BPA and C4BPB genes by acute phase cytokines.

Human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) controls activation of the complement system and inactivates the anticoagulant vitamin K-dependent protein S using two distinct polypeptides known as C4BP alpha and C4BP beta, respectively. C4BP presents three isoforms, alpha 7 beta 1, alpha 7 beta 0, and alpha 6 beta 1, the proportion of which depends on the relative levels of C4BP alpha and C4BP beta. To better understand the regulation of C4BP during the acute phase response we analyzed the C4BP isoforms in 23 serial samples of acute phase patients and characterized the effect of various acute phase cytokines on the expression of the C4BPA and C4BPB genes using Hep3B cells. We show that the elevation of C4BP during acute phase response leads to changes in the proportion of the C4BP isoforms. However, there are striking differences among acute phase individuals. Some of them present a pattern of induction that primarily affects the alpha 7 beta 0 isoform, whereas others present the opposite situation, increasing the C4BP beta-containing isoforms. In vitro studies demonstrate that IL-6, IL-1 beta, and INF-gamma increase the levels of both C4BP alpha- and C4BP beta-mRNAs, whereas TNF-alpha down-regulates these mRNAs. INF-gamma shows, in addition, a differential effect on the C4BP alpha- and C4BP beta-mRNAs. Differential modulation of the C4BPA and C4BPB genes has been postulated as an efficient mechanism to maintain steady concentrations of C4BP beta when C4BP is induced. A synergistic 10-fold induction of C4BP alpha-mRNA, but a marginal increase of C4BP beta-mRNA, was observed when INF-gamma was used together with TNF-alpha, suggesting that association of these cytokines is critical to avoid elevation of C4BP beta during the acute phase induction of C4BP.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

The combination of complement deficiency and cigarette smoking as risk factor for cutaneous lupus erythematosus in men; a focus on combined C2/C4 deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Although deficiencies in the early components of the complement system were among the first identified genetic risk factors for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), only a few studies addressed their significance in patients with cutaneous LE (CLE). Among environmental factors, it was postulated that cigarette smoking might intervene in the pathogenesis of LE. OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and biological features of patients with CLE and a complement deficiency. A secondary objective was to assess cigarette smoking in patients with CLE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study including all patients diagnosed as having LE between 1995 and 2003 in the Dermatology Department of Strasbourg University Hospital. Patient charts were reviewed and those patients in whom a C4 and/or C2 deficiency was diagnosed were included. Two patients with a combined C2/C4 deficiency were analysed in detail. RESULTS: There were 48 females and 37 males (F/M ratio = 1.3), with a mean age of 41 years at diagnosis; 73% of the patients had chronic LE and 27% subacute CLE. Among 32 screened patients, 24 patients with a mean age of 36 years had a complement deficiency; 17 had a C4A deficiency, five a C4B deficiency and two a combined C4A/C2 deficiency. A high proportion (58%) of these patients was male; 82% of the patients were smokers. This was especially true in males: 94% were smokers compared with 69% of females. CONCLUSIONS: Partial deficiency of C4, C2 or C4 and C2 is a common finding in patients with CLE. Most male patients with CLE are smokers. It is thus suggested that the combination of cigarette smoking and complement deficiency could be a risk factor for LE in men.

Adolescent↗

Purification of the human complement control protein C3b inactivator.

An alternative method of isolation from human plasma is described for C3b inactivator, C3bINA, the proteinase that in conjunction with either beta 1H or C4b-binding protein will hydrolyse respectively C3b or C4b, the activation products of the third, C3 and fourth, C4, components of complement. The purification is by chromatography of plasma on columns of QAE-Sephadex, wheat-germ agglutinin-Sepharose, hydroxyapatite and Sephacryl S-200. The yield of C3bINA (6 mg from 500ml of plasma) is severalfold higher than in previously described methods. The sensitivity of the assay for C3bINA has been increased by including optimal amounts of beta 1H, and it was observed that beta 1H was essential for hydrolysis by C3bINA of C3b, whether the C3b was in solution or bound to a cell surface. Native C3 is not hydrolysed by C3bINA + beta 1H, but the haemolytically inactive form that appears on prolonged storage at 4 degrees C or on freezing and thawing is hydrolysed and gives fragments of the alpha-chain of 75000 and 43000 apparent mol.wt. As the alpha'-chain of C3b, which has lost an N-terminal peptide C3a, gives fragments of 67000 and 43000 apparent mol.wt. when incubated with C3bINA + beta 1H, this suggests that the larger fragment is N-terminal and the smaller one C-terminal. The pH optimum of C3bINA with soluble substrates is 6.0, but no clear classification of the type of proteinase to which this enzyme belongs has been obtained.

Chromatography, Gel↗

HLA-linked complement markers in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease: C4 variant (C4B2) a possible marker for senile dementia of the Alzheimer type.

We determined the gene frequencies for the alleles of the HLA-linked complement markers C2, properdin factor B (BF), C4A (Rodgers) and C4B (Chido), and the red cell enzyme glyoxalase-I in 38 unrelated patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, 42 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, and 59 unaffected, aged-matched control blood donors. In senile dementia of the Alzheimer type and in Parkinson's disease, no significant difference was found in the gene frequencies of alleles at either the BF, C2, or GLO-I locus compared with those of age-matched controls. In senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, a striking increase in the frequency of the rare C4B locus allele, C4*B2, was apparent, resulting in the high relative risk of RR = 8.8 (p less than 0.0001) for this disorder.

Alleles↗

C4B3 allotype with a novel Ch phenotype.

The fourth component of complement (C4) has two classes of protein, C4A and C4B, both of which have many allelic forms. The serological determinants Rodgers (Rg1, Rg2) and Chido (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3) are generally associated with C4A and C4B, respectively. The C4B3 allotype has been detected in a single Canadian family that expresses a novel Ch phenotype, Ch:-1, 2, -3. There was no information for the Rg determinants, as the C4A*2B*3 haplotype would normally express Rg on the C4A protein. Other C4B3 allotypes in informative families have different Ch phenotypes, and the relationships of these within extended major histocompatibility complex haplotypes are discussed in this paper.

Alleles↗

[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↗

Complement receptor is an inhibitor of the complement cascade.

A glycoprotein from the membrane of human erythrocytes has been identified as a receptor for C3b (CR1). It promotes the dissociation of the alternative pathway C3 convertase C3b,Bb and the cleavage of C3b by C3b/C4b inactivator. We find that CR1 also inactivates the C3 and C5 convertases of the classical pathway. CR1 inhibits the consumption of C3 by C3 convertase EAC142 and enhances the decay of C4b,2a sites. On a weight basis, CR1 is approximately 5-10 times more active than C4 binding protein, a serum inhibitor of C4b,2a. The binding of 125I-CR1 to EAC14 cells is inhibited by C2. Therefore, it is likely that CR1 and C2 compete for a site on C4b. CR1 inhibited C5 convertase even more effectively, but had no effect on the assembly of the late complement components. At high concentrations, CR1 alone has no irreversible effects on cell-bound C4b. In the fluid phase, CR1 can function as a cofactor for the cleavage of the alpha' chain of C4b by C3b/C4b inactivator. A well-known function of CR1 is to promote adherence of microbes or immune complexes bearing C3b and C4b to cells. This interaction could result in a microenvironment damaging to the plasma membrane of the responding cell because the extrinsic C3b and C4b fragments can serve as additional sites of assembly of enzymes of the cascade. We therefore wish to propose that CR1 on the surface of cells supplies an increased local concentration of a strong inhibitor of the amplifying enzymes of the complement system and provides cells with a mechanism for circumventing damage when they bind C3b- and C4b-bearing substrates.

Complement C3-C5 Convertases↗

Serum concentrations of C4 isotypes and factor B in type I C2 deficiency suggest haplotype-dependent quantitative expression of MHC class III complement genes.

The complement protein C4 exists as two isotypes, C4A and C4B, encoded by genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region. The serum concentrations of C4A4 were lower than those of C4B2 in serum from 19 individuals homozygous for type I C2 deficiency (p < 0.0002). These individuals all had the S042 complotype and most of them were homozygous for the haplotype HLA-B18,S042,DR2. In 14 individuals heterozygous for the C2Q0 gene and with the C4A4, C4B2 phenotype and in 51 individuals with the C4A3, C4B1 phenotype, the isotype concentrations were equal. Factor B concentrations in the C2-deficient individuals were lower than those in individuals with the C4A3, C4B1 phenotype (p < 0.0001). The findings strongly suggest that the quantitative expression of C4 isotypes and factor B is MHC haplotype dependent. C4 null alleles cannot be accurately determined by measuring relative C4 isotype serum concentrations.

Complement C2↗

Which complement assays and typings are necessary for the diagnosis of complement deficiency in patients with lupus erythematosus? A study of 25 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Deficiencies in components of the classical pathway of complement activation are strong risk factors for lupus erythematosus (LE).Yet, it has not been addressed whether the conventional measurements of the serum hemolytic CH50 activity and antigenic concentrations of C3 and C4 are sufficient to asses a deficiency in C4A, C4B or C2 components, the most common deficiencies associated with LE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a retrospective series, we performed complement analyses in 35 patients with LE who were systematically screened for a complement deficiency. The majority of patients had cutaneous LE with mild systemic involvement and no complement consumption. Of 25 patients (72%) with complement deficiency we found 13 with a partial C4A deficiency, 2 with a complete C4A deficiency, 6 with a partial C4B deficiency, 2 with a complete C4B deficiency and 2 with a combined partial C2 and C4A deficiency. RESULTS: The total complement activity (CH50) was decreased in only one out of two patients with complete C4B deficiency. CH50 level was found to be low-normal (35-38 U/ml(-1)) in one patient with partial C4B deficiency, one patient with complete C4B deficiency and both patients with combined partial C4A and C2 deficiency. Total C4 levels were normal in 9 out of 13 the patients with a partial C4A deficiency and in 2 out of 6 patients with a complete C4B deficiency. The antigenic concentration of C3 was low in only 1 patients with a complete C4B deficiency and within the normal range in all the others patients. Overall, 50% of the patients had normal or elevated C3, C4, and CH50 levels. DISCUSSION: This study emphasizes that the usual measurements of CH50, C3 and C4 levels are not adequate to detect a C4 and/or C2 deficiency in patients with LE. In epidemiologic or investigative studies addressing the prevalence of complement deficiency, more elaborated diagnostic tests, such as C4 protein allotyping, C2 level measurement and genetic screening for type I C2 deficiency should also be performed.

Adult↗

Receptor for the fourth component of complement on human B lymphocytes and cultured human lymphoblastoid cells.

This report describes receptors for C4b on human peripheral B lymphocytes. The simultaneous presence of C3b and C4b receptors on the same lymphocytes was demonstrated by the formation of mixed rosettes consisting of the lymphocytes, EAC14 and EAC1423. Furthermore, reduction of the number of EAC1423 rosette-forming lymphocytes in a lymphocyte population by albumin gradient centrifugation concomitantly reduced EAC14 rosette-forming lymphocytes. Binding of EAC14 intermediates to receptors on human lymphocytes and erythrocytes could be inhibited by equal amounts of soluble C3b or C4b, suggesting the presence of a single receptor for both ligands on those cells. In contrast, the results of the rosette assay with Raji cells, cultured human lymphoblastoid cells, EAC14 and EAC1423 suggested that the receptors for C4b and C3b are distinct entities, since Raji cells formed rosettes with EAC1423, but not with EAC14. Moreover, this report demonstrates a cooperation of erythrocyte-bound C4b and C3b in the binding of EAC1423 to B lymphocytes. In contrast to KAF-treated C3b, KAF-treated C4b did not bind to B lymphocytes, indicating that these cells lack a receptor for C4d.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

'Nephritic factor' may be an autoantibody to C3b or C4b.

We attempted to clarify the character of 'Nephritic Factor' in the alternative (NeFA) and classical pathways (NeFC) of the complement, using an agglutinating and a hemolytic activity assay. The results suggested a possibility that NeFA and NeFC were different in their ability but might appear at the same time in some cases, and that NeFA was anti-C3b autoantibody and NeFC anti-C4b autoantibody.

Autoantibodies↗

One-step sandwich enzyme immunoassays for human C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and protein S-C4BP complex using monoclonal antibodies.

C4b-binding protein (C4BP), a regulatory component in the complement system, binds to an anticoagulant vitamin K-dependent plasma protein S (PS) which acts as a cofactor of activated protein C. We raised monoclonal antibodies against C4BP and PS, and developed two different one-step sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA) systems for human total C4BP (assay A) and PS-C4BP complex (assay B) by using a solid phase monoclonal antibody and a horseradish peroxidase-labeled monoclonal antibody (Fab'). The reaction time of the assay was 45 min in both EIA systems: 30 min for the immunoreaction and 15 min for the color reaction. The sensitivities were 12 and 20 mg/l in assays A and B, respectively. Linearity was obtained between 31 and 500 mg/l in both EIA systems. Assay A could detect both uncomplexed C4BP and PS-C4BP complex with equal efficiency so that total C4BP level was not affected by PS. The levels of total C4BP and PS-C4BP complex were found to significantly increase in sera from patients with membranous nephropathy and decrease with liver cirrhosis in comparison with the levels in normal subjects. On the other hand, a difference in the total C4BP and PS-C4BP complex levels was not shown between IgA nephropathy and normal subjects. Affinity column analysis and difference of total C4BP and PS-C4BP complex levels showed that most of C4BP in sera exists as PS-C4BP complex.

Animals↗

Strong association of HLA-DR3/DRw9 heterozygosity with early-onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in Chinese.

Studies of Caucasian and Japanese patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have shown that heterozygosity for certain HLA-DR antigens confers a high risk of developing the disease. The HLA antigens of 75 Chinese patients and 100 Chinese controls in Hong Kong were studied to investigate the role of HLA-DR heterozygosity in Chinese individuals. Some of the patients and controls were also tested for allotypic variation in the complement components C2, C4, and BF. Three alleles, Aw33, B17, and DR3, had increased frequencies in patients compared with controls and frequently occurred together in the same phenotype, which suggested their existence as a haplotype. There were no statistically significant differences in complement allotype frequencies between patients and controls, although the C4B null allele seemed to be associated with Aw33, B17, and DR3. No other HLA-DR antigen appeared to be associated with IDDM. However, when the patients were separated on the basis of age at onset, the frequency of DR3/DRw9 heterozygosity was markedly increased in patients presenting in the first decade of life, but there was no increase in patients presenting at greater than 20 yr of age. DRw9 is strongly associated with autoimmune disease in Chinese, whereas DR3 is not. We suggest that the major IDDM susceptibility locus in Chinese is associated with HLA-DR3 and that patients with HLA-DR3 and HLA-DRw9 have an added predisposition to autoimmune disease and therefore develop IDDM earlier than patients without DRw9.

China↗