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C3d,g is present in normal human epidermal basement membrane.

mAb as well as polyclonal anti-human C3d antibodies were found to specifically bind to the epidermal basement membrane zone of normal human adult and neonatal skin in a linear continuous pattern on direct immunofluorescence microscopy. No such binding was found in dermal microvascular basement membranes. Studies of normal adult human skin using a rat mAb specific for C3g revealed the same pattern of epidermal basement membrane staining. Control polyclonal antibodies directed against C3, C3c, C5, IgG, IgA, or IgM showed no evidence of epidermal basement membrane binding or in situ deposits of immune complexes in samples of normal human skin that were all positive for C3d and C3g. Pre-adsorption of monoclonal or polyclonal anti-human C3d with purified human C3d completely blocked these reagents' epidermal basement membrane reactivity. Anti-human C3d epidermal basement membrane binding was not diminished by pre-treatment of substrate with antibodies directed against C3, C3c, C5, laminin, fibronectin, or type IV collagen as well as bullous pemphigoid, KF-1, or epidermolysis bullosa acquisita Ag. Direct immunofluorescence microscopy studies on 1 M NaCl split human skin showed that C3d and C3g were found in the base of the cleavage plane created within the lamina lucida. By immunoelectron microscopy, C3d was found along the base of the lamina densa and in the sublamina densa region of normal human epidermal basement membrane. Although anti-human C3d epidermal basement membrane binding was not altered by treatment of 6 micron skin sections with buffers of varying pH and ionic concentration, binding was abolished by treating dermal portions of salt split skin with 0.1 M dithiothreitol in 8 M urea. Studies of a patient with congenital C3 deficiency revealed that there was no binding of anti-human C3d or anti-human C3g to this subject's epidermal basement membrane. Moreover, treatment of this patient's skin with aged human serum containing C3d,g or purified human C3 did not restore epidermal basement membrane anti-human C3d binding. These studies demonstrate that C3d,g or a closely related C3 fragment is present in the epidermal basement membrane zone of normal human skin.

Adult↗

Amplification of the antibody response by C3b complexed to antigen through an ester link.

Complement C3 has been described as playing an important role in the cell-mediated immune response. C3b has the capacity to covalently bind Ag and then to stimulate in vitro Ag presentation to T lymphocytes. To verify this observation in vivo, we prepared and purified covalent human C3b-Ag complexes using lysozyme (HEL) as Ag. The characterization of these HEL-C3b complexes indicates that they are representative of those susceptible to be generated in physiological conditions. Mice were immunized with 0.1 to 0.6 microgram of either free HEL, HEL + C3b, HEL-C3b, or HEL + CFA. Response was assessed after two i.p. injections by quantification of specific Ab production. Immunization with either HEL-C3b complexes or HEL + CFA leads to anti-HEL IgG production whereas free HEL or HEL + C3b was ineffective. Either HEL-C3b or HEL + CFA immunizations led to a similar Ig subclass patterns, including IgG1, IgG2a, IgA, and IgM. Our experiments provide the first evidence for modulation of specific Ab response by C3b when it is bound to Ag through a physiological-like link. Taken together with previous data concerning Ab response following recombinant HEL-C3d immunization, cellular events such as processing of C3b-Ag by APC and recognition by T lymphocytes, this present result underlines the importance of C3b and its fragments in stimulation of the immune system, through the multiplicity and complementarity of its interactions.

Animals↗

Qualitative and quantitative assessment of C3-receptor reactivities on lymphoid and phagocytic cells.

Highly purified human C3, free of C5 and beta 1H, was used to prepare EAC14oxy23b, EAC14oxy23b' (C3b cells treated with purified C3bINA and beta 1H) and EAC14oxy23d (C3b' cells treated with trypsin). These intermediates were used to assess by rosette formation C3-receptor activity on various cells. The number of cell-bound C3 per C3b, C3b', and C3d cell was quantified by applying 14C-formaldehyde-labeled C3. Human PBL reacted to about the same degree with C3b, C3b', and C3d cells, whereas monocyte-free PBL enriched for B cells interacted preferentially with the C3b' and the C3d cells; human tonsil lymphocytes behaved similarly. The reaction of Raji cells was clearly assessable with C3b cells and was accelerated with C3b' and C3d cells. Daudi cells reacted with C3b' and C3d cells only, in comparison to Raji cells with a much lower activity. Human granulocytes reacted equally well with C3b and C3b' cells, but towards C3d cells they were almost unreactive. Human monocytes formed rosettes with C3b cells, and at a lower level, rosettes with C3b' cells. C3d cells were unreactive. Similar reaction patterns were obtained with guinea pig leukocytes, whereas mouse leukocytes were totally different, since peritoneal macrophages only formed rosettes with human C3b' cells.

Animals↗

Localization of the conglutinin binding site on the third component of human complement.

The binding site on the human third complement component for bovine conglutinin has been located. C3 fragments were purified to homogeneity by preparative SDS-polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis. Only the N-terminal 27,000 dalton (Da) fragment of the alpha'-chain and the beta-chain were found to be glycosylated, and the carbohydrate was susceptible to endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H. This finding indicates that only high mannose or hybrid-type oligosaccharide chains are present on the C3 molecule. Binding to conglutinin was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and occurred with C3b, iC3b, C3c, the alpha-chain, and the 27,000 Da fragment of the alpha'-chain, but not with C3d or the C-terminal 40,000 Da fragment of the alpha'-chain. The beta-chain displayed very weak interaction. Binding to conglutinin could be inhibited by EDTA, N-acetylglucosamine, and to a lesser degree by mannose. Enzymatic removal of the carbohydrate from the C3 molecule abolished binding to conglutinin. It is concluded that bovine conglutinin binds to the carbohydrate moiety located on the N-terminal 27,000 Da polypeptide of the alpha-chain.

Acetylglucosamine↗

Erythrocyte membrane-associated immunoglobulins during malaria infection of mice.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) is associated with erythrocyte membranes during infection of A/J mice with Plasmodium berghei. It was detected by agglutination of the cells with rabbit antibodies to mouse IgG and by a radioimmunoassay with 125I-labelled rabbit antibodies to mouse IgG. As shown by the degree of agglutination and of binding of radiolabeled antibodies to the erythrocyte membranes, the amount of Ig increased with time after infection and paralleled parasitemia and reticulocytosis. The erythrocyte-associated immunoglobulins are mainly IgG but IgM was also present on the cells of some mice. A large proportion of the Ig could be eluted at 37 degrees C and was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and acrylamide gel electrophoresis. A radioautographic study with 125I-labeled anti-mouse IgG revealed that both parasitized and nonparasitized reticulocytes of infected mice had much larger amounts of membrane-bound immunoglobulin than did mature, nonparasitized erythrocytes. The nature of the bonds between the Ig and the surface membrane of the reticulocytes is not known. The Ig could be part of immune complexes nonspecifically bound to the cell surface. However, since we have not detected Fc or C3d receptors on reticulocytes, it is possible that the Ig constitutes autoantibodies against reticulocytes or antibodies against parasitic antigens present on the cell membrane.

Animals↗

Human eosinophils express CR1 and CR3 complement receptors for cleavage fragments of C3.

The functional and antigenic characteristics of C3 receptors expressed on human eosinophils were investigated using rosette assays with sheep erythrocytes coated with C3 fragments and flow cytometric analysis of cells stained with anti-receptor antibodies. Purified peripheral blood eosinophils from 13 patients with hypereosinophilia expressed CR1 antigens. In 8 patients, a mean of 14 + 9.5% eosinophils formed C3b-dependent rosettes that were inhibited by F(ab')2 anti-CR1 antibodies. This number increased to 33% following stimulation with leukotriene B4 (LTB4) (10(-7) M). Similar numbers of C3b rosettes were formed by hypodense and normodense eosinophils. Eosinophils from 2 patients from this group expressed 20,000 125I-labeled monoclonal anti-CR1 antibody binding sites/cell. In another group of patients, 55 +/- 9% eosinophils spontaneously formed C3b-dependent rosettes that could not be enhanced by LTB4. In all patients, a mean of 16 +/- 9% eosinophils formed cation-dependent rosettes with C3bi-bearing intermediates that were inhibited by anti-CR3 antibody OKM1. All eosinophils stained with monoclonal antibodies against the alpha chain of CR3. There was no C3d-dependent rosette formation with eosinophils and no eosinophils stained with monoclonal anti-CR2 antibody. Thus, human eosinophils express CR1 and CR3. Since CR3 is required for the adhesion of granulocytes to surfaces and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of neutrophils, the interaction of C3 fragments with CR3 and CR1 on eosinophils may be of importance in eosinophil-mediated damage of opsonized targets.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Production of mouse monoclonal antibodies that detect distinct neoantigenic epitopes on bound C3b and iC3b but not on the corresponding soluble fragments.

Polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits against sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-denatured and reduced human complement factor C3 have in recent studies been shown to lack any reactivity towards native C3 but to react with antigens distinctly expressed by SDS-denatured C3 (C3(D) antigens). These antigens are also neoantigens specific for physiologically bound C3 and appear to be involved in the interaction of C3 with other complement components. The present investigation deals with production of mouse monoclonal antibodies against C3(D) antigens. To accomplish this two different immunization and screening procedures employing C3 preparations of known C3(D) expression were tested. From each group 14 clones were randomly selected and the reactivity of these and of a control group of 14 additional monoclonal anti-human C3 antibody preparations raised against native soluble C3 and C3b, was investigated in ELISA and immunoblotting. The procedure which employed denatured reduced C3 as both immunogen as well as screening antigen was shown to be superior for obtaining anti-C3(D) antibodies. Altogether 16 clones producing antibodies against C3(D) antigens were found. All of them bound to the C3 alpha-chain, 14 to C3c and one to C3d, and eight monoclonal antibodies specific for neoantigens of C3(D) type on bound C3b and/or iC3b were obtained. The majority of these detected neoantigenic epitopes in the 25,000 N-terminal fragment of the C3 alpha-chain specifically exposed by bound iC3b, but one monoclonal antibody was specific for the 36,000 C-terminal alpha-chain fragment and for both bound C3b and iC3b.

Animals↗

[Current situation and problems in the estimation of circulating immune complexes].

Some methods employing murine monoclonal antibodies have been developed for the estimation of circulating immune complexes (ICs). In the assays using monoclonal antibodies to C1q and C3d, ICs attached by reaction of C1q or C3d with the corresponding antibodies are detected by enzyme-labelled anti-IgG antibody. The murine monoclonal rheumatoid factor (RF) of IgG class is employed in the assay for detection of ICs. ICs reacted with the RF on the solid phase are further detected by the reaction with the second anti-IgG antibody labelled with the enzyme. The anti-C1q antibody in the sera as well as ICs produces positive reactions in the solid phase C1q assay, the assays using monoclonal antibodies are recommended for use in the detection of circulating ICs. In the pretreatment of serum samples, heating at 56 degrees C induces aggregation of IgG to produce a positive reaction by these sensitive assays, and the addition of EDTA-Na2 increases free C1q detached from C1 to induce increased binding to IgG. Reactions of aggregated IgG with RF and C1q in the fluid phase inhibit the following binding of monoclonal RF and anti-C1q antibody on the solid phase. Sera of patients with SLE were examined for CH50, anti-DNA antibody and ICs. The levels of ICs determined by the anti-C1q and C3d antibody assay did not correlate with other parameters. Positivity of ICs was unexpectedly lower in SLE sera. To evaluate the significance of the estimation of ICs, more data must be analyzed by these methods.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Recombinant soluble human complement receptor type 1 inhibits antisperm antibody- and neutrophil-mediated injury to human sperm.

The pathogenesis of antisperm antibody (ASA)-mediated infertility is postulated to be related in part to complement (C)-dependent sperm dysfunction in the female genital tract. We have previously demonstrated that C can be involved in ASA-mediated sperm injury by the deposition of activated C3 fragments and the assembly of terminal membrane attack complex (C5b-9) leading to C3-mediated sperm binding to neutrophils or C5b-9-mediated sperm motility loss. This study evaluated the protective effect of recombinant soluble C receptor type 1 (sCR1) on ASA-and C-mediated neutrophil/sperm interaction, neutrophil aggregation, and sperm motility loss. Motile sperm with or without neutrophils were incubated in the presence of 10% C-fixing ASA+ serum or ASA- control sera in the presence or absence of sCR1. After defined incubation periods, the following neutrophil and sperm parameters were evaluated: 1) neutrophil aggregation (by the flow cytometric pulse processing method), 2) sperm phagocytosis (by light microscopy), 3) the deposition of C3 cleavage fragments (C3b, iC3b, and C3d) on motile sperm (by immunofluorescence flow cytometry), and 4) the relation between sperm motility loss and sperm-bound C3d. Only the coincubation of neutrophils with sperm in the presence of C-fixing ASA+ sera resulted in marked neutrophil aggregation (20.5 +/- 0.26% vs. 2.4% +/- 1.6; p < 0.0001) and a concomitant increase in neutrophils containing ingested sperm (71 +/- 5.8% vs. 3.5%; p < 0.0001). Soluble CR1 inhibited ASA- and C-mediated neutrophil aggregation by 46% and sperm phagocytosis by 57%. Motile sperm incubated with C-fixing ASA- sera showed a time-dependent increase in the binding of C3 fragments as detected by flow cytometry using anti-iC3b neoantigen, anti-C3c, and anti-C3d monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). A negative correlation (r2 = -0.930; p < 0.001) was found between the increase in sperm-associated C3d fluorescence and the percentage motile sperm in the presence of ASA- sera. Soluble CR1 (200 micrograms/ml) maximally inhibited the binding of anti-C3b, anti-C3c, and anti-C3d mAbs to sperm by 96%, 83%, and 72%, respectively. Thus, sCR1 abrogated the binding of C3 fragments to human sperm and fully protected sperm from C5b-9-mediated sperm immobilization. These findings suggested the therapeutic potential of sCR1 as an intravaginal pharmacophore to prevent C-dependent sperm dysfunction and related inflammatory events in the female genital tract.

Acrosome↗

Identification of a C3bi-specific membrane complement receptor that is expressed on lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, and erythrocytes.

Cells expressing a membrane C receptor (CR(3)) specific for C3b-inactivator- cleaved C3b (C3bi) were identified by rosette assay with C3bi-coated sheep erythrocytes (EC3bi) or C3bi-coated fluorescent microspheres (C3bi-ms). C3bi- ms, probably because of their smaller size, bound to a higher proportion of cells than did EC3bi. C3bi-ms bound to greater than 90 percent of mature neutrophils, 85 percent of monocytes, 92 percent of erythrocytes, and 12 percent of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Binding of C3bi-ms to neutrophils, monocytes, and erythrocytes was inhibited by fluid-phase C3bi, Fab anti-C3c, or Fab anti-C3d but was not inhibited by F(ab')(2) anti-CR(1) (C3b receptor) or F(ab')(2) anti-CR(2) (C3d receptor) nor by fluid-phase C3b, C3c, or C3d. This indicated that monocytes, neutrophils, and erythrocytes expressed C3bi receptors (CR(3)) that were separate and distinct from CR(1) and CR(2) and specific for a site in the C3 molecule that was only exposed subsequently to cleavage of C3b by C3b inactivator and that was either destroyed, covered, or liberated by cleavage of C3bi into C3c and C3d fragments. Lymphocytes differed from these other cell types in that they expressed CR2 in addition to CRa. Lymphocyte C3bi-ms rosettes were inhibited from 50 to 84 percent by F(ab')(2)-anti-CR(2) or fluid-phase C3d, whereas C3d-ms rosettes were inhibited completely by F(ab')(2) anti-CR(2), fluid-phase C3bi, or fluid- phase C3d. Thus, with lymphocytes, C3bi was bound to CR(3), and in addition was bound to CR(2) by way of the intact d region of the C3bi molecule. In studies of the acquisition of C receptors occurring during myeloid cell maturation, the ability to rosette with C3bi-coated particles was detected readily with immature low-density cells, whereas this ability was nearly undetectable with high density mature polymorphonuclear cells. This absence of C3bi binding to polymorphs was not due to a loss of the CR(3) but instead was due to the maturation-linked acquisition of the abiity to secrete elastase that cleaved reagent particle-bound C3bi into CR(3)-unreactive C3d. Neither neutrophils nor monocytes bound C3d-coated particles at any stage of maturation. Assay of CR(3) with mature neutrophils required inhibition of neutrophil elastase with either soybean trypsin inhibitor or anti-elastase antibodies, and the amounts of these elastase inhibitors required to allow EC3bi rosette formation increased with neutrophil maturation. Because lymphocytes bound C3bi to CR(2) as well as to CR(3), specific assay of lymphocyte CR(3) required saturation of membrane CR(2) with Fab' anti-CR(2) before assay for rosettes with C3bi-ms. Only 3.5 percent of anti-CR(2)- treated peripheral blood lymphocytes bound C3bi-ms. Therefore, among normal blood lymphocytes the majority of the 12 percent C3bi-ms-binding cells expressed only CR(2) (8.5 percent), and the small proportion of C3bi-ms- binding cells that expressed CR(3) (3.5 percent) represented a distinct subset from the CR2(+) cells. Double-label assay indicated that 3.0 percent out of 3.5 percent of these CR(3)-bearing lymphocytes were B cells because they expressed membrane immunoglobulins. Of the remaining CR(3)(+) cells, 0.2 percent expressed either Leu-1 or 3A1 T cell antigens, and 0.6 percent expressed the OKM-1 monocyte-null lymphocyte determinant.

Cell Membrane↗

Maturation-linked expression of C3b and C3b' receptors on developing human bone marrow and peripheral blood granulocytes.

The sequential expression of granulocyte membrane receptors for C3b, C3b' and C3d have been investigated in normal human bone marrow and peripheral blood. In particular the relationship between receptor expression and morphological characteristics of granulocyte maturation has been assessed. The result indicate that C3b receptor development precedes that of the Fc-IgG receptor and is present on all neutrophil precursors with the exception of the agranular myeloblast. Furthermore, there is, in contrast to Fc-IgG receptors, no difference (P greater than 0.35) in C3b receptor expression between marrow and peripheral blood segmented neutrophils. An apparent subpopulation of granulocytes also appear to have receptors for C3b' whereas receptors for C3d were not detected at all during granulocyte maturation. The application of these findings to the normal in vivo functions of granulocytes and to the study of abnormal granulocyte populations in myeloproliferative disorders is discussed.

Adult↗

In vivo and in vitro binding of C4 molecules on red cells: a correlation of numbers of molecules and agglutination.

The fourth component of human complement (C4) is one that is essential to the antibody-mediated classical activation pathway. C4d, present on all normal and most patient red cells (RBCs), may be detected by the human antisera anti-Rodgers (Rg) and -Chido (Ch). A study has been made of the Rg/Ch antigens on normal and patient RBCs in an attempt to understand the mechanism by which C4 is bound to normal RBCs in the absence of RBC antibodies (Abs). Because RBCs from C1q-deficient patients express Rg/Ch, it seems that C1q is not essential for C4 binding. Treatment of normal RBCs with proteolytic enzymes, including trypsin, eliminated positive reactions with anti-Rg/Ch even though the C4d fragment is considered to be resistant to cleavage by trypsin. By correlating agglutination reactions with numbers of bound C4d and C3d molecules, it is evident that both C4d and C3d were affected by trypsin treatment and that anti-Rg/Ch were not capable of agglutinating RBCs with less than 50 molecules of bound C4d. It is concluded that trypsin-sensitive and -insensitive RBC membrane structures may both act as acceptors for C4. RBCs with null phenotypes of the major blood group systems all expressed Rg/Ch antigens, so none of the structures that carry these antigens act preferentially as acceptors for C4.

Agglutination Tests↗

Purification and characterization of bovine complement component C3 and its cleavage products.

OBJECTIVE: To purify complement component C3 from bovine serum, characterize and analyze NH2-terminal amino acid sequences from its various cleavage products, and do cross-species homology comparisons. ANIMALS: 2 healthy lactating Holstein cows, and 2 healthy adult female New Zealand White rabbits. PROCEDURE: Bovine C3 was isolated from serum, and was cleaved to C3b. The resulting protein was analyzed to determine apparent molecular mass of resulting protein segments. Bands were electroblotted onto a membrane and excised, then NH2-terminal amino acid sequences were determined. RESULTS: The C3 preparation consisted of 6 segments, with molecular mass of 30, 40 (2 bands, a and b), 70, 75, and 115 kd. Via sequence comparisons, the 115-kd band was identified as the alpha chain; the 75-kd segment was determined to be the NH2-terminal portion of alpha chain; the 70-kd piece was identified as the intact beta chain; and the two 40-kd bands are believed to be located at the C-terminal portion of the alpha chain, at the cleavage site that yields C3f. The 30-kd band is the NH2-terminal portion of the alpha chain (minus the C3a segment). Sequence analysis of each band revealed a high degree of homology with human, rat, mouse, and horse C3. Polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbits yielded sera that reacted to the purified sample in manner similar to that of commercially available antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: The purified preparation contained intact C3, C3b, and the degradation products iC3b and C3c, which had high sequence homology with those of other species. The C3a and C3d, and C3g segments of protein were not detected and may have been lost during purification, lyophilization, or transfer steps. Structure and cleavage characteristics of bovine C3 can be used to better understand immune responses to bacterial pathogens in the mammary gland.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Monoclonal and anti-idiotypic anti-EBV/C3d receptor antibodies detect two binding sites, one for EBV and one for C3d on glycoprotein 140, the EBV/C3dR, expressed on human B lymphocytes.

Glycoprotein (gp) 140, the EBV/C3dR of B lymphocytes, is a membrane site involved in human cell regulation. To analyze the specificities of the binding sites for EBV and for C3d on the gp 140 molecule, two distinct approaches were used. First, anti-EBV/C3dR mAb were prepared against highly purified EBV/C3dR. Nine anti-EBV/C3dR mAb were obtained. Four of these anti-EBV/C3dR mAb inhibited C3d binding but not EBV binding on gp 140, whereas four others exerted an inverse effect. These differences could not be due to differences in isotype, antibody concentration, affinity constant, and number of molecules bound on cell surface, as these parameters were identical for the nine used mAb. Second, polyclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies (Ab2) were prepared against F(ab)'2 fragments of polyclonal anti-EBV/C3dR (Ab1). Ab2 recognized the variable portion of Ab1 as controlled by immunoblotting experiments. Ab2, which did not react with the cell surface, inhibited Ab1 binding on Raji cells. Ab2 mimicked the EBV/C3dR by its properties to bind to particle-bound C3d and EBV, preventing their binding on Raji cell surface. C3d binding specificities contained in Ab2 were isolated by affinity chromatography on C3b/C3bi-Sepharose. These specificities, being the internal image of C3d binding site of EBV/C3dR, reacted with Ab1 and inhibited particle-bound C3d binding on Raji cells but did not react with EBV. Taken together, these data support strongly that gp 140, the EBV/C3dR, carried two distinct binding sites, one for EBV and one for C3d.

Animals↗

Rosette formation of human lymphoid cells with monkey red blood cells.

Studies of human peripheral lymphocytes (HPL) from healthy subjects and of human lymphoblastoid cell lines (HLC) revealed spontaneous formation of rosettes with Macaca speciosa monkey red blood cells (MRBC). The percentage of HPL forming rosettes with MRBC paralleled the percentage of HPL exhibiting markers ascribed to human B cells. The MRBC-rosetting cells were positive for membrane-bound immunoglobulin (MBIg). Furthermore, by employing a mixed rosette method, lymphocytes carrying both EAC3dmo and FITC-MRBC were encountered. In contrast, no lymphocytes carrying both SRBC and FITC-MRBC were observed. Ninety-six per cent of purified B cells obtained at the interface after interaction of HPL with SRBC and Ficoll-Isopaque centrifugation formed rosettes with MRBC. In contrast, only 8% of an enriched population of T cells obtained at the interface after interaction with EAC3dmo and Ficoll-Isopaque centrifugation formed MRBC-rosettes. Incubation of HPL with MRBC and subsequent centrifugation on Ficoll-Isopaque resulted in a highly enriched T cell population at the interface. Several lymphoblastoid cell lines with B cell characteristics, but not two cell lines with T cell characteristics, formed spontaneous rosettes with MRBC. Inhibition experiments showed that the structure on the lymphoid cell surfaces mediating the adherence of MRBC was independent of the MBIg as well as the recptors for IgGFc, C3b, and C3d. It appears that rosetting with MRBC will provide a new detection marker for human cells classified as B type and a technique for obtaining an enriched T cell population.

Animals↗

Binding of soluble immune complexes to Raji lymphocytes. Role of receptors for complement components, C1q and C3-C3b.

We have found that, although the binding of particulate antigen-antibody complement complexes such as EAC to lymphoblastoid Raji cells is mediated largely through receptors for C3b, the binding of complement-containing soluble complexes such as those prepared with aggregated human IgG (AHG) occurs also via receptors for C1q. Evidence supporting this conclusion included: (1) Binding of AHG to Raji cells takes place after incubation in EDTA serum; (2) Binding of AHG does not occur in C1q deficient EDTA serum but does take place after addition of C1q; (3) The extent of binding of AHG in EDTA serum is a function of the amount of C1q present; (4) Raji cells can bind up to 5-4 times 10(5) molecules of 125I C1q per cell which can be blocked by unlabelled C1q; (5) AHG pre-incubated with C can bind to a T-cell line MOLT, which lacks receptors for C3b but possesses receptors for C1q to the same extent as Raji cells; (6) Immunoassays for immune complexes in human sera yield similar results whether Raji cells, MOLT cells or C1q precipitation is used for assay; (7) EAC-Raji cell rosettes can be inhibited with inulin-treated, C1q deficient serum containing C3b or C3d whereas binding of AHG or immune complexes in patient samples to Raji or MOLT cells is not inhibited by this reagent. We conclude that receptors for C1q on certain B and T lymphocytes may play an important role in physiologic functions of lymphocytes depending on binding of soluble immune complexes to their surfaces.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Lymphocytes stimulated by allogeneic B cell lines cleave the third component of complement and fix C3 fragments. Their nonspecific lytic capacity is elevated against complement receptor type 2-carrying targets.

Human blood lymphocytes stimulated in mixed cultures by allogeneic B cell lines were shown to cleave C3 molecules. The B cell lines were derived from Burkitt lymphoma patients: 1) established from their EBV-negative lymphoma, 2) the EBV-positive sublines converted in vitro, and 3) lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) i.e., B lymphocytes transformed in vitro by EBV. These cell lines differed considerably in their capacity to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes. The split products of C3 were detected in the supernatants and on the surface of the activated lymphocytes at levels which correlated with the strength of stimulation. Lymphocytes cultured with LCL had the highest levels of thymidine incorporation blast transformation, C3 cleavage, and C3 fragment fixation. Lymphocytes exposed to the EBV-negative Burkitt lymphomas were stimulated weakly and their C3-activating capacity was low. Irrespective of the efficiency of lymphocyte stimulation induced in the cultures, 60 to 70% of the blasts were found to fix C3 fragments. The majority of the lymphocytes which fixed C3 fragments were T blasts that carried the CD3 marker and expressed IL-2R (CD25). CD4 and CD8 cells were represented with equal frequency in the C3-fragment fixing and C3-fragment negative populations. Pre-exposure of the MLC-activated lymphocytes to human serum increased their cytotoxic capacity toward CR type 2-carrying targets. The enhanced lysis was abrogated by F(ab)2 rabbit anti-human C3d or rabbit anti-CR type 2 antibodies. The results suggest that the C3 fragments fixed on the lymphocytes bind to CR on the targets and elevate the avidity of binding between the two interacting cells. This was also indicated by an increase in the frequency of lymphocyte-target conjugates.

Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte↗

Fatal intravascular autoimmune hemolytic anemia after fludarabine treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We report the case of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who developed fatal intravascular autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) after fludarabine treatment. He had previously received several treatments including two courses of fludarabine. The direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was negative at diagnosis but was found to be positive with anti-IgG after the first fludarabine treatment. When the patient was treated again with fludarabine nine months later, the DAT became positive with anti-IgG and anti-C3d antiglobulins after the second course of treatment. Abrupt, fatal intravascular hemolysis occurred after the third course. The occurrence of severe AIHA in CLL patients treated with fludarabine has been reported by several authors. Physicians should be aware of the risk of severe AIHA in CLL patients with a history of AIHA or positivation of the DAT during previous fludarabine administration, or in case of secondary fixation of complement to the red cell membrane occurring during fludarabine treatment.

Aged↗