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The pore-forming protein (perforin) of cytolytic T lymphocytes is immunologically related to the components of membrane attack complex of complement through cysteine-rich domains.

Structural, functional and immunological similarities between the ninth component of complement (C9) and the lymphocyte pore-forming protein (PFP, perforin) have recently been described (8-10). PFP is shown here to be immunologically related to all other components of the membrane attack complex (MAC) of human complement, namely, C5b-6, C7, C8, and C9. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified human C5b-6, C7, C8, or C9 react with other components of the MAC and with mouse lymphocyte PFP. The antigenic epitopes shared by human complement proteins and mouse lymphocyte PFP are limited to cysteine-rich domains. Only complement proteins that have been reduced and alkylated elicit the production of crossreactive antibodies when used as immunogens. The nonreduced forms of complement components or lymphocyte PFP neither react with these antibodies nor give rise to crossreactive antibodies. The homologous domains of complement proteins and lymphocyte PFP may play related functions in their attachment to lipid membranes and assembly of membrane lesions.

Animals↗

[The association between deficiency of terminal complement components and the occurrence of meningococcal meningitis].

Seventeen patients with sporadic meningococcal meningitis, registered in Fukuoka city, were studied for complement deficiency. Four of the seventeen had a selective deficiency of the ninth component of the complement (C9), four had a deficiency of the seventh component of the complement (C7), and one had a deficiency of the fifth component of the complement (C5) as determined by both hemolytic and antigenic assay. Family studies suggested that these complement deficiencies in the present study were hereditary. Based on the incidence (0.036% of homozygous C9 deficiency in Fukuoka (171 C9 deficient individuals of 475, 886 blood donors), we have concluded that patients with C9 deficiency are more susceptible to meningococcal meningitis than normal individuals (p less than 0.001). In addition, the present study further supports that complement deficiency is common in patients with sporadic meningococcal meningitis.

Adolescent↗

Molecular weight of poly(C9). 12 to 18 C9 molecules form the transmembrane channel of complement.

Poly(C9), the tubular 27 S complex forming the transmembrane channel of the membrane attack complex of complement, was purified to homogeneity by gel filtration and sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation. The molecular weight of poly(C9) was determined by two independent methods in addition to sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. First, sedimentation equilibrium analysis using 0.2% SDS or 1% deoxycholate containing buffer as solvents yielded a point weight average molecular weight exclusive of bound detergent of 0.9 to 1.3 X 10(6) and a weight average molecular weight of all poly(C9) complexes of 1,050,000 +/- 40,000 (S.D.). SDS and deoxycholate binding to poly(C9) was measured in an air-driven ultracentrifuge and was determined to be 0.53 +/- 0.065 (S.D.) g of SDS and 0.26 +/- 0.015 (S.D.) g of deoxycholate/g of poly(C9), respectively. Second, the mass of 27 S poly(C9) devoid of bound detergent was determined by electron scattering of unstained specimens in the scanning transmission electron microscope. The molecular weight obtained by this method was 1,078,000 +/- 194,000. The inner diameter of poly(C9) tubules imaged in top view projections by negative staining electron microscopy varied between 9 and 12 mm. The accumulated data suggest a true heterogeneity of the molecular weight of poly(C9) due to polymers with varying protomer numbers. Using a mean value of 73,500 for the molecular weight of monomeric C9, the protomer number of poly(C9) tubules appear to vary between 12 and 18 C9 subunits. Approximately 50-75% of the tubules have 14 to 16 subunits as deduced from the mass distribution determined by electron scattering and from ring size measurements. It is suggested that poly(C9) tubules with various protomer numbers may arise due to limited flexibility in the C9-C9 interaction.

Complement C9↗

The metabolism of C9 in normal subjects and in patients with autoimmune disease.

The metabolism of the ninth component of complement (C9) was studied in eight healthy subjects and nine patients with autoimmune disease, including seven with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and one each with mesangial IgA nephropathy and mixed essential cryoglobulinaemia. In normal subjects the metabolic parameters(mean +/- s.d.) were : fractional catabolic rate (FCR): 2.92 +/- 0.36%/h, plasma half-life (T1/2): 42.5 +/- 6.7 h, and extravascular/intravascular distribution ratio (EV/IV): 0.56 +/- 0.12. In patients the FCR was 3.38 +/- 0.70%/h, the T1/2 was 37.6 +/- 10.2 h, and the EV/IV was 0.55 +/- 0.19. Patients with reduced total serum haemolytic activity (i.e. CH50 <68% of normal human serum (NHS), N=7) had significantly higher FCR (3.57 +/- 0.67%/h) and shorter T1/2(33.5 +/- 6.8 h) than the control group (both P<0.05). The plasma concentration of the terminal complement complex (i.e. soluble TCC or SC5b-9) was higher in patients (median (range): 515 (300-1879 micrograms/l) than in normal subjects (313 (229-402 micrograms/liters): P<0.01) and showed a positive correlation with the FCR of C9 (r=0.61, P<0.01). Plasma C9 production rate was also greater in patients (0-11 +/- 0-05 mg/kg per h) compared with control subjects (0-07 +/- 0.03 mg/kg per h, P<0.05), and was associated with a higher C9 concentration in patients' sera (76 +/- 13 mg/l versus 61 +/- 14 mg/l, P<0.05). These results demonstrate that C9 is rapidly metabolized in normal humans and that hypercatabolism occurs in patients with autoimmune disease and complement activation. This was despite the presence of normal or elevated serum C9 levels and normal compartmental distribution.

Adult↗

Construction of a new family of high efficiency bacterial expression vectors: identification of cDNA clones coding for human liver proteins.

Construction of a family of bacterial expression vectors, pEX1-3, is described. These vectors are derived from a cro-lacZ gene fusion plasmid which expresses large quantities of fusion protein under the control of the PR promoter of bacteriophage lambda. A polylinker has been engineered into the 3' end of the lacZ gene in all three translational reading frames, and stop signals for transcription and translation inserted, so that any open reading frame DNA may be expressed as a hybrid beta-galactosidase protein. cDNA fragments cloned in these vectors can be detected with an efficiency of greater than 1 in 3, thus enabling the detection of rare cDNA molecules. In addition, the low solubility of hybrid proteins leads to a rapid isolation procedure allowing antibodies of pre-determined specificity to be made against expressed regions of cloned DNA. We describe the cloning of albumin and complement C9 genes from a human cDNA library using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.

Bacteriophage lambda↗

Purification of the ninth component of the bovine complement cascade.

Conditions for purification of the ninth component of bovine complement (C9) were established. The conditions for binding and elution from diethylaminoethyl cellulose and hydroxylapatite were different than for human C9. Serum albumin, a frequent contaminant of bovine C9 preparations, was removed by chromatography on reactive-red agarose. The calculated molecular weight of bovine C9 was 66,000, and reduction with 2-mercaptoethanol affected its migration on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Some preparations of bovine C9 migrated as 2 bands when partially reduced, but extensively reduced preparations had a single band.

Animals↗

The ninth component of complement and the pore-forming protein (perforin 1) from cytotoxic T cells: structural, immunological, and functional similarities.

The ninth component of complement (C9) and the pore-forming protein (PFP or perforin) from cytotoxic T lymphocytes polymerize to tubular lesions having an internal diameter of 100 A and 160 A, respectively, when bound to lipid bilayers. Polymerized C9, assembled by slow spontaneous or rapid Zn2+-induced polymerization, and polyperforin, which is assembled only in the presence of Ca2+, constitute large aqueous pores that are stable, nonselective for solutes, and insensitive to changes of membrane potential. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies to purified C9 and PFP show cross-reactivity, suggesting structural homology between the two molecules. The structural and functional homologies between these two killer molecules imply an active role for pore formation during cell lysis.

Animals↗

Mechanism of action of blocking immunoglobulin G for Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Blocking immunoglobulin G (IgG) inhibits complement-mediated killing of serum-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) in immune human serum. We examined the mechanism of action of blocking IgG. Presensitization of GC with increasing concentrations of blocking IgG or F(ab')2 before incubation with bactericidal antibody and absorbed pooled normal human serum increased consumption and deposition of the third component of human complement (C3) and the ninth component of human complement (C9) but inhibited killing in dose-related fashion. We next showed that blocking IgG or F(ab')2 partially inhibited binding of bactericidal IgG to GC. Also, binding of a monoclonal antibody recognizing GC outer membrane protein PIII was almost completely inhibited by blocking F(ab')2, confirming other work (Rice, P. A., M. R. Tam, and M. S. Blake, manuscript submitted for publication) showing that PIII is a target for blocking antibody. Studies of the C3 deposition site showed that one quarter of the C3 deposited on GC in the presence of blocking IgG bound covalently to the antibody molecule. Finally, 125I-GC constituents with covalently bound C3 were affinity purified on Sepharose bearing antibodies to C3 and identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. C3 deposition on a 40,000-mol wt surface protein was enhanced six- to ninefold by blocking IgG, which indicates that the site of complement deposition was altered by blocking antibody. These studies show that blocking IgG competes with bactericidal antibody for binding to GC, but enhances rather than blocks complement activation, and leads to complement deposition at new sites that do not result in serum killing.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗

Acute-phase proteins and serum immunoglobulins in ankylosing spondylitis.

The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and the serum acute-phase proteins (APP), C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, 9th component of complement (C9), and alpha, antitrypsin were measured on 231 occasions in 80 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and compared with those in 30 controls. APP levels did not correlate with clinical assessment of disease activity. However, there were significant correlations between CRP, C9, and fibrinogen (p = less than 0.01), suggesting that these APP may be more reliable indicators of disease activity. The mean values of the APP in those patients with a peripheral arthritis were significantly higher than in those with pelvospondylitis alone for ESR (p less than 0.01), CRP (p less than 0.01), and fibrinogen (p less than 0.05). The only significant difference between those patients with an iritis and those with only pelvospondylitis was an elevated CRP in the iritis group (p less than 0.01). This suggests that a peripheral arthritis is the most important cause of an elevated ESR or APP in ankylosing spondylitis. Serum immunoglobulins were also measured and they showed a significant elevation of IgA in all 3 patients groups, there being no difference between each group. Serum IgG was raised only in those patients with an iritis or peripheral arthritis, the IgM levels being within the normal range for all patient groups.

Adult↗

Molecular modeling of the domain structure of C9 of human complement by neutron and X-ray solution scattering.

C9 is the most abundant component of the membrane attack complex of the complement system of immune defense. This is a typical mosaic protein with thrombospondin (TSR) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) domains at its N-terminus and an epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domain at its C-terminus. Between these lies a perforin-like sequence. In order to define the arrangement in solution of these four moieties in C9, high-flux neutron and synchrotron X-ray solution scattering studies were carried out. The neutron radius of gyration RG at infinite contrast is 3.33 nm, and its cross-sectional RG (RXS) is 1.66 nm. Similar values were obtained by synchrotron X-ray scattering after allowance for radiation effects. Stuhrmann analyses showed that the neutron radial inhomogeneity of scattering density alpha is 35 X 10(-5) from the RG data and 16 X 10(-5) from the RXS data. These values are typical for soluble glycoproteins and show no evidence for the existence of any large hydrophobic surface patches on free C9 that might form contacts with lipids. Indirect transformation of the neutron and X-ray scattering curves into real space showed that C9 had a maximum dimension estimated at 12 +/- 2 nm, and this suggests that the lengths of 7-8 nm deduced from previous electron microscopy studies in vacuo are underestimated. Molecular modeling of the C9 scattering curves utilized small spheres in the Debye equation, in which the analyses were constrained by the known volumes of the four moieties of C9 and the known sizes of the TSR and EGF-like domains. The most likely models for C9 suggest that these four regions of C9 are arranged in a V-shaped structure, with an angle of 10 degrees between the two arms, each of length 11.1 nm. This structure has a more hydrophobic character between the two arms. The scattering model is fully consistent with hydrodynamic sedimentation data on C9. Similar V-shaped hydrodynamic models could be developed for C6, C7, C8, and C9 of complement. Such a compact structure is atypical of other multidomain complement proteins so far studied by solution scattering and is fully compatible with mechanisms in which C9 is postulated, on activation, to undergo a drastic unfolding of its domain structure and to expose a more hydrophobic surface which can be embedded into lipid bilayers.

Complement C9↗

Human peritoneal macrophages. Production in vitro of the active terminal complement components C5 to C9 and a functional alternative pathway of complement. Brief report.

Endotoxin-stimulated human peritoneal macrophages were cultured in serum-free medium with agarose beads. Monospecific antibodies to human C3c, C3g, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9 and to C9-neoantigen bound to the beads. This shows that activated C3 and the terminal complement complex (TCC), made from complement components C5 to C9, were generated on the beads. De novo synthesis was confirmed by agarose binding of tritium-labelled protein. Moreover, C3-derivatives and C9-neoantigen were detected on normal serum-treated agarose beads but not on beads kept in factor B-depleted or heat-inactivated sera, implying that an intact alternative complement pathway was required for our findings. The macrophages thus synthesize the active complement components of the alternative and terminal pathways in vitro.

Ascitic Fluid↗

Molecular organization of C9 within the membrane attack complex of complement. Induction of circular C9 polymerization by the C5b-8 assembly.

Evidence has been presented suggesting that during assembly of the membrane attack complex (MAC) of complement, the C5b-8 complex induces polymerization of C9. The C9 polymer was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) gel electrophoresis of MAC isolated from complement-lysed erythrocytes. It resembled the previously described polymerized C9 (poly C9) produced from isolated monomeric C9 by prolonged incubation at 37 degrees C in that it was resistant to dissociation by SDS and reducing agents and had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 1.1 million. The presence of poly C9 in the MAC was further supported by the expression of identical neoantigens by the MAC and poly C9 and by the high C9 content of the MAC relative to its other constituents. Isolated C8 in solution was found to have a single C9-binding site. In mixture, the two proteins formed a reversible equimolar complex that had a sedimentation coefficient of 10.5S. In contrast, a single, cell-bound C5b-8 complex was found to bind up to 12-15 C9 molecules and clusters of C5b- 8 bound 6-8 C9 molecules per C8 molecule. In either case, typical ultrastructural membrane lesions were observed, suggesting that the membrane lesion is identical with the tubular poly C9 consisting of 12-16 C9 molecules, and that the MAC can have either the composition (C5b-8)polyC9 or (CSb-8)(2)polyC9. When C9 input was restricted so that the molar C9/C8 ratio was less than or equal to 3, C9-induced aggregates of C5b-8 were observed but virtually no circular membrane lesions were found. We suggest, therefore, that C9, at low dosage, causes cross-linking of multiple C5b-8 complexes within the target membrane and that, at high dosage, C9 is polymerized by C5b-8 to form a transmembrane channel within the MAC assembly. It is primarily the C9 polymer that evokes the ultrastructural image of the MAC or of membrane lesions caused by complement.

Animals↗

Mechanism of cytotoxicity of human large granular lymphocytes: relationship of the cytotoxic lymphocyte protein to the ninth component (C9) of human complement.

A Mr 70,000 protein was isolated from cytotoxic human large granular lymphocytes and shown to have cytotoxic activity. The protein was demonstrated to be immunochemically related to the ninth component (C9) of complement and was therefore designated C9-related protein (C9RP). This finding suggests that C9RP and C9 share homology in primary structure and have a common evolutionary ancestry. C9RP was isolated, by affinity chromatography employing anti-human C9-Sepharose, from either purified cytoplasmic granules or whole-cell lysates of cultured human large granular lymphocytes. The cells were isolated from healthy blood donors and maintained in interleukin-2-dependent cultures. The immunochemical crossreactivity of C9 with C9RP was 3-4%, using a murine anti-C9RP antiserum. Certain murine monoclonal antibodies to C9RP and to C9 inhibited killing of K562 cells by human large granular lymphocytes. Killed target cells, identified by propidium iodide staining and isolated by fluorescence-activated cell-sorting, exhibited clusters of circular membrane lesions that resembled poly(C9) in appearance. Polymerization of isolated C9RP in the presence of Ca2+ resulted in the formation of two different circular structures, one having an inner diameter of approximately equal to 60 A, and the other, of 125 A. Polymerized C9RP could be incorporated into liposomes and, as such, gave rise to channels of two different sizes. The smaller channel had a functional diameter of 50-90 A, and the bigger channel, a diameter greater than 102 A.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Human complement C7 and C9 in fetal and newborn sera.

Using specific immune sera, C7, C9, and C3 activator were detected in sera from human fetuses more than 16 weeks old and in newborn samples. Levels of C9 in cord sera ranged between 10 and 30% of those present in sera from adult subjects. The mean value of Ce activator was about half that in maternal blood. The mean level of C7 in newborns was nearly 70% of the amount in normal adults.

Animals↗

Immunocytochemical localisation of complement components C8 and C9 in human diseased muscle. The role of complement in muscle fibre damage.

The localisation of the complement components C8 and C9 was studied immunocytochemically in human diseased muscle to determine the role of complement in muscle fibre damage. Monoclonal antibodies to 2 epitopes of C9 and a monoclonal antibody to the alpha subunit of C8 were applied to frozen sections of muscle biopsies from 9 cases of dermatomyositis, 5 cases of polymyositis, 7 cases of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and 4 cases of Becker muscular dystrophy. These were compared with 6 control biopsies which were morphologically normal. In all cases of inflammatory myopathies several non-necrotic fibres showed discrete peripheral patches of C9 and to a lesser extent C8. In the muscular dystrophies peripheral C9 was observed on a few non-necrotic fibres and basophilic fibres showed C9 between the fibres as well as at the periphery. In all cases necrotic fibres labelled intensely with C9 and C8 but intensities varied with the different monoclonal antibodies. This was thought to result from differences in the polymerisation of the C9 molecule in the membrane attack complex. Complement C8 and C9 were also localised to blood vessels in 3 cases of muscular dystrophy, 2 cases of polymyositis and all cases of juvenile dermatomyositis. No complement was observed in the control samples. Our results provide evidence for the sublytic formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC) on non-necrotic fibres in inflammatory myopathies and muscular dystrophy. This sublytic formation of the MAC may induce sublethal metabolic damage, mediated by calcium, and suggests a primary role of complement in muscle damage not only in inflammatory disorders but also muscular dystrophy.

Adolescent↗

Mortalin/GRP75 promotes release of membrane vesicles from immune attacked cells and protection from complement-mediated lysis.

The membrane attack complex (MAC) of the complement system is causing membrane damage and cell death. For protection, cells have adopted several resistance mechanisms, including removal of the membrane-inserted MAC by vesiculation. To identify proteins involved in MAC vesiculation, extracellular proteins released from K562 cells in response to treatment with sub-lytic complement were separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and protein bands were extracted, digested into peptides and the peptides were analyzed by mass spectrometry. A 75-kDa protein that was abundant in the supernatant of complement-treated cells was identified as mortalin/GRP75. Analysis by western blotting demonstrated that as early as 5 min after exposure to sub-lytic doses of complement, mortalin was released from K562 cells. Mortalin was released after complete activation of the complement system and formation of C5b-8, and even more so when C5b-9 was formed. Other pore formers, such as streptolysin O and melittin, did not induce release of mortalin. As shown, mortalin can bind to complement C8 and C9 and is shed in vesicles containing C9 and complement MACs. Anti-mortalin antibodies reduced mortalin release from complement-treated cells and elevated the extent of cell death by complement. Inhibitors of protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase also prevented mortalin release from complement-activated cells. These results suggest that mortalin/GRP75 promotes the shedding of membrane vesicles loaded with complement MAC and protects cells from complement-mediated lysis.

Complement C8↗

Determination of serum C9 level by immunodiffusion. Elevation in patients with infectious or allergic skin diseases.

The measurement of the ninth component of complement (C9) in human serum can be easily carried out by the Mancini method using antiserum raised against purified C9. The average C9 level in 29 healthy adults was 44.5 plus or minus 10.6 mug/ml. The serum C9 level was often elevated in patients with infectious or allergic skin diseases. The C9 level remained normal in most patients with collagen diseases. The availability of the monospecific antiserum has permitted identifying C9 in human serum as alpha2-globulin.

Adult↗

Human CD59 is a receptor for the cholesterol-dependent cytolysin intermedilysin.

Cholesterol is believed to serve as the common receptor for the cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs). One member of this toxin family, Streptococcus intermedius intermedilysin (ILY), exhibits a narrow spectrum of cellular specificity that is seemingly inconsistent with this premise. We show here that ILY, via its domain 4 structure, binds to the glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked membrane protein human CD59 (huCD59). CD59 is an inhibitor of the membrane attack complex of human complement. ILY specifically binds to huCD59 via residues that are the binding site for the C8alpha and C9 complement proteins. These studies provide a new model for the mechanism of cellular recognition by a CDC.

Animals↗