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Antibodies to a conserved-motif peptide sequence of the Plasmodium falciparum thrombospondin-related anonymous protein and circumsporozoite protein recognize a 78-kilodalton protein in the asexual blood stages of the parasite and inhibit merozoite invasion in vitro.

Athrombospondin-related anonymous protein (TRAP) of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum shares highly conserved amino acid sequence motifs with the circumsporozoite protein of all plasmodia sequenced so far, as well as with unrelated proteins like thrombospondin and properdin. Although it was first described as an asexual blood stages protein, there has been some controversy about its expression in these stages. Pursuant to our interest in the conserved sequences within the malaria antigens, we synthesized an 18-residue peptide (18-mer) representing a conserved motif of TRAP and raised polyclonal antibodies against it. In an immunoblot assay in which we probed proteins from the asexual blood stages of the parasite, we found that this antibody recognized predominantly a 78-kDa protein in the whole parasite lysate. Furthermore, in another immunoblot, the recombinant TRAP constructs containing the conserved-motif sequence were distinctly recognized by the antipeptide antibodies, whereas a construct lacking the motif sequence was not, suggesting that the antibodies specifically cross-reacted with a protein which might be a TRAP-like protein present in the asexual blood stages of the parasite. Also, in an immunofluorescence assay, this antibody brightly stained the acetone-fixed trophozoites of the parasite. Most significantly, anti-18-mer immunoglobulin G, as well as antipeptide antibody against a smaller (nonamer) construct representing the most conserved motif within the 18-mer, inhibited the merozoite invasion of erythrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. These results provide evidence of the expression of TRAP or a TRAP-like protein in the asexual blood stages of the parasite and of a possible role of the conserved motifs in the parasite-host cell interaction during the process of invasion.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of serum bactericidal activity with the aid of luminous bacteria.

Nonmarine luminous bacteria belonging to the genus Vibrio cholerae were extremely sensitive to the bactericidal activity of human serum. Luminous bacteria incubated in a medium containing serum showed a decrease in their in vivo luminescence that was directly proportional to the decrease in the viable count and was a function of the serum concentration. Both immunoglobulins and the complement system were required to exert the serum bactericidal activity. Serum lacking immunoglobulins or certain complement components, especially C3, did not affect the luminescence. The bactericidal effect of the serum on luminous bacteria was diminished by the presence of lipopolysaccharide or by pretreatment of the serum with different species of killed bacteria. As found in other systems, the bacteriolytic activity of serum was only augmented by lysozyme, but was not lysozyme dependent; although the luminous bacteria were converted into spheroplasts in serum containing 0.5 M sucrose, their in vivo luminescence was almost not affected. This system could easily distinguish between the C classical pathway and the properdin pathway. Ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N'-tetraacetic acid, which inhibits only the classical complement pathway, did not inhibit the decrease in luminescence as did EDTA. Thus, it was possible to distinguish between deficiencies in complement components participating in both pathways and complement components that were involved only in the classical pathway. This system could also be used as a substitute to the hemolytic system in complement fixation tests.

Animals↗

Herpes simplex virus type 1 evades the effects of antibody and complement in vivo.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) encodes a complement-interacting glycoprotein, gC, and an immunoglobulin G (IgG) Fc binding glycoprotein, gE, that mediate immune evasion by affecting multiple aspects of innate and acquired immunity, including interfering with complement components C1q, C3, C5, and properdin and blocking antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Previous studies evaluated the individual contributions of gC and gE to immune evasion. Experiments in a murine model that examines the combined effects of gC and gE immune evasion on pathogenesis are now reported. Virulence of wild-type HSV-1 is compared with mutant viruses defective in gC-mediated C3 binding, gE-mediated IgG Fc binding, or both immune evasion activities. Eliminating both activities greatly increased susceptibility of HSV-1 to antibody and complement neutralization in vitro and markedly reduced virulence in vivo as measured by disease scores, virus titers, and mortality. Studies with C3 knockout mice indicated that other activities attributed to these glycoproteins, such as gC-mediated virus attachment to heparan sulfate or gE-mediated cell-to-cell spread, do not account for the reduced virulence of mutant viruses. The results support the importance of gC and gE immune evasion in vivo and suggest potential new targets for prevention and treatment of HSV disease.

Animals↗

Humoral immune system in inflammatory bowel disease: I. Complement levels.

Serum levels of complement components Clq, C4, C3, and Properdin factor B, from the classical and alternative pathways of complement activation, have been estimated in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. C3, factor B, and to some extent C4 concentrations all increased when the disease was active. In remission the levels of these components did not differ from hospital control patients. There was no evidence for the preferential consumption of the proteins of either pathway of activation, even in those patients with evidence of circulating immune complexes.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

Complement inhibitors and immunoconglutinins in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

The serum concentrations of the complement inactivators C1INH, C3bINA and beta 1H have been determined in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and their correlation with C3 and properdin factor B examined. The incidence of immunoconglutinins (1K) in these patients was investigated. Raised serum concentrations of C1INH and C3bINA have been found in patients with active disease, but no significant alteration was found in serum concentration of beta 1H. An increasing incidence of positive 1K titres was found with increased length of disease history. These results suggest continuing complement activation in these diseases.

Colitis, Ulcerative↗

The genetics of diabetes mellitus in man.

The genetics of diabetes mellitus in man has been reviewed. The evidence for genetic heterogeneity on clinical, biochemical and HLA (histocompatibility leukocyte antigens) data is presented. An attempt is made to interpret the meaning of the associations of the disease and certain HLA antigens and the complement factor, properdin in populations and in families. The population data can be best explained by the linkage disequilibrium hypothesis requiring tight linkage between the DS (diabetes susceptibility) locus and those in the MHC (major histocompatibility complex). Linkage between the DS locus and MHC from family data is estimated to be about 14%, which is not likely tight enough to be compatible with the population data; and a one locus or one allele hypothesis and genetic heterogeneity is postulated as the best explanation of the incompatibility between population and family data. It is still impossible to precisely define the exact genetic hypothesis for diabetes in man.

Alleles↗

Liver gene expression associated with diet and lesion development in atherosclerosis-prone mice: induction of components of alternative complement pathway.

Diet-induced changes in serum lipoproteins are a major risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis, the leading cause of mortality in Westernized countries. Atherosclerosis is now appreciated to be a systemic inflammatory disease where increased synthesis of inducible proteins by the liver, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and others, may play roles in accelerating the disease process. To systematically investigate the genetic response of the liver to diet-induced atherosclerosis, we applied high-density microarray technology in a mouse model of atherosclerosis (LDLR-/- mouse). LDLR-/- mice and congenic (LDLR+/+) controls were placed on low-fat (LF) or high-fat (HF) Western-style diets. The Western diet produced sustained elevations in total cholesterol (2.5-fold for LDLR+/+, 5.0-fold LDLR-/-) relative to the respective LF groups. Tissues were harvested after 12 wk when significant atherosclerotic lesion development was first detectable by en face histomorphometry of oil red O-stained aortas. Diet, rather than genotype, was most highly associated with development of atherosclerotic lesions. Liver mRNA expression profiles of triplicate animals from each group were determined by high-density oligonucleotide microarrays; and genes with transcript levels influenced by genotype and diet were identified by two-way ANOVA. Approximately one-third of the 102 genes identified to be altered by diet [Pr(F) < 0.0005] were involved in lipid metabolism. In addition, we identified components of the alternative complement pathway, including C3, properdin, and factor D, for which mRNA levels were independently confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis, and C3 protein was demonstrated in aortic lesions by immunostaining. These findings suggest that induction of the alternative complement pathway may be an additional mechanism by which a high-fat/Western diet accelerates atherosclerosis.

Animals↗

Serological markers of autoimmunity in renal transplant patients with chronic hepatitis C.

The aims of this prospective study were to assess the frequency of serological markers of autoimmunity and cryoglobulins in renal transplant (RT) patients presenting with chronic hepatitis C, and to correlate them with serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes and viremia, and HLA-DR phenotypes. Three groups of patients were studied: group I comprised 74 HCV + ve RT patients; group II, 33 HCV-ve RT patients, and group III, 13 HCV-ve/hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive RT patients. The three groups did not differ significantly according to their mean age, sex ratio and baseline immunosuppression. Serum specimens of these patients were tested for complement (hemolytic activity (CH50), C3, C4 and properdin factor B (PFB) components, rheumatoid factor (RF), immunoglobulin patterns, circulating immune complexes, and autoantibodies including antinuclear (ANA), anti-smooth muscle (ASMA), antimitochondrial, antithyroid microsomal (ATM), antithyroglobulin (ATG) and anti-LKM1 autoantibodies. We also looked for the presence of cryoglobulins in groups I and III. Cryoglobulinemia of type II was present in 2 patients of group I (2.7%) which was associated in 1 case with de novo membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis but was not found in any of the patients of group III. RF (> 40U/ml) were more frequently observed in groups I (55.4%) and III (46%) than in group II (20.6%), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.06). Oligoclonal or monoclonal serum immunoglobulin patterns were present in 16.2% of the patients in group I, 15.4% in group III and only 3.3% in group II (p = 0.07). There was no significant difference between the prevalence of at least one autoantibody in the three groups (ranging from 38.5 to 50%), and neither was the frequency of ANA (23-36.6%), even at a high titer i.e. above 1:320, or ASMA (13.5-23%) significantly different. Conversely, tissue-specific autoantibodies, i.e. ATM, ATG and anti-LKM1, were only observed in HCV+ve patients. CH50, C3, C4 and PFB levels were significantly lower in group I than in group II, although values below the normal ranges were observed only for CH50 and C3 and were mostly found in the HCV+ve RT patients. Circulating immune complexes detected by nephelometry were at similar levels in the three groups, within the normal ranges. The occurrence of at least one autoantibody and/or the presence of RF > 40 U/ml did not correlate with either serum ALT levels or a given HLA-DR phenotype in any of the three groups, nor did they correlate with HCV genotype or HCV viremia in group I. In conclusion, this study shows that contrary to HCV+ve immunocompetent patients, HCV+ve RT patients rarely present with cryoglobulinemia and have the same frequency of non-organ-specific autoantibodies as HCV-ve RT patients. Conversely, antithyroid autoantibodies are only observed in the former group. Finally, serological markers of autoimmunity are not related to serum ALT levels, HLA-DR phenotype, HCV viremia or HCV genotype in HCV+ve RT patients.

Adult↗

Compartmental localization of complement component transcripts in the normal human kidney.

Local synthesis of complement components may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of renal disease. Previous reports have shown that a number of complement components are produced by renal tissue both in vitro and in disease states. In the present study, we focused on the topographical distribution of components of the alternative and classical activation pathways in normal human kidney. As a whole, the normal renal cortex has the capacity to express the genes corresponding to most components of both complement pathways. There appears to be relatively high expression of transcripts for factor D and properdin in glomeruli, whilst factor B expression is greater within the medulla. Components C2, C3, and C4 and factor H are expressed predominantly in cortical tubule-rich fractions, and C1q is similarly expressed in all fractions. These results suggest that there may be differing emphasis on the alternative and classical pathways of complement activation in different regions within normal kidney.

Complement System Proteins↗

Acute-phase proteins in Alzheimer's disease.

The main 'acute-phase proteins' were determined in serum of 20 patients with presenile Alzheimer's disease (AD) and compared with values in 18 age-matched healthy control subjects. Following parameters were evaluated: alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha AT), haptoglobin (HPT), transferrin (TRF), acidic alpha 1-glycoprotein (A alpha G), ceruloplasmin (CER), alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha MG), C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin (ALB), together with the immunoglobulins IgG, IgM and IgA, and some of the most significant factors of the classic (C3, C4) and alternative (properdin factor B) pathways of complement activation. The results showed a statistically significant increase in the levels of alpha AT (p less than 0.001), CER (p less than 0.001) and of all the complement factors studied (p less than 0.005). The levels of other acute-phase protein (HPT, TRF, A alpha G, alpha MG, CRP, ALB) and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA) were similar in AD patients and normal controls. These results give rise the possibility that these elements indicate an altered immunoregulation compatible with chronic cell damage and/or chronic inflammation conditions. Moreover, the increased level of alpha AT can be related to the low production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) reported in AD, which supports the hypothesis of a relative derangement of the macrophage function in presenile AD patients.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Bf and C3 polymorphisms in rheumatoid arthritis.

Properdin factor B (Bf) and complement C3 polymorphisms were studied in 225 unrelated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients from North-East England. Patients were subdivided on the presence or absence of significant titres of rheumatoid factor and antinuclear factor. No association with the C3 system was detected. For the Bf system, a significant excess of Bf SS and deficiency of Bf FS phenotypes was observed in seropositive RA patients lacking antinuclear antibodies. This finding suggests that auto-antibody-defined subgroups of RA may be genetically heterogeneous with respect to Bf and confirms the status of Bf SS phenotype as a marker for RA susceptibility and/or severity.

Antibodies, Antinuclear↗

Association of C3 and C4A complement types with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.

A mutant variant of the serum protein transthyretin (TTR-met30) appears to be a necessary but not sufficient condition for the development of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). We have studied a number of serum protein markers (alpha 1-antitrypsin, properdin factor B, C3, C4A, C4B, haptoglobin, transferrin and group-specific component) in FAP patients and healthy controls in an attempt to identify additional pathogenic factors which may influence the risk for developing FAP in male and female patients as well as the age of onset of the disease. Statistically significant associations were found in the complement systems C3 and C4A. The C3F variant was significantly increased in all FAP patients with a relative risk (RR) of 2.0, more pronounced in female patients (RR = 2.6) and patients with an early onset of the disease (RR = 4.5). In the FAP patients only the variants A3 and A4 were found in the C4A system. C4A3 was found in all patients, which was significantly higher than in the controls. The remaining serum protein systems showed no statistically significant associations with FAP. The results suggest that genetic variants of complement factors C3 and C4A may interact with the mutant TTR-met30 by modifying the expression and onset of FAP.

Age Factors↗

Polymorphic gene markers in Mexican-Americans residing in southern California.

The gene frequencies of nine different genetic polymorphic markers [ABO, MNS and P blood groups; haptoglobin, transferrin, Gc protein, complement (C3), properdin factor B and alpha 1-antitrypsin] were determined in 94 Mexican-Americans residing in the Los Angeles, California area. Comparisons with published data on Mexican-Americans living in other areas of the United States or in Mexico itself revealed no significant differences in the gene frequencies between this and previous studies. However, data from the current study demonstrated significant differences in ABO and haptoglobin allele frequencies compared to published non-Hispanic Caucasian data. These data suggest a large degree of genetic homogeneity in the Mexican-American population residing in the United States. Additional gene marker studies will be important to test this hypothesis and further define the degree of non-Hispanic Caucasian admixture in this population.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Localization of the angiogenesis inhibitor thrombospondin in human synovial tissues.

Recently, we have shown that a macrophage subpopulation isolated from the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis was potently angiogenic and that a secreted inhibitor of angiogenesis, which is controlled by a tumor suppressor gene in hamster cells, was similar to thrombospondin. In order to investigate the potential role of thrombospondin in human arthritic disorders, we employed immunohistochemistry to examine frozen synovial tissue sections from normal controls (n = 3), patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 14) and with osteoarthritis (n = 5). The synovial tissues were stained with monoclonal antibody (mAb) A2.5, which reacts with the heparin-binding domain of thrombospondin, mAb A6.1, which reacts with the epidermal growth factor repeat motif of thrombospondin, and with mAb A4.1, which reacts with the properdin-repeat domain of thrombospondin. In rheumatoid synovial tissues the anti-thrombospondin mAbs reacted with vascular endothelial cells, and to a lesser extent with vascular smooth muscle. Pericytes were stained, particularly with mAb 6.1. Reactivity was also found with isolated macrophages and with the macrophage-derived synovial lining layer in over half the tissues. In osteoarthritis synovial tissues, mAb A2.5 stained fewer macrophages than in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissues. Slightly fewer blood vessels reacted with mAb A2.5 in normal compared to diseased synovia. The mAbs reacted with capillaries, venules and arterioles in all synovial tissues. We conclude that mAbs to thrombospondin react primarily with blood vessels and macrophages in synovial tissues. Perhaps thrombospondin may function as an adhesive glycoprotein mediating cellular interactions, or it may serve to counteract the effects of the angiogenic factors produced by cells within diseased synovial tissues.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Activation of the alternative complement pathway by unidentified substances in human glomerulonephritis.

Activation of the alternative complement pathway (AP) has been investigated in 79 serial serum samples obtained from 28 patients which had different types of glomerulonephritis. Serum factors activating the AP of the complement system have been detected in 12 patients with various forms of glomerulonephritis. Immune complexes (IC), levels of complement components of the classical and the alternative pathways and cobra venom factor activity were measured. Serum specimens were subcategorized as 2 study populations: (i) patients with serum factors activating AP and (ii) patients with both serum activators and IC. Although CoVF-AH50, properdin factor B and C3 concentrations were comparably depressed in these two groups, the levels of Clq and C4 were very low only in patients with circulating IC. These data were highly suggestive of AP activation due to serum factor. In contrast the patients also showing circulating IC had activation of both pathways. The presence of these factors suggests that renal damage can be determined by other immunological stimuli.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Sodium-valproate-induced interstitial nephritis.

A 5-year-old Chinese girl had had absence seizures and received sodium valproate (VPA) treatment which provided good control. Six months later, she developed interstitial nephritis with proteinuria and microhematuria. Renal biopsy revealed interstitial nephritis with granular deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and C3 in the renal tubular basement membrane (TBM). Ultrastructurally, dilated smooth endoreticular cisternae with mitochondrial degeneration in the tubular cells and scattered electron-dense deposits within the TBM were also noted. Serum circulating immune complexes were detectable, ACH50 and properdin factor B increased. Mononuclear cells (MNC) from the patient after in vitro incubation with VPA (100 micrograms/ml) induced interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and lymphoproliferative response. However, there was no response in controls. The serum VPA level ranged from 84 to 92 micrograms/ml. After VPA was stopped, the microhematuria and proteinuria disappeared. These observations indicate that VPA-induced interstitial nephritis represents a sequence of interrelationships among multiple immunologic factors.

Child, Preschool↗

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy and ankylosing spondylitis. Report of two patients in Taiwan and review of the literature.

We describe 2 patients with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy in association with ankylosing spondylitis. Renal biopsy demonstrated mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis with prominent IgA, C3c, and less intense properdin deposition in the glomeruli. Intraglomerular clumps of virus-like particles were also observed in the kidney sample from one patient (case 2), who had an abnormal liver function. Our findings support the hypothesis that here is a possible common pathogenesis responsible for the concurrence of both IgA nephropathy and ankylosing spondylitis.

Adolescent↗

Hepatitis B virus-associated membraneous nephropathy: clinical features, immunological profiles and outcome.

To evaluate the clinical features, immunological profiles and the prognosis of hepatitis B virus-associated membraneous nephropathy (HBVMN), 34 patients (25 boys and 9 girls) were studied from April 1981 to November 1987. With Fab fragments of monoclonal antibodies, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) was detected in the glomerular deposits from 30 cases (88.2%) and in the sera from 32 cases (94.1%). These results suggest that HBeAg plays an important role in the development of HBVMN. In addition, clinical trials of 32 cases demonstrate a relatively poor response to the steroid therapy with persistent heavy proteinuria (32.4%) or a high frequent relapse rate (38.2%); only 1 case (3.1%) had early response. In 4 cases follow-up renal biopsy was performed, progressive sclerosis with interstitial fibrosis being noted in each instance. The stage of membraneous nephropathy examined under the light microscope, had progressed from stage I or II to stage III. One had impaired renal function. Therefore, HBVMN does not always take a benign course. In the immunological profiles, significant hypocomplementemia with low C3, C4 and properdin factor B levels were found during the initial 6 months after the onset of disease. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) circulating immune complexes (CIC) were also significantly higher. However, the levels of HBsAg CIC did not correlate with the degree of proteinuria or hematuria. In patients with persistent HBaAg carriage, serum HBeAg status alone did not correlate with remission rate, and remission occurred usually before the HBeAg seroconversion to anti-HBe. These results suggest that factors other than HBeAg play important roles in HBVMN.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗