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Membrane-associated complement factor H on lymphoblastoid cell lines Raji expresses a co-factor activity for the factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b.

Evidence of factor H was found on the surface of Raji cells derived from two different lines; a 150,000 MW species identical to 150,000 MW plasma factor H was detected. Rosette experiments performed at physiological ionic strength using EAC3b or EC3b were negative. In contrast, Raji cells expressed a co-factor activity in the factor I-mediated cleavage of fluid-phase C3b. This activity was cell number dependent and was inhibited by anti-factor H but not by anti-CR1. Raji cells did not secrete factor H in the extracellular medium.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Analysis of the recognition mechanism of the alternative pathway of complement by monoclonal anti-factor H antibodies: evidence for multiple interactions between H and surface bound C3b.

The ability of the alternative pathway of complement to discriminate targets as either activators or non-activators is mediated by different binding properties of factor H to surface-associated C3b molecules. In the present study we have probed the interaction between H and C3b using five anti-H mAb. The binding sites of the mAb were mapped by Western blotting using both recombinant and trypsin-generated H fragments. Two mAb bound to CCP1 (90X, 196X), two to CCP5 (MRC OX24, 86X) and one to CCP8-15a (131X). At a molar ratio 2:1 of 125I-H:mAb all tested mAb enhanced binding of H to both activator- and non-activator-bound C3b. At higher concentrations two mAb had an inhibitory effect on H binding to surface-associated C3b (OX24, 131X). Thus the mAb 131X inhibits H binding to surface-bound C3b but unlike OX24 it does not bind to the previously described C3b binding site within or near CCP4-5. These results indicate that there is an additional interaction site on factor H for surface-bound C3b.

Animals↗

Leprosy: altered complement receptors in disseminated disease.

We have studied the expression of the C3b receptor (CR1) on erythrocytes of 55 patients with Hansen's disease. We developed a radioimmunoassay utilizing a monoclonal antibody that recognized an epitope different from the C3b binding site, which therefore enabled us to measure total number of CR1 regardless of receptor occupancy. We observed that patients in the lepromatous pole of the disease had a mean of 310 CR1/erythrocyte, whereas the ones in the tuberculoid pole showed a mean of 577 CR1/erythrocyte; 77 normal controls had a mean of 512 CR1/erythrocyte. The number of C3b receptors on the cells of lepromatous patients was significantly decreased (p less than .001) when compared to the normal population or tuberculoid patients. The presence of receptors for the C3b fragment of complement (CR1) on the surface of human erythrocytes enables these cells to participate in a number of immune functions including the clearance of circulating immune complexes. These findings could bear importance in the ability of the host to clear immune complexes from the circulation in patients with lepromatous leprosy.

Adult↗

Immune evasion by a staphylococcal complement inhibitor that acts on C3 convertases.

The complement system is pivotal in host defense but also contributes to tissue injury in several diseases. The assembly of C3 convertases (C4b2a and C3bBb) is a prerequisite for complement activation. The convertases catalyze C3b deposition on activator surfaces. Here we describe the identification of staphylococcal complement inhibitor, an excreted 9.8-kilodalton protein that blocks human complement by specific interaction with C4b2a and C3bBb. Staphylococcal complement inhibitor bound and stabilized C3 convertases, interfering with additional C3b deposition through the classical, lectin and alternative complement pathways. This led to a substantial decrease in phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human neutrophils. As a highly active and small soluble protein that acts exclusively on surfaces, staphylococcal complement inhibitor may represent a promising anti-inflammatory molecule.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Innate immunity and brain inflammation: the key role of complement.

The complement inflammatory cascade is an essential component of the phylogenetically ancient innate immune response and is crucial to our natural ability to ward off infection. Complement is involved in host defence by triggering the generation of a membranolytic complex (the C5b-9 complex) at the surface of the pathogen. Complement fragments (opsonins; C1q, C3b and iC3b) interact with complement cell-surface receptors (C1qRp, CR1, CR3 and CR4) to promote phagocytosis and a local pro-inflammatory response that, ultimately, contributes to the protection and healing of the host. Complement is of special importance in the brain, where entrance of elements of the adaptive immune system is restricted by a blood-brain barrier. There is now compelling evidence that complement is produced locally in response to an infectious challenge. Moreover, complement biosynthesis and activation also occurs in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Pick's diseases, and the cytolytic/cytotoxic activities of complement are thought to contribute to neuronal loss and brain tissue damage. However, recent data suggest that at least some of the complement components have the ability to contribute to neuroprotective pathways. The emerging paradigm is that complement is involved in the clearance of toxic cell debris (e.g. amyloid fibrils) and apoptotic cells, as well as in promoting tissue repair through the anti-inflammatory activities of C3a. Knowledge of the unique molecular and cellular innate immunological interactions that occur in the development and resolution of pathology in the brain should facilitate the design of effective therapeutic strategies.

Animals↗

In vitro fixation of guinea pig complement by renal biopsies.

The in vitro fixation of heterologous complement by cryostat sections of human renal biopsy material was studied to determine the mechanism of complement activation. Various types of guinea pig sera with different parts of the complement system inhibited were used, the fixation of complement being detected by direct immunofluorescence. Cases of idiopathic focal nephritis with mesangial IgA (mesangial IgA disease), Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and mesangio-capillary glomerulonephritis (MCGN) fixed complement by the alternative pathway alone and in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) both the classical and alternative pathways were involved. Only one of the seven cases of membranous glomerulonephritis fixed complement and this was by the classical pathway. After prior treatment with C3b inactivator, the in vitro complement fixation in mesangial IgA disease, HSP and MCGN was greatly reduced. In SLE it was slightly reduced and in membranous glomerulonephritis there was no change. This is a convenient method of studying the biological properties of complexes which is believed to reflect the in vivo behaviour of the tissue deposited complex.

Animals↗

Mononuclear phagocyte system dysfunction in murine SLE: abnormal clearance kinetics precede clinical disease.

Although several studies have reported abnormal immune clearance in murine models of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a consistent defect in mononuclear phagocyte function in SLE-prone mice has not been described. To evaluate the mechanism(s) of immune clearance in murine SLE, we applied the technique of kinetic analysis to clearance studies of radiolabeled, immunoglobulin-sensitized red blood cells in normal BALB/c and autoimmune BXSB, MRL-lpr/lpr, New Zealand black (NZB) and New Zealand black/white (NZB/W) mice. Clearance studies were performed in 4-week-old to 18-month-old mice with a complement-fixing rabbit IgG antimouse red blood cell antibody. Four clearance rate constants governing complement- and Fc-mediated clearance function were evaluated: complement-mediated sequestration (k1), C3b deactivation and release (k2), complement-dependent phagocytosis (k4), and Fc-mediated sequestration and phagocytosis (k3). BXSB male, MRL-lpr/lpr female and male, NZB female, and NZB/W female and male mice all had significantly decreased Fc-mediated clearance function (k3) when compared with control BALB/c mice (p less than 0.0001). This defect in Fc-mediated clearance was present in all four strains of autoimmune mice by 6 months of age and preceded the onset of serologic and clinical disease activity in NZB mice. Abnormal complement-mediated clearance was detected in MRL-lpr/lpr female and male mice, NZB female, and NZB/W female and male mice, but not in BXSB mice. In MRL-lpr/lpr mice decreased complement-mediated sequestration (k1, p less than 0.0001) and complement-dependent phagocytosis (k4, p less than 0.0001) were present as early as 4 weeks of age. In contrast, the change in complement-mediated clearance in NZB and NZB/W mice was characterized by decreased C3b deactivation and release (k2, p less than 0.001) and resulted in an enhanced early phase of clearance. Decreased k2 values in New Zealand mice occurred as early as 2 months of age, preceding serologic and clinical disease activity as well as decreased Fc receptor function. These studies demonstrated an early, progressive, and uniform defect in Fc-mediated clearance in the four murine strains of SLE studied. Complement-mediated clearance, however, varied considerably in lupus-prone mice, ranging from severe impairment in MRL-lpr/lpr to normal function in BXSB and accelerated clearance in NZB and NZB/W mice. Accelerated clearance in New Zealand mice was characterized by decreased C3b deactivation and release of antibody sensitized cells, which in turn led to increased phagocytosis of sensitized cells sequestered by complement-dependent processes.

Animals↗

Influence of complement C3 amount on IgG responses in early life: immunization with C3b-conjugated antigen increases murine neonatal antibody responses.

Complement component C3, which plays an important role in both the innate and adaptative immune response, is present at low level in human infants. We show here that: (i) serum C3 amount is weak also in infant mice, (ii) these young animals fail to upregulate C3 to adult levels following tetanus toxoid immunization, (iii) neonatal macrophages have a limited capacity to synthesize C3 upon LPS exposure, (iv) conjugation of antigen to C3b significantly enhances antibody response elicited in 1-week-old mice--although it does not increase primary IgG response in adult mice. Altogether, this identifies C3 as one of the factors limiting early life antibody response and emphasizes the potential interest of immunization strategies overcoming this limitation.

Age Factors↗

Phylogeny of C4b-C3b cleaving activity: similar fragmentation patterns of human C4b and C3b produced by lower animals.

Functional and structural studies of the activated proteins of the complement system C4b and C3b have led to the identification of cleavage products resulting from the effect of the regulatory proteins, factor I, H, and C4b binding protein (bp). In this paper we report the results of studies that investigated the capacity of plasma or serum from a wide range of phylogenetic species to yield similar cleavage products. Sera and plasma from mammals, reptiles, amphibia, and fishes are capable of cleaving fluid phase human C4b and C3b, generating apparently the same fragments as observed using normal human serum: alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4 from the alpha' chain of C4b: and alpha-68, alpha-46, alpha-43, and alpha-30 from the alpha' chain of C3b. When C3b bound to a cell membrane is used C3c and C3dg are generated. The generation of these fragments from C3bi is a dose-dependent reaction. There is no correlation between the evolution of the species and the quantitative capability to degrade the substrates. Birds possess only a limited capability to degrade the alpha' chain of C4b and have no cleaving activity for C3b, whereas sera from more primitive vertebrate species (chondrichthyes and agnatha) fail to participate in the reaction. Contrary to other species, the proteins in fish serum or plasma responsible for the degradation of C4b and C3b show a unique requirement for Ca2+ ions. Magnesium and barium are less effective, and in their presence a 65,000 dalton intermediate product is observed. These results demonstrate that protein(s) displaying proteolytic activity for products of complement activation, probably related to I, H, and C4bp, are present in plasma of species whose evolution have preceded humans by 300 million years. Moreover, the recognition of human substrates and the generation of fragments identical to those produced by human serum suggests that human C4b and C3b share structural characteristics with their evolutionary ancestors in the serum or plasma of the species studied.

Animals↗

[Characteristics of C3b-dependent neutrophil adhesion in man].

The ability of polysaccharide granules to activate the complement by covalently fixing C3b-factor and thus interact with the cells carrying C3b-receptors on the cytoplasmic membrane has been used to assess the neutrophil C3b-receptor function. Optimal conditions of the reaction have been selected. The range of C3b-mediated reactions has been 30-60% in the majority of healthy donors. The technique is easily reproducible, simple, and stable, it may be useful for clinical monitoring.

Cell Adhesion↗

Localization of the heparin-binding site on complement factor H.

Factor H is a regulator of complement activation and, in this capacity, it prevents activation of the alternative pathway on host cells and tissues when it recognizes markers on these surfaces. This report describes the binding characteristics and location of the site on factor H that is responsible for host recognition. Factor H was found to bind a variety of polyanions, including heparin, heparan sulfate, dextran sulfate, and clusters of sialic acid. In heparin-agarose binding assays it exhibited an affinity for heparin only 2-fold weaker than that of antithrombin III. Factor H exhibited little or no affinity for polyaspartic acid or bacterial colominic acid (polysialic acid). Factor H (Mr 150,000 with approximate dimensions of 30 x 600 A) is composed of 20 highly homologous domains (SCRs) that are arranged as beads on a string. Polyanions were found to block a tryptic cleavage site in domain 15, and a photoaffinity-tagged heparin probe labeled the region between domains 12 and 15. Affinity chromatography of tryptic fragments on heparin-Sepharose confirmed that this region contained the heparin-binding site. CNBr cleavage at Met787 located between SCRs 13 and 14 split the photoaffinity-tagged region. Sequence analysis strongly suggests that domain 13 contains the primary site of polyanion binding. Factor H expresses its complement regulatory function through a site located in domains 4-6 where C3b binds. Thus, the polyanion-binding site that regulates the affinity of factor H for C3b appears to reside more than 200 A away from the C3b-binding site.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The C3 convertase of the alternative pathway of human complement. Enzymic properties of the bimolecular proteinase.

The association of Factor B with C3b (the major fragment of complement component C3) in the presence of Mg2+ results in the formation of a bimolecular zymogen, C3b,B, which is activated by the serine proteinase Factor D, generating the C3 convertase, C3b,Bb (EC 3.4.21.47). Cleavage of native C3 by the C3 convertase was monitored by recording the increase in fluorescence associated with C3b formation in the presence of the fluorescent probe 8-anilinonaphthalene-1-sulphonate. Measurements of initial rates of C3b formation at various C3 concentrations were analysed in accordance with the Michaelis-Menten equation, yielding kcat. = 1.78 +/- 0.08 s-1, Km = 5.86 X 10(-6) M and turnover number = 107 min-1. The assay was used to measure the Ki values of a variety of proteinase inhibitors. The C3 convertase has a short half-life, owing to spontaneous dissociation of the complex. The t1/2 and kcat./Km of the enzyme were determined by fitting an equation modelling both the kinetic reaction and enzyme decay to the fluorimetrically measured progress curve. The enzyme, C3b,Bb, exhibited a t1/2 of 90 +/- 2 s and a kcat./Km of 31.1 X 10(4) +/- 0.8 X 10(4) M-1 X s-1 at physiological pH, ionic strength and temperature. The enzyme that initiates activation of the alternative pathway, C3(H2O),Bb, was also examined. It was slightly less stable (t1/2 = 77 +/- 3 s) and exhibited only half the activity of C3b,Bb (kcat./Km = 16.3 X 10(4) +/- 1.0 X 10(4) M-1 X s-1).

Complement Activating Enzymes↗

Perioperative functional activity of the alternative pathway of complement in patients with colonic cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the functional capacity of the alternative pathway of complement in patients with cancer of the colon before, during, and after operation. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: One university and two district hospitals, Denmark. SUBJECTS: 28 patients having elective or emergency operations for colonic cancer. INTERVENTIONS: Measurements of C3b fixing capacity of the alternative complement pathway in serum before, during, and after operation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The functional capacity of the alternative pathway of complement, and changes during operation. RESULTS: The functional capacity of the alternative pathway in patients with cancer of the colon was above normal (p < 0.0001 for both men and women), and the capacity remained unchanged during operation despite dilution of serum peroperatively. CONCLUSION: The alternative pathway seems to be the only immunological variable that has so far been shown to have increased functional capacity in patients with cancer, and that remains unaltered (mean value) during operation. The importance of retaining normal function of the alternative complement pathway in the prevention of postoperative infective complications and recurrence of cancer has not yet been elucidated.

Adult↗

Characterization of a monoclonal antibody MoAb bH6 reacting with a neoepitope of human C3 expressed on C3b, iC3b, and C3c.

Activation products of the complement cascade contain neoepitopes that are not present in the individual native components. Monoclonal antibodies detecting neoepitopes have been used for direct quantification of activation at different steps in the cascade. These methods are suggested to be more sensitive and reliable than conventional complement activation tests, which are hampered by precipitation or fractionation procedures. The present study describes production screening and characterization of a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) bH6. MoAb bH6 exhibited a significantly higher binding capacity to ELISA plates coated with zymosan-activated human serum than to plates coated with EDTA plasma. When fixed to the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) plates, MoAb bH6 retained material from zymosan-activated serum that only reacted with anti-C3 antibodies. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis performed on zymosan-activated serum demonstrated that MoAb bH6 co-precipitated with anti-C3c antibodies. In experiments using highly purified cell-bound fragments MoAb bH6 showed reactivity with C3b and iC3b, but not with C3d. MoAb bH6 reacted in ELISA with purified C3c, but not with C3dg, both as capture antibody and in tests with the fragments absorbed to the solid phase. Thus, MoAb bH6 is highly specific for a neoepitope of human C3 expressed on the cleavage fragments of C3b, iC3b, and C3c.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Structure of complement factor H carboxyl-terminus reveals molecular basis of atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome.

Factor H (FH) is the key regulator of the alternative pathway of complement. The carboxyl-terminal domains 19-20 of FH interact with the major opsonin C3b, glycosaminoglycans, and endothelial cells. Mutations within this area are associated with atypical haemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a disease characterized by damage to endothelial cells, erythrocytes, and kidney glomeruli. The structure of recombinant FH19-20, solved at 1.8 A by X-ray crystallography, reveals that the short consensus repeat domain 20 contains, unusually, a short alpha-helix, and a patch of basic residues at its base. Most aHUS-associated mutations either destabilize the structure or cluster in a unique region on the surface of FH20. This region is close to, but distinct from, the primary heparin-binding patch of basic residues. By mutating five residues in this region, we show that it is involved, not in heparin, but in C3b binding. Therefore, the majority of the aHUS-associated mutations on the surface of FH19-20 interfere with the interaction between FH and C3b. This obviously leads to impaired control of complement attack on plasma-exposed cell surfaces in aHUS.

Complement C3b↗

Amidation of C3 at the thiolester site: stimulation of chemiluminescence and phagocytosis by a new inflammatory mediator.

We studied the ability of particle-bound and fluid-phase C3b monomers and monomeric amidated C3 (prepared by treatment of purified human C3 with ammonium chloride or methylamine) to stimulate chemiluminescence of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and monocytes and to promote phagocytosis in the absence of antibody. Particle-bound C3b evoked chemiluminescence from both PMN and monocytes, and fluid-phase C3b (0.5 mg/ml) elicited significant chemiluminescence from PMN but not from monocytes. Amidated forms of C3, both particle bound and fluid phase, were potent stimulators of chemiluminescence from phagocytic cells and caused a significantly greater response than did C3b. The phagocytosis of 1-micron microspheres by PMN and monocytes was enhanced by coating them with purified C3b in an antibody-free system. Microspheres coated with amidated C3 were avidly phagocytized, and to a greater degree than were C3b-coated microspheres. In a direct binding assay with tritiated monomeric C3b and amidated C3, the affinity of the PMN complement receptor type 1 for C3b (Ka = 4.9 X 10(7) L/M) was similar to that for amidated C3 (Ka = 5.7 X 10(7) L/M). However, there was a fourfold increase in the number of apparent binding sites for amidated C3. This increase did not reflect binding of amidated C3 to the complement receptor type 3, because blocking of CR3 with the monoclonal antibody OKM 10 failed to decrease binding of amidated C3. In sites of increased ammoniagenesis, such as the kidney in chronic renal failure, amidated C3 may play a role as an inflammatory mediator by stimulating oxidative metabolism in phagocytic cells.

Ammonium Chloride↗

Defective erythrocyte C3b receptor function associated with low serum complement (C3, C4) concentrations in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

An immune adherence haemagglutination (IAHA) method was used to measure erythrocyte C3b receptor (EC3bR) activity in 110 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 223 controls. Results obtained from IDDM were correlated with serum complement concentrations (C3, C4) as well as with HLA types of the patients. We observed an increased frequency of defective EC3bR in IDDM (26.4%) compared to controls (10.8%, P less than 0.0005). Those patients who had defective EC3bR (IAHA negative) also had lower serum C3 and C4 concentrations than those with normal EC3bR function (IAHA positive). HLA-Dw3 positive patients had lower C4 concentrations than HLA-Dw3 negative patients and more often had defective EC3bR activity, although this difference was statistically not significant. Our results may indicate the close relationship between the risk factors which predispose to both IDDM and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Adolescent↗