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D T Fearon

Publications and source records attributed to D T Fearon.

172 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1975

Initiation of C3 cleavage in the alternative complement pathway.

The capacity of C3 and 125I-C3 to interact with B and D to generate a C3 convertase was recognized by identification of C3b and Bb on immunoelectrophoresis and 125I-C3b on disc gel electrophoresis. Since the C3 was devoid of C3b as assessed by immunoelectrophoresis, alkaline disc gel electrophoresis, and isoelectric focusing, the initial C3 cleavage was not by the C3b-dependent C3 convertase. In addition, on isoelectric focusing C3 hemolytic activity and the capacity to permit B cleavage by D were isoelectric at pH 6.4, WHEREAS THE CAPACITY OF C3b to permit cleavage by D was isoelectric at pH 5.65. Comparison of the dose-response effects of C3b and C3 for D revealed linear and sigmoidal relationships, respectively, consistent with formation of an initial C3 convertase independent of C3b followed by generation of the C3b-dependent convertase in the reaction initiated with native C3. Further, preincubation of C3 with C3bINA did not diminish its subsequent capacity to permit B inactivation by D as compared to the introduction of C3bINA during the assay, thus supporting the view that native C3, B, and D can form a convertase capable of generating initial C3b.

Chromatography, DEAE-Cellulose↗
PubMed1974

Properdin factor D. II. Activation to D by properdin.

The protein in the properdin pathway responsible for conversion of precursor factor D to D has been isolated and found to be identical with properdin. Sequential ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography demonstrated identity between properdin protein, measured by radial immunodiffusion, and the capacity to activate D to D, assessed by formation of the intermediate, EAC43B(D). Properdin, purified in this manner, was homogeneous on acid polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoretic analysis, with the band of protein corresponding to the position of eluates in the replicate gel capable of activating highly purified D. Demonstration of the homogeneity of purified D by alkaline disc gel electrophoresis, coupled with the linear stoichiometric hemolytic titrations of each factor, indicates that direct interaction between properdin and D generates D. Thus, activation of D by properdin represents a mechanism in the properdin pathway by which D becomes available for formation of the C3b-dependent C3 convertase.

Animals↗
PubMed1974

Properdin factor D: characterization of its active site and isolation of the precursor form.

The activity of properdin factor D was measured by the generation of the hemolytically active cellular intermediate, EAC43B(D), bearing the C3b-dependent alternate pathway C3 convertase. Treatment of factor D with DFP prevented formation of EAC43B(D); thus, a serine esterase is essential for the generation of the alternate pathway C3 convertase, a situation analogous to the role of C1 in the formation of the classical C3 convertase, C42. The definition of factor D as a serine esterase prompted a search for its proenzyme form, and resulted in the chromatographic isolation from plasma of a single peak of trypsin-inducible factor D activity, distinct from activated factor D. Analytical gel filtration indicated an apparent mol wt of 25,000. This protein from which trypsin elaborated factor D activity, as assessed by the formation of EAC43B(D), the generation of the CoVF-dependent C3 convertase, and the cleavage of factor B in the presence of C3b, was designated "precursor factor D." The DFP resistance of precursor factor D, and the susceptibility of its trypsin-activated form to inactivation by DFP is analogous to the behavior of other plasma serine esterases, including C1.

Animals↗
PubMed1973

Formation of a hemolytically active cellular intermediate by the interaction between properdin factors B and D and the activated third component of complement.

The present studies demonstrate that the factor B-dependent C3 convertase can be affixed to an erythrocyte by use of an intermediate bearing C3b and that this convertase brings the hemolytic reaction to completion with an efficiency comparable to that of classical convertase. The evidence that the EAC43 intermediate was lysed by a new pathway includes requirements for factors B and D and cell-bound C3b for subsequent lysis by the terminal components, C3-C9. The linear stoichiometry of the effective molecule titrations of C3b and factor B, and the first-order kinetics displayed by the generation and decay of the factor B-dependent hemolytic site are characteristics consistent with the one-hit theory as initially developed for the classical complement system. The use of hemolytically active cellular intermediates to examine the reactions occurring with C3b and factors B and D has allowed extension of the one-hit theory to this molecular sequence, development of effective molecule titrations, recognition of the analogies to the functional characteristics of the classical C3 convertase, and discrimination of the probable mechanism of terminal complement activation from reactive lysis.

Complement System Proteins↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Depressed synovial fluid levels of properdin and properdin factor B in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Two proteins in the properdin system, properdin and factor B, and complement components C4 and C3 were measured by radial immunodiffusion in serums and synovial fluids from 21 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and positive tests for rheumatoid factor, 9 patients with seronegative RA, and 10 with degenerative joint disease. In addition to depressions of synovial fluid C4 which correlated with lowered C3 in seropositive RA, consistent with activation of the classic pathway, low synovial fluid levels of factor B and properdin in seropositive RA indicate intraarticular activation of the properdin pathway as well.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗