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J C Jensenius

Publications and source records attributed to J C Jensenius.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Collectin in a non-mammalian species: isolation and characterization of mannan-binding protein (MBP) from chicken serum.

A chicken serum lectin was isolated by affinity chromatography on TSK-75 beads derivatized with the monosaccharide N-acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc). Serum was applied to the column in a Ca(2+)-containing buffer and proteins were eluted with EDTA. After recalcification, the eluate was passed through a new ManNAc-derivatized column. Bound proteins were eluted with 50 mM ManNAc. Anti-carbohydrate antibodies present in the eluate were removed by passage through a rabbit anti-chicken immunoglobulin derivatized column, and the lectin was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel-permeation chromatography. The purified chicken lectin shows an overall structure similar to mammalian mannan-binding protein (MBP). SDS-PAGE revealed two polypeptides of M(r) 33 and 34 kDa (reduced) with identical sequence for the first 30 NH2-terminal residues. The NH2-terminal sequence shows 43% identity with the human MBP. Like mammalian MBP, the polypeptides of the chicken lectin are degraded by treatment with collagenase. Residues 26-30 (G-L-P(OH)-G-D) are likely to represent the beginning of the collagenous region. Mobilities on SDS-PAGE of the COOH-terminal collagenase-resistant fragment under reduced and non-reduced conditions indicate the presence of intrachain disulphide bonds, as are also found in mammalian MBP. Gel chromatography showed an intact mol. wt of 750 kDa. Binding of the chicken MBP to mannan was inhibited by monosaccharides in the following order of potency: ManNAc > L-fucose > mannose > N-acetylglucosamine. Other monosaccharides inhibited poorly or not at all. Chicken MBP, bound to mannan, activated the classical complement pathway in human serum. Electron micrographs show structures and dimensions resembling human MBP. Overall, the results show that the purified lectin is the chicken homologue to mammalian MBP and indicate the presence of a MBP-like clearance system outside mammals.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The level of the serum opsonin, mannan-binding protein in HIV-1 antibody-positive patients.

The concentrations of mannan-binding protein (MBP) in consecutive samples from 10 HIV+ persons were estimated using an ELISA based on polyclonal rabbit anti-MBP. The changes in MBP with time were similar in HIV+ and HIV- persons, and did not appear to be of clinical significance. MBP was determined in a further 70 persons found HIV-1+ during a period of 2.5 years (1984-1986). Out of the total of 80 patients, 32 have by now died from AIDS. According to the serum level of MBP the HIV-infected persons were grouped into high (> 650 ng MBP/ml), intermediate (101-650 ng/ml), and low MBP (< 101 ng/ml). At the termination of the study the frequency of deaths/total in each of the groups were: high MBP, 14/39 (36%); intermediate MBP, 12/26 (46%); and low MBP, 6/14 (43%). There was no association between the MBP level of the individual and the progressive loss of CD4+ T cells, and the level of MBP was not predictive for the length of time between the detection of HIV antibodies and development of AIDS, nor for the duration of AIDS before death occurred. The number of HIV+ persons without detectable MBP (10%) was significantly higher than previously reported for healthy persons (2.4%, P = 0.027). The course of HIV infection does not seem to be influenced by the level of MBP, nor does the antimicrobial activity of MBP appear to affect the progression of AIDS. Further studies are required to substantiate the significance of absence of MBP in the susceptibility to HIV.

Adult↗

Ontogeny of human mannan-binding protein, a lectin of the innate immune system.

Mannan-binding protein (MBP) is a member of the collectins. These lectins are composed of polypeptide chains which contains a collagen-like region and a calcium dependent carbohydrate recognition domain (named a C-type CRD). MBP binds via the CRD to carbohydrate structures on microorganisms. MBP can activate the complement system when bound to carbohydrate. MBP is thus thought to play a role in the defence against microorganisms. The present report describes the ontogeny of MBP. The level of MBP increase during the first 3 months of life, at which time a stable level is reached, comparable to that seen in adults. On average, the level of MBP at term was 37% of the post 3-month level. Measurements on infants born prematurely showed a 3-fold increase in MBP concentration from the time of birth at around 30 weeks from conception to the 10th week of life.

Carrier Proteins↗

Primary structure of bovine collectin-43 (CL-43). Comparison with conglutinin and lung surfactant protein-D.

Collectin-43 (CL-43) is a bovine serum protein that is composed of subunits of three identical chains, each of which contains a collagen region and a C-type carbohydrate recognition domain; thus, CL-43 belongs to the collectins (group III of the C-type lectins). We have derived the complete primary sequence of CL-43 using partial protein sequencing, cDNA cloning, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction techniques. The primary sequence of CL-43 shows that it contains an N-terminal region of 28 residues, followed by a collagenous domain of 38 repeats of Gly-Xaa-Yaa and then a C-terminal section of 159 residues, containing a short "neck" region and the carbohydrate recognition domain with the conserved residues found in all C-type lectins. The amino acid sequence of CL-43 showed 74% identity to bovine conglutinin and 70% identity to bovine lung surfactant protein D (SP-D), but the collagen region is considerably shorter than the 57 Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplets found in conglutinin and SP-D. Northern blot analysis showed that CL-43 was only synthesized in bovine liver, with no detectable signal in a variety of other bovine tissues, including lung. No cross-hybridizing signals were detected in mRNA from sheep, human, rat, or mouse liver. Since CL-43 and conglutinin have only been detected in members of bovidae, it is probable that an ancestral gene of these two proteins was first derived from a SP-D-like gene, and that this ancestral gene duplicated during evolution.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunoscintigraphy of colon cancers with the human monoclonal antibody COU-1.

The human monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody, COU-1 is obtained from a human-human hybridoma, which is derived by fusion between a human B-lymphoblastoid cell line and lymphocytes obtained from mesenteric lymph nodes from a patient with colorectal cancer. COU-1 recognizes a 43 kilodaltons intracellularly located cytokeratin-like protein, strongly expressed by adenocarcinoma tissue as compared to normal tissues. In tumor-bearing nude mice, antibody COU-1 labeled with 125I has been shown to accumulate in human colon cancer grafts when compared to human melanoma grafts and the normal mouse tissues. The observed accumulation was sufficient to be detected externally by immunoscintigraphy. Antigen-binding fragments of the antibody were also prepared and were shown to accumulate in colon cancer grafts. Improved tumor to normal tissue ratio was seen with the half-monomeric fragment, and the time required was reduced. In the clinic, five patients with suspected colorectal cancer were given 2 mg of 131I-labeled COU-1. No adverse effects were detected in any of the patients. Planar images were obtained on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 after administration. The best images were obtained on days 5 and 7. Tumors were localized by immunoscintigraphy in four of the patients. Of these patients, surgery revealed that three of them had primary colorectal cancers located in the cecum, the ascending colon, and the rectum, respectively, while one patient had a pancreatic cancer. The smallest lesion observed had a diameter of 3 cm. In one of the patients, otherwise undiagnosed multiple liver metastases were revealed by the immunoscintigraphy and confirmed at surgery. An x-ray of the colon performed on the fifth patient had shown a stricture in the descending colon suspected to be caused by cancer. The tumor scintigraphy showed no accumulation of the antibody. Surgery revealed that the stricture was caused by adherence and not cancer. These findings are encouraging for further studies of this human monoclonal antibody in cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Collectins: collagenous C-type lectins of the innate immune defense system.

Collectins are humoral lectins found in mammals and birds. They are oligomers whose subunits comprise three polypeptide chains each containing a collagenous section and a C-terminal lectin domain. They are related structurally and functionally to the first component of the classical complement pathway, C1q, and seem to serve important roles in innate immunity through opsonization and complement activation. The lectin domains bind carbohydrates on microorganisms, while the collagenous regions are ligands for the collectin receptor on phagocytes and also mediate C1q-independent activation of the classical complement pathway.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of mannan-binding protein from mouse serum.

Mouse mannan-binding protein (MBP) was identified in serum by its Ca(2+)-dependent binding to mannan. On gel permeation chromatography, the protein eluted corresponding to a molecular weight of approximately 750 kDa. Analysed on SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, the polypeptide showed an apparent molecular weight of 28 kDa, while several high molecular weight bands were seen under non-reducing conditions. The presence of collagen-like domains within the molecule was indicated by a high glycine content (14.9%) and substantiated by sensitivity to collagenase. Rabbit anti-mouse MBP antisera were raised. The concentration of MBP in serum from normal mice was measured by rocket immunoelectrophoresis and found to be from below 1 microgram/ml to 100 micrograms/ml (average 50 micrograms/ml, n = 60). The binding of mouse MBP to mannan could be inhibited by mono- and disaccharides in the following order of potency: L-fucose > D-mannose > N-acetyl-D-glucosamine > maltose > D-mannoheptulose > D-glucose > N-acetyl-D-mannosamine >> lactose > D-galactose >> N-acetyl-D-galactosamine. Mouse MBP was shown to activate the classical complement cascade after binding to mannan. The sequence of 14 NH2-terminal amino acid residues of the molecule showed 93% identity to rat MBP-A and complete identity to the translated cDNA sequences for mouse MBP-A and mouse Ra-reactive factor component P28b (RaRF P28b) published previously. The amino acid composition of mouse MBP showed a high degree of homology to MBPs from other species and mouse RaRF P28b.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mannan-binding protein and bovine conglutinin mediate enhancement of herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in mice.

A broad range of plant lectins have recently been shown to inhibit the infectivity of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro. We decided to investigate the role of mammalian lectins in infection with herpes simplex virus. Two lectins, conglutinin and mannan-binding protein (also called mannose-binding protein, MBP), belonging to the collectin family of lectins, were examined. Four week-old BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously with 100 micrograms bovine conglutinin or 50 micrograms human MBP 1 day before intravenous infection with 5 x 10(4) PFU of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). A three-fold increase in virus titre of the liver was observed on day 3 of the infection in the mice pretreated with conglutinin or MBP, whereas no effect was seen on days 1 and 5. In a standard plaque assay using Vero cells we were not able to demonstrate reproducibly either infection inhibition or infection enhancement, when virus was pre-incubated with differing concentrations of the collectins. The concentrations used were similar to those used by us in vivo, and by others in in vitro experiments showing inhibition of the infectivity of HSV-1 with plant lectins. In an ELISA with HSV-2 antigens captured on anti-HSV-2 antibodies, calcium-dependent and carbohydrate inhibitable binding of the collectins was observed. Our results indicate that the effect of endogenous mammalian collectins in vivo may not be neutralization as suggested by the data using plant lectins. Instead, the previously described opsonizing activity of the mammalian collectins may provide the virions with an alternative port of entry into cells leading to infection enhancement.

Animals↗

Bovine conglutinin binds to an oligosaccharide determinant presented by iC3b, but not by C3, C3b or C3c.

Bovine conglutinin is a serum lectin that agglutinates erythrocytes preincubated with antibodies and complement. This agglutination occurs through the binding of conglutinin to iC3b, a fragment of the complement component C3. It was reported that conglutinin binds fluid-phase C3b and C3c as well as iC3b. We re-investigated the reactivity of conglutinin towards fluid-phase C3 degradation products. ELISA wells were coated with conglutinin and reacted with C3 split products generated in normal human serum, in factor I-deficient serum, or in factor I-depleted serum. Conglutinin-bound C3 fragments were detected with anti-C3c and anti-C3d antibodies. An increased signal was observed during the activation of complement in normal human serum with the peak response after 1-2 hr, following which the signal decreased, reaching background level after 72 hr. The oligosaccharides on C3c, generated in serum, are thus not recognized by conglutinin. No signal was observed when factor I-deficient serum or factor I-depleted serum was used instead of normal serum. Reconstitution with purified factor I re-established the normal pattern. Examination of the conglutinin-bound C3 molecules by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with anti-C3c and anti-C3d antibodies revealed bands characteristic for iC3b, and no bands corresponding to C3b or C3c. Reduction of the disulphide bonds prior to the incubation of the activated serum with the conglutinin-coated wells revealed a band of 63,000 MW, characteristic of the N-terminal fragment of the alpha-chain of iC3b. We also investigated the binding to the solid-phase conglutinin of purified C3 and degradation products generated with enzymes. In this case, C3 as well as C3b and C3c were bound, suggesting conformational changes in C3 during purification. In conclusion, when C3 conversion takes place at near physiological conditions, conglutinin interacts specifically with the oligosaccharide on the alpha-chain of iC3b.

Animals↗

Tumor detection with 131I-labeled human monoclonal antibody COU-1 in patients with suspected colorectal carcinoma.

A major factor limiting the use of rodent monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis and therapy of cancer is the development of human anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibodies. Here we report a phase I/II immunodetection study of a human monoclonal antibody, COU-1, labeled with 131I. COU-1 is produced by a human-human hybridoma and recognizes a M(r) 43,000 cytokeratin-like protein strongly expressed by adenocarcinomas of the colon, breast, and ovary. Ten patients were given an i.v. infusion of 2 mg of antibody COU-1 labeled with 185 MBq of 131I. No adverse effects or toxicity were detected by conventional clinical tests nor by a complement activation assay for C3d. None of the patients developed antibodies against antibody COU-1 as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and agglutination analysis. Tumor detection was successful in 7 of 9 cancer patients. The tenth patient proved to be a true negative. In several instances immunoscintigraphy gave additional or more correct information than conventional detection techniques. Tumors were most clearly outlined at days 5 and 7 after infusion. Primary colorectal carcinomas were detected by planar imaging in the cecum, ascending colon, and rectum with the smallest lesion measuring 3.0 cm in diameter. Immunoscintigraphy revealed multiple liver metastases in 1 of 3 patients. However, the livers of all 3 patients contained significantly more radioactivity (P < 0.005) than tumor-free livers of the other patients. Pharmacokinetics was evaluated in all patients. The clearance of 131I-labeled COU-1 from the circulation followed a triphasic pattern; an initial phase [t1/2 = 0.4 +/- 0.4 (SD) h] cleared 23% of the radioactivity followed by a rapid phase with a half-life of 13 +/- 3.8 h. The third phase (beta-phase) exhibited a half-life of 119 +/- 36 h, which is similar to the half-life reported for normal IgM. The human monoclonal antibody COU-1 directed against a predominantly intracellular cancer-associated antigen does not produce toxicity or induce antibody formation and seems to be a promising agent for detecting tumors with immunoscintigraphy.

Animals↗

Studies on the carbohydrate-binding characteristics of human pulmonary surfactant-associated protein A and comparison with two other collectins: mannan-binding protein and conglutinin.

The surfactant-associated protein A (SP-A) belongs to the collectin family, a group of C-type lectins encompassing also surfactant-associated protein D, mannan-binding protein (MBP) and conglutinin. These proteins all have carbohydrate-recognition domains joined to collagen stalks. It seems likely that SP-A, like MBP and conglutinin, may mediate anti-microbial activity through binding to carbohydrates on the microorganisms and collectin receptors on phagocytic cells. We have studied the influence of carbohydrates on the binding of SP-A, MBP and conglutinin to mannan in an enzyme-linked lectin-binding assay. All sugars were of D-configuration, except fucose of which both L- and D-configurations were tested. The order of inhibiting potency on the binding of SP-A was: N-acetylmannosamine > L-fucose, maltose > glucose > mannose. The following sugars were non-inhibitory: galactose, D-fucose, glucosamine, mannosamine, galactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylgalactosamine. The best inhibitor of MBP was N-acetylglucosamine. Otherwise MBP showed a selectivity similar to that of SP-A. Conglutinin binding was inhibited by all the sugars examined except N-acetylgalactosamine. For conglutinin, as for MBP, the best inhibitor was N-acetylglucosamine. Normal human SP-A, alveolar-proteinosis SP-A purified by ion-exchange chromatography, and alveolar-proteinosis SP-A purified by n-butanol extraction showed no difference in sugar selectivity. The influence of pH and of the calcium concentration was also examined. Organic solvent-extracted SP-A from patients suffering from alveolar proteinosis and normal SP-A showed different sensitivity profiles.

Antibody Specificity↗

The cDNA cloning of conglutinin and identification of liver as a primary site of synthesis of conglutinin in members of the Bovidae.

Bovine conglutinin is a collagen-like, C-type, plasma lectin which belongs to the group of proteins called 'collectins'. Two inosine-containing oligonucleotides were synthesized, based on the published protein sequence for bovine conglutinin [Lee, Leiby, Allar, Paris, Lerch and Okarma (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 2715-2723], and PCR on target DNA from a bovine liver lambda gt 11 cDNA library yielded a product of the expected size of 210 bp. Screening of the library with this cDNA fragment identified a single positive clone, with an insert of 0.9 kb, coding for bovine conglutinin from residue 70 to the C-terminus. The 5' cDNA sequence, encompassing 150 bp of the 5' non-translated sequence plus the sequence encoding the leader peptide and the N-terminal residues 1-70, was completed by the use of PCR techniques. The cDNA sequence of bovine conglutinin showed 86% identity with that of bovine lung surfactant protein D (SP-D), and the derived amino acid sequence of bovine conglutinin showed 78% identity with that of bovine SP-D, which included complete identity of the leader-peptide sequences. The amino acid sequence derived from the cDNA sequence differs from the published protein sequence at four positions. Northern-blot analysis on total RNA, purified from various tissues from cattle, sheep, humans, rats and mice, showed that a strong signal of approx. 1.8 kb is present in bovine liver RNA. A weak signal of similar size was also observed in sheep liver, but not in human, rat and mouse livers. A weak signal, also of 1.8 kb, is present in the lung RNAs of all the species tested. The signals from the lung tissues are likely to be due to the cross-hybridization of the bovine conglutinin cDNA to the SP-D mRNAs of the respective species. The finding of significant signals in only the bovine and sheep liver RNA samples is indicative that serum conglutinin may be present in significant amounts only in members of the Bovidae (the family encompassing cattle, antelopes, sheep and goats) and closely related species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of a bovine serum lectin (CL-43) with structural homology to conglutinin and SP-D and carbohydrate specificity similar to mannan-binding protein.

A previously undescribed bovine serum lectin (designated CL-43) was identified by its Ca(2+)-dependent binding to mannan and by its molecular mass of 43 kDa under reducing conditions on SDS-PAGE. The lectin was isolated by polyethylene glycol precipitation, affinity chromatography on mannan-Sepharose (followed by elution with EDTA), and absorption on Sepharose-4B-coupled rabbit anti-bovine Ig (to remove anti-mannan antibodies). Fractions containing the lectin were reapplied to mannan-Sepharose. Bound conglutinin was eluted with GlcNAc, and then the 43-kDa lectin, together with mannan-binding protein (MBP), was eluted with mannose. The 43-kDa lectin was separated from MBP by ion exchange chromatography on Mono-Q. On SDS-PAGE under nonreducing conditions the lectin showed a molecular mass of 120 kDa. On gel chromatography under nondissociating conditions the protein was eluted at a volume corresponding to a molecular mass of approximately 750 kDa. Amino acid analysis showed the presence of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine and a high content of glycine (24.3%) indicating the presence of a collagen-like structure. This was supported by the susceptibility of the protein to collagenase digestion. The designation CL-43 was chosen since this molecule appears to belong to the collectins, i.e. proteins with collagen structure and lectin activity. The N-terminal sequence (27 amino acids) showed 56% identity with bovine SP-D and 44% identity to bovine conglutinin. An inhibition assay with biotinylated CL-43, using solid-phase mannan as ligand, revealed the following carbohydrate inhibition pattern: mannose and ManNAc > fucose > GlcNAc > glucose and maltose > galactose > lactose >> GalNAc. We conclude that CL-43 is a circulating lectin, with structural similarities to bovine conglutinin and SP-D, and a ligand binding profile resembling that of MBP.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

[Deficiency of mannan-binding protein--a recently discovered complement defect syndrome].

Mannan-binding protein (MBP) is a newly discovered serum protein which activates the complement system by the classical pathway by binding to mannose-rich surfaces on microorganisms. MBP deficiency predisposes to infection in infancy. MBP is a C-type lectin with collagen structure, a so-called collection. The paper discusses the structure and physiological functions of MBP. MBP may be an important parameter in the investigation of immunodeficiencies in children.

Carrier Proteins↗

Pollen grains bind to lung alveolar type II cells (A549) via lung surfactant protein A (SP-A).

Lung surfactant protein A (SP-A) is the most abundant surfactant-associated protein present in the lung. A receptor for SP-A has been shown to be present on A549 alveolar type II cells and on other cell types, including alveolar macrophage. The SP-A receptor on A549 cells has been identified as the collection receptor, or C1q receptor, which binds several structurally-related ligands. SP-A contains C-type lectin domains, but the role of carbohydrate binding by SP-A in physiological and pathological phenomena is not yet established. In this paper we report the binding of SP-A to pollen from Populus nigra italica (Lombardy Poplar), Poa pratensis (Kentucky blue grass), Secale cerale (cultivated rye) and Ambrosia elatior (short ragweed). Saturable and concentration dependent binding of SP-A to pollen grains was observed. Interaction of SP-A with pollen grains takes place through water-extractable components, in which the major species present, in Lombardy polar pollen, are 57 kD and 7 kD (glyco)proteins. The binding of SP-A to pollen grains and their aqueous extracts was calcium ion dependent and was inhibited by mannose, and is therefore mediated by the lectin domain. Binding of SP-A to pollen grains was found to mediate adhesion of pollen grains to A549 cells. The results suggest that pollen grains or other carbohydrate-bearing particles (e.g. microorganisms) could potentially interact with different cell types via the collection receptor (C1q Receptor) in the presence of SP-A.

Calcium↗