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Protection of xenogeneic cells from human complement-mediated lysis by the expression of human DAF, CD59 and MCP.

CD59 and membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) are widely expressed cell surface glycoproteins that protect host cells from the effect of homologous complement attack. cDNAs encoding human CD59 and MCP cloned from Chinese human embryo were separately transfected into NIH/3T3 cells resulting in the expression of human CD59 and MCP protein on the cell surface. The functional properties of expressed proteins were studied. When the transfected cells were exposed to human serum as a source of complement and naturally occurring anti-mouse antibody, they were resistant to human complement-mediated cell killing. However, the cells remained sensitive to rabbit and guinea pig complement. Human CD59 and MCP can only protect NIH/3T3 cells from human complement-mediated lysis. These results demonstrated that complement inhibitory activity of these proteins is species-selective. The cDNAs of CD59 and MCP were also separately transfected into the endothelial cells (ECs) of the pigs transgenic for the human DAF gene to investigate a putative synergistic action. The ECs expressing both DAF and MCP proteins or both DAF and CD59 proteins exhibited more protection against cytolysis by human serum compared to the cells with only DAF expressed alone.

3T3 Cells↗

NMR studies of a viral protein that mimics the regulators of complement activation.

Vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP) is a 243-residue protein that is similar in sequence to the regulators of complement activation; its role is to defend the virus against attack by the host complement system. A fragment of this protein spanning the two complement protein (CP)-modules (residues 126 to 243) which make up the C-terminal half of VCP has been expressed in Pichia pastoris. A 15N-labelled sample was purified for the purposes of structure determination and measurements of dynamics in solution using NMR. Structures were calculated on the basis of 1767 NMR-derived distance and angle restraints, with a longer than normal high-temperature simulated annealing (SA) protocol which improved convergence. The viral CP-modules are structurally very similar to the 15th and 16th CP-modules of human factor H (fH; average r.m.s.d., for invariant Trp and Cys, four pair-wise comparisons,=1.2 A) but less similar to the fifth CP-module of fH (average r.m.s.d.=2.2 A). In the VCP fragment, the orientation of one module with respect to the other is clearly defined by the experimental data, and T1 measurements are consistent with only limited flexibility at the module-module interface. The r.m.s.d. over all of the 118 residues (backbone atoms) is 0.73 A. The intermodular orientation is better defined than, and significantly different from, that observed in a CP-module pair from fH (re-calculated using the extended SA protocol). In VCP the long axis of the second module is tilted by 59(+/-4) degrees with respect to the first module (50(+/-13) degrees in the fH pair), and twisted with respect to the first module by 22(+/-6) degrees (223(+/-17) degrees in fH). The differences between the human and viral proteins may be rationalised in terms of the lack of hydrogen-bond stabilised secondary structure in the N-terminal portion of fH module 16, and the number and type of amino acid side-chains which make up the interface. A similar intermodular interface may be predicted between the third and fourth module of human C4 binding protein and, probably, between the third and fourth modules of the guinea pig acrosomal matrix protein 67; but the formulation of general rules for predicting the structure of interfaces between CP-modules awaits further experimental data.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Role of complement regulatory membrane proteins in ischaemia-reperfusion injury of rat gastric mucosa.

BACKGROUND: The role of complement in ischaemia-reperfusion injury has not been well investigated. 5I2 is a monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against a rat membrane inhibitor of the C3 convertase step, which is the rat counterpart of mouse Crry/p65. 6D1 is a mAb against rat CD59 which inhibits the formation of membrane attack complexes. METHODS: We visualized the tissue distribution of these membrane inhibitors in rat gastrointestinal tract by immunohistochemical staining with the appropriate mAb. Then, we tested the hypothesis that complement regulatory proteins protect rat gastric mucosa against ischaemia-reperfusion stress by using these mAbs. Gastric mucosal integrity was continuously monitored by measuring the blood-to-lumen clearance of [51Cr]-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) under control conditions, during ischaemia and after reperfusion. RESULTS: Rat 6D1 and 5I2 antigens were both widely distributed and predominantly expressed on smooth muscle and endothelial cells in gastrointestinal tracts. Blockade of complement regulatory proteins with 5I2 and 6D1 mAbs resulted in a significant increase in [51Cr]-EDTA clearance after reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the hypothesis that endogenous complement regulatory proteins may act as important protective factors against ischaemia-reperfusion stress in rat gastric mucosa.

Animals↗

Upregulation of complement regulators MCP (CD46), DAF (CD55) and protectin (CD59) in arthritic joint disease.

CD46, CD55 and CD59 are cell surface glycoproteins which are widely distributed on normal tissue, where they function in the prevention of complement-mediated damage. In this study we have investigated the altered expression of these molecules under inflammatory conditions both in vitro and in vivo. By using immunocytochemical techniques we demonstrated marked but disparate upregulation of these molecules in IL1-treated cartilage and in diseased cartilage from arthritic joints compared to normal cartilage in both humans and pigs. Expression of these proteins was restricted to the chondrocyte surface, and was also demonstrated on isolated chondrocytes grown in monolayer culture and stimulated with IL1. It is suggested that the elevated levels of these regulatory proteins may be necessary to ameliorate the multiple damaging effects of the inflammatory processes associated with destructive joint diseases.

Adult↗

Characterization of the active sites in decay-accelerating factor.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a complement regulator that dissociates autologous C3 convertases, which assemble on self cell surfaces. Its activity resides in the last three of its four complement control protein repeats (CCP2-4). Previous modeling on the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of CCP15-16 in the serum C3 convertase regulator factor H proposed a positively charged surface area on CCP2 extending into CCP3, and hydrophobic moieties between CCPs 2 and 3 as being primary convertase-interactive sites. To map the residues providing for the activity of DAF, we analyzed the functions of 31 primarily alanine substitution mutants based in part on this model. Replacing R69, R96, R100, and K127 in the positively charged CCP2-3 groove or hydrophobic F148 and L171 in CCP3 markedly impaired the function of DAF in both activation pathways. Significantly, mutations of K126 and F169 and of R206 and R212 in downstream CCP4 selectively reduced alternative pathway activity without affecting classical pathway activity. Rhesus macaque DAF has all the above human critical residues except for F169, which is an L, and its CCPs exhibited full activity against the human classical pathway C3 convertase. The recombinants whose function was preferentially impaired against the alternative pathway C3bBb compared with the classical pathway C4b2a were tested in classical pathway C5 convertase (C4b2a3b) assays. The effects on C4b2a and C4b2a3b were comparable, indicating that DAF functions similarly on the two enzymes. When CCP2-3 of DAF were oriented according to the crystal structure of CCP1-2 of membrane cofactor protein, the essential residues formed a contiguous region, suggesting a similar spatial relationship.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Enhanced expression of complement regulatory proteins on thyroid epithelial cells of Graves' disease.

Cytotoxic anti-thyroid microsomal autoantibodies are highly prevalent in sera of patients with Graves' disease, but in Graves' disease thyroid tissues rarely show destructive changes. We postulated that this might be due to membrane-associated complement regulatory proteins which protect target cells from injury by complement activation. We, therefore, investigated the expression of membrane attack complex inhibitory factor (MACIF) and decay accelerating factor (DAF) in the thyroid tissues from patients with Graves' disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid adenocarcinoma and normal human thyroid tissues. We found a high level of expression of MACIF and DAF in Graves' thyroid tissues. Using the membrane immunofluorescence and cell-ELISA techniques, we also investigated the factors which enhanced the MACIF and DAF expression in cultured thyroid cells. Thyroid stimulating hormone, phorbol 12, 13-dibutyrate and thyroid stimulating autoantibody enhanced the MACIF and DAF expression. These findings suggest that the membrane complement regulatory proteins increase in response to the thyroid stimulating factors such as thyroid stimulating autoantibody in Graves' disease and that this increase then protects the cells from damage due to complement activation by thyroid autoantibodies.

Antigens, CD↗

Hereditary angio-oedema and C3 nephritic factor--HL-A study.

In one family of twenty-four members hereditary angio-oedema was present in the family for six generations. The protein C1 esterase inactivator found in nine patients proved to be non-active in a functional test. Another anomaly found in the complementary system was labelled C3 nephritic factor without any renal, or other clinical symptoms. Study of HL-A haplotypes did not show any linkage with the loci A, B and C. Hereditary angio-oedema is a disease arising from a specific defect in the inactivator of the C1 esterase (C1 INA) which is a regulating component of the complement system (Donaldson & Evans, 1963). This system is of current interest because of its interaction with other mechanisms of inflammation. Moreover, some links have been discovered recently between HL-A and hereditary defects of complement. This paper reports new findings in a family with hereditary angio-oedema.

Angioedema↗

Immunohistochemical localization of C9 neoantigen and the terminal complement inhibitory protein CD59 in human endometrium.

PROBLEM: Human endometrium expresses complement components, receptors, and regulatory proteins, many of which appear to be expressed in a hormone-dependent manner. Whether terminal complement components are also present in the endometrium is unknown. CD59, a broadly expressed protein that blocks association of C9 with C8 in the membrane attack complex, is localized in reproductive tissue to human spermatozoa, seminal plasma, amniotic fluid, and placenta. The present study examines human endometrium for the presence of CD59 and terminal complement proteins. METHOD: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from six normal women from various phases of the menstrual cycle and analyzed by immunohistochemistry, using MEM-43 anti-human CD59 and anti-human SC5b-9 murine monoclonal antibodies and the immunoperoxidase technique. RESULTS: Both CD59 protein and SC5b-9 (C9 neoantigen) were demonstrated to be present in endometrial glandular epithelium throughout the menstrual cycle. No specific staining was demonstrated in the stromal compartment. CONCLUSION: CD59 protein and terminal complement proteins are expressed in glandular epithelial cells of normal human endometrium, in both proliferative and luteal phases, suggesting that expression is not hormonally dependent. These analyses further support the presence of a functionally active complement system in normal human endometrium.

Antigens↗

The influence of membrane components on regulation of alternative pathway activation by decay-accelerating factor.

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a C regulatory protein which functions in membranes to inhibit autologous C activation on cell surfaces. A liposome model was used to study the mechanism of DAF action and examine the effects of membrane-bound glycophorin and LPS on the regulatory activity of DAF. Liposomes were incubated in MgEGTA-treated human serum and activation of the alternative pathway measured by C3b binding. Liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and cholesterol activated the alternative pathway in proportion to their content of PE. Incorporation of 10(-7) mol/mol phospholipid of either human E or HeLa cell-derived DAF inhibited C activation by liposomes containing 40% phosphatidylethanolamine by 50%, an efficiency comparable to that observed in intact E. HeLa DAF that had been treated with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C to remove its glycolipid anchor had no effect on C activation by liposomes at concentrations as high as 10(-5) mol/mol phospholipid. Incorporation of DAF into liposomes prepared with bound C3b inhibited the deposition of additional C3b by C3bBbP. However, the incorporated DAF increased the amount of Bb generated from B in the presence of D indicating that accelerated decay of the convertase was the primary effect of DAF. Similarly, treatment of intact human E with anti-DAF decreased the amount of Bb generated by the alternative pathway convertase. To study the effects of other membrane components on DAF activity, liposomes were prepared with purified human glycophorin A or LPS. In glycophorin liposomes the presence of PE was required to activate the alternative pathway and DAF inhibited this activation. In contrast, LPS liposomes bound C3b independently of PE and the incorporation of DAF had no effect. These results demonstrate that within a membrane, DAF's inhibitory activity on the alternative pathway C3 convertase is mediated independently of other membrane proteins, that in this model the major activity of DAF is to accelerate convertase decay, and that the presence of other membrane molecules that may serve as C3 acceptors can circumvent DAF function.

CD55 Antigens↗

Complement activation on human neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro: route of activation and expression of functional complement regulatory proteins.

Two human neuroblastoma cell lines activated the classical pathway of complement in serum. Activation caused the opsonisation of these cells with complement fragments but with moderate cell killing. Neuroblastoma expressed regulators MCP and CD59 but did not express DAF or CR1. Neutralisation of CD59 rendered the cells susceptible to killing. Neuroblastoma also expressed C1-inhibitor, factor H, clusterin and S-protein. Expression of several regulators was enhanced by incubation with cytokines. Complement inhibition using soluble CRI markedly reduced opsonisation and killing of neuroblastoma. Our results suggest that complement might play a role in neuronal loss and that treatment with complement inhibitors might be of therapeutic value.

Antigens, CD↗

Complement inhibitor of C5 activation from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata.

Blood-feeding ticks must control C activation or be damaged by the host inflammatory response. We report the characterization and expression of a novel, relatively small, broad-acting C inhibitory protein (termed OmCI) from the soft tick Ornithodoros moubata. The native 17-kDa nonglycosylated protein inhibits both human and guinea pig classical and alternative C activation pathways. The IC50 values for each pathway were 12 and 27 nM, respectively, in hemolytic assays using human serum diluted 40-fold. The cDNA encodes a protein of 168 aa, including an 18-aa secretion signal sequence that is absent in the mature form. The inhibitor has 46% amino acid identity with moubatin, a platelet aggregation inhibitor also from O. moubata that is an outlying member of the lipocalin family. Native OmCI had no inhibitory effect on the addition of C8 and C9 to preformed C5b-C7 and C5b-C8 to form the membrane attack complex and no effect on the rate of C3a production by the C3 convertase enzymes C4bC2a, C3(H2O)Bb, or C3bBb. Both recombinant and native OmCI abolish production of C5a by human classical (C4bC3bC2a) and alternative (C3bC3bBb) C5 convertases. Addition of excess C5 but not C3 competes away the inhibitory activity of OmCI, indicating that OmCI targets C5 itself rather than inhibiting the C5 convertase C4bC3bC2a itself. Direct binding of OmCI to C5 was demonstrated by Western blotting and gel filtration chromatography using 125I-labeled proteins. OmCI is the first lipocalin family member shown to inhibit C and also the first natural inhibitor that specifically targets the C5 activation step.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of terminal complement: a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The importance of the complement system in the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is clear although individual complement components play very different roles in the disease process. Early complement proteins are critical in the clearance of immune complexes and apoptotic bodies, and their absence predisposes individuals to SLE. Conversely, activation of terminal complement is associated with exacerbations of disease and damage to tissues and organs, particularly in lupus nephritis. Monoclonal antibodies that specifically inhibit terminal complement activation while preserving the critical functions of the early complement cascade have now been developed. These antibodies target the C5 complement protein, blocking its cleavage and the subsequent generation of potent proinflammatory molecules. Anti-C5 therapeutics have recently been investigated in an animal model of SLE and in a Phase I single dose study in humans. The results of these studies and the multiple roles of complement in SLE are discussed.

Complement Inactivator Proteins↗

Effect of body weight and caloric restriction on serum complement proteins, including Factor D/adipsin: studies in anorexia nervosa and obesity.

Complement plays important roles in host immune defences, and recent studies suggest that adipose tissue is an important site of production for some complement proteins. Starvation has been associated with low complement levels, but studied populations have usually had concomitant opportunistic infections or other conditions which might affect complement levels. To determine the impact of body weight and changes in body weight on serum complement, we investigated levels of complement proteins in otherwise healthy patients with a wide range of body weights, including patients with anorexia nervosa before and after treatment, obese dieters before and after weight loss, and normal weight controls. We found that complement proteins of the alternative pathway (C3, B, and D), alternative pathway haemolytic activity (AP50) and the inhibitors H and I were low in starving anorectics and normalized with weight gain. C3a levels were comparable in anorectics at low weight and after weight gain, indicating that low serum complement levels were attributable to hypoproduction and not complement cascade activation with consumption. Further, levels of C3, B, AP50, H and I, but not D, were higher than controls in obese patients and decreased toward normal after weight loss. Overall, percentage of ideal body weight, changes in body weight, and serum transferrin were each highly correlated with serum levels of complement proteins. We conclude that levels of alternative pathway complement components are determined in part by factors that influence body weight and by weight changes, possibly due to changes in production in adipose tissue or at other sites.

Adult↗

Vaccinia complement control protein: multi-functional protein and a potential wonder drug.

Vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP) was one of the first viral molecules demonstrated to have a role in blocking complement and hence in the evasion of host defense. Structurally it is very similar to the human C4b-BP and the other members of complement control protein. Functionally it is most similar to the CR1 protein. VCP blocks both major pathways of complement activation. The crystal structure of VCP was determined a little over a year ago and it is the only known structure of an intact and complete complement control protein. In addition to binding complement, VCP also binds to heparin. These two binding abilities can take place simultaneously and contribute to its many function and to its potential use in several inflammatory diseases, e.g. Alzheimer's disease (AD), CNS injury, xenotransplantation, etc. making it a truly fascinating molecule and potential drug.

Complement Activation↗

Anti-complement activity in the saliva of phlebotomine sand flies and other haematophagous insects.

The saliva of haematophagous insects has a series of pharmacological activities which may favour blood feeding. In the present study, an inhibitory effect on the complement system was observed in salivary extracts obtained from the phlebotomine sand flies Lutzomyia longipalpis and Lu. migonei. Saliva from Lu. longipalpis was capable of inhibiting both the classical and alternative pathways, while that from Lu. migonei acted only on the former. Other haematophagous insect species were screened for inhibition of the classical pathway. The triatomine bugs Panstrongylus megistus, Triatoma brasiliensis and Rhodnius prolixus were also able to inhibit the classical pathway whereas the mosquito Aedes aegyti and flea Ctenocephalides felis were not. The activity of Lu. longipalpis saliva on the classical pathway was partially characterized. The inhibitor is a protein of Mr 10000-30000 Da, which is very resistant to denaturation by heat. The inhibition of the complement system by phlebotomine sand flies may have a role in the transmission of Leishmania to the vertebrate hosts. The inhibitor molecule is thus a promising component of a vaccine to target salivary immunomodulators.

Animals↗

The effect of anticomplementary substances on properdin in normal and C2-deficient sera.

The effect of anticomplementary substances, including zymosan, cobra venom, endotoxin, inulin and immune complexes, on serum properdin concentration and immunoelectrophoretic mobility was studied. In normal serum, zymosan, inulin and immune complexes 'fixed' properdin, while in C2-deficient serum, only zymyosan 'fixed' properdin. Slowly migrating properdin (P) was detected in normal serum following activation by endotoxin and cobra venom but in C2-deficient serum only with cobra venom. Endotoxin did not activate the alternative pathway proteins studied in C2-deficient serum. Fast migrating properdin (P) represented activated properdin and occured as a result of activation of properdin in the Noble agar medium used for electrophoresis provided sufficient cofactors, including Mg2+, were present.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Complement and autoimmune glomerular diseases.

The renal glomerulus is the specialized structure in the kidney responsible for generating over 150 liters of plasma ultrafiltrate per day in humans. Certain characteristics of this structure favor involvement in autoimmune diseases. Formation of immune complexes in the glomerulus, either deposited from the circulation or generated in situ, can activate the complement system. Active products of this system include the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a, C3b, which covalently associates with immune complexes, and the C5b-9 membrane attack complex. If complement is activated in a site accessible to blood constituents, such as in the subendothelial and mesangial regions, generated C3a, C5a and C3b can interact with their respective receptors on inflammatory cells to lead to an exudative lesion. In addition, intrinsic glomerular cells bearing relevant receptors may also be activated and can proliferate to contribute to the inflammation. In a privileged site such as the subepithelial region, complement activation products are not accessible to blood cells, and as such, the resultant pathology is noninflammatory. In this setting, effects of C5b-9 predominate, which include activation and injury of cells through still incompletely characterized pathways. Various means to alter the complement pathway are now available, including antibody inhibitors and recombinant proteins based upon naturally occurring complement regulators. The use of these agents, as well as mice in which individual components of the complement system have been deleted, has given a great deal of insight into how the complement system is involved in glomerular disease. The ability to manipulate the complement pathway is now a reality in a clinical setting, yet conclusive human studies are difficult to achieve.

Animals↗

[A new low molecular-weight protein effector of human complement from the venom of the Central Asian cobra Naja naja oxiana].

Six protein effectors of human complement were isolated from the whole venom of the Central Asian cobra Naja naja oxiana. Three of them have acidic properties and molecular weights of 61 000, 5000 and 3000, and the rest are basic proteins with molecular weights of 54 000, 9000 and 7000. Two low molecular weight basic proteins CFB-II and CFB-III are isolated in as high amounts as 115 and 85 mg per g of dry venom. All the effectors inhibit the classical pathway of complement activation and, with the exception of CFB-II and CFB-III, the alternative pathway. The latter, on the contrary, enhances the alternative pathway of activation. N-Terminal sequence determination for CFB-III demonstrated its identity to the earlier characterized cytotoxin II. The action of CFB-III on the classical pathway of complement activation consists in the component C4 inactivation. A mechanism for the CFB-III activation of the alternative pathway is proposed implying the CFB-III induced transformation of the C3 component into a C3b-like one producing a soluble C3 convertase.

Chromatography, Gel↗