[Diagnosis of angio-neurotic oedema: anaesthesia interest and available laboratory tools].
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Seventy selected images of chemically crosslinked C1 are analyzed to illustrate structural details of the C1qC1r2C1s2 complex. From inspection of these images, the C1r2C1s2 tetramer can be seen to be located in the region of the C1q arms, cleanly separated from the C1q heads and from at least 90%, if not all, of the C1q stem. From measurements made upon 65 images, the semicone angles formed between the spreading arms and the symmetry axis passing through the stem of C1 may be calculated. Unlike C1q, for which a wide variety of angles is found, the C1 complex appears to possess a restricted range of angular flexibility with an average value of about 50 degrees. The volume inside the cone formed by the spreading arms of C1q is too small to contain the entire C1r2C1s2 tetramer; at least some of the tetramer must lie outside the cone when it is bound to C1q to form C1. From our knowledge of the sizes and structures of its subunits, and from symmetry considerations, a model is proposed for the configuration of the C1 complex in which the middle portion of the C1r2C1s2 tetramer is centrally located among the arms close to the stem of the C1q and with the two protruding ends of the tetramer wrapped around the outside of the cone. Functional implications of this more rigid structure are discussed with relevance to C1q-induced aggregation of latex beads and C1-induced disaggregation.
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The complement C1-esterases have been shown to cleave the MHC class I molecules, which are important participants in the activation of T lymphocytes, between the alpha 2- and the alpha 3-domain of the heavy chain. The possible involvement of the C1-esterases in the regulation of peripheral self-tolerance is discussed. It is hypothesized that the C1-esterase-mediated cleavage of the MHC class I molecules either induces: a soluble fragment of the outer two domains of the MHC class I molecule, in association with beta 2-microglobulin, to bind to the T cell receptors and prevent the cells from being activated, or produces a change in the exposure of the alpha 3-domain that remain on the cell surface, acting as mediator of a 'veto signal' that prevents these cells from being activated.
The fluorescence spectrum of C1 inhibitor (C1-Inh) in aqueous buffer has a maximum at 324 nm which shifts to 358 nm in 6.0 M guanidinium chloride (GdmC1), indicating that fluorescent tryptophans are buried in the native protein. When titrated with GdmC1, the fluorescence intensity, polarization, and emission maximum of C1-Inh and C1-s exhibited clear transitions which were more prominent than those of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. Two of the variables (intensity and emission maximum) suggest biphasic unfolding of C1-Inh. Differential absorption measurements and sodium iodide quenching of intrinsic fluorescence were consistent with a net increase in the exposure of tryptophans and tyrosines upon complex formation. This reaction, i.e., complex formation, was also accompanied by an increase in the ability to enhance the fluorescence of the hydrophobic probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate. Fluorescence assays of heat denaturation showed transitions at 40 and 52 degrees C for C1-s and at 60 degrees C for C1-Inh whereas there was no detectable melting transition for the complex. Similarly, differential scanning calorimetric measurements revealed transitions at 42, 52, and 62 degrees C for C1-s and one transition at 60 degrees C for C1-Inh, with no major transitions detectable for the complex. The ratio of the calorimetric enthalpy to the apparent van't Hoff enthalpy for thermal unfolding of C1-Inh was 1.6. Taken together, these results suggest that C1-Inh and C1-s are each composed of at least two independently unfolding domains and that complex formation, which involves conformational change, yields a protein substantially more stable than either component alone.
Overlapping molecular clones encoding the complement subcomponent Cls were isolated from a human liver cDNA library. The nucleotide sequence reconstructed from these clones spans about 85% of the length of the liver Cls messenger RNAs, which occur in three distinct size classes around 3 kilobases in length. Comparisons with the sequence of Clr, the other enzymatic subcomponent of Cl, reveal 40% amino acid identity and conservation of all the cysteine residues. Beside the serine protease domain, the following sequence motifs, previously described in Clr, were also found in Cls: (a) two repeats of the type found in the Ba fragment of complement factor B and in several other complement but also noncomplement proteins, (b) a cysteine-rich segment homologous to the repeats of epidermal growth factor precursor, and (c) a duplicated segment found only in Clr and Cls. Differences in each of these structural motifs provide significant clues for the interpretation of the functional divergence of these interacting serine protease zymogens. Hybridizations of Clr and Cls probes to restriction endonuclease fragments of genomic DNA demonstrate close physical linkage of the corresponding genes. The implications of this finding are discussed with respect to the evolution of Clr and Cls after their origin by tandem gene duplication and to the previously observed combined hereditary deficiencies of Clr and Cls.
Cl-s is a multidomain serine protease that participates in Ca2+-dependent protein-protein interactions with other subcomponents of Cl, the first component of human complement. Proteolytically derived fragments that retain some of the functional properties of the parent protein have been isolated, and their thermal stability has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. Three endothermic transitions are observed in whole Cl-s near 37, 49, and 60 degrees C in 0.05 M Tris-HCl, pH 7.2, containing 0.22 M NaCl and 0.1 mM EDTA. The first (37 degrees C) and third (60 degrees C) transitions are also seen in Cl-s-A, a derivative comprised mainly of the intact nonenzymatic A chain. The second (49 degrees C) and third transitions are seen in Cl-s-gamma B, a fragment comprised of the intact B chain, disulfide linked to the C-terminal gamma region of the A chain. Thus, the first transition, which is alone stabilized by Ca2+, corresponds to the melting of the N-terminal alpha beta region of the A chain, the second to the melting of the catalytic B chain domain, and the third to the gamma region. The gamma region is comprised of two homologous short consensus repeat (SCR) motifs that are also found in several other complement and coagulation proteins. A new 24-kDa fragment, Cl-s-gamma, which contains these two SCRs, was isolated from plasmic and chymotryptic digests of Cl-s-A. Cl-s-gamma exhibits a reversible transition near 60 degrees C corresponding to the highest temperature peak in whole Cl-s and Cl-s-A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Models for the structures of subcomponent C1q of first component C1 of human complement and its complex with subunit C1r2C1s2 are compared with experimental neutron-scattering curves. The length of the C1q collagenous arm is closer to 14.5 nm than to 11.5 nm proposed from electron microscopy, and this is consistent with the primary sequence of C1q. The mean C1q base-arm angle is 40-45 degrees and C1q is found to be flexible: the base-arm angle can vary up to 30 degrees from equilibrium at any moment. The complex of C1r2C1s2 and C1q requires a large shape change in C1r2C1s2. Ring-like models for C1r2C1s2 are not as successful at rationalizing the scattering data as are models that involve C1r2C1s2 binding to one side of C1q. Hydrodynamic calculations of the sedimentation coefficients for C1q and C1 are generally consistent with these neutron models.
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A 58-year-old woman presented to emergency departments on several occasions with episodic angioedema. Lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with an IgM paraprotein (Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia) was eventually diagnosed 14 months later in association with acquired C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency. Resolution of the angioedema and C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency was achieved with danazol and treatment of the underlying lymphoma.
Clearance rates in the guinea pig were determined for intact guinea pig and human C1 inhibitor, the complexes of both inhibitors with human Cls, beta factor XIIa and kallikrein, and for each inhibitor cleaved at its reactive centre with trypsin. Intact human and guinea pig C1 inhibitor were cleared from the circulation more slowly (t1/2s of 9-7 h and 12.1 h and fractional catabolic rates (FCRs) of 0.09 and 0.117) than any of their cleaved or complexed forms. The reactive centre-cleaved inhibitors were cleared with half-lives of 6.75 h for humans and 10.1 h for the guinea pig. The complexes with target proteases were catabolized much more rapidly, with half-lives ranging from 3-08 h to 4.3 h. The complexes with kallikrein were cleared more slowly than those with Cls and beta factor XIIa. Complexes prepared with the guinea pig and human inhibitors were cleared at equivalent rates. The free inactivated proteases were cleared at rates similar to the equivalent complexes, except for kallikrein, which was cleared more rapidly than its complex. The fact that the complexes with different target proteases differed in their catabolism and that protease and complex catabolism were similar suggests that protease may play a direct role in clearance.
The subunit complex C1r2C1s2 of the first component of complement was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering in both the activated and unactivated forms. From these experiments, a molecular weight of 390,000 for C1r2C1s2 was found. The matchpoint was determined to be 43% 2H2O. Both results are consistent with composition data. The partial specific volume is 0.751 ml/mg. The radius of gyration at infinite contrast was found to be 17 nm for C1r2C1s2 and 1.1 nm for the cross section. Models for C1r2C1s2 were computed by the method of hard spheres, in which C1r2C1s2 was represented by spheres 0.87 nm diameter arranged in a straight rod of length 59 nm and a circular cross section of 3.2 nm. This rod can be bent at one or two places by up to 60 degrees without significant effect on the calculated radii of gyration. The model is in agreement with published ultracentrifugation and electron microscopy data.
The C1q subunit of complement component C1 is known to bind to immune complexes, which often are deposited in basement membrane. We investigated the possibility that this deposition is a result of binding to laminin, a large basement membrane glycoprotein. C1q showed saturable binding to immobilized laminin; this binding was increased at reduced ionic strength. Intact C1 did not bind laminin. A ternary complex was formed by laminin, C1q, and aggregated IgG. This complex formation was dependent on and proportional to the amount of C1q bound to the aggregated IgG. Binding of laminin to C1q occurred with a Kd of 2 nM and was stronger than the binding of C1q to fibronectin. Preliminary data, including electron micrographs of rotary-shadowed preparations, suggest that laminin binds to the collagen-like tail of C1q. Electron microscopy localized the site of interaction with C1q to a short arm of laminin. Since laminin is found only in basement membranes, the interaction between laminin and C1q could be involved in the deposition and retention of immune complexes in these structures.
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Angioedema/urticaria secondary to ACE inhibitor drugs is an important clinical entity, which dermatologists should be aware of as they are so widely used and their use will undoubtedly increase. In addition to the obvious importance to the patient of promptly recognizing ACE inhibitor angioedema, uncovering the etiology of angioedema/urticaria is a rare and satisfying experience that can "make your day."
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The storage of transfusion plasma at +4 degrees C sometimes leads to the activation of several proteolytic systems. In this study the frequency of cold activation was investigated, as well as whether cold activation of plasma is an individually recurrent property of the donor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma units prepared from whole blood obtained from 100 male donors were stored at +2 degrees to +5 degrees C, in bags for 28 days and in cryotubes for up to 42 days. Samples from plasma units, collected by apheresis from 100 male donors, were stored in cryotubes for up to 42 days. Cold activation was measured weekly as kallikrein-like activity of plasma. Samples from repeat apheresis plasma units from 32 donors were measured 12-20 months later. The effects of storage on the contact, coagulation and fibrinolytic systems were determined. RESULTS: The cumulative frequency of cold-activated plasma units stored in bags was 5% on day 7 and 18% on day 28. After 42 days in cryotubes, 49% of the plasma units were cold activated. Large intraindividual differences in the onset-day of cold activation were observed in plasma samples of some donors. During cold activation, an increase in kallikrein-like activity was accompanied by a decrease in C1 esterase inhibitor activity and an increase in the concentrations of activated factor VII and fibrinopeptide A. The functional plasminogen level was unchanged, while a minor decrease in plasmin inhibitor activity was combined with a corresponding increase in the concentration of plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex. CONCLUSIONS: The cumulative frequency of cold-activated plasma units increased in a time-dependent manner during storage at +2 degrees to +5 degrees C for 42 days. The intraindividual onset-day of cold activation varied widely between plasma samples of some donors. Cold activation was associated with a high degree of activation of the contact and coagulation systems. The fibrinolytic system was scarcely affected.