PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Complement C5”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

Genetic factors in host resistance to urinary tract infection.

In patients with recurrent pyelonephritis, the pathogenetic events proceed through intestinal colonization, spread to the urinary tract and persistence, seemingly uninterrupted by host defense mechanisms. The factors responsible for the deficient bacterial clearance from the kidneys of these patients, and the genetic control, have not been identified. The susceptibility to colonization has been linked to an increased receptivity for attaching bacteria of the uroepithelia, and to an overrepresentation of the P1 blood group phenotype. To evaluate the role of defects in host defense for the susceptibility to pyelonephritis, experimental UTI in mouse strains with known deficiencies was used. A highly significant increase in susceptibility was noted for C3H/HeJ compared to C3H/HeN mice. The bacterial recovery was inversely correlated to the mitogenic response to LPS. Back-cross analysis revealed a linkage of susceptibility to the Lpsd/Lpsd genotype. In contrast, T and B lymphocyte and complement (C5) defects had little effect on the clearance of Escherichia coli from the kidneys. It is concluded that the inflammatory mechanisms induced by LPS are essential for resistance to experimental pyelonephritis.

Animals↗

Structure and function of the anaphylatoxins.

Chemical and physical characterization of the anaphylatoxin molecules have provided a reasonably clear description of the architecture of these bioactive proteins. The primary structures of C3a, C4a, and C5a from man and from a number of animal species have been elucidated, and it is apparent that the three anaphylatoxins are genetically related. The anaphylatoxin protein chains very in length from 74 to 78 residues and no fewer than 30% of the residues are homologous when comparing C3a, C4a, and C5a within or between species. Synthetic peptide studies have been instrumental in identifying molecular features essential for the function of anaphylatoxins. Information gleaned from the structure-function studies with synthetic analogue peptides of the anaphylatoxins define putative "active sites" in these effector molecules. Linear sequences at the carboxy-terminus of C3a and C4a fulfill all of the criteria of an "active site," in that synthetic peptides of an identical sequence can mimic the biologic actions of the natural factors. In the case of human C3a, a crystallographic analysis has been performed and a three-dimensional structure was elucidated at the 3.2 A level. The crystalline structure of C3a provides valuable new information regarding the alpha helical regions and identifies the arrangement of intra-chain disulfide linkages. Taken together, the structural data now accumulated for anaphylatoxins permit molecular modelling of these proteins, designates favored conformational arrangements of the native structures, and specifically localizes the effector sites. Furthermore, elements at the essential active site have been defined with such precision that models are proposed detailing the exact nature of ligand interactions between anaphylatoxins and specific cellular receptors. Biologic characterization of the anaphylatoxins continues at a rapid pace and each advance provides a clearer view of the role of these humoral mediators in host defense. A variety of responses to anaphylatoxins are known to occur at the cellular level and are mediated in a hormone-like fashion. Diversity of action for these factors at the tissue level is readily explained by the numerous cell types stimulated by the anaphylatoxins. Cellular responses to the anaphylatoxins are perhaps the most easily defined and studied; however, tissue and systemic effects more accurately reflect the physiologic role of anaphylatoxins. Considerable progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms whereby anaphylatoxins mediate two major tissue effects, namely enhancement of vascular permeability and induction of smooth muscle contraction.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Indomethacin inhibits the increased airway responsiveness to histamine following inhalation of C5a des Arg in rabbits.

It has been shown that inhalation of C5a des Arg increases rabbit airway responsiveness to histamine and that this is associated with an influx of neutrophils into the airway walls. This study was undertaken to see if the augmented response to histamine can be blocked by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Spontaneously breathing, anesthetised rabbits were studied in a volume displacement plethysmograph and pulmonary resistance (R1) was measured using the electrical subtraction technique. Histamine does response curves (HDR) were generated by measuring R1 after serial nubulisation of saline and histamine (1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 mg/ml). Aerosols of either saline or C5a des Arg (1.5 ug/ml) were then inhaled by the animals over a time period of 2 min. An HDR was then repeated 4 hours later. In 9 rabbits the inhalation of C5a des Arg resulted in an upward shift of the repeat HDR: the area under the HDR was significantly greater than under the first HDR (p less than 0.05). In 6 rabbits the repeat HDR 4 hours after saline was shifted downwards (N.S.) indicating some degree of tachyphylaxis. When rabbits were pretreated with indomethacin (5 mg/kg i.v.) the repeat HDR following either C5a des Arg (n = 7) or saline (n = 6) were also shifted downwards i.e., the increased airway responsiveness noted after C5a des Arg was abolished. There was no significant difference in baseline saline R1 during the first or second HDR in any group. These results suggest that the increased airway responsiveness following nebulisation of C5a des Arg may be due to release from neutrophils of products of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway.

Administration, Inhalation↗

The effect of L-glutamic acid on airway function and reactivity in the rabbit.

The ingestion of monosodium glutamate in sensitive individuals has been reported to cause severe asthma. We therefore studied the effects of L-glu on airway function and histamine (H) responsiveness in the rabbit. Histamine dose response curves (HDR's) were performed by measuring total lung resistance (RL) after inhalation of saline and increasing concentrations of H (1-30 mg/ml). The concentration of H producing a 20% increase in RL (PC20H) was obtained by interpolation. To assess the effects of L-glu, 8 rabbits were infused with L-glu (0.2 g/kg/hr) or saline in random order (14 days apart) for 4 hours followed by an HDRC. To look at possible late effects, a repeat HDRC was also performed in 6 rabbits 12 hours after completion of the L-glu infusion. In order to see whether rabbits rendered hyperresponsive responded to L-glu, the above protocol was performed in 7 rabbits following the inhalation of 3 micrograms of the activated complement fragment C5a des Arg. The L-glu infusions increased the plasma levels approx. ten-fold (mean +/- SEM 0.119 +/- 0.012 base-line, 1.272 +/- 0.061 mmol/l post infusion). L-glu did not increase the PC20H or baseline RL in either the normal rabbits at 4 or 12 hours or in the C5a des Arg treated rabbits at 4 hours. It is concluded that L-glu does not cause bronchoconstriction or an increase in airway responsiveness to H in the rabbit.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Role of histamine in the spasmogenic effect of the complement peptides C3a and C5a-desArg (classical anaphylatoxin).

The role of endogenous histamine in the spasmogenic effect of the complement-derived peptides C3a and C5a-desArg (isolated from yeast-activated hog serum) was studied in strips of terminal guinea-pig ileum. The effect of C3a is apparently histamine-independent; it neither induces histamine release from the test organ nor is its spasmogenic action inhibited by the H1-antihistaminics pheniramine and triprolidine, used in concentrations effective against histamine. However, endogenous histamine may be involved in the spasmogenic effect of C5a-desArg; when applied repeatedly C5a-desArg induces histamine release during its first and second application. Furthermore, both H1-antihistaminics inhibited C5a-desArg-induced contractions considerably, though less efficiently than those of added histamine.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Extra- and intracellular Ca2+ requirements for lysosomal enzyme secretion in human neutrophils.

Ca2+-EGTA combinations were utilized in Hank's buffers to fix extracellular free Ca2+ concentrations [Ca2+f] for the study of human neutrophil lysosomal enzyme secretion. Ca2+-dependent neutrophil secretion initiated by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (FMLP) and C5a required small amounts of [Ca2+f] (1-3 x 10(-6) M) while that caused by ionophore A23187 required 10(-5) M or greater [Ca2+f]. The inhibition of FMLP- and C5a-induced lysosomal enzyme secretion by the intracellular Ca2+ antagonist, 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8) was additive to lowering extracellular [Ca2+f] from 10(-4) M to 10(-6) M or blocking plasma membrane Ca2+ flux with verapamil. These results suggest that extracellular and intracellular Ca2+ flux may be coupled in the initiation of neutrophil secretion caused by FMLP and C5a.

Calcimycin↗

Mediators of C5a-induced bronchoconstriction.

Previous studies had suggested that histamine and products of arachidonate metabolism were mediators of the bronchoconstriction induced in guinea pigs by the complement cleavage product C5a. The present study was conducted to further define the arachidonate metabolite(s) involved. Tracheal airflow and transpulmonary pressure were measured in anesthetized and artificially ventilated guinea pigs and pulmonary resistance and dynamic lung compliance were calculated as a measure of bronchoconstriction. The effect of the peptido-leukotriene antagonist L-649,923 and the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor U-63557A on the C5a-induced bronchoconstriction was determined. Also, the response to C5a was evaluated in animals made tachyphylactic to the bronchoconstrictor actions of LTB4. C5a-induced bronchoconstriction was not altered in animals treated with L-649,923 or made tachyphylactic to LTB4 suggesting that LTB4 and peptido-leukotrienes are not major mediators of the response. C5a challenge caused a significant increase in plasma thromboxane B2 levels which was prevented in part by the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor U-63557A. In addition, C5a-induced bronchoconstriction was significantly inhibited by U-63557A. Thus, these studies suggest that thromboxane is the arachidonate metabolite at least in part responsible for C5a-induced bronchoconstriction.

Animals↗

High-level C5a gene expression and recovery of recombinant human C5a from Escherichia coli.

Poor expression of a synthetic gene for the inflammatory mediator, C5a, was observed in E. coli grown in rich media. Varying the media composition markedly improved expression, although C5a levels still declined rapidly at the end of log phase. Using a protease-deficient strain, C5a was recovered at stationary phase in high yield (13 mg/liter of culture). Recovery was dependent on guanidinium hydrochloride extraction to solubilize the protein and glutathione treatment to promote correct folding. Two-thirds of the C5a retained an amino-terminal methionine. Both forms of recombinant C5a had activity similar to serum-derived C5a in binding to human neutrophil receptors and inducing chemotaxis. The 700-fold improvement in yield made it feasible to obtain gram amounts of C5a and provides an efficient system for site-directed mutagenesis.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Inhibition of C5a-induced basophil degranulation by disodium cromoglycate.

Injection of purified porcine C5a into 24-hr basophil-rich cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity sites in the dose range 10(-12)-10(-10) moles/site produced cutaneous basophil anaphylaxis (CBA). The H1 antihistamine antagonist mepyramine, given orally (3.0-30 mg/kg), inhibited the vasopermeability, but not the basophil degranulation, characteristic of CBA. The antiallergy agent disodium cromoglycate (DSCG), administered intravenously (3.0-30 mg/kg), inhibited vasopermeability and basophil degranulation. DSCG inhibition of mast cell degranulation was not important in the inhibition of CBA, since intact mast cells were found to be depleted at basophil-rich sites and absent at C5a-induced CBA sites from animals treated with DSCG. C5a at 10(-11) moles/site also induced vasopermeability and mast cell degranulation in normal guinea pig skin. Vasopermeability, but not mast cell degranulation, was inhibited by mepyramine at 30 mg/kg p.o. However, DSCG at 10 mg/kg i.v. failed to inhibit either the vasopermeability or the mast cell degranulation of this reaction. These results indicate that C5a induces the degranulation of both basophils and mast cells in the guinea pig, and that C5a-induced degranulation of basophils, but not mast cells, is inhibited by DSCG.

Anaphylaxis↗

Relationship between the transient cAMP increase, exocytosis from specific and azurophil granules and chemotaxis in neutrophil granulocytes.

The short transient increase of the intracellular cAMP concentration during the first minute following stimulation, exocytosis from specific and azurophil granules, random and directional locomotion were assessed following stimulation of human and equine neutrophils with f-Met-Leu-Phe, C5ades Arg, standard gamma globulin (SGG) and the ionophore A23187. Different leucocyte-activating agents elicited distinct patterns of responses. The results showed that: Chemotactic factors produced exocytosis of small amounts of vitamin B12-binding proteins but not beta-glucuronidase, in the absence of cytochalasin B. Chemotaxis, the appearance of the transient cAMP peak and exocytosis from specific granules in response to cytotaxins were strictly correlated in the absence of cytochalasin B but not if exocytosis was measured in the presence of cytochalasin B. Thus comparison of exocytosis measured in the presence of cytochalasin B with other functions may be misleading. The non-chemotactic agents tested (SGG, A23187) produced secretion but no cAMP peak within 1 minute after stimulation, indicating that the cAMP peak is no obligatory event for triggering exocytosis in general. The ionophore A23187 alone at a concentration of 10(-6) M produced exocytosis from specific granules only, increased motility of cells in suspension and a marked increment of neutrophil adhesion to glass and after a lag period a sustained increase in cAMP. SGG elicited release of both vitamin B12-binding proteins and beta-glucuronidase.

Calcimycin↗

In vitro inhibition of the classical and alternate pathways of activation of human complement by N acetyl aspartyl glutamic acid (NAAGA).

A synthetic dipeptide, magnesium salt of N-acetyl-L-aspartyl-glutamic acid (NAAGA) identical to a natural dipeptide found as traces in cerebral tissues of mammalian brains, was shown to inhibit, in vitro, the hemolytic activity of both classical and alternate pathways complement; the required concentration of NAAGA was 2 to 10 mM. Cross immuno electrophoretic analysis demonstrated an inhibition of C3 cleavage by both classical and alternate pathway C3 convertases with 24 mM NAAGA. As expected, if C3 convertases were really the target of inhibition, the release of highly inflammatory C3a, C5a fragments scored by R.I.A. was impaired when complement was incubated with activators of classical and alternate pathways. Such a low molecular weight dipeptide, quite atoxic and inhibiting the complement dependent cytotoxicity and release of phlogistic by-products could be interesting for pharmacological manipulation of complement activation in inflammatory processes.

Complement Activation↗

Inhibition of the accumulation of macrophages and the generation of macrophage chemotactic activity by dexamethasone in concanavalin A-induced peritonitis of mice.

A delayed-type inflammatory response was evoked in mice using concanavalin A (Con A) as a stimulus, and the effect of various anti-inflammatory agents on the inflammation was examined. The intraperitoneal injection of Con A in the mouse resulted in the marked accumulation of leukocytes, especially macrophages, in the peritoneal cavity between 16 and 48 hr after the injection. Prior to the accumulation of macrophages, the chemotactic activity for macrophages appeared in the peritoneal fluid, and was associated with protein(s) in the molecular weight range from 10,000 to 100,000 daltons. When the effect of various agents on Con A-induced peritonitis was examined, neither anticomplementary agents (FUT-175 and K-76 COONa), bromophenacyl bromide, nordihydroguaiaretic acid nor indomethacin affected the generation of chemotactic activity and the accumulation of macrophages, suggesting that C5a, prostaglandins and leukotriene B4 are hardly involved in the Con A-induced macrophage accumulation. On the other hand, dexamethasone suppressed both the generation of chemotactic activity and the accumulation of macrophages. Taking into consideration the observation that the synthesis of macrophage chemotactic factors by mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes is inhibited by glucocorticoids, these results suggest that the macrophage chemotactic lymphokines might be involved in the accumulation of macrophages in Con A-induced peritonitis.

Animals↗

The effects of the anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a on isolated mast cells from rat and man.

Of the complement peptides comprising anaphylatoxin activity, only C5a caused a very small (less than 1.5%) but statistically significant histamine release from isolated human adenoidal mast cells. C3a and the respective des-Arg-derivatives were found to be ineffective. In rat peritoneal mast cells, neither peptide caused histamine release.

Animals↗

Generation of C5a and prostacyclin (PGI2) in an inflammatory response to zymosan and a reversed passive Arthus-type reaction in the peritoneal cavity of the rabbit.

Exudate fluids were removed from the rabbit peritoneal cavity 2 h after the injection of zymosan or the initiation of a reversed passive Arthus-type reaction. Inflammatory oedema was measured using Evans blue dye extravasation and the concentrations of C5a and the PGI2 metabolite, 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha, were measured by radioimmunoassay. High levels of C5a were found in these inflammatory exudates and we suggest that the extravascular generation of C5a is important in the induction of increased microvascular permeability. The presence of PGI2 may have an enhancing effect on plasma protein leakage.

Animals↗