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Complement activation from protamine sulfate administration after coronary angiography.

The cause of hypotension after reversal of heparin by protamine has not been well defined. In this study we evaluated complement activation (C3a and C4a) by the heparin-protamine complex in 46 consecutive patients (40 received protamine sulfate to reverse heparin, and six did not) during and after coronary angiography. In patients receiving protamine sulfate, there was a significant increase in C3a over the value before protamine sulfate administration (P less than .001) or in patients who did not receive protamine sulfate (P less than .05): 807 +/- 100 ng/ml vs. 274 +/- 75 ng/ml. There were no significant changes in C4a after protamine sulfate administration. These results indicate that the alternate complement pathway is activated when protamine sulfate is administered after coronary angiography. This may induce hypotension as well as platelet aggregation and thrombus formation and may contribute to coronary instability. Therefore, in unstable patients, heparin reversal by protamine should not be done routinely.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Cytokine, complement, and endotoxin profiles associated with the development of the adult respiratory distress syndrome after severe injury.

OBJECTIVE: The adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a frequent complication after severe accidental trauma. This study examines the hypothesis that increased systemic concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, endotoxin, or complement fragments may predict the development of ARDS. DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Two Level I university trauma centers. PATIENTS: Fifteen severely injured patients (Injury Severity Score of > or = 25). INTERVENTIONS: Standard emergency department, operating room, and intensive care unit management. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Plasma samples were obtained at 4-hr intervals from the time of injury and were assayed for concentrations of endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and complement fragments C3a and C4a. Hemodynamic and oxygen metabolism variables also were measured at 4-hr intervals after injury. Seven patients developed ARDS and eight patients did not. The PaO2/FIO2 ratio was significantly decreased in the patients with ARDS compared with non-ARDS patients as early as 4 hrs postinjury, and remained significantly decreased throughout the initial 24 hrs after severe accidental injury. Plasma IL-8, IL-6, C3a, and C4a concentrations were markedly increased starting in the immediate postinjury period in both ARDS and non-ARDS patients, but no significant differences were found between the two groups until 16 hrs after injury when plasma IL-8, C3a, and C4a concentrations became significantly higher in the ARDS group. Neither the ARDS nor non-ARDS patients showed the presence of circulating IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, or endotoxin at any postinjury time point. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that measurements of plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines, endotoxin, or complement fragments are not helpful in predicting the development of ARDS after severe accidental injury.

Adult↗

The anaphylatoxic peptide C3a of guinea pig complement. I. Purification, physicochemical and antigenetic properties.

Highly purified guinea pig C3a was obtained after specific cleavage of isolated C3 by the alternative pathway enzyme VF-B in a one step procedure. It turned out to be a low molecular weight peptide with basic character (M.W. 9500; isoelectric point above 9.4). C3a represents an antigenetic determinant of its own in the native C3 molecule, different from the B determinant. Guinea pig C3a resistant to 100 degrees C for 10 minutes. Its smooth muscle contracting activity can be destroyed by trypsin and carboxypeptidase B. These findings indicate that guinea pig C3a is quite similar to human C3a.

Anaphylatoxins↗

Effect of complement fragment 1 esterase inhibition on survival of human decay-accelerating factor pig lungs perfused with human blood.

BACKGROUND: The role of complement in hyperacute lung xenograft rejection has not been fully elucidated. The present study evaluates the effect of complement (C) 1 esterase inhibition on hyperacute rejection of human decay-accelerating factor (hDAF)-positive pig lung by human blood. METHODS: Using a modification of an established ex vivo model, right and left lungs from individual animals were surgically isolated and separately perfused. Pigs homozygous for hDAF were perfused with fresh human blood that was either untreated or treated with complement 1 esterase inhibitor (C1-Inh) at doses of 1 U/ml (n = 5), 5 U/ml (n = 3) or 10 U/ml plasma (n = 5). RESULTS: Only C1-Inh at 10 U/ml prolonged survival time (230 +/- 48.3 minutes) as compared with controls (65.6 +/- 26.5 minutes, p < 0.05) and diminished complement activation (C3a and C5a, p < 0.05). Interestingly, a low concentration of C1-Inh increased the pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR; 1 U/ml: 0.54 +/- 0.3; 10 U/ml: 0.19 +/- 0.08). Sequestration of neutrophils (92 +/- 3%) and platelets (64 +/- 13%) was not prevented by any concentration of C1-Inh. Tissue deposition of C3b and C5b-9 were diminished by hDAF expression, and further blunted by treatment, with 10 U/ml C1-Inh. CONCLUSIONS: Complement plays a critical role in early events of lung hyperacute rejection (HAR). However, even potent inhibition of C1 esterase and C3/C5 convertase, using serum C1-Inh in pig lungs homozygous for hDAF expression, does not prevent rapid lung injury. Our findings implicate innate immune pathways resistant to efficient complement regulation, and suggest a role for neutrophils and platelets in the lung's particular vulnerability.

Animals↗

Circulating complement proteins in patients with sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

The systemic inflammatory response of the body to invading microorganisms, termed sepsis, leads to profound activation of the complement system. Pathophysiological concepts suggest that complement activation occurs very early in this syndrome. Thus, we discuss whether the determination of concentrations of the complement components C3a, C5a, and C3 in plasma as well as of the C3a/C3 ratio might be helpful to diagnose sepsis early. For this purpose, 33 patients from an intensive care unit were monitored for 10 days. In comparison with healthy donors, C3a levels and the C3a/C3 ratio of intensive-care-unit patients were significantly elevated (P < 0.0001) on admission. In contrast, C3 levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) but increased during the study. C5a levels in the plasma of healthy donors and patients were identical. Twenty-two of 33 patients fulfilled microbiological and clinical criteria of sepsis. Eleven patients had signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome but no microbiological evidence of sepsis. The groups could be differentiated from each other by their C3a levels or their C3a/C3 ratios during the first 24 h after the clinical onset of sepsis (P < 0.05). Septic patients in shock had higher C3a levels than normotensive septic patients, although the differences were not significant. Nonsurvivors had significantly higher C3a levels on admission than survivors (P = 0.0185). No differences were found between septic patients who developed adult respiratory distress syndrome and those who did not. Thus, determination of C3a concentrations in plasma may prove useful (i) to diagnose sepsis early, (ii) to differentiate between patients with sepsis and those with systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and (iii) to assess prognosis.

Adolescent↗

Dialysis leukopenia, hypoxemia, and anaphylatoxin formation: effect of membrane, bath, and citrate anticoagulation.

The goal of these prospective studies was to determine the effect of different dialyzer membranes and dialysate composition on leukopenia and hypoxemia during hemodialysis with citrate anticoagulation. Significant early leukopenia was found with a cuprophane membrane, while a cellulose acetate membrane was associated with mild early leukopenia. Bath composition had no effect. Bicarbonate dialysate, compared with acetate, eliminated hypoxemia in cellulose acetate membranes and reduced its degree and duration with cuprophane. Membrane composition had no effect on hypoxemia during acetate dialysis. The findings indicate that leukopenia is directly and exclusively related to membrane composition while hypoxemia only relates in part to membrane effects. Serial determinations of complement components C3a and C5a showed significant increases in parallel with leukopenia during heparin anticoagulation, but the anaphylatoxin concentration changes were dissociated during dialysis with citrate anticoagulation. The concentrations of anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a appear not to be directly related to dialysis-induced leukopenia. The dissociation between anaphylatoxin concentrations and leukopenia may be related to changes in generation or unmasked changes in leukocyte response. Citrate anticoagulation may provide a useful probe for further studies on membrane-leukocyte interactions in vivo.

Acetates↗

Neutral endopeptidase-like enzyme controls the contractile activity of substance P in guinea pig lung.

The responsiveness of isolated guinea pig lung parenchymal strips to substance P was enhanced by at least 100-fold in the presence of the endopeptidase inhibitors phosphoramidon (1 microM) or thiorphan (1 microM), but not with the converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, or an inhibitor of serum carboxypeptidase N (both 1 microM). Responses of guinea pig tracheal rings to substance P were also markedly potentiated by phosphoramidon. The increase in tissue responsiveness by these inhibitors was relatively specific for substance P among several other spasmogenic peptides, including formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine and the complement peptides C3a and C5a. The enhanced responses appear to result from a decrease in the rate of substance P degradation in the presence of neutral endopeptidase inhibitors. Specific binding of substance P to its receptor on bronchial membranes was increased by three- to fourfold in the presence of phosphoramidon. These data demonstrate an enhanced potential for substance P to contract lung tissues when degradation by a neutral endopeptidase-like enzyme is blocked.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors↗

Ex vivo biocompatibility of avidin-agarose: a new device for direct adsorption of biotinylated antibodies from human whole blood.

Radioimmunotherapy using radiolabeled antitumor antibodies (RAA) is limited by the toxicity of unbound antibodies in the circulation. Removal of excessive antibodies by affinity-adsorption could therefore allow the administration of increased dosages of RAA while decreasing their adverse effects. Recently, avidin-agarose (AA) minicolumns were used in animal experiments for the removal of biotinylated antibodies from whole blood exploiting the high affinity binding of biotin to avidin (pK 1015 M-1). This study was performed to evaluate the ex vivo biocompatibility of AA minicolumns with human blood. Ten ml AA minicolumns were perfused online ex vivo in the single pass mode with fresh blood from 8 healthy donors at a flow rate of 6.25 ml/min. The anticoagulation consisted of 0.5 IU heparin plus 0.0-2.1 mg citrate per ml of blood. In Part 1 of the study (40 min perfusion, n = 4), the optimal anticoagulation was found to be 0.5 IU heparin plus about 1 mg citrate per ml of blood. In Part 2 of the study, four 80 min test-runs were performed. No signs of hemolysis were found, and the thrombogenicity of the AA gel was negligible. Cell counts and column inlet pressures remained constant; toward the end of the 80 min test-runs, some activation of blood cells (elastase, beta-thromboglobulin), the complement system (C3a, C5a) and the plasmatic coagulation (thrombin-antithrombin complex) was detectable. A moderate initial bradykinin release rapidly subsided to very low levels. In summary, AA minicolumns showed good biocompatibility upon contact with human whole blood and merit further investigation in a closed-loop system for a potential application of direct tumor antibody removal by hemoperfusion.

Adsorption↗

Distinct regulation of C3a-induced MCP-1/CCL2 and RANTES/CCL5 production in human mast cells by extracellular signal regulated kinase and PI3 kinase.

Complement component C3a causes a robust degranulation in human mast cells. Whether C3a also stimulates chemokine production in human mast cells and what signaling pathway it activates is not known. In the present study, we demonstrate that CD34+ cell-derived primary mast cells and a human mast cell line LAD 2 express surface C3a receptors at similar levels. Furthermore, C3a caused approximately 50% internalization of cell surface C3a receptors in both cell types. We therefore used LAD 2 cells as a model to study C3a-induced biological responses and signaling in human mast cells. We found that C3a stimulated substantial degranulation and induced chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1/CCL2) and regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES/CCL5) production in LAD 2 mast cells. C3a caused a rapid and sustained extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and Akt phosphorylation in LAD 2 mast cells. Furthermore, U0126 and LY294002, which respectively inhibit MEK-induced ERK phosphorylation and PI3 kinase-mediated Akt phosphorylation had distinct effects on C3a-induced responses. Thus, U0126, which blocked C3a-induced RANTES/CCL5 production by 50.6+/-2.3%, inhibited MCP-1/CCL2 generation by 85.2+/-0.6%. In contrast, LY294002 had no effect on C3a-induced RANTES/CCL5 production but blocked MCP-1/CCL2 generation by 83.7+/-1.5%. These data demonstrate that C3a activates divergent signaling pathways to induce chemokine production in human mast cells.

Cells, Cultured↗

[IgA rheumatoid factor formation in connection with complement activation and circulating immune complexes in chronic polyarthritis].

The IgA-rheumatoid factor (IgA-RF) as well as the complement component C3a in plasma and serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) (C1q binding assay and Raji Cell Replacement assay) were measured with enzyme immunoassays in 81 patients with established rheumatoid arthritis. The serum levels of the complement component C3a were found significantly higher (p < 0.02) in the cases with high IgA-RF (> 6 AU/ml) than in those with low IgA-RF. Distinct significant correlations (r = 0.38; p < 0.001) were observed between production of IgA-RF and activation of the complement fragment C3a, which might be associated with production of antibodies and with complement activation accompanying inflammatory processes. A weaker correlation between CIC and IgA-RF-levels indicates CIC not to be closely related to the production of IgA-RF in the examined R.A.-patients. However, an indirect connection by the way of inflammation and activation of T-cells is possible.

Adult↗

Complement: a novel factor in basal and ischemia-induced neurogenesis.

Through its involvement in inflammation, opsonization, and cytolysis, the complement protects against infectious agents. Although most of the complement proteins are synthesized in the central nervous system (CNS), the role of the complement system in the normal or ischemic CNS remains unclear. Here we demonstrate for the first time that neural progenitor cells and immature neurons express receptors for complement fragments C3a and C5a (C3a receptor (C3aR) and C5a receptor). Mice that are deficient in complement factor C3 (C3(-/-)) lack C3a and are unable to generate C5a through proteolytic cleavage of C5 by C5-convertase. Intriguingly, basal neurogenesis is decreased both in C3(-/-) mice and in mice lacking C3aR or mice treated with a C3aR antagonist. The C3(-/-) mice had impaired ischemia-induced neurogenesis both in the subventricular zone, the main source of neural progenitor cells in adult brain, and in the ischemic region, despite normal proliferative response and larger infarct volumes. Thus, in the adult mammalian CNS, complement activation products promote both basal and ischemia-induced neurogenesis.

Animals↗

Carboxypeptidase R is an inactivator of complement-derived inflammatory peptides and an inhibitor of fibrinolysis.

Carboxypeptidase R (CPR) exists in precursor form (proCPR) in plasma in contrast to carboxypeptidase N (CPN), which is present in the active state. CPR plays two important roles, one of which appears to be the control of the inflammatory response by inactivation of anaphylatoxins such as complement-derived C3a and C5a. Therefore, an increase in CPR activity may facilitate rapid inactivation of these inflammatory mediators generated at the site of bacterial infection. Upregulation of proCPR expression during the inflammatory response initiated for instance by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) should play a role in suppressing hyper-reactivity as seen in septic shock. CPR also functions as an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, where its ability to prevent binding of plasminogen to lysine residues on fibrin clots significantly lengthens tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)-induced fibrinolysis time. Therefore, upregulation of proCPR production during the inflammatory response may exacerbate thrombosis contributing to the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation as well as other conditions involving thrombosis. Co-administration of tPA and a specific inhibitor of CPR, such as potato carboxypeptidase inhibitor, which does not affect CPN, may be useful in thrombolytic therapy.

Anaphylatoxins↗

A phase II randomized, controlled trial of continuous hemofiltration in sepsis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of early and continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) on the plasma concentrations of several humoral mediators of inflammation and subsequent organ dysfunction in septic patients. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Intensive care unit of a tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-four patients with early septic shock or septic organ dysfunction. INTERVENTIONS: Random allocation to receive 48 hrs of isovolemic CVVH at 2 L/hr of fluid exchange or no hemofiltration. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We measured the plasma concentrations of complement fractions C3a and C5a, interleukins 6, 8, and 10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha at baseline and 2, 24, 26, 48, and 72 hrs. A multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS) was calculated daily for each patient until death or discharge from the intensive care unit. The concentrations of most mediators decreased between baseline and 72 hrs. Some significant falls in concentration could be identified between specific time points, but CVVH was not associated with an overall reduction in any plasma cytokine concentrations. There was also no difference between the mean cumulative MODS for control survivors (43.3 +/- 19.7) and CVVH survivors (33.2 +/- 19.0; p = .30), and no difference between the average MODS calculated for all controls (4.1 +/- 1.9) and all CVVH subjects (3.3 +/- 1.7; p = .26). CVVH did not improve oxygenation, lower the platelet count, or reduce the duration of vasopressor support and mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Early use of CVVH at 2 L/hr did not reduce the circulating concentrations of several cytokines and anaphylatoxins associated with septic shock, or the organ dysfunction that followed severe sepsis. CVVH using current technology cannot be recommended as an adjunct to the treatment of septic shock unless severe acute renal failure is present.

Aged↗

No benefit of reduced heparinization in thoracic aortic operation with heparin-coated bypass circuits.

BACKGROUND: Heparin coating of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit attenuates inflammatory response and confer clinical benefits in cardiac operations. The positive effects may be amplified with reduced systemic heparin dosage. We studied markers of inflammation and coagulation in thoracic aortic operations with heparin-coated circuits and standard vs reduced systemic heparinization. METHODS: Thirty patients were randomized to standard (group S; 300 IU/kg initially; activated clotting times [ACT] > 480 seconds; 5,000 IU in prime; n = 16) or reduced (group R; 100 IU/kg initially; ACT > 250 seconds; 2,500 IU in prime; n = 14) dose systemic heparin. The following markers were analyzed perioperatively: (a) inflammatory response; acute phase cytokine interleukin-6, and granulocytic proteins myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin; (b) complement activation; factor C3a and the C5a-9 terminal complement complex [TCC]; and (c) coagulation; thrombin-antithrombin III complex. RESULTS: The clinical outcome did not differ between groups. Four (29%) patients in group R had a perioperative thromboembolic event. All studied markers were significantly elevated during and throughout cardiopulmonary bypass in both groups. Maximal values were higher in group R for all variables except for TCC. There were no statistically significant intergroup differences regarding markers of inflammation, complement activation, or coagulation activation. CONCLUSIONS: The blood trauma in thoracic aortic operation is extensive, as reflected by the elevation of the studied biochemical markers, even when heparin-coated cardiopulmonary bypass circuits are used. In this study, we did not detect any benefits, either biochemical or clinical, of reducing the dose of systemic heparin.

Aged↗

C3a-induced contraction of guinea pig lung parenchyma: role of cyclooxygenase metabolites.

The complement anaphylatoxin C3a from human or porcine serum contracts isolated peripheral airways from guinea pig in a manner which is independent of histamine release. In order to evaluate the role of arachidonic acid metabolites in the C3a response, dose-response curves for C3a-induced contractions of guinea pig lung strips were compared in the presence and absence of several inhibitors which block metabolism of arachidonic acid at relatively specific steps in the pathways. The inhibitor of leukotriene activity, FPL 55712, and the lipoxygenase inhibitor, nordihydroguiaretic acid (NDGA), had no significant effect on the tissue response to C3a alone or in combination with antihistamine. The cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin and aspirin, however, both resulted in significant inhibition, causing a shift in the C3a dose-response curve to higher concentrations. When the antihistamine, pyrilamine, was included with either indomethacin or aspirin, the C3a response was inhibited further, although pyrilamine alone had no effect. Thus, C3a-induced contractions of isolated lung parenchyma are mediated primarily by cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid. This result is in contrast to the finding that C5a anaphylatoxin mediates lung tissue contraction by release of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid.

Animals↗

A comparison of C3a and C5a-mediated stable adhesion of rolling eosinophils in postcapillary venules and transendothelial migration in vitro and in vivo.

The comparative ability of the complement anaphylatoxins C3a and C5a to mediate leukocyte adhesion and transendothelial migration in vivo and in vitro was investigated. Superfusion of IL-1beta-stimulated rabbit mesentery with C3a resulted in a rapid and stable adhesion of rolling eosinophils, but not neutrophils, to postcapillary venules. However, C3a failed to evoke subsequent transmigration of the adherent eosinophils. In contrast, C5a induced both the rapid activation-dependent firm adhesion and transmigration of eosinophils and neutrophils through venular endothelium. C3a induced selective shedding of L-selectin and an increase in alphaMbeta2 integrin expression on eosinophils but not neutrophils, while C5a induced shedding of L-selectin and up-regulation of alphaMbeta2 integrin on both eosinophils and neutrophils. Both C3a- and C5a-dependent adhesion to venular endothelium was blocked by ex vivo treatment of eosinophils with anti-alpha4 and anti-beta2 integrin mAbs. In vitro, both C3a (but not C3a(desArg)) and C5a (including C5a(desArg))-dependent transmigration of eosinophils across IL-1beta-stimulated endothelial monolayer was mediated by alpha4beta1 and alphaMbeta2 integrins. Overall these studies suggest that C3a is eosinophil-specific chemotactic mediator that influences selectively eosinophil adhesion but not transmigration in vivo. C5a in contrast is a complete activator of integrin-dependent adhesion as well as transmigration of eosinophils and neutrophils.

Animals↗

Up-regulation of endothelial cell adhesion molecules characterizes disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus. The Shwartzman phenomenon revisited.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that during exacerbations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), endothelial cells are activated to increase their expression of adhesion molecules. METHODS: Endothelial cell expression of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) was quantitated immunohistochemically in 20 biopsy specimens from nonlesional, non-sun-exposed skin from 16 SLE patients. Disease activity was evaluated with the SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) and with measurements of complement components C3a desArg, C3, and C4. RESULTS: The mean expression of all 3 adhesion molecules was significantly elevated in patients with SLE versus healthy controls, as well as in patients with active versus inactive SLE. The mean C3a desArg level was significantly higher in patients with active SLE compared with those with inactive SLE. The SLEDAI scores correlated directly with C3a desArg levels and inversely with C3 and with C4 levels. Evaluation of serial biopsy specimens demonstrated loss of endothelial cell adhesion molecules and reduction of C3a levels with clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate up-regulation of the surface expression of 3 distinct adhesion molecules, E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1, in patients with SLE. The abnormal expression of these endothelial cell adhesion molecules is most marked in patients with active disease characterized by significant elevations of the complement split product C3a desArg. We suggest that in certain SLE patients, excessive complement activation in association with primed endothelial cells induces leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesion and leuko-occlusive vasculopathy.

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗