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Complement receptor binding of C3b-coated cells treated with C3b inactivator, beta 1H globulin and trypsin.

Treatment of 125I-C3b bound to EAC1423b with C3b inactivator (C3bINA) and beta 1H globulin (beta 1H) cleaved the alpha-chain of C3b into 65,000- and 42,000-dalton fragments, both of which remained disulfide-bonded to the intact beta-chain (C3bi). Subsequent treatment with trypsin (0.1 microgram/ml) released 125I into the supernatant and yielded cells coated with a 33,000-dalton fragment of alpha-chain, presumably C3d. These results are in agreement with those obtained by others using fluid phase C3b. C3b-coated cells (EAC1423b) adhered to complement (C) receptors on human erythrocytes, glomeruli, and monocytes. C3bi-coated cells adhered to the receptors on glomeruli and monocytes, but not to those on human erythrocytes. C3d-coated cells adhered only to the monocyte receptors. The findings suggest that the glomerular C receptor recognizes portions of the C3 molecule different from those recognized by either the erythrocyte or monocyte receptors.

Animals↗

Human complement component C4. Structural studies on the fragments derived from C4b by cleavage with C3b inactivator.

1. One of the activation products of C4, C4b, was prepared, and the reactive thiol group on the alpha'-chain was radioactively labelled with iodo[2-14C]acetic acid. The alpha'-chain was isolated and the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the first 13 residues was determined. 2. C4b was cleaved by C3bINA in the presence of C4b-binding protein and C4d and C4c isolated. The radioactive label and therefore the reactive thiol group were located to C4d. 3. C4c was reduced and alkylated and the two alpha'-chain fragments of C4c were separated. 3. The molecular weights, amino acid analyses and carbohydrate content of the three alpha'-chain fragments were determined. C4d has a mol.wt. of 44500 and a carbohydrate content of 6%. The two alpha'-chain fragments of C4c have mol.wts. of 25000 (alpha 3) and 12000 (alpha 4) and carbohydrate contents of 10 and 22% respectively. 4. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of C4d, the alpha 3 and the alpha 4 fragments were determined for 18, 24 and 11 residues respectively and, by comparison with the N-terminal sequence of the C4b alpha'-chain, the 25000-mol.wt. fragment (alpha 3) was shown to be derived from the N-terminal part of the alpha'-chain. 5. C-Terminal analyses were done on the alpha'-chain and its three fragments. Arginine was found to be the C-terminal residue of C4d and of the alpha 3 fragment. The C-terminal residue of the alpha'-chain and of the alpha 4 fragment could not be identified. The order of the three fragments of the alpha'-chain is therefore: alpha 3(25000)--C4d(44500)--alpha 4(12000). The specificity of C3bINA is for an Arg--Xaa peptide bond.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Modulation of the classical pathway C3 convertase by plasma proteins C4 binding protein and C3b inactivator.

We recently described the isolation from human serum of a serum protein (C4 binding protein) that functions as an essential cofactor for C3b inactivator in the proteolysis of fluid-phase C4b and to a much lesser extent, C3b. We show here the role of C4 binding protein in the formation and function of the classical pathway C3 convertase (C42). C4 binding protein interferes with the assembly of the membrane-bound C3 convertase of the classical pathway and accelerates the decay of C42 in a dose-dependent fashion. Its removal from serum by means of specific immune absorption promotes the vigorous consumption of C3 after addition of C1; this effect is abolished by reconstitution with purified C4 binding protein. Although C4 binding protein inhibits the hemolytic function of cell-bound C4b, we did not detect any change in the structure of C4b even after prolonged incubations of EAC14 with C4 binding protein. For this reason, and on the basis of studies of the time required for maximal reactivity (Tmax) of cellular intermediates generated in the presence of C4 binding protein and limited amounts of C2, we conclude that the effects of C4 binding protein are probably mediated by displacing C2a from specific binding sites on C4b. In addition, C4 binding protein enhances the cleavage by C3b inactivator of the alpha' chain of cell-bound C4b. When EAC14 cells were incubated with both control proteins, the Tmax of the cells was prolonged and the lysis was markedly diminished. We conclude that C4 binding protein and C3b inactivator control the C3 convertase of the classical pathway in a fashion similar to that described for beta 1H and C3b inactivator in the alternative pathway.

Animals↗

Control of serum C3 levels by beta 1H and C3b inactivator.

In serum specimens from 50 normal adults, a high correlation was found between the sum of the levels of the control proteins of the C3b amplification loop, C3b inactivator and beta 1H, and the sum of the component proteins, C3 and factor B (R = 0.83), when the concentrations are expressed as percent of the normal adult level. The slope for this regression was 0.98 and the y intercept practically zero, indicating that under normal conditions, beta 1H + C3b inactivator = C3 + factor B +/- 35% (95% error of the prediction). Biological significance of the combined values was suggested by the fact that their equality was largely preserved in serum specimens from cord blood, from infants, and from patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, malnutrition, chronic illness, and partial C3b inactivator deficiency even though, individually, control and component protein concentrations deviated from normal in many of these conditions and, as single proteins, did not correlate with each other as in normal subjects. On the other hand, C3 + factor B was disproportionately lower than beta 1H + C3b inactivator in subjects heterozygously deficient in C3 and in those with hypocomplementemic glomerulonephritis and was often disproportionately high in those with an acute-phase reaction. The data indicate that for meaningful interpretation of the serum C3 level, the concurrent levels of factor B, C3b inactivator, and beta 1H must be taken into consideration.

Adolescent↗

Immunological studies on pre-eclampsia in Nigerian women.

Circulating immune complexes, C3b inactivator, C3 activator, C3c, C4 and C-reactive protein were assayed in 49 patients with pre-eclampsia and 35 apparently healthy pregnant Nigerian women. Pre-eclamptic women had significantly higher mean levels of circulating immune complexes, C3c and C-reactive protein. C3 activator mean level was also higher in pre-eclampsia than in normal pregnancy, C3b inactivator concentrations were greatly depressed and the mean level was also significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic group (P less than 0.001). However, C4 mean levels were the same in both groups. From the results, it is postulated that in pre-eclamptic conditions the significantly depressed levels of C3b inactivator could predispose to the persistence of deposited immune complexes in the kidneys, resulting in tissue damage. The findings also generally indicate an immunologic pathogenesis for the renal lesions in pre-eclampsia in Nigerian women.

C-Reactive Protein↗

Requirements for beta1H globulin and C3b inactivator in the control of the alternative complement pathway in human serum.

Using beta1H-depleted and C3b inactivator (C3b1NA)-deficient sera we have investigated the regulatory roles of beta1H and C3bINA in the turnover of the alternative pathway. Spontaneous turnover of C3 and factor B occurred in both beta1H-depleted and C3bINA-deficient sera. In neither case was C3d generated. Prevention of activation could be achieved by the addition of the missing protein, but not by increasing the concentration of the remaining protein. Thus both beta1H and C3bINA must be present simultaneously to prevent spontaneous activation of the alternative pathway.

Beta-Globulins↗

Release of soluble immune complexes from immune adherence receptors on human erythrocytes is mediated by C3b inactivator independently of Beta 1H and is accompanied by generation of C3c.

Antigen.antibody complexes (Ag.Ab) prepared from (125)I-labeled bovine serum albumin and guinea pig anti-albumin were incubated at 37 degrees C for 30 min with normal human serum diluted optimally for binding (1:16) and then with autologous erythrocytes (RBC). After washing, RBC-bearing antigen.antibody.complement complexes (Ag.Ab.C) were resuspended in serum reagents or solutions of purified complement components, and the kinetics of dissociation were analyzed. Ag.Ab.C dissociated in serum heated at 56 degrees C for 30 min (SDelta30) but not in serum heated for 120 min (SDelta120). Dissociation in SDelta30 markedly decreased after adsorption with anti-C3b inactivator but not anti-beta1H or anti-C4 binding protein (C4bp), and dissociation in SDelta120 markedly increased after addition of C3b inactivator. Hemolytic assays revealed that SDelta30 retained inactivator activity whereas SDelta120 lacked significant activity. Ag.Ab.C dissociated in the presence of purified inactivator or C3b but not beta1H or C3. Dissociation was more rapid with inactivator than with C3b and occurred at 0 degrees C as well as at 37 degrees C. Treatment with inactivator inhibitor abolished dissociation in SDelta30; dissociation in inactivator deficient serum was markedly reduced. Addition of beta1H did not enhance inactivator-mediated dissociation at limiting dilutions of inactivator, and adsorption of Ag.Ab.C with anti-beta1H or preparation of Ag.Ab.C with serum adsorbed with anti-beta1H did not diminish dissociation. After dissociation with inactivator, Ag.Ab.C were unchanged in size but were no longer able to bind to fresh RBC and gave enhanced binding to Raji and Daudi lymphoblastoid cells. NaDodSO(4)/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of Ag.Ab.C prepared with (125)I-labeled C3 revealed that, after binding to RBC, dissociation with inactivator was accompanied by generation of a C3 fragment the size of C3c. Preincubation of Ag.Ab.C with excess inactivator did not prevent subsequent binding of Ag.Ab.C to RBC but, immediately after binding, Ag.Ab.C dissociated rapidly. These findings indicate that C3b inactivator can release immune complexes from immune adherence receptors on human RBC, that release occurs independently of beta1H, alters cell binding properties of immune complexes, and involves multiple cleavages of the C3b alpha' chain, and that receptors in human RBC membrane are required for this C3b inactivator-mediated breakdown.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Modulation of the properdin amplification loop in membranoproliferative and other forms of glomerulonephritis.

The mean serum concentrations of C3b inactivator (C3bINA) and beta1H globulin were measured in eighty-six sera (thirty-five membranoproliferative, thirteen membranous, thirty-one focal and seven minimal change) taken from seventy-five patients with histologically diagnosed glomerulonephritis. In none of the four groups of sera did the mean concentrations of both these proteins differ significantly from the mean levels in a group of fifty normal sera. However, in the membranoproliferative group, the mean level of C3bINA, but not beta1H, was significantly lower in the nephritic factor positive than in the nephritic factor negative group. When the eighty-six sera were considered together, serum concentrations of C3bINA and beta1H correlated with levels of C3, factor B, properdin and C4. When the membranoproliferative group was considered separately, C3bINA levels correlated with levels of C3, factor B, properdin and C4 and beta1H correlated with C3 and factor B, but not properdin or C4 in the nephritic factor negative group, but no such correlations were observed in the nephritic factor positive group. The significance of these findings is discussed in the light of current thoughts on the mechanisms of modulation of the alternative pathway.

Beta-Globulins↗

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8) open reading frame 4 protein (kaposica) is a functional homolog of complement control proteins.

The genome analysis of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has revealed the presence of an open reading frame (ORF 4) with sequence homology to complement control proteins. To assign a function to this protein, we have now expressed this ORF using the Pichia expression system and shown that the purified protein inhibited human complement-mediated lysis of erythrocytes, blocked cell surface deposition of C3b (the proteolytically activated form of C3), and served as a cofactor for factor I-mediated inactivation of complement proteins C3b and C4b (the subunits of C3 convertases). Thus, our data indicate that this KSHV inhibitor of complement activation (kaposica) provides a mechanism by which KSHV can subvert complement attack by the host.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Immune evasion by a staphylococcal complement inhibitor that acts on C3 convertases.

The complement system is pivotal in host defense but also contributes to tissue injury in several diseases. The assembly of C3 convertases (C4b2a and C3bBb) is a prerequisite for complement activation. The convertases catalyze C3b deposition on activator surfaces. Here we describe the identification of staphylococcal complement inhibitor, an excreted 9.8-kilodalton protein that blocks human complement by specific interaction with C4b2a and C3bBb. Staphylococcal complement inhibitor bound and stabilized C3 convertases, interfering with additional C3b deposition through the classical, lectin and alternative complement pathways. This led to a substantial decrease in phagocytosis and killing of Staphylococcus aureus by human neutrophils. As a highly active and small soluble protein that acts exclusively on surfaces, staphylococcal complement inhibitor may represent a promising anti-inflammatory molecule.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Functional characterization of soluble and membrane-bound forms of vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP).

Vaccinia virus secretes a 35 kD protein, vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP), that inhibits the classical and alternative pathways of complement at several points, indicating that it may be a viral analogue of human complement receptor type 1 (CR1; CD35). Structurally, however, CR1 is composed of 30 short consensus repeats (SCRs), whereas VCP consists entirely of four SCRs. We have begun a structure-function analysis of VCP to define the minimum number of SCRs necessary for function, the functional differences between VCP and CR1, and the potential therapeutic roles for VCP. We addressed these questions by creating and characterizing recombinant soluble and membrane-bound forms of VCP. We have determined that (1) VCP requires all four SCRs to bind C3b, (2) whereas CR1 binds C3b and iC3b, VCP binds C3b but not iC3b, and (3) although normally secreted, if expressed on the membrane of mammalian cells, VCP effectively protects the cells from complement-mediated lysis. Thus, VCP appears to be a compact and unique complement regulatory protein with the ability to inhibit both arms of the complement cascade, but lacking affinity for iC3b. By releasing rather than capturing iC3b-bearing complexes following inactivation of C3b, VCP may 'recycle' its active site locally among infected cells, and thereby enable the virus to evade more efficiently host immune and inflammatory responses. The unique function, compact structure, and capacity of VCP to protect mammalian cells from complement-mediated attack, suggests that it could be used both to better understand the structure-function relationship of complement regulatory proteins, in general, and also to rationally design and develop novel therapeutic agents.

Animals↗

Demonstration of the complement regulating protein, beta 1H, in skin biopsies from patients with bullous pemphigoid.

beta 1H-globulin is a recently characterized plasma protein which regulates the biologic activities of the major fragment of the third complement component, C3b. The major function of this protein is to act as a co-factor for C3b Inactivator (C3bINA) in the cleavage of C3b to an intermediate molecule, C3b', consisting of an intact beta-chain covalently bound by disulfide bridges to 2 alpha-chain fragments of 40,000 and 67,000 daltons. Final cleavage of C3b' to the C3c and C3d fragments requires an additional protease such as plasmin or elastase. Additionally, beta 1H interferes with the activity of the alternative pathway convertases, C3bBb and C3bBbP, by displacing or competing with the binding of factor B. In this study, perilesional skin biopsies from 10 patients with active bullous pemphigoid were examined for the presence of beta 1H at the dermal-epidermal junction by immunofluorescent methods. The protein was found in 8 of 9 biopsies in which C3 also was deposited. In a single case where C3 was not found, beta 1H was not seen. These findings suggest that beta 1H plays a role in the in vivo control of C3b and provides additional evidence for the participation of the complement system in the pathogenesis of bullous pemphigoid.

Aged↗

Unique role of the complement receptor CR1 in the degradation of C3b associated with immune complexes.

The main finding of this paper is that CR1, the membrane receptor for C3b and C4b, together with C3b/C4b-inactivator (I), degrades C3b bound to immune complexes (C3b*). Two fragments are generated: C3c, which is released from the immune complexes, and C3d*. The C3c fragment released from the cell intermediate EAC1423b prepared with 125I-C3 was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and radioautography. It has a 135,000 mol wt and contains disulfide bonded labeled polypeptide chains of 75,000 and 31,000 mol wt, which presumably represent the beta and a fragment of the alpha-chain of C3b*. Silver staining of the SDS-PAGE gels revealed other C3-derived bands with 39-42,000 mol wt. Human erythrocytes + I also cleave C3b* into C3c and C3d*. The activity of the erythrocytes is CR1 mediated because it can be totally inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CR1. In contrast with these results, I together with the serum protein beta 1H (H) transform EAC1423b into hemolytically inactive EAC1423bi and cleave the alpha' chain of C3b* into fragments of 70,000 and 40,000 mol wt. Small amounts of C3c are also released at relatively high concentrations of H. On a molar basis, the efficiency of CR1 in the generation of C3c and C3d is 10(4)-10(5) greater than H. An additional observation was that C3c could be released by treating EAC1423bi with CR1 + I and that this reaction was also inhibited by monoclonal antibodies to CR1. Therefore, it is likely that CR1 has binding affinity for iC3b and that the degradation of C3b* proceeds as follows: C3b (formula, see text) C3c + C3d*. Taken together, our findings argue that the processing of C3b* in vivo occurs in solid phase, that is, on the surface of cells bearing CR1.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Inhibition of complement by covalent attachment of rosmarinic acid to activated C3b.

Rosmarinic acid has been reported to inhibit complement activation in vivo as well as in vitro. Previous studies suggested that the inhibitory effect was due to inhibition of C3/C5 convertases, but inhibition of C3b attachment would yield the same results. Recent work in our laboratory demonstrated that compounds with polyhydroxylated phenyl rings are highly reactive with the thioester bond in nascent C3b. These compounds block complement activation by preventing attachment of C3b to the activating surface. Because rosmarinic acid contains two 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl groups, the current study was undertaken to re-examine the mechanism of inhibition by analyzing the effect of rosmarinic acid on C3b attachment. In assays using purified complement proteins, rosmarinic acid inhibited covalent attachment of C3b to cells with an 1C50 = 34 microM. Inhibition of C5 convertase activity required 1500 microM rosmarinic acid, and no significant inhibition of the C3 convertase enzyme, which produces C3b from C3, was observed at 10,000 microM. In hemolytic assays using human serum, rosmarinic acid was shown to inhibit activation of both the classical (IC50 = 180 microM) and the alternative (IC50 = 160 microM) pathways of complement. Rosmarinic acid concentrations up to 10,000 microM did not cause direct inactivation of C3. Radioiodination of rosmarinic acid was used to demonstrate covalent activation-dependent incorporation of rosmarinic acid specifically into the thioester-containing alpha'-chain of nascent C3b. These findings indicate that inhibition of complement activation by rosmarinic acid is due to the reaction of rosmarinic acid with the activated thioester of metastable C3b, resulting in covalent attachment of the inhibitor to the protein.

Animals↗

Capping of complement receptors on human neutrophils induced by group A streptococcal cell walls.

Peptidoglycan-polysaccharide polymers derived from group A streptococcal cell walls (PG-PS) were opsonized with either purified C3 or normal human serum and were used as a probe to investigate the mobility of CR1 and CR3, the C3b and iC3b receptors, respectively, on human neutrophils. Incubation of monolayers or cell suspensions of neutrophils with PG-PS opsonized with C3b or serum resulted in capping of PG-PS, as detected by fluorescein-labeled antibody to PS. No binding of PG-PS to neutrophils was observed with heat-inactivated serum. By 30 min the cell walls were internalized and observed in one to three vacuoles. Capping was totally inhibited when PG-PS opsonized with C3b or serum was preincubated with Fab'-anti-C3b. Similar inhibition was observed when C3b-opsonized PG-PS was incubated with neutrophils that were preincubated with anti-CR1 or fluid-phase C3b; only partial inhibition of neutrophil capping was observed by using serum-opsonized PG-PS. Because anti-CR1 blocks only the C3b receptor, the cap formation observed with serum-opsonized PG-PS is probably due to CR3. These results suggest that both CR1 and CR3 on neutrophils cap after stimulation by group A streptococcal cell wall fragments.

Animals↗

Isolation of an iC3b forming enzyme from peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes of guinea pigs.

We have investigated fluid phase cleavage of C3b by peritoneal polymorphonuclear leukocytes of guinea pigs and found that polymorphonuclear leukocytes expressed an iC3b forming enzyme as well as C3b receptor with maturation in peritoneal cavity. The iC3b forming enzyme was found to be distinct from C3bINA, a physiological iC3b forming enzyme in plasma, since the activity was inhibited by monoiodoacetic acid and did not require a cofactor plasma protein, beta 1H, for the cleavage of C3b into iC3b. The iC3b forming enzyme is gradually released upon incubation of PMN at 37 degrees C. The molecular weight of the iC3b forming enzyme was estimated to be 48,000 from gel filtration on Sephadex G-200.

Animals↗

Complement fragments C3b and iC3b coupled to latex induce a respiratory burst in human neutrophils.

The complement fragments C3b and iC3b were purified from human serum by affinity chromatography with Sepharose-coupled monoclonal antibody against the C3d region of C3. The resulting preparations were more than 95% pure and contained less than 0.1% native IgG. Purified C3b and iC3b were coupled to latex beads (0.8 micron diameter) by means of F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibodies against the beta chain or the C3d region of C3, thus orienting the C3b and the iC3b on the latex with the C3b- and iC3b-specific regions outwards. These particles were found to activate the respiratory burst of freshly isolated human neutrophils to 20-30% of the maximal capacity. Latex particles randomly coated with C3b or iC3b were about 3 times less stimulatory. C3b, iC3b and IgG coupled to latex in an oriented fashion were about equally effective in stimulating the respiratory burst. Neutrophils from a patient with a total deficiency of CR3 responded normally to C3b-coated latex but did not respond to iC3b-coated latex. A monoclonal antibody against the alpha chain of CR3 inhibited the activation by iC3b-coated latex and a polyclonal antibody against CR1 partially inhibited the activation by C3b-coated latex. We found an additive effect between IgG-coated latex and C3b-coated latex, regardless of the presence of IgG and C3b on the same particle or on different particles. Thus, binding of ligands to either CR1 or CR3 per se is sufficient to induce an activating signal to the NADPH oxidase in human neutrophils.

Antigens, CD↗