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Separation of six bovine complement components and one inactivator (1, 2).

Six components (C1, C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9) of bovine complement and one inactivator (C3 in) could be separated from bovine serum. Bovine C1 was separated by precipitation at low molarity (0.03 M of relative salt concentration) other components by DEAE-cellulose chromatography using 0.005 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.5, as a base for solvents having the relative salt concentration adjusted by addition of NaCl from 0.03 to 0.3 M. The separated bovine complement components could be tested using intermediates formed from sheep erythrocytes, rabbit hemolysin, guinea pig C1 and remaining human complement components. C2, C3 and C4 of bovine origin remained undetected either because of incompatibility with the intermediates used or interference of inhibitors or inactivators.

Animals↗

The purification and properties of the second component of guinea-pig complement.

A method has been developed for the purification to homogeneity of guinea-pig complement component C2. Contrary to previous reports, guinea-pig C2 is a single polypeptide chain with apparent mol.wt. of 102000, the same as human C2. It is cleaved by C1s to yield fragments C2a (apparent molwt. 74000) and C2b (apparent mol.wt. 34000). The amino acid composition and N-terminal sequences of these fragments are similar to those of human C2a and C2b. Human and guinea-pig C2 show more extensive sequence homology to Factor B than previously identified. The known homology around the sites of cleavage by C1s and Factor D has now been extended by a stretch of ten identical or conservatively substituted residues. Sequence homology has now been identified at the N-terminal of C2b and Factor Ba. The properties of the classical-pathway C3 convertases assembled from human C4b, C1s and human or guinea-pig C2 have been compared. The rates of cleavage of human and guinea-pig C2 by C1s (and therefore the rates of assembly of the C3 convertases) are similar. The rate of decay of the activity of the C3 convertase formed from guinea-pig C2 is 10-fold lower than for human C2. This greater stability reflects a higher affinity of guinea-pig C2a for human C4b. The presence of C2b is not necessary for C3 convertase activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Complement biosynthesis in human breast-milk macrophages and blood monocytes.

The availability of techniques for establishment of primary, long term monolayers of breast milk macrophages and blood monocytes permitted a direct comparison of biosynthetic functions of human tissue macrophage and its progenitor. In addition to previously described morphological differences, four specific characteristics of the breast milk macrophage were identified: (i) a reduced rate of total protein secretion relative to the monocyte; (ii) abrogation of the 3 day lag in complement secretion regularly observed in blood monocyte cultures; (iii) an increase in the secretion of complement proteins C2 and factor B; and (iv) an increase in the ratio of C2 : factor B secretion. These differences did not result from cell-cell interactions between monocytes and macrophages, stable factors elucidated by monocyte or macrophage monolayers, or heat-stable factors in breast milk. In addition, both monocytes and macrophages synthesized and secreted C3 in an apparently native but haemolytically inactive form. The differences observed suggest that macrophages may modulate local availability of complement proteins in tissues or in the early phase of an inflammatory response.

Cells, Cultured↗

Antibodies to plasma proteins: an association with platelet transfusion refractoriness.

We hypothesized that antibodies to HLA-linked polymorphic plasma proteins could be involved in platelet refractoriness by an 'innocent bystander' or immune complex mechanism. Employing a kinetic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique the ability of IgG from the plasma of refractory patients to bind to albumin, fibrinogen, complement components C2 and C4 was measured. As compared with controls a high percentage of refractory patients had increased IgG capable of binding to all four plasma proteins: C2 (83%), C4 (83%), albumin (75%), fibrinogen (34%). In the presence of exogenous plasma proteins these antibodies mediated increased deposition of IgG onto normal donor platelets. The plasma protein binding IgG consisted both of monomeric IgG and a broad range of high molecular weight complexes. IgG anti-plasma protein antibody could be eluted from platelets of refractory patients. The development of anti-plasma protein IgG was studied during the course of platelet transfusion therapy and found to increase progressively so that by the 20th transfusion greater than 90% of samples were positive. The presence of plasma protein binding activity correlated with the development of increased levels of platelet bound IgG and refractoriness. Multiple platelet transfusions lead to sensitization to polymorphic determinants on C2 and C4 as well as the formation of high molecular weight complexes. These antibodies and complexes contribute to the deposition of IgG on platelets and may contribute to refractoriness.

Albumins↗

MAZ-dependent termination between closely spaced human complement genes.

The zinc finger protein MAZ, originally identified as a factor that binds to the c-myc P2 promoter, is associated with transcriptional termination. As shown in these studies, a termination sequence between the closely spaced human complement genes C2 and Factor B contains a protein binding site which interacts with three different proteins in vitro. Binding of one of these factors, MAZ, correlates with activity of the C2 termination sequence in vivo. Cloned MAZ was used to obtain a consensus binding site, G5AG5. This allowed identification of new sites, between the closely spaced human genes g11 and C4 and within an intron of the mouse IgM-D gene, where termination is known to occur and regulate the expression of IgD. The g11 and IgM MAZ sites lie within sequences that have activity in a termination assay and, furthermore, mutation of C2 or g11 MAZ sites severely reduces termination activity. MAZ bends DNA, and inherently bent DNA is highly active as a terminator, suggesting that MAZ-induced bending is important for C2 and g11 termination. We propose that MAZ sites exist in promoters which require protection against transcriptional interference, such as those of closely spaced genes, to cause efficient termination. The MAZ consensus sequence will facilitate the identification of further sites.

Base Sequence↗

Modulation by interferons of the expression of monocyte complement genes.

Interferons-alpha, -beta and -gamma (IFNs-alpha, -beta and -gamma) stimulated the synthesis of the second complement component (C2), Factor B (B) and C1 inhibitor (C1-inh) by human monocytes in vitro. The degree of increase of the secretion rates of C2, B and C1-inh was dose-dependent and proportional to increases in the abundances of their respective mRNAs. IFN-gamma was the most effective at stimulating monocyte C1-inh synthesis, whereas IFN-alpha and IFN-beta were marginally more effective at stimulating monocyte C2 and B synthesis. Kinetic studies showed that the effect of the IFNs was rapid, with maximum stimulation occurring within 1-2 h for all three proteins. After the removal of IFNs from cultures the C1-inh mRNA abundance remained elevated for over 24 h in IFN-gamma-treated monocytes but returned to control levels within 8 h in IFN-alpha-treated and IFN-beta-treated monocytes. The abundances of C2 mRNA and B mRNA also returned to basal values within 8 h after removal of any of the three cytokines from the cultures. Both IFN-alpha and IFN-beta acted synergistically with IFN-gamma to stimulate synthesis of C1-inh and B. This synergistic effect only occurred when the cytokines were present in the cultures simultaneously. The effects of IFN-gamma plus IFN-alpha or IFN-beta on C2 synthesis appeared to be additive rather than synergistic. IFN-gamma inhibited synthesis of C3 by monocytes, but IFN-alpha and IFN-beta had no effect on the synthesis of this protein. Furthermore, none of the three cytokines had any effect on the expression of actin mRNA in monocytes.

Cells, Cultured↗

Complement polymorphism in Greece.

The polymorphisms of the complement components C2, C3, C4 and BF have been studied in a sample of 166 unrelated individuals from Northern Greece. The C3*F and BF*F allele frequencies of Greeks are within the range of frequencies reported from Europe. A single individual with a rare heterozygote variant C2C/C2A was found in Greeks. This C2*A allele was found for the first time in European Caucasoids. For the C4 system six different alleles were found at both C4A and C4B loci. There were a low frequency of the null alleles at the C4A locus and a relatively high incidence of gene duplications in this system.

Complement C2↗

High expression of complement components in omental adipose tissue in obese men.

OBJECTIVE: Accumulation of visceral fat is recognized as a predictor of obesity-related metabolic disturbances. Factors that are predominantly expressed in this depot could mediate the link between visceral obesity and associated diseases. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Paired subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue biopsies were obtained from 10 obese men. Gene expression was analyzed by DNA microarrays in triplicate and by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum C3 and C4 were analyzed by radial immunodiffusion assays in 91 subjects representing a cross section of the general population. Body composition was measured by computerized tomography. RESULTS: Complement components C2, C3, C4, C7, and Factor B had higher expression in omental compared with subcutaneous adipose tissue ( approximately 2-, 4-, 17-, 10-, and 7-fold, respectively). In addition, adipsin, which belongs to the alternative pathway, and the classical pathway components C1QB, C1R, and C1S were expressed in both depots. Analysis of tissue distribution showed high expression of C2, C3, and C4 in omental adipose tissue, and only liver had higher expression of these genes. Serum C3 levels correlated with both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue in both men (r = 0.65 and p < 0.001 and r = 0.52 and p < 0.001, respectively) and women (r = 0.34 and p = 0.023 and r = 0.49 and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas C4 levels correlated with only visceral fat in men (r = 0.36, p = 0.015) and with both depots in women (visceral: r = 0.58, p < 0.001; and subcutaneous: r = 0.51, p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Recent studies show that the metabolic syndrome is associated with chronically elevated levels of several immune markers, some of which may have metabolic effects. The high expression of complement genes in intra-abdominal adipose tissue might suggest that the complement system is involved in the development of visceral adiposity and/or contributes to the metabolic complications associated with increased visceral fat mass.

Adipose Tissue↗

Investigation for complement deficiency following meningococcal disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The incidence of complement abnormalities in the UK is not known. It is suggested in at least three major paediatric textbooks to test for abnormalities of the complement system following meningococcal disease (MCD). METHODS: Over a four year period, surviving children with a diagnosis of MCD had complement activity assessed. A total of 297 children, aged 2 months to 16 years were screened. RESULTS: All children except one had disease caused by B or C serogroups. One child, with group B meningococcal septicaemia (complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation and who required ventilation and inotropic support) was complement deficient. C2 deficiency was subsequently diagnosed. She had other major pointers towards an immunological abnormality prior to her MCD. CONCLUSION: It is unnecessary to screen all children routinely following MCD if caused by group B or C infection. However, it is important to assess the previous health of the child and to investigate appropriately if there have been previous suspicious infections, abnormal course of infective illnesses, or if this is a repeated episode of neisserial infection.

Adolescent↗

Are major histocompatibility system class III products independent markers for susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis?

Three components of the complement pathway C2, Factor B, and C4 are coded for by four genes C2, Bf, C4A, and C4B in the class III region of the major histocompatibility system in man. Studies of the polymorphism of these plasma proteins have shown associations of BfS, C2C, and C4B3 (2.9) with RA. Family studies have shown that these markers occur together, usually on DR4 positive haplotypes and in particular on the A2-Cw3-Bw62-C4B3-C4A3-BfS-C2C-DR4 haplotype. It is argued that Class III gene products are unlikely to be independent markers of susceptibility to RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Production of inflammatory mediators and cytokine responsiveness of an SV40-transformed human proximal tubular epithelial cell line.

Proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) play a central role in the physiology of the renal tubulointerstitium. To be able to study the relationship between tubular cells and inflammatory renal diseases the availability of cultured cells is of importance. This study describes an immortalized proximal tubular epithelial cell line which was generated using SV40 DNA. To determine whether the transformation altered the cell line, the transformed cell line was characterized phenotypically using different monoclonal antibodies directed against peptidases, which are characteristic of PTEC, such as adenosine deaminase binding protein (CD26), leucine amino peptidase and carboxy peptidase M by immunofluorescent staining and FACS analysis. All peptidases were clearly present on the parental cell line and the transformed cell line. However, the level of expression of the peptidases was lower on the transformed cell line as compared to the parental nontransfected cells. The morphology of the transformed cell line, determined using a transwell culture system and electron microscopy, showed a polarized morphology of the tubular cells, tight junctions and microvilli. The transformed cell line was compared with the parental proximal tubular epithelial cells in its ability to respond to inflammatory cytokines such as IL- 1alpha TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma. Stimulation with these cytokines resulted in enhanced production of complement components C2, C3, C4 and factor H, IL-6 and the chemokines IL-8 and MCP-1. The transformed cell line responded in a similar fashion as the parental cell line, although the amount of the different proteins produced was significantly higher in the transformed cell line. Overall, the transformed tubular cell line seems to be a suitable model to study different effects on tubular cells in relation to inflammatory kidney diseases.

Blotting, Southern↗

Contribution of the complement control protein modules of C2 in C4b binding assessed by analysis of C2/factor B chimeras.

To identify the complement control protein (CCP) module(s) of C2 that are required for C4b recognition, we constructed a panel of C2/factor B chimeras by substituting intact or partial factor B CCP modules for the corresponding ones of C2. Epitope mapping indicated that the anti-C2b mAb 3A3.3, which inhibits binding of C2 to C4b, reacts with the second CCP of C2 and similarly the anti-Ba mAb HA4-1A, which inhibits binding of factor B to C3b, reacts with the second CCP of factor B. The hemolytic activity of the chimeras CP1, CP2, and CP3a containing CCP1, CCP2, and a fragment of CCP3 of factor B, respectively, was substantially decreased compared with that of wild-type C2. The CP3 and CP1-3 chimeras, in which CCP3 and all three CCP modules of factor B, respectively, were substituted, had no hemolytic activity. Loss of activity could be attributed to the resistance of these two chimeras to C1s cleavage, which was probably due to conformational changes of the cleavage site. The combined results indicate that all three CCP modules of C2 contribute structural elements to the C4b-binding site of C2b. This site has been shown previously to be necessary for the initial binding of C2 to C4b which leads to the formation of the classical pathway C3 convertase.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Local extrahepatic expression of complement genes C3, factor B, C2, and C4 is increased in murine lupus nephritis.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with the presence of complement proteins and immune complexes in affected organs. Since complement proteins are synthesized in hepatic and extrahepatic sites, we studied a murine model of SLE to ascertain the relative importance of local and humoral (liver) synthesis of complement. C3, C4, and C2 mRNA increase in kidney coincident with the development of nephritis in the MRL lpr/lpr mouse, a strain that spontaneously develops SLE. Two factor B messenger RNA transcripts are expressed in kidney and intestine; SLE nephritis is associated with decrease in the long factor B mRNA and increase in the short form. Increased local synthesis of C3 and B protein and a concomitant glomerular and renal interstitial macrophage infiltrate paralleled the increase in mRNA content in the (lpr/lpr) mice. In addition to kidney, an increase in C3, C4, C2 and factor B mRNA was noted in the lung, heart and intestine and to a lesser extent in liver of (lpr/lpr) in comparison to the MRL (+/+) animals. These results suggest that in SLE local expression of complement genes plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic glomerulonephritis and in the autoimmune arteritis of other organs.

Animals↗

Constitutive and IL 1-regulated murine complement gene expression is strain and tissue specific.

To study the molecular mechanisms accounting for strain- and tissue-specific variations in the production of complement proteins, complementary DNA probes were used to assess qualitative and quantitative differences in specific mRNA content of complement proteins C2, factor B, and C3 in extracts of tissues (liver, lung, spleen, kidney, and peritoneal macrophages) isolated from various mouse strains. Northern blot analysis of total hepatic RNA revealed differences in C2, factor B, and C3 mRNA levels in strains that share B10 background but differ in the H-2 region (e.g., H-2k, H-2u, H-2d, H-2f). In each instance, hepatic mRNA specific for the individual gene product corresponded in amount to the serum levels. By contrast, specific mRNA content of C2 and factor B in macrophages differed significantly from those observed in liver for each strain. Modulation of C2, factor B, and C3 expression was studied after in vivo administration of recombinant IL 1 or endotoxin to H-2k (B10.AKM) or H-2u (B10.PL) strain mice. As assessed by Northern blot analysis, neither endotoxin nor IL 1 affected liver C2-specific mRNA but increased specific C2 mRNA levels in kidney and lung. For both strains, IL 1 increased specific factor B mRNA in all tissues examined except for the H-2u strain liver factor B mRNA content, which was not affected by IL 1, whereas that of H-2k mice was increased. The lack of factor B modulation by IL 1 in the H-2u lines was specific to that gene and not a reflection of a generalized IL 1 unresponsiveness. Differences in tissue and strain specific constitutive and IL 1-regulated expression of the C3 gene were also observed in the H-2u and H-2k strains.

Animals↗

Serum complement 'supergenes' of the major histocompatibility complex in man (complotypes).

The loci for the complement proteins C2 and BF, and the two loci for C4 are closely linked to one another. In many hundreds of meioses no crossing over has been detected between these loci. In addition, the alleles of these four loci occur in specific combinations not predicted by their gene frequencies in much the same way as alleles of the Rh and MNS systems. These units are termed complotypes. There are 14 complotypes with frequencies in excess of 1% in our study population of normal sixth chromosomes from Caucasians. Since they are also intimately associated with HLA-DR, comploytypes may also be of importance in screening programs for transplantation.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Adrenergic receptors on monocytes modulate complement component synthesis.

The addition of adrenaline, noradrenaline or phenylephrine, but not isoprenaline to monocyte cultures enhanced synthesis of the second complement component (C2). This effect was abrogated by the concomitant addition of the receptor antagonist, phentolamine, but not the beta receptor antagonist propranolol. Thus the receptor involved is an alpha adrenergic receptor. Further studies showed that the receptor was of the alpha 1 subclass as prazosin inhibited the action of adrenergic agonists. Pulse label studies using 3H-amino acids showed that the enhancement of synthesis of eight complement components (C2, C3, C4, C5, factor B, properdin, beta 1H and C3b inactivator) and total protein synthesis were also increased. The possible mechanisms underlying these changes are discussed.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗

Association of complement alleles C4AQ0 and C4B5 with rheumatoid arthritis in Japanese patients.

We investigated polymorphisms of complement components C2, C4, and factor B (BF) in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The frequencies of C4AQ0 (32.1%) and C4B5 (35.9%) among RA patients were significantly higher than among healthy control subjects. C4B5 was strongly associated with HLA-Bw54, Bw59, DR4.1, and DQw4. C4AQ0 showed no association with HLA-Bw54 or Bw59, but there was weak association with HLA-DR4.1 and DQw4. The number of persons with both C4AQ0 and C4B5 was significantly higher in the RA patient group (relative risk 13.5). C2C and BFS were the most common alleles in RA patients, as well as in healthy control subjects. These data support the existence of 2 different putative susceptibility haplotypes (HLA-Bw54 or Bw59;C2C; BFS;C4A3;C4B5;DR4.1;DQw4 and C2C;BFS; C4AQ0;C4B1 or C4B2) in Japanese patients with RA.

Alleles↗