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Haemolytic complement activity and humoral immune responses to sheep red blood cells in indigenous chickens and in eight German Dahlem Red chicken lines with different combinations of major genes (dwarf, naked neck and frizzled) of tropical interest.

A total of 376 chickens from different ecotypes were immunized with the non-pathogenic multi-determinant antigen sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The ecotypes included indigenous chickens from various locations in Tanzania (n=102), India (n=86) and Bolivia (n=89). In addition, eight German Dahlem Red (GDR) chicken lines with different major genes (dwarf, naked neck and frizzled) of tropical interest were also immunized with SRBC. Immune competence of the breeds was assessed by measuring complement haemolytic activity, both from the classical calcium-dependent complement pathway (CPW) and alternative calcium-independent complement pathway (APW), alongside IgTotal, IgG and IgM antibody responses to SRBC at 7 days post immunization. Large variations in complement activity and antibody responses to SRBC were observed within and between the indigenous breeds. Many indigenous chickens, especially from Bolivia, showed decreased complement activity (APW) following immunization with SRBC. Breeds from India showed the highest CPW activity and humoral (especially IgM) responses to SRBC, suggesting high immune competence. In contrast, Bolivian chickens were characterized by low CPW activity, low APW activity and low antibody levels to SRBC suggesting an overall low immune competence. In the GDR chickens, characterized by high CPW activity and high IgG antibody responses to SRBC, the major genes for naked neck, frizzling and dwarfism had no significant effect on the antibody responses and complement activity to SRBC.

Animals↗

Cryptic peptidoglycan and the antiphagocytic effect of the Staphylococcus aureus capsule: model for the antiphagocytic effect of bacterial cell surface polymers.

The antiphagocytic effect of the Staphylococcus aureus capsule is known to be related to its ability to interfere with opsonization by normal human serum. In this study, evidence is presented with isolated cell surface components which indicates that the capsule hinders opsonization by masking cell wall peptidoglycan. In contrast to intact, encapsulated S. aureus M cells, peptidoglycan particles isolated from the organism were efficiently opsonized by normal human serum and phagocytized by human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Cell wall particles retaining capsular material were opsonized less efficiently than peptidoglycan. Studies comparing the opsonic capacities of normal, C2-deficient, and heat-inactivated sera led to the conclusion that both the classical and the alternative complement pathways contribute to the opsonization of peptidoglycan in normal human serum. It appears that the capsule interferes with opsonization via both of these complement pathways. Serum from rabbits immunized with S. aureus M had significant heat-stable opsonic activity for the intact organism and cell walls retaining capsular material, but not for peptidoglycan. A general model is proposed to explain how antiphagocytic cell surface polymers may inhibit bacterial opsonization and thereby impede natural immunity.

Cell Wall↗

Regulation of Classical Pathway of Complement Activation by Interferons.

Though complement activation in normal physiological conditions is under regulation of special proteins relevant to complement system, there is a number of other humoral factors, which may also act as activators or inhibitors of complement activation due to significant increase in their concentration during inflammation. Administration of interferons in rheumatic patients leads to pronounced changes in immune response including complement system. It is very likely that interferons may be regulators of complement activation. In this connection, influence of recombinant alpha2b- and gamma-interferon on C5-convertase formation was investigated. We have obtained stabilized and bound on sheep erythrocyte membrane C3-convertase with prolonged period of half-inactivation and ability of transformation into C5-convertase in the presence of employed interferons. Addition of interferons to the model system caused inhibition of complement activation and abrogation of complement-induced hemolysis. Inhibition constants were found to be 133000 and 170000 IU/ml for alpha2b- and gamma-interferon, respectively. Despite, these values are higher than natural serum interferon concentrations, it is possible that under inflammation local synthesis of interferons may by performed by attracted leukocytes. In this case it seems difficult to define concentration of interferons as well as revealed by us interferon inhibition of complement activation in situ. This inhibition has not been previously described and represents a new mechanism of interferon action. Binding of activated C3b complement component to interferons is probably of great physiological importance leading to constraint of complement cascade activation as well as to inactivation of excessive interferon quantity.

Journal Article↗

Vaccinia virus complement-control protein prevents antibody-dependent complement-enhanced neutralization of infectivity and contributes to virulence.

The role of a viral gene product in evasion of the host immune response was investigated. The antibody-dependent complement-enhanced neutralization of vaccinia virus infectivity was prevented by the culture medium from vaccinia virus-infected cells. The vaccinia virus complement-control protein (VCP) was identified as the secreted product of vaccinia virus gene C21L and has homology to a group of eukaryotic genes encoding regulators of complement activation. Thus, the culture medium from cells infected with a C21L deletion mutant was VCP deficient and had little or no effect on antibody-dependent complement-enhanced neutralization. In addition, the anticomplement effect was associated with the C21L-encoded protein partially purified from the medium of cells infected with wild-type virus. Antibody-dependent, complement-enhanced neutralization of vaccinia virus occurred with a complement source that was deficient in the classical pathway complement component C4 and required the alternative pathway complement factor B. Furthermore, the presence of VCP abrogated the complement-enhanced neutralization in C4-deficient serum. Together with previous hemolysis data, the present result suggests that VCP can inhibit both the classical and alternative pathways of complement activation. Skin lesions caused by the C21L deletion mutant were smaller than those caused by wild-type virus, demonstrating an important role for VCP in virulence. The C21L deletion mutant also was attenuated in C4-deficient guinea pigs, consistent with in vitro studies. Vaccinia virus appears to have acquired the ability to regulate the complement cascade for the purpose of evading the host immune response.

Animals↗

Mouse Crry/p65 is a regulator of the alternative pathway of complement activation.

Like man, mouse has evolved a unique set of regulatory proteins which provide protection from complement-mediated damage to self membranes. The recently described mouse protein Crry/p65 has been shown to inhibit classical complement pathway C3 deposition on cell membranes in which it is expressed. In two distinct experimental systems, we now further delineate the regulatory activity of Crry/p65 and demonstrate its inhibitory effect on alternative complement pathway C3 activation. First, significant inhibition of mouse alternative pathway C3 deposition was demonstrated on neuraminidase-treated human K562 cells expressing recombinant Crry/p65. Second, using a baculovirus technique, recombinant Crry/p65 was synthesized as a soluble molecule and then purified. This molecule was found to inhibit mouse C3 deposition on the surface of zymosan, a potent alternative complement pathway activator. These studies, combined with our earlier findings, demonstrate that Crry/p65 can regulate both the classical and alternative complement pathways. Crry/p65 must, therefore, exert its effects prior to, or at the level of, the C3 convertases, in a fashion similar to that of human membrane cofactor protein and/or decay-accelerating factor. These studies provide further proof of the hypothesis that Crry/p65 is an evolutionarily unique, complement regulatory protein which has developed in mouse.

Animals↗

The role of surface charge in the activation of the classical and alternative pathways of complement by liposomes.

We have studied the complement-activating properties of liposomes. We show that surface charge is a key determinant of complement-activating liposomes. The nature of the charge, whether negative or positive, appears to dictate which pathway of the complement system is activated. Phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol (PC:CHOL, 55:45 mol/mol) liposomes were made to exhibit a positive or negative surface charge by the addition of cationic or anionic lipids, respectively. Normal human or guinea pig serum was incubated with liposomes, followed by determining the residual hemolytic activity of the serum as a measure of complement activation. Negatively charged liposomes containing phosphatidyl-glycerol, phosphatidic acid, cardiolipin, phosphatidylinositol, or phosphatidylserine activated complement in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner suggesting activation occurred via the classical pathway. Positively charged liposomes containing stearylamine or 1,2-bis(oleoyloxy)-3-(trimethylammonio)propane activated complement via the alternative pathway. Neutral liposomes, PC:CHOL (55:45) and PC:CHOL:dipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (35:45:20), failed to activate complement as measured by the hemolytic assays. We show that unsaturated liposomes are more potent complement activators than saturated liposomes and that 45 mol% cholesterol promotes complement protein-liposome interactions. Immunoblot analysis of phosphatidylglycerol-containing liposomes showed that C3b and C9 were associated with these liposomes. Thus, the complement consumption measured in the hemolytic assays represents active cleavage of the complement components and not passive adsorption to the liposome surface. These studies suggest that membranes composed of net charged phospholipids can activate the complement system. This observation underlines the importance in biologic membranes of complement regulatory proteins that protect normal cells from complement attack.

Animals↗

Factor J, an inhibitor of the classical and alternative complement pathway, does not inhibit esterolysis by factor D.

Factor J (FJ) is an inhibitor of the classical and alternative complement pathways. On the classical pathway factor J disrupts the C1 component, and on the alternative pathway, factor J disrupts the C3 convertase (C3b,Bb) by a direct interaction of FJ with the components C3b and Bb. The aim of this work was to verify whether FJ could have any effect on factor D proteolytic activity since previous experiments could not rule out an eventual inhibition by factor J on factor D enzymatic activity. For this purpose, the reactivity of serine proteinase factor D was determined by using two peptide thioester substrates, Z-Lys-SBzl.HCl and Z-Lys-Arg-SBzl.2HCl, in the presence and in the absence of factor J. Kinetic studies evidenced that FJ did not affect the enzymatic activity of factor D in any case.

Complement C1 Inactivator Proteins↗

Opsonins in uterine washings influencing in vitro activity of equine neutrophils.

Uterine washings were found to promote neutrophil mediated killing of Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Depletion of complement and/or specific antibody from the washings significantly reduced bactericidal activity. Phagocytosis of yeast by uterine washings was complement dependent. Inhibition of the classical pathway significantly reduced opsonic activity indicating that, in addition to direct activation via the alternate pathway, antibody may also be involved in yeast phagocytosis.

Animals↗

Complement activation by both classical and alternative pathways is critical for the effector phase of arthritis.

To analyze the role of the classical and alternative pathways of complement activation in the effector phase of arthritis, we have induced arthritis in C3- and factor B (FB)-deficient (C3(-/-) and FB(-/-)) DBA/1J mice using well-defined monoclonal IgG2b and IgG2a antibodies to type II collagen. In control DBA/1J mice, severe swelling of the joints, destruction of cartilage and erosion of bone developed very rapidly with a 100% incidence and a peak on days 7-10. Although 75% of C3(-/-) mice developed arthritis, the clinical severity was very mild and the onset was delayed. Severity of arthritis in FB(-/-) mice ranked intermediate in comparison with C3(-/-) and control mice with an incidence of 100%. Immunohistochemical analysis of the inflamed joints demonstrated substantial reduction in macrophage and neutrophilic leukocyte infiltration in both C3(-/-) and FB(-/-) mice, thereby confirming the clinical findings. We conclude that both the classical and the alternative pathways of complement activation are involved in the effector phase of arthritis.

Animals↗

Hypocomplementemia associated with naturally occurring lymphosarcoma in pet cats.

Eighty cats were classified by indirect immunofluorescence and histologic diagnosis into four categories: normal, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infected; normal noninfected; lymphosarcoma-FeLV infected; lymphosarcoma, no FeLV present. All viremic cats with lymphosarcoma were found to be hypocomplementemic and activation of the complement system had occurred via the classical pathway. Sera of cats with lymphosarcoma in the absence of FeLV had varying levels of total hemolytic complement (TCH50) ranging from normal to hypocomplementemic. Approximately 50% of the cats that were viremic but histologically and clinically free of disease had TCH50 levels within normal range, and the remainder exhibited varying degrees of hypocomplementemia.

Animals↗

Classical and alternative complement pathway activation by pneumococci.

Sixty-two strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae were studied for their abilities to consume selected components of classical and alternative complement pathways in human sera. The classical pathway was blocked by chelating calcium with ethyleneglycol-bios (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N-tetraacetic acid and by removing C4. The alternative pathway was blocked by removing factor B. Each strain's activation of the two pathways was compared with its nonimmune reactivity with the Fc region of immunoglobulin G (IgG). Activation of the classical complement pathway appeared to be independent of such Fc reactivity. Highly Fc-reactive strains, however, were shown to activate the alternative pathway more effectively than did less Fc-reactive strains. Since pneumococcal activation of the alternative pathway requires non-immunospecific IgG, these findings suggest that nonimmune binding of IgG on the pneumococcal surface endows it with complement-activating properties.

Complement System Proteins↗

Evidence for activation of complement in patients with AIDS related complex (ARC) and/or lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS).

The complement system was examined in 16 patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) (n = 5) and/or lymphoadenopathy syndrome (LAS) (n = 11). Of these patients 62.5% showed an impairment of classical and/or alternative pathway activity associated with the presence of cleavage fragments of C3 and/or B and a significant reduction of many complement factors. The data indicate pathological complement activation in these patients through the classical and/or alternative pathway. Complement activation was more severe in patients with ARC than in those with LAS, and greater in drug abusers than homosexuals. The lack of efficient complement in the patients can be considered an 'acquired complement deficiency' with possible importance in the failure to combat the HIV attack.

AIDS-Related Complex↗

Surfactant protein A regulates complement activation.

Complement proteins aid in the recognition and clearance of pathogens from the body. C1, the first protein of the classical pathway of complement activation, is a calcium-dependent complex of one molecule of C1q and two molecules each of C1r and C1s, the serine proteases that cleave complement proteins. Upon binding of C1q to Ag-bound IgG or IgM, C1r and C1s are sequentially activated and initiate the classical pathway of complement. Because of structural and functional similarities between C1q and members of the collectin family of proteins, including pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A), we hypothesized that SP-A may interact with and regulate proteins of the complement system. Previously, SP-A was shown to bind to C1q, but the functional significance of this interaction has not been investigated. Binding studies confirmed that SP-A binds directly to C1q, but only weakly to intact C1. Further investigation revealed that the binding of SP-A to C1q prevents the association of C1q with C1r and C1s, and therefore the formation of the active C1 complex required for classical pathway activation. This finding suggests that SP-A may share a common binding site for C1r and C1s or Clq. SP-A also prevented C1q and C1 from binding to immune complexes. Furthermore, SP-A blocked the ability of C1q to restore classical pathway activity to C1q-depleted serum. SP-A may down-regulate complement activity through its association with C1q. We hypothesize that SP-A may serve a protective role in the lung by preventing C1q-mediated complement activation and inflammation along the delicate alveolar epithelium.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Screening for complement deficiency in bacterial meningitis.

Seventy-seven children with bacterial meningitis were screened for complement deficiency. Both the classical and the alternate pathways were normal in 75 patients. Transiently reduced total haemolytic activity of the classical pathway was documented in a boy with meningococcal meningitis. Total haemolytic activity of both the classical and the alternate pathways were reduced in another patient with pneumococcal meningitis: individual complement components determination indicated predominant activation of the alternate pathway.

Adolescent↗

Complement regulation in the rat glomerulus: Crry and CD59 regulate complement in glomerular mesangial and endothelial cells.

The complement regulators, decay accelerating factor, membrane cofactor protein, and CD59 are present in human glomeruli. Crry is the rodent analogue to the former two proteins. In this study, we examined complement regulation in cultured rat glomerular endothelial cells (GEnC) and mesangial cells (MES). Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled membrane proteins and Western blotting studies were performed with anti-Crry and anti-CD59. In both GEnC and MES, Crry was present as 53, 65, and 78 kD proteins. The 20 kD CD59 was apparent in GEnC. CD59 was also present in MES, but in relatively smaller quantities. By Northern analyses, 1.8 kb CD59 mRNA was present in GEnC as well as in RNA from isolated rat glomeruli. mRNA for Crry was present in both GEnC and MES as 2.2 kb species. The functional significance of these proteins was evaluated next. Anti-Thy 1.1 IgG was used to activate the complement classical pathway in MES. To inhibit the function of the complement regulators, anti-CD59 and/or anti-Crry F(ab')2 antibodies were added with anti-Thy 1.1. Inhibition of Crry function led to enhanced cytotoxicity, while there was no effect when CD59 function was inhibited. The complement alternative pathway was studied by adding complement in Mg-EGTA buffer. Inhibition of Crry led to productive alternative pathway activation, which was accentuated by anti-CD59 when Crry was incompletely inhibited. Alternative pathway regulation was also evaluated in GEnC. Inhibition of CD59 function alone had no effect in GEnC, while inhibition of Crry led to significant cytotoxicity from alternative pathway activation. Under conditions in which Crry was inactive, inhibition of CD59 further enhanced cytotoxicity. Therefore, Crry is present in both GEnC and MES and restricts the complement alternative pathway in both cell types. Crry also regulates the classical pathway in MES. CD59 is present and functionally active in GEnC, while it appears to have a minor role in MES.

Animals↗

Complement activation in human lymphoid germinal centres.

The presence of complement activation products has been studied in morphologically normal human lymphatic tissue from tonsil, spleen and lymph node. Newly established monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with reactivity against the C4 cleavage fragments C4a, C4b, C4c and C4d were applied on cyrostat sections in the indirect immunoperoxidase staining technique. Irrespective of organ type, C4d activation product could be detected in germinal centres of all secondary lymphoid follicles. To substantiate this finding, the complete sequence of complement activation products was investigated by a series of mono- and polyclonal antibodies to the complement proteins C1, C2, C3, factor B, C5, C9 to C5b-9 neoantigens and to the regulatory complement proteins C4 binding protein (C4bp), factor I, factor H and properdin. Similar to C4d, all secondary follicles exhibited a strong staining reaction for C3d antigens restricted to germinal centres. At the same site, albeit with distinctly weaker intensity, components of the membrane attack complex (MAC) C5b-9 were found. The simultaneous deposition of C1, C4b and C4bp in certain germinal centres indicates that complement activation is induced via the classical pathway. Concomitant deposition of IgM suggests IgM-antigen complexes that have been trapped on follicular dendritic cells (FDC) during normal immune response as the most likely candidates for activators of the classical pathway. Our data demonstrate that human lymphoid germinal centres as important sites of immune regulation closely interrelate with the complete cascade of complement-activation products, including the membrane attack complex (MAC).

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

[The complement system--structure, activation, regulation and function].

Activation of the complement system plays a key role in normal inflammatory response to injury but may cause substantial injury when activated inappropriately. The cascade is activated through classical, alternative and lectin pathways. The human complement system is in most cases well controlled by the host, and inappropriate activation and host cell destruction are prevented. The control is mainly mediated by complement regulatory proteins. The use of powerful methodologies in molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology has led to impressive advances in our knowledge of the mechanisms of complement activation and regulation and its role as either a protective or pathogenic factor in human disease. With respect to disease pathogenesis, the complexity of the cascades provides opportunities for several different therapeutic targets within the pathways, and we are about to witness the availability of a variety of complement modulators for specific therapies. This article reviews biological aspects of this important immunological effector mechanism.

Complement Activation↗

Role of antibody and complement in opsonization of group B streptococci.

A requirement for the classic complement pathway in opsonization of group B streptococci was observed by using both a chemiluminescence and a radiolabeled bacterial uptake technique. The classic pathway increased levels of opsonization for types Ia and II stock and wild strains and for some type III wild strains. In contrast, other type III wild strains and the type III stock strain had accelerated kinetics of uptake in the presence of an intact classic pathway, but the level of opsonization was unchanged from that with antibody alone. We could not demonstrate a significant role for the alternative pathway in opsonizing stock or wild strains of group B streptococci. Futhermore, electrophoretic and complement consumption analysis by hemolytic titration failed to reveal alternative pathway activation by the majority of strains of this group. Therapy aimed at supplying opsonins for these organisms will require the presence of type-specific antibody.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗