PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Complement C3”

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

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

At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

Membrane receptors on Xenopus macrophages for two classes of immunoglobulins (IgM and IgY) and the third complement component (C3).

Using two classes of immunoglobulins (IgM and IgY) and a complement component (C3) purified from Xenopus serum and plasma, we examined the presence of receptors on Xenopus peritoneal macrophages for each ligand. Xenopus macrophages, ultrastructurally quite similar to those in higher vertebrates, were found to have different membrane receptors for both immunoglobulins as well as for C3. Whereas all of these receptors mediated the binding of the SRBC which were coated with each ligand, only the RBC coated with IgY were ingested by the macrophages. We discuss the origin and functional differentiation of phagocyte membrane receptors from the phylogenetic viewpoint, in relation to the serum factors interacting with the receptors.

Animals↗

Molecular modelling of human complement component C3 and its fragments by solution scattering.

Solution scattering experiments using both X-rays and neutrons are reported for human complement component C3 and up to six other glycoprotein fragments that are derived from C3. The X-ray and neutron molecular masses and neutron matchpoints are in agreement with the known primary sequence of C3. The X-ray radius of gyration RG of C3 is 5.2 nm and is similar for the related forms C3u, C3(a + b) and C3b. The X-ray cross-sectional radius of gyration RXS of C3b is however less than that of C3, C3u and C3(a + b). The major fragments of C3b, namely C3c and C3dg, were studied. The RG of C3c is 4.7 nm and for C3dg is 2.9 nm. C3c and C3dg do not interact when they coexist in solution in equimolar amounts. When C3u is cleaved into iC3u, the RG of iC3u increases to 5.9 nm and its RXS decreases, showing that C3c and C3dg behave as independent entities within the parent glycoprotein. Analyses of the neutron RG and RXS values by contrast variation techniques confirm the X-ray analyses, and show no evidence for significant hydrophobic or hydrophilic domains within C3 or any of its fragments. Shape analyses show that C3, C3c and C3dg are elongated particles. Debye models were developed using the scattering curve out to Q = 1.6 nm-1. These show that C3 and C3c resemble oblate ellipsoids while C3dg resembles a prolate ellipsoid. C3dg lies on the long edge of C3c within C3. The dimensions of the models are 18 nm X 2 nm X 10 nm for C3, 18 nm X 2 nm X 7 nm for C3c and 10 nm X 2 nm X 3 nm for C3dg. These models are compatible with analyses of the scattering curve RG and RXS values, data from sedimentation coefficients, and images of C3 and C3c seen by electron microscopy.

Complement C3↗

Expression of the third complement component (C3) and carboxypeptidase N small subunit (CPN1) during mouse embryonic development.

Complement regulatory proteins prevent excessive complement system activation and deposition, which can lead to host tissue damage, including fetal loss during pregnancy. To further understand the regulation of complement during development, we examined the expression of the complement protein, C3, and the active subunit of carboxypeptidase N (CPN1), the complement anaphylatoxin regulator. RNA and protein analyses indicated that CPN1 expression occurred as early as 8.5 days post coitus (dpc) and continued through birth. At 10.5 and 13.5 dpc, in situ hybridization revealed CPN1 RNA in erythroid progenitor cells. At 16.5 dpc, expression of CPN1 was also detected in hepatocytes. In comparison to CPN1, C3 RNA expression occurred later (after 13.5 dpc). Moreover, C3 expression was limited to the liver erythroid progenitor cells at 16.5 dpc. These results demonstrated that mouse embryos contain RNA and protein for both C3 and CPN1, and CPN1 expression precedes that of C3 by several days.

Animals↗

The ontogeny of complement component C3 in the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen).

Eggs and larvae from the spotted wolffish (Anarhichas minor Olafsen) were analysed to study the ontogeny of the complement component C3. By Western blotting experiments, the results revealed that C3 was present already in unfertilised eggs and that there was a decrease in C3 content towards hatch, whereas the results using reverse transcription-polymerase chain-reaction showed a continuous increase of C3 mRNA content towards hatch. These findings indicate a transfer of maternal complement component C3 to the offspring where the content of C3 decreases and the level of C3 mRNA increases towards hatch. Immunohistochemical experiments revealed that only the liver of spotted wolffish larvae contained complement component C3, suggesting that the liver is the main site of production.

Animals↗

Activation of complement components C3 and C5 by a cysteine proteinase (gingipain-1) from Porphyromonas (Bacteroides) gingivalis.

Complement components C3 and C5 are susceptible to limited proteolysis by an arginine-specific cysteine proteinase isolated from Porphyromonas gingivalis. This bacterium is an anaerobe commonly associated with severe periodontal disease. Infection by P. gingivalis is accompanied by an acute inflammatory response, complete with extensive neutrophil involvement. This prompted us to investigate a possible direct role for complement in periodontitis evoked by P. gingivalis. Exposure of C3 and C5 to the cysteine proteinase at molar ratios between 1:25 and 1:100 (enzyme to substrate ratios) resulted in a time-dependent, limited degradation of each component. C3 was converted in a stepwise manner to C3a-like and C3b-like fragments with evidence of extensive further degradation of the C3a-like portion of the molecule. We were unable to demonstrate C3a activity in the C3 digestion mixtures. C3 degradation appears to involve primarily the alpha-chain. Proteolysis of C5 also progresses in a stepwise manner producing an initial internal cleavage of the alpha-chain to generate 30- and 86-kDa fragments. Further digestion of the 86-kDa amino-terminal fragment of the alpha-chain leads to the release of C5a or a C5a-like fragment that is biologically active for neutrophil activation. The fact that a potent chemotactic factor, i.e. C5a, can be generated from C5 by a proteinase derived from P. gingivalis suggests a recruiting mechanism for attracting neutrophils to the gingival lesion site in periodontal disease.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Effect of complement component C3 deficiency on experimental Lyme borreliosis in mice.

Mice deficient in complement component C3 (C3(-/-)) and syngeneic C57BL/6 control mice were challenged with Borrelia burgdorferi to determine the role of complement in immune clearance and joint histopathology during experimental Lyme borreliosis. Tibiotarsal joint, ear, and heart tissues were monitored for spirochete numbers at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks postinoculation with 10(5) B. burgdorferi B31 clone 5A4 by using quantitative real-time PCR. The spirochete load in joint and ear tissue remained higher in the C3(-/-) mice than in the wild-type counterparts throughout the 12-week study, whereas the numbers in heart tissue of both groups of mice decreased substantially at 8 to 12 weeks postinfection. Histopathology scores for joint tissue were generally higher in the C3(-/-) mice compared to C57BL/6 controls at 2 and 4 weeks postinfection, which may reflect the presence of higher numbers of bacteria in the joints at these early time points. Levels of anti-B. burgdorferi immunoglobulin G tended to be reduced in the C3(-/-) mice compared to control mice. Furthermore, a 5.5-fold-lower number of the complement-sensitive Borrelia garinii was needed to infect C3(-/-) mice compared to C57BL/6 mice, indicating that its sensitivity to complement is one barrier to infection of the mouse model by B. garinii. These results indicate that the complement system may be important in controlling the early dissemination and progression of B. burgdorferi infection.

Animals↗

Effect of radiographic contrast media on complement components C3 and C4: generation of C3b-like C3 and C4b-like C4.

Various water soluble iodinated radiographic contrast media (RCM) have been studied for their effect on complement components C3 and C4, purified and in serum. Hepatotropic RCM, and at higher concentration also some nephrotropic RCM, were found to exert a direct effect on purified C3 and C4. RCM treated human C3 and C4 are characterized by (a) loss of haemolytic function, (b) retention of activity in the formation of fluid phase C3 convertases and (c) an antigenic relationship to activated C3 and C4 (C3b and C4b, respectively). This direct alteration of C3 and C4 can probably also occur in serum since loss of haemolytic function is observed at similar RCM concentrations after incubation of serum and of purified components. It is concluded that RCM treated C3 and C4 represent altered forms of these components that resemble C4b and C3b in activity and conformation (C3b-like C3 and C4b-like C4). The alteration is probably caused by binding of RCM, exerting a mild denaturing effect. C3b-like C3 is a potential activator of the alternative pathway, and both C3b-like C3 and C4b-like C4 are known to be cleaved by serum inactivators. A possible pathological significance of the generation of C3b-like C3, C4b-like C4 and their split products remains to be evaluated.

Animals↗

Lipopolysaccharides as complement inhibitors by complex formation with the purified third complement component (C3).

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) from different bacteria in smooth or rough form (Y. enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, E. coli, S. typhimurium, S. marcescens) strongly inhibited hemolytic C3 in incubation mixtures with purified C3. LPS from a core deficient mutant was still reactive, whereas lipid A no longer affected C3 activity. The physical state of LPS was critical for its effect on C3. Strand-like LPS structures formed by Ca++-induced aggregation of solubilized LPS, as shown by electron microscopy, demonstrated the highest reactivity with C3. Inhibition of hemolytic C3 was found to be due to complex formation between LPS and C3 by a hydrophobic reaction. The binding capacity of 1 microgram LPS-R and LPS-S was as high as 125 ng C3 and 56 ng C3, respectively. The C3b fragment required different reaction conditions for maximal binding. The strong binding capacity of LPS for the complement component C3 raises the possibility that LPS act as inhibitors of complement by interruption of the reaction cascade at local infectious sites with gram-negative bacteria.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

[Are suppressor T-cells the primary target cells of lead immunotoxicity?].

Studies were performed to investigate the effect of chronic low level lead exposure on the regulatory functions of T cells in the humoral immune response to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) in mice. Female mice were exposed to lead (as lead acetate) in the diet at 545 (group 1) and 2180 ppm (group 2) for 10 weeks. Lead exposure resulting in blood lead levels (PbB) of about 50 micrograms/100 g (group 1) produced a substantial increase of the number of IgG antibodies secreting spleen cells on days 3 and 4 after challenge. At the higher exposure level (group 2; PbB 60-80 micrograms/100 g) a suppression of the number of IgG plaque forming cells was observed. The IgM response was much smaller than the IgG response. Although differences between the group means were small, the results indicate that there also is an enhancement of the IgM response in the lower dosage group on days 3 and 4. In a second experiment the effect of in vivo lead exposure on antigenic competition was examined. Lead substantially reduced the effect of antigenic competition. Results of both experiments suggest that suppressor T cells rather than helper T cells may represent the primary target for lead. Throughout this study serum complement C3 levels were determined. Complement C3 levels tended to be reduced in the lead exposed groups before as well as after inocculation with SRBC.

Animals↗

Quantitative studies of the secretion of complement component C3 by resident, elicited and activated macrophages. Comparison with C2, C4 and lysosomal enzyme release.

To quantitate the secretion of complement component C3 by guinea pig peritoneal macrophages an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed. C3 secretion was studied in resident, elicited and activated macrophages and compared with release of hemolytically active C2 and C4, as well as the lysosomal enzyme beta-D-2-acetamido-2-deoxyglucosidase. Resident macrophages secreted about 6 ng C3/10(6) cells/h into culture supernatants over a period of 12 h. Corynebacterium parvum-activated cells were found to secrete 3 times that amount at nearly constant rates. There was a stepwise increase in secretion of functional C2 and C4 when comparing resident, elicited and activated macrophages; secretion was 2--4 times higher in activated than in resident cells.

Acetylglucosaminidase↗

Phagocytosis of leprosy bacilli is mediated by complement receptors CR1 and CR3 on human monocytes and complement component C3 in serum.

Mycobacterium leprae, an obligate intracellular pathogen, invades and multiplies within host mononuclear phagocytes. To understand M. leprae invasion better, we have investigated the role of phagocyte receptors and bacterium-bound ligands in phagocytosis of M. leprae by human monocytes. Complement receptors CR1 and CR3 mediate adherence and phagocytosis of M. leprae in nonimmune serum. Two MAbs used in combination against CR3 inhibit adherence by up to 90 +/- 3%. Two MAbs used in combination against CR1 and CR3 inhibit adherence by up to 70 +/- 1%. Single MAbs against CR1 or CR3 consistently inhibit adherence by 38-55%. In contrast, MAbs against other monocyte surface molecules, alone or in combination, do not significantly influence adherence. As studied by electron microscopy, 100% of monocyte-associated M. leprae are ingested in the presence of nonimmune serum and MAbs against CR3 markedly inhibit ingestion. Complement receptors CR1 and CR3 also mediate the low level of adherence observed in the absence of serum. Serum complement component C3 serves as a ligand on the bacterial surface in monocyte phagocytosis of M. leprae. Adherence of M. leprae to monocytes is enhanced by preopsonization (3.1 +/- 1.1-fold increase) and is markedly reduced in less than 0.5% fresh serum (66 +/- 7% reduction) or heat-inactivated serum (68 +/- 3% reduction). Adherence is also markedly reduced in C3- or factor B-depleted serum; repletion with purified C3 or factor B increases adherence 4.3 +/- 0.8- and 2.6 +/- 0.2-fold, respectively. C3 is fixed to M. leprae by the alternative pathway of complement activation, as determined by a whole bacterial cell ELISA. By electron microscopy, monocytes ingest M. leprae by conventional phagocytosis. This study demonstrates that (a) human monocyte complement receptors CR1 and CR3 mediate phagocytosis of M. leprae; (b) complement component C3 on the bacterial surface serves as a ligand for complement receptors; (c) complement component C3 binds to M. leprae by the alternative pathway of complement activation; and (d) monocytes phagocytize M. leprae by conventional phagocytosis.

Adult↗

Interactions between conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus and human complement component C3.

Activation and deposition of C3 on Aspergillus fumigatus conidia have been previously demonstrated. This study investigated in further detail the interactions between complement component C3 and the conidia of A. fumigatus. Immunoblotting and 125I-C3 binding studies showed that C3 deposition was rapid (less than 15 min) and parallel to the formation of iC3b. Immunoblotting experiments identified a 54- to 58-kDa conidial protein which binds human complement component C3 and/or a C3 fragment(s). 125I labeling of the outer layer of the conidia demonstrated that this protein doublet was present on the surface of the spore. The further degradation of C3 to low-molecular-mass fragments (40, 37, and 30 kDa), in the absence of plasma, by intact living conidia and a preparation of the outer conidial wall layer indicated the ability of fungal components to cleave C3. These data suggest that interactions between conidia and C3 are not limited only to deposition via activation of the alternative complement pathway; they also include degradation of bound C3.

Animals↗

Relationship between levels of rheumatoid factor isotypes and complement component C3 conversion in blood from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Conversion of complement component C3 in plasma from rheumatoid arthritis patients was measured by two different methods. One of the methods gives an estimation of C3 conversion by ELISA measurement of neodeterminants present on the C3d moiety; the other method measures C3 split products expressing D, but not C, epitopes by rocket immunoelectrophoresis (RIE) with intermediate anti-C3c gel. Results from 20 RA patients obtained by the two methods did not correlate significantly (R = 0.52, 0.02 less than p less than 0.05). The results were compared to the level of rheumatoid factors (RFs) of IgG, IgM, and IgA class in serum. A significant correlation was found between the concentration of C3d measured by RIE and level of IgG RFs, whereas neither IgM nor IgA RFs showed correlation to complement activation. The results of the ELISA estimation of C3 activation showed no correlation with the RF level.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗