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Effect of modified ultrafiltration on the inflammatory response in paediatric open-heart surgery: a prospective, randomized study.

Modified ultrafiltration (MUF) is often used in conjunction with paediatric cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and is thought to improve clinical outcome. It is unclear whether these improvements (if any) are due to the removal of inflammatory mediators. In this prospective study, 18 children aged 12-24 months undergoing uncomplicated cardiac surgery with methylprednisolone added in the pump prime were randomized to receive CPB with (n = 10) and without (n = 8) MUF. Cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-10, IL-1ra), complement split products (C3d, C4d) and coagulation system activation (F1 + 2, ATIII) were measured pre-, peri- and up to 48 h postoperatively. For clinical outcome, the alveolar-arterial oxygen (A-a) gradient, transfusion requirement, drain loss, mean blood pressure and requirement for inotropic support were registered up to 24 h postoperatively. Our results show an improvement in postoperative oxygenation as well as a tendency towards decreased drain loss and improved haemodynamics in the MUF group. There were no intergroup differences detectable for TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-1ra, complement and coagulation markers. We conclude that MUF in itself does not significantly influence TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-1ra and the complement and coagulation profiles in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB. Despite this, there was some evidence for improved clinical outcome. Our results do not support that MUF improves postoperative organ function by modulation of the measured markers of inflammation.

Biomarkers↗

Reactions of the immune system in chronic degenerative neurological diseases.

Elements consistent with a cell mediated immune response were identified immunohistochemically in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spinal cord and Alzheimer disease (AD) hippocampus. T helper/inducer and cytotoxic/suppressor lymphocytes were detected in affected tissues in both diseases. In addition, abundant reactive microglia were found expressing the major histocompatibility glycoproteins HLA-A,B,C and HLA-DR, as well as receptors for the Fc chain (Fc gamma R1), for complement 3 and 4, and for vitronectin. In AD, the complement proteins C1q, C4d, C3d and C5b-9 were found on dystrophic neurites, neuropile threads and some neurofibrillary tangles. In ALS, the only complement proteins identified were C4d and C3d. The integrin ligands vitronectin and ICAM-1 were also identified in affected tissues in both diseases.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Endotoxaemia in Vibrio El Tor cholera.

Endotoxaemia and endotoxin-induced changes were sought in Nigerian patients presenting with cholera/diarrhoea. The organism was Vibrio cholerae, bio-type El Tor, serotype Hikojima. The limulus amoebocyte lysate gelation test was used qualitatively by the clot method, whilst a spectrophotometric method was used quantitatively to measure endotoxin levels. 25 acutely ill patients tested had detectable endotoxaemia by the Escherichia coli endotoxin standard. The highest endotoxin level was found in a patient with sub-conjunctival haemorrhage. Changes in platelet counts, the detection of complement breakdown product C3d in plasma, the elevation of fibrin degradation products, the finding of elevated, normal or depressed C3 levels and the absence of circulating immune complexes, suggest a pathogenic role for endotoxin in Vibrio cholerae El Tor diarrhoea.

Acute Disease↗

Increased number of IgG Fc receptors on monocyte-enriched peripheral blood leucocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The number of free Fc receptors (FcR) per cell and the association constant (Kass) for the binding of monomeric IgG were determined for monocyte-enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells, isolated from 16 patients with active classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and from 15 normal healthy donors. The assay system was based on binding under equilibrium conditions of 125I-labelled monomeric rabbit IgG to monocytes purified from peripheral blood on a continuous gradient of Percoll. Monocytes from 14 untreated RA patients (6 seropositive, 8 seronegative) expressed on the average 4.8 +/- 1.3 x 10(4) FcR/cell. This number was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than that found in the control group (34. +/- 0.7 x 10(4) FcR/cell). There was also a significant difference between the mean Kass of the RA group and the control group--2.1 +/- 0.7 x 10(8) l/mol and 2.6 +/- 1.0 x 10(8) l/mol, respectively (0.05 greater than P greater than 0.01). Two seropositive RA patients receiving systemic treatment with penicillamine expressed the same number of FcR/cell as the mean of the control group (3.6 x 10(4)). Levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and the complement-factor C3 split product C3d were also measured. No correlation was found between the number of FcR/cell and the concentration of C3d, but there was a weak correlation between the number of FcR/cell and the level of CIC.

Adult↗

In vivo instability of red-blood-cell-bound C3d and C4d.

Until now, there have been no measurements of the in vivo stability of red-blood-cell-bound C3d and C4d subfragments of the third and fourth components of human complement. We have recently described a radiolabeled antiantiglobulin method for measuring RBC-bound C3d and have demonstrated that small amounts of C3d are present on RBC of all normal subjects tested. In the present study, the method was applied to follow the increments above baseline of RBC-bound C3d and C4d produced by autotransfusing 3 normal volunteers with 160-200 ml of RBC strongly coated in vitro by C3d and C4d. Posttransfusion measurements were carried out over 21-34 days. Immediate and long-term in vivo survival of the transfused RBC was unimpaired by C3d and C4d coating. Of the bound C3d antigen, 85%-95% disappeared from circulating RBC in 5-8 days; the remainder disappeared more slowly, with half-times in the range of 8-29 days. C4d antigen disappeared substantially more slowly, describable by a single exponential function in 2 of the 3 subjects, with half-times in the range of 12-31 days. Recognition of the in vivo instability of RBC-bound C3d helps in interpreting steady-state and changing levels of RBC C3d coating in a variety of alloimmune and autoimmune disorders.

Adult↗

Plasma levels of complement components and complement haemolytic activity in protein-energy malnutrition.

The plasma levels of complement haemolytic activity (CH50) of some complement components and of C3d, a C3 breakdown product, were measured in fifty-nine African children with various types of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) including kwashiorkor, before and during recovery. A significant decrease of CH50, C3, C9 and factor B was observed in PEM without a concomitant decrease of C4 and C5. Increased plasma levels of C3d were also found in PEM patients. Two mechanisms seem to be involved in the impairment of the complement system in PEM: (1) a decreased synthesis of at least C3 and C9 as suggested by a significant correlation between C3 or C9, levels and those of albumin and cholinesterase; (2) an increased catabolism of C3 possibly due to an activation of the alternative complement pathway, as suggested by the increased level of C3d and the decreased level of factor B which are significantly correlated with C3 levels but not with albumin levels. These data support the possible role of a relative complement deficiency upon the decreased resistance to infections observed in malnourished children.

Child, Preschool↗

Cutting edge: C3d functions as a molecular adjuvant in the absence of CD21/35 expression.

Complement component C3 covalently attaches to Ags following activation, where the C3d cleavage fragment can function as a molecular adjuvant to augment humoral immune responses. C3d is proposed to exert its adjuvant-like activities by targeting Ags to the C3d receptor (CD21/35) expressed by B cells and follicular dendritic cells. To directly assess the importance of CD21/35 in mediating the immunostimulatory effects of C3d, CD21/35-deficient (CD21/35(-/-)) mice were immunized with streptavidin (SA), SA-C3dg tetramers, recombinant HIV gp120 (gp120), or gp120 fused with linear multimers of C3d. Remarkably, SA- and gp120-specific Ab responses were significantly augmented in CD21/35(-/-) mice when these Ags were complexed with C3d in comparison to Ag alone. In fact, primary and secondary Ab responses and Ab-forming cell responses of CD21/35(-/-) mice approached those of wild-type mice immunized with SA-C3dg and gp120-C3d. Thus, C3d can function as a molecular adjuvant in the absence of CD21/35 expression.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Factor B activation products in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. A marker of severe disease activity.

Complement activation patterns were determined in a group of 51 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and the clinical outcomes of these patients at 2 years were correlated with the complement activation patterns. Activation of the classical pathway was monitored by analysis of C4a desArg levels and total C4 levels, and activation of the alternative pathway was monitored by isoelectric focusing/immunofixation and quantitative analyses of Factor B. Activation of C3 (a general measure of complement activation) was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for C3d and by quantitative analysis of C3. Patients were stratified into 3 groups: those with C4 but not C3 activation; those with C4 and C3 but not Factor B activation; and those with C4, C3, and Factor B activation. At the end of 2 years, there was a statistically significant difference in the morbidity and mortality rates of the third group of SLE patients compared with those in the other 2 groups. There was also a statistically significant association between the presence of Ba and cutaneous vasculitis. Unlike the patterns seen with in vitro-activated serum or with membrane-activated plasma, the Bb activation fragment was not present in the activated plasma samples from the SLE patients. These data suggest that activation of the alternative complement pathway may be a marker for severe SLE and that the Bb fragment may be playing a role in the development of this more serious pathologic condition.

Biomarkers↗

Membrane attack complex of complement and 20 kDa homologous restriction factor (CD59) in myocardial infarction.

In order to investigate the mechanism of deposition of the complement membrane attack complex (MAC) in cardiomyocytes in areas of human myocardial infarction, the 20 kDA homologous restriction factor of complement (HRF20; CD59) and complement components (Clq. C3d and MAC) were analysed immunohistochemically using specific antibodies. Myocardial tissues obtained at autopsy from nine patients who died of acute myocardial infarction were fixed in acetone and embedded in paraffin. The ages of the infarcts ranged from about 3.5 h to 12 days. In cases of myocardial infarction of 20 h or less, MAC deposition was shown in the infarcted cardiomyocytes without loss of HRF20. Where the duration was 4 days or more, the cardiomyocytes with MAC deposition in the infarcted areas also showed complete loss of HRF20. Outside the infarcts, HRF20 in the cardiomyocytes was well preserved without MAC deposition. The present study suggests that the initial MAC deposition in dead cardiomyocytes can occur as a result of degradation of plasma-membrane by a mechanism independent of complement-mediated injury to the membrane. Loss of HRF20 from dead cardiomyocytes may not be the initial cause of MAC deposition, but may accelerate the deposition process of MAC in later stages of infarction.

Aged↗

Immunological monitoring of plasma exchange in primary IgA nephropathy.

Plasma exchange (PE) has recently been proposed for primary immunoglobulin (Ig)-A nephropathy (PIgAGN) with progressive course. To develop suitable guidelines for PE in these cases, the authors evaluated the clinical usefulness of some immunological parameters in five patients with PIgAGN treated with PE combined with immunosuppressive drugs and small doses of corticosteroids. These parameters included the levels of IgA-containing immune complexes (IgAIC) by a specific conglutinin assay, the function of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) by the in vivo clearance of IgG-sensitized erythrocytes, and complement activation as determined by C3d measurement. HLA types were also determined. Three patients had an acute nephritic syndrome with a rapidly progressive course, one of them showing sclerotic histologic changes. The two other cases had a relentless progression toward renal failure. In the patient with sclerotic PIgAGN, the MPS function was normal and the IgAIC and C3d levels were low throughout the treatment. In the other four cases, the high IgAIC and C3d levels and the MPS dysfunction found before treatment markedly improved after several PEs. The immunological parameters remained normal during the post-PE follow-up in two cases with acute nephritic syndrome and rapidly progressive course, but worsened again in two cases with a relentless course, particularly in one who possessed the B8/DR3 HLA type. Immunological monitoring including IgAIC, C3d, and MPS function is proposed, in addition to histological and clinical evaluation, as a guideline for PE in PIgAGN with evolving course.

Adolescent↗

The use of C3d as a means of monitoring clinical activity in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Plasma samples from 44 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 43 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were assayed for C3d, a breakdown product of the third component of complement (C3), which was also measured in parallel. Levels of C3d varied in direct proportion with disease activity in RA, whereas C3 showed little change. Although C3d values also increased with worsening clinical condition in SLE, this trend was not considered to be sufficiently clear to be useful and did not provide any advantage over the routinely performed C3 assay.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Inherited human complement C3 deficiency. An amino acid substitution in the beta-chain (ASP549 to ASN) impairs C3 secretion.

We recently described a case of hereditary complement C3 deficiency (C3D) in a New Zealand male who has a small amount of serum C3 (7 micrograms/ml), a normal size 5.2-kilobase C3 mRNA that is present in normal quantities, and a normal size M(r) 180,000 proC3 molecule that is synthesized in normal amounts. Secretion of C3 from this patient's cells was greatly diminished, however, and an aberrant C3 trypsin cleavage profile indicated an abnormality in the proC3 structure. To determine the primary structure of the C3D proC3 molecule, the corresponding cDNA was cloned and sequenced in the present study, revealing a normal signal peptide, tetraarginine linker, and thiolester domain. One nucleotide substitution in exon 13 (G1705 AC to AAC) was found, however, that resulted in an amino acid change in a highly conserved region of the C3 beta-chain (Asp549 to Asn). This substitution has not been described in any individual with either C3 Fast or C3 Slow phenotypes. Immunoprecipitation of C3 from L-cells transfected with full-length normal and C3D cDNAs demonstrated that C3 was secreted by the cells transfected with the normal C3 cDNA; however, only a C3 precursor was detected in the intracellular compartment of the cells transfected with the C3D cDNA and none detected extracellularly. Immunofluorescence studies revealed a perinuclear localization of C3 in the C3D transfectants, arrested early in the secretory pathway. Allele-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated that this New Zealand family is a compound heterozygous C3D kindred, with the Asn549 point mutation being inherited from the mother and a yet undescribed C3 defect being inherited from the father. Taken together, these data indicate that 1) C3 deficiency is caused in a New Zealand kindred by two distinct molecular genetic mutations, one being an amino acid substitution in a highly conserved region of the beta-chain that results in impaired C3 secretion, and 2) the molecular basis of this deficiency has not been described in any other C3-deficient individual, providing additional evidence that multiple defects cause inherited C3 deficiency in humans.

Alleles↗

Molecular analysis of a novel hereditary C3 deficiency with systemic lupus erythematosus.

A case of inherited homozygous complement C3 deficiency (C3D) in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the molecular basis for this deficiency are reported. A 22-year-old Japanese male was diagnosed as having SLE and his medical history revealed recurrent tonsillitis and pneumonia. He was diagnosed as having C3D because of undetectable serum C3 level. His parents were consanguineous. Sequence analysis of C3D cDNA revealed a homozygous deletion of exon 39 (84bp). A single base substitution (AG to GG) in the 3'-splice acceptor site of intron 38 was identified by sequencing the genomic DNA. Expression of C3Delta(ex39) cDNA, the C3cDNA lacking exon 39, in COS-7 cells revealed that C3Delta(ex39) was retained in endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi intermediate compartment because of defective secretion. These data indicate that a novel AG-->GG 3'-splice acceptor site mutation in intron 38 caused aberrant splicing of exon 39, resulting in defective secretion of C3.

Adult↗

Antiglobulin-tests for detection of auto-immunohaemolytic anaemia during long-term treatment with ibuprofen.

Auto-immunohaemolytic anaemia is a very unusual complication during long-term treatment with ibuprofen. In order to detect the haemolytic antibodies involved, serum and erythrocytes from 87 patients were investigated after continuous treatment with an average daily dose of 1337 mg ibuprofen for some 6-47 months. Eight patients showed a weak or medium-positive antiglobulin test result with polyspecific anti-human serum. With monospecific anti-human serum, complement C3c and/or C3d were detected on the surface of 8 patients' erythrocytes, but none had biochemical parameters indicating haemolysis. None of the 87 patients had IgG, IgM or IgA on their erythrocytes. The findings neither indicated haemolysis present nor early stages in any of the four types of drug-induced auto-immunohaemolytic anaemia. The frequency of a positive antinuclear factor test (ANF) among patients treated with ibuprofen did not differ from that of healthy subjects in the same age group. The type of haemolysis associated with ibuprofen is discussed, but available data do not permit any definite classification. It is concluded that ibuprofen is a safe drug which rarely causes haemolysis and does not seem to cause induction of ANF.

Adult↗

Complement activation during an active cytomegalovirus infection after renal transplantation: due to circulating immune complexes or alternative pathway activation?

In 32 patients with a renal allograft, serial determinations after transplantation were made of C3d, the stable conversion product of the complement factor C3, as well as serial measurements of the anaphylatoxin C3a des arg. Furthermore, serial determinations were made on the presence of circulating immune complexes using three different assays (C1q binding assay, polyethylene glycol precipitation test, and indirect granulocyte phagocytosis test). Twenty patients were studied during an active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, and 12 patients were studied during allograft rejection or during stable phase after renal transplantation. In 12 patients with a CMV infection serial measurements were made of AP50 (alternative pathway of complement). During an active CMV infection elevated C3d as well as elevated C3a des arg levels were found and not in the control group (P less than 0.01). In 8 out of the 12 patients tested, with CMV infection, a decreased hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (AP50) was found, together with the elevated levels of C3d and C3a des arg. Serum C4 levels were normal or high during CMV infection. Furthermore, circulating immune complexes were found to be positive in 15 out of the 20 patients with a CMV infection (both primary and secondary infections), and in 2 out of 12 patients of the control group. The complement activation found in the CMV group was not related to the presence of circulating immune complex-like material, since complement activation was present in advance of the appearance of the immune complexes, suggesting that complement activation was not due to classical pathway activation by those complexes. We conclude that our data are consistent with complement activation and the formation of biologically active peptides like C3a des arg in patients with an active CMV infection. The decreased hemolytic activity of the alternative pathway (AP50) together with the normal or high C4 levels suggest involvement of the alternative pathway, although further studies of the alternative pathway of C are warranted to confirm this hypothesis.

Adolescent↗

Distribution of complement receptor subtypes in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of B-cell origin.

Surface receptors specific for either the C4b (CR1) or C3d (CR2) component of complement were examined on the neoplastic cells from 30 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B-cell origin and on cells derived from 9 normal lymphoid tissues. Lymphocyte suspensions from non-neoplastic peripheral blood, tonsils, and lymph node contained three categories of complement receptor lymphocytes (CRL): cells with receptors for both C4b and C3d (CR1+, CR2+); cells with receptors for C4b but not C3d (CR1+, CR2-), and cells with receptors for C3d but not C4b (CR1-, CR2+). The mean of the proportion of total CRL expressing receptors only of C3d (CR1-, CR2+) was 0.35 for non-neoplastic tissues and 0.28 for malignant lymphomas of follicular center cell (FCC) origin. However, the proportion of cells with this phenotype was significantly higher in well differentiated lymphocytic lymphomas (WDL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (0.65) and in intermediately differentiated lymphocytic lymphomas (IDL) (0.59). Histologic compartmentalization of the CRL subtypes was observed in frozen sections of normal lymphoid tissue. CR1+ cells were present in lymphoid follicles interfollicular areas, and in splenic red pulp. CR2+ cells were confined to lymphoid follicles. These findings strongly suggest that complement receptor phenotypes may be useful markers of B-cell differentiation.

B-Lymphocytes↗

HIV is trapped and masked in the cytoplasm of lymph node follicular dendritic cells.

To gain further insight into the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, lymph nodes from seven asymptomatic HIV+ subjects were analyzed during the latent phase of disease. Both ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that, in all of the cases, plasma cells producing IgM/gamma were present in germinal centers. Secreted immunoglobulins formed extracellular deposits mimicking the follicular dendritic cell network. Immunoglobulin produced by germinal center plasma cells are specific for HIV because they bind the HIV env protein gp 120. Plasma cells producing antibodies with the same specificity were also abundant in the extrafollicular regions of lymph nodes. During the latent phase of infection, the virus largely accumulates within the germinal centers. Therefore, extracellular immunoglobulin may form immune complexes, as shown by the presence of HIV-specific antibodies, HIV particles, and complement components C3c, C3d, and C1q in the interdendritic spaces. When the ultrastructural localization of HIV in germinal centers was analyzed, abundant virus particles were found in the interdendritic spaces. In addition to this extracellular localization of HIV, receptor-mediated endocytosis of viral particles by follicular dendritic cells was observed. Complete HIV particles were found within the endosomal compartment of the follicular dendritic cells and, as complete viral particles, free in the cytoplasm, indicating that the virus may escape from the endocytic compartment. As the virus is abundant in the cytoplasm, this event leads to formation of a hidden reservoir within follicular dendritic cells. In this location, HIV escapes recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. In contrast, virus budding indicating a productive infection of follicular dendritic cells that would render them susceptible to T-cell-mediated lysis has been seldom observed.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

On the nature of degenerative diseases and possible therapy: a hypothesis.

The hypothesis of a pathway common to the degenerative disease, amenable to particular therapies, is discussed. C3D, formed by activation of the complement cascade, markedly amplifies the synthesis of immunoglobulin, that may increase microglial activation and thus induce neuronal damage and death. If, indeed, the formation of C3D and activated microgliocytes are critical steps in the degenerative pathway, "combination therapy" utilising immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive preparations, the former to inhibit the antigen presenting (dendritic) cell and the latter to inhibit lymphocyte activation, may ameliorate the degenerative process.

Animals↗