PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Complement C4a”

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 631 records · Page 35Linked to original sources

In vitro evaluation of a relationship between human serum- or plasma-material interaction and polymer bulk hydroxyl and surface oxygen content.

To evaluate serum- or plasma-material interactions and a relationship between such interactions and membrane properties such as bulk hydroxyl percentage and surface oxygen percent, medical polymeric membranes with extremely different hydroxyl percentage and surface oxygen percentage were evaluated with normal human serums or plasmas. Six types of mini-membrane modules (hydroxyl & surface oxygen %) were studied including cellulose triacetate (CA; 0 & 34.7%), Cuprophan (CP; 31.5 and 37.4%), ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL; 30.4 and 25.3%), polyacrylonitrile (PAN; 1.5 and 10.2%), polysulfone (PS-F; 0 and 14.2%), and a polymer alloy of polysulfone (PS-K; 0 and 16.2%). Post-perfusion values of biochemical solutes and complement components for PAN and both PS membranes were smaller than those for sham, CA, CP, and EVAL membrane module perfusions. C3a and C4a concentrations showed no significant differences among all membranes except PS-K. Mononuclear cell transformation functions to all mitogens for serums in contact with CA and CP membranes were suppressed versus sham and PAN and both PS membranes. Fibrinogen concentration changes for plasma in contact with EVAL, PAN, and PS-F membranes were significantly smaller than sham, and a significant prolongation of APTT was found for only EVAL versus sham, CA, and CP. Higher surface oxygen percentages (CA, CP > EVAL > PAN, both PS) but not hydroxyl content were associated with lower protein adsorption and higher suppressive transformation function results. These results suggest that surface oxygen percentage may be an important indicator of biocompatibility.

Carbohydrate Sequence↗

High variability of CYP21 gene rearrangements in Spanish patients with classic form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Mutations that cause deficiency of the 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) appear as a result of recombinations between the CYP21B coding gene and the highly homologous CYP21A pseudogene, which are tandemly arranged with the C4A and C4B genes. We report a detailed analysis of a major chromosomic rearrangement by Southern blot using 21-OH and complement C4 cDNA probes, in a wide sample of classic Spanish congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients. This study made it possible to observe that 50% of the patients carried at least one allele with gross abnormalities and that the frequencies of alleles with large deletions (16.66%) and gene conversions (14.16%) in the CYP21B gene were very similar. Moreover, our analysis revealed the existence of sixteen different restriction patterns of C4/CYP21 genes. Besides the detection of a new haplotype, which does not seem to appear from unequal crossing-over mechanisms, we observed the highest frequency on CYP21A duplications reported, as well as no duplications of the CYP21B gene. We also observed that although gross abnormalities of the CYP21A pseudogene did not affect 21-OH activity, alleles carrying deleterious point mutations had more rearrangements of the CYP21A gene than normal alleles. Even though the 21-OH deficiency is an autosomic trait, boys in our sample carried 2.6 times more deletions than girls. In contrast, conversion alleles were found equally frequently.

Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital↗

An update on Rodgers and Chido, the antigenic determinants of human C4.

Rodgers (Rg) and Chido (Ch) blood groups are antigenic determinants of the fourth component of human complement (C4). Nine determinants have been defined by means of hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) with polyspecific human antiserums. The association of C4A isotypes with Rg and of C4B isotypes with Ch is strong hut not complete. Derived amino acid sequences from the C4d region of selected C4 allotypes of known antigenic expression have provided support for the previously reported complex serologic interrelationships. A structural model for antigenic determinants at four polymorphic sites, incorporating sequential and conformational epitopes, was subsequently proposed. Allotype and Rg/Ch data obtained from donors and patients, many with accompanying families, have augmented the model and revealed no exceptions. The antigenic determinants, therefore, make an important contribution to the complex polymorphism of C4.

Journal Article↗

Haplotype study on C4 polymorphism in Japanese. Associations with MHC alleles, complotypes, and HLA-complement haplotypes.

Genetic polymorphism of the fourth component of human complement (C4) was investigated in 83 Japanese families which have been typed for HLA-A,-B,-C,-DR, C2, and BF. Four common C4A alleles and four common C4B alleles were observed. The allele frequencies estimated from unrelated parents were as follows: C4A3, 0.686; A4, 0.132; A2, 0.106; AQ0, 0.067; ARares, 0.009; C4B1, 0.587; B2, 0.167; B5, 0.088; and BQ0, 0.158. Eight different C4 haplotypes were observed with frequencies of more than 0.01. The estimated haplotype frequencies were as follows: C4A3-B1, 0.513; A4-B2, 0.114; A2-BQ0, 0.106; A3-B5, 0.088; AQ0-B1, 0.059; A3-BQ0, 0.047; A3-B2, 0.038; A4-B1, 0.015; and Rares, 0.021. Strong positive gametic associations were found in the following C4-HLA haplotypes: C4A2BQ0-A24, C4A2BQ0-Bw52, C4A3B5-Bw54, C4A3B5-Bw59, C4A4B2-Bw46, C4A3B5-Cw1, C4A2BQ0-DR2, and C4A3B5-DR4. Eleven complotypes were observed with frequencies of more than 0.01. C4A2BQ0 and C4A3B5 were exclusively associated with BFS-C2C. BFF was associated with C4A3B1. C2AT, C2B, and C2BH were associated with C4A3B1, A4B2, and C4A3B1, respectively. Eight different HLA-complement haplotypes were found to be characteristic of Japanese. These combinations are considerably different from those reported in Caucasoid populations.

Alleles↗

Genetics of human C4 polymorphism: detection and segregation of rare and duplicated haplotypes.

Applying a combined technology for the detection of allotypic variation of the fourth component of human complement (C4), including immunofixation with anti-C4 and C4-dependent lysis after agarose electrophoresis, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of C4 to separate the C4A and B alpha-chains, and the determination of Rodgers (Rg) and Chido (Ch) determinants of C4 in serum and at the blotted C4 alpha-chains, we detected rare human C4 allotypes and studied the genetic linkage. Partial inhibitors (p.i.) of anti-Rg and anti-Ch sera were found; the C4A51 allotype characterized as Rg p.i. and the C4A1 and C4B51 allotypes as Ch p.i. were genetically inherited. The C4A1 allotype has a unique Rg- Ch+ C4A alpha-chain. Duplicated C4A loci, A*3, A*2, and A*5, A*2 were both associated with a C4BQO and the HLA haplotype A3-Cw4-Bw35-DR1. These additions to the already known extensive C4 polymorphism may help to sort out their significance for the biological functions of human C4.

Complement C4↗

Sequence of the gene for murine complement component C4.

The gene for murine complement component C4 lies in the S region of the murine major histocompatibility (H-2) complex; in this paper, we report the nucleotide sequence of this gene. The present sequence extends from a SmaI restriction enzyme cleavage site near the 5' end of the gene to a KpnI restriction enzyme cleavage site 569 nucleotides 3' of the polyadenylation site. The sequence spans 15,956 base pairs and together with previously reported data provides a complete sequence extending from the site of transcriptional initiation to the polyadenylation site. The sequence reveals that the C4 gene has 40 introns which range from 75 to 1089 base pairs in length and which include three murine B1 middle repetitive elements, a MT repeat element, and an apparently novel repeat sequence that is also found in noncoding regions of the murine beta-glucuronidase, lymphotoxin (TNF-beta), and rat alpha-crystallin genes. An intron splits the protein coding sequence precisely at the site of proteolytic activation of C4 by complement protease C1s; however, except for this one case, the intron positions show no striking relationship to the structural features of the C4 protein. The length of the murine C4 gene relative to the isotypic C4A and C4B genes in man suggests the independent loss of a 6-kilobase intron from both murine and human C4 genes.

Animals↗

Genetic susceptibility to early onset pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis: a study of HLA and complement markers in 158 British patients.

To investigate the genetics of susceptibility to early onset pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA), 158 unrelated ethnic British patients with a mean disease onset of 3.2 years, together with controls, were tested for HLA-A, B, C, and DR antigens. Additionally, 117 patients were also investigated for complement Bf and C4 markers. New observations included an increased frequency of the C4B 2 allotype (p corrected (pc) less than 0.02) and C4A 4,B 2 phenotype (p less than 0.0005). Findings suggested a unique increase of the haplotype HLA-DRw8, Bf*S, C4A*4, C4B*2, HLA-B39, possibly predisposing to more severe disease. Strong positive associations were confirmed with HLA antigens A2 (pc = 2.5 X 10(-8)), DRw8 (pc = 3.5 X 10(-14)), DR5 (pc less than 0.02), DRw52 (pc = 2.8 X 10(-6)) and DR5, w8 phenotype (pc = 3.9 X 10(-6)), and negative associations with DR7 (pc = 5.8 X 10(-7)), DR4 (pc less than 0.002), and DRw53 (pc = 0.004). Antinuclear antibody (ANA) seropositivity correlated with DR5 (p less than 0.02), and in children with chronic iridocyclitis (CIR) Bw62 incidence was raised (p less than 0.03) and B44 reduced (p less than 0.03). HLA-A2 was found in 88% of ANA+, CIR+ patients (p less than 0.01). A significant excess of DR5, w8 heterozygotes was present (relative risk = 41.1) and a lack of corresponding homozygotes. Results are inconsistent with a recessive, dominant, or intermediate mode of inheritance of susceptibility, and favour the existence of at least two DR linked 'disease' genes. Moreover, there may be an interaction in heterozygotes of combinatorial factors associated with DR5 and DRw8 in enhancing susceptibility. Possible immunogenetic mechanisms underlying the observed associations with three antigen classes are discussed. Evidence here suggests a role for the HLA-DQ locus in determining susceptibility to this disease.

Age Factors↗

Genetic analysis of C4 deficiency.

The inherited structural polymorphism in the fourth component of complement was studied in the family of a child with homozygous deficiency of this protein. It was shown that a number of family members, including the child's parents, carried a C4 haplotype, C4A*QO C4B*QO, that produced no detectable protein at either the Chido (C4B) or Rodgers (C4A) locus. The family contained individuals with one, two, three, or four expressed C4 genes, and the mean serum C4 levels in such individuals roughly reflected the number of structural genes.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Extended HLA/complement allele haplotypes: evidence for T/t-like complex in man.

The chromosomal distribution of alleles for HLA-A,-B,-C, and -DR and the serum complement protein alleles of factor B and C2 and C4 was studied in normal Caucasian families. Eight combinations of HLA-B, DR, BF, C2, C4A, and C4B markers were found to occur in haplotypes at frequencies significantly higher than expected. In these combinations, which were defined as extended major histocompatibility complex haplotypes, HLA-A showed limited variation. A possible mechanism for the maintenance of extended haplotypes are human analogs of murine t mutants which are characterized by crossover suppression and male transmission bias. One human 6p haplotype, HLA-B8, DR3, SCO1, GLO 2, was found to be transmitted from males to 83% of their offspring. The same haplotype with GLO 1 had no transmission bias. It is suggested that this GLO 2-marked chromosome is a human analog of a murine t mutant.

Alleles↗

Activation of complement by mannose-binding lectin on isogenic mutants of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a serum protein that has been demonstrated to activate the classical complement pathway and to function directly as an opsonin. Although MBL deficiency is associated with a common opsonic defect and a predisposition to infection, the role of the protein in bacterial infection remains unclear. We have investigated MBL binding to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B1940 and three isogenic mutants, and the subsequent activation of the two major isoforms of C4 (C4A and C4B) by an associated serine protease, MASP. The mutants lacked expression of the capsular polysaccharide (siaD-), the lipo-oligosaccharide (LOS) outer core that prevented LOS sialylation (cpsD-), or both capsule and LOS outer core (cps-). Using flow cytometry, it was possible to detect strong MBL binding to the cps- and cpsD- mutants over a wide range of concentrations. In contrast, minimal or no MBL binding was detected on the parent organism, with binding to siaD- only at higher MBL concentrations. C4 was activated and bound by mutants that had previously bound MBL/MASP, but there was no significant difference in the amounts of C4A and C4B bound. When sialic acid residues were removed from the parent organism by neuraminidase treatment, the binding of both MBL and C4 increased significantly. Our results suggest that MBL may bind to and activate complement on these encapsulated organisms, and the major determinants of these effects are the LOS structure and sialylation.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Extended major histocompatibility complex haplotypes in celiac patients in the west of Ireland.

The highest reported prevalence of celiac disease (gluten-sensitive enteropathy) is found in the West of Ireland. Recent genetic data have suggested that major histocompatibility complex-linked loci may have a dominant genetic effect for disease susceptibility in this population compared with a recessive effect in other groups. To further understand the role of the MHC in celiac disease in the West of Ireland, we analyzed markers for 22 MHC haplotypes from celiac patients and compared them with 18 nontransmitted haplotypes found in the parents of celiac children, and with reported haplotypes from other populations. An extended MHC haplotype including [HLA-B8, DR3, DQw2, Bf*S, C4A*Q0, and C4B*1] accounted for 50% of celiac haplotypes but only 27% of nontransmitted parental haplotypes. Compared with other reported haplotypes in celiacs, patients from the West of Ireland show a higher prevalence of HLA-A1 as a component of this extended haplotype, suggesting that although the core haplotype is similar between Irish patients and others, the celiac population in the West of Ireland differs at other HLA loci. We did not observe any other common haplotypes among our patients unlike the situation in other populations. These differences may underlie the possible dominant effect of HLA-linked loci and the unusually high prevalence of celiac disease in the Irish population. We also found that the serum levels of complement components C3c, C4, and factor B were significantly lower among celiac patients than nonceliacs. The lower serum level of C4 appears to be related to the presence of deletions and null alleles at the C4A and C4B loci in celiacs.

Adult↗

HLA associations with inclusion body myositis.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is defined clinically by a characteristic pattern of progressive proximal and distal limb muscle weakness and resistance to steroid therapy, and histologically by the presence of distinctive rimmed vacuoles and filamentous inclusions as well as a mononuclear infiltrate in which CD8+ T cells are predominant. Muscle damage is believed to be mediated by autoimmune mechanisms, but very little information is available on the immunogenic features of IBM. MHC class I and DR antigens were typed on 13 caucasoid patients with IBM using standard serological techniques or by allele-specific oligonucleotide typing. Complement components C4 and properdin factor B (Bf) were typed by immunofixation after electrophoresis. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) in the class III region were analysed using cDNA probes for C4 and 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) after Taq 1 digestion. IBM was associated with DR3 (92%), DR52 (100%) and HLA B8 (75%). The phenotype data were examined for likely haplotypes by considering together the alleles at the class I, DR and complement loci along with the C4 and CYP21 RFLP. Ten of the DR3+ subjects had a 6.4-kb C4-hybridizing fragment characteristic of a deletion of C4A and CYP21-A. These patients probably carried all, or at least the class II and III regions, of the extended haplotype marked by B8/C4A*Q0/C4B1/BfS/DR3/DR52, which has been associated with several autoimmune diseases and is present in 11% of the healthy caucasoid population. Of the remaining subjects, two had evidence of the extended haplotype marked by B18/C4A3/C4BW*0/BfF1/DR3, which is present in less than 5% of the healthy population and has been associated with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. These data provide support for an autoimmune etiology for, and genetic predisposition to, IBM.

Adult↗

Combined complete C5 and partial C4 deficiency in humans: clinical consequences and complement-mediated functions in vitro.

A family is described with two siblings who suffered at different times from a single episode of meningococcal meningitis by Neisseria meningitidis groups B and C, respectively. In the two subjects, hemolytically active fifth component of complement (C5) was not detectable and antigenic C5 was less than 0.05% and less than 0.7% of normal, respectively. Repletion of sera by purified human C5 (70 micrograms/ml) restored total complement hemolytic activities. The asymptomatic first degree family members had C5 levels compatible with a heterozygous state of C5 deficiency. C4 allotyping revealed an inherited partial deficiency (Q0) of C4A and C4B in the family with a combined C4AQ0 and C4BQ0 heterozygous condition in one and C4BQ0 heterozygosity in the other C5 deficient (C5D) subject. To our knowledge, this is the first human kindred with recognized combined C5 and C4 deficiency. No other defect of the humoral and cellular immune system was found in this family, including specific immune response to tetravalent meningococcal vaccine. The effect of partial C4 deficiency on classical pathway function was assessed by inhibition of immune precipitation (IIP) of forming bovine serum albumin (BSA)/anti-BSA immune complexes. Sera from all family members showed normal IIP values, with exception of the subject with combined partial deficiency in C4A, C4B, and complete deficiency in C5. Despite undetectable functional C5 in the C5D sera, the titration of the alternative pathway indicated intact but deficient hemolytic activities when rabbit erythrocytes (EC) were used as indicator cells in the presence of Mg2+ and EGTA in an end-point or kinetic assay. Preincubation of the two sera at 0 degrees C for 60 min with rabbit ECs reduced alternative pathway hemolytic activity by 24 and 100%, respectively. When rabbit ECs were replaced by guinea pig ECs no alternative pathway function could be measured. The results indicate that the apparent functional activity of the alternative pathway in C5D sera strongly depends on a factor(s) present in such serum and/or on the detection system used. We conclude that the two C5D individuals of the family reported here may not have sufficient C5 activity to provide efficient protection against Neisserial infections in conditions where complement functions beyond C3 opsonic activity are required in vivo.

Adolescent↗

Dissociation of primary antigen-antibody bonds is essential for complement mediated solubilization of immune precipitates.

The role of dissociation of primary antigen-antibody bonds in the solubilization of immune complexes (IC) has been investigated using photo-affinity crosslinked IC comprising NAP15-BSA and murine monoclonal anti-DNP antibodies. Non-covalently linked IC were solubilized rapidly when incubated with normal human serum (NHS), whereas covalently-linked IC were solubilized poorly or not at all. The rate and extent of complement activation produced by incubating covalently-linked and non-covalently linked IC with NHS was similar as assessed by the production of the C1s:C1-inhibitor, C3:properdin and C5b-9 complexes and the anaphylatoxins C4a and C3a. Thus, the inability of serum to solubilize photo-affinity crosslinked IC must be due to failure of dissociation of primary antigen-antibody bonds.

Animals↗

Complement C4B null allele status confers risk for systemic lupus erythematosus in a Spanish population.

Genetic susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may vary amongst different populations. In UK patients, genes encoded in the HLA class II (DQA*0501/DRB1*0301) and class III [C4A*Q0 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) polymorphisms] subregions appear to contribute to disease susceptibility. We have examined HLA-DRB1, C4 and TNF microsatellites in 50 Spanish SLE patients and 48 matched controls. HLA-DRB1*0301 was increased in patients but did not achieve statistical significance (41% vs. 25.5%). C4A*Q0 was not increased in patients, but C4B*Q0 allele frequency was significantly increased compared with the controls (29% vs. 6%; OR: 6.0). TNF c2 microsatellite allele frequency was also increased in SLE patients. The C4B null allele (C4B*Q0) appears to play an important role in SLE susceptibility in the Spanish population.

Alleles↗

Complement C4 null alleles as a marker of gold or D-penicillamine toxicity in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

C4 null alleles and HLA-DR antigens were defined in 48 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) subjects who had developed renal or heamatological side effects to gold or penicillamine, as compared to 33 RA subjects who had received the drugs for similar time periods without developing side effects. A C4A null allele was found in 56% of subjects with and 31% of those without side effects (P = 0.027, relative risk 2.8). A similar but statistically non-significant trend was observed with the C4B null allele (P = 0.64) resulting in a higher risk of drug toxicity in rheumatoid patients bearing either a C4A or C4B null allele (relative risk 5.7). Frequencies of DR3 and DR4 were similar in the two groups.

Alleles↗

Complement levels in septic primates treated with anti-C5a antibodies.

During gram-negative sepsis it is known that endotoxin activates complement by the alternate pathway. The complement anaphylatoxin C5a, a result of this activation, is thought to play a key role in attracting and activating neutrophils in the lungs, leading to the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Complement levels were measured in primates made septic by Escherichia coli infusions. Anti-human C5a antibodies were administered to study their effect on neutrophil-mediated lung injury. Control (I), septic (II) and septic + anti-C5a antibody (III) groups (n = 4) were studied. The antibody-treated group (III) demonstrated a significant attenuation of septic shock and pulmonary edema as has been previously reported. All complement profiles were corrected for varying hemoglobin concentrations. C3, C4, and C5 levels were measured by radial immunodiffusion and were depleted in both septic groups. Once the levels were depleted from the plasma, they did not recover. The depletion of C4 indicates that classical pathway activation also occurred. C3a, C4a, and C5a levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Significantly increased peak levels were reached in the septic groups 15 min after initiation of the E. coli infusion. There were no significant differences in early peak C3a and C4a levels between groups II and III. However, the mean peak C5a level in group III (anti-C5a antibodies) was 42% lower than that in group II, and after this early peak, C5a levels were not elevated above control levels in group III. The antibody to human C5a was thus shown to be cross-reactive with primate C5a and was specific since C3a and C4a levels were not decreased in group III.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗