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PubMed1985

Complement-mediated serum cytotoxicity for Leishmania major amastigotes: killing by serum deficient in early components of the membrane attack complex.

Leishmania major, the agent of Oriental sore, is an obligate intracellular parasite of macrophages in mammalian hosts. Man's immune defense against this organism requires participation of specifically sensitized lymphocytes and activated macrophages. Recent studies, however, have demonstrated that as little as 1/120 concentration of normal human serum is highly cytotoxic for the amastigote form of L. major. Initiation of the lethal process occurs rapidly, requiring only 30 sec of parasite exposure to serum, and is mediated by antibody-independent activation of the alternate complement pathway. The molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity is not known, but may require participation of the membrane attack complex, C5b-9. We investigated this possibility by treating amastigotes with human sera genetically deficient in complement components C5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. We then measured viability of treated parasites by amastigote-promastigote conversion. Our results were quite unexpected: not only did C9-deficient serum kill organisms, but sera singly deficient in each of the preceding components C6 to C8 were also cytotoxic. The degree of cytotoxicity was related both to serum concentration and to the point in the complement cascade at which deficiency occurred. Sera lacking C6 or C7 were less cytotoxic than those deficient in C8, which were less toxic than those deficient in C9. Cytoxicity of deficient sera was abolished by heating serum to 56 degrees C for 30 min. These findings indicate that an incomplete membrane attack complex may mediate cytotoxicity for L. major amastigotes. Moreover, our results raise important questions regarding the mechanism by which the complex is assembled on the surface of a living, unicellular eukaryotic organism.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[Immunologic aspects of the nephrotic syndrome].

Evidence that immunological mechanisms playing a major role in certain forms of nephrotic syndrome are obtained from immunopathologic observations, by analogy to certain form of experimental renal disease and by alterations in serum complement and complement component levels. This group of disease includes a variety of glomerulonephritis in which antigen-antibody-complexes and anti-glomerular basal membrane antibodies play a role in their pathogenesis. There are also evidences that the alternate complement pathway may be involved in certain forms of immune related glomerulonephritis. The precise etiology of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome having unique characteristics separating it from nephrotic syndrome associated with glomerulonephritis, is yet unknown. However, there are some circumstantial evidences depending on clinical observations that it may be an immunological disorder. It is possibly produced by a systemic abnormality of T-cell function resulting in the secretion of a circulating chemical mediator, toxic to the glomerular basement membrane; but there is not yet direct proof to substantiate this hypothesis.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1983

Cytolysis of Sendai virus-infected guinea-pig cells by homologous complement.

Guinea-pig line 10 tumor (GPL10) cells, which were transplantable in strain 2 guinea-pigs, gained the capacity to activate the homologous alternative complement pathway (ACP) following infection with ultraviolet-irradiated Sendai virus (UV-SV). The ACP activation of homologous serum on the UV-SV-infected GPL10 cells (UV-SV-GPL10 cells) resulted in cytolysis of the tumor cells. This indicates that UV-SV infection induced not only the capacity to activate complement on the GPL10 cells, but also made them sensitive to complement attack, because GPL10 cells have been demonstrated to be resistant to the reaction of homologous complement via the classical pathway in the presence of rabbit antibody. Furthermore, UV-SV-GPL10 cells prepared with as little as 0.1 plaque-forming unit equivalent of UV-SV per cell showed suppressed growth in syngeneic strain 2 guinea-pigs. The essential role of complement in the elimination of UV-SV-GPL10 cells in vivo was confirmed by demonstrating that UV-SV-GPL10 could grow in guinea-pigs whose complement had been depleted by administration of cobra venom factor.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Serum complement proteins in IgA nephropathy.

Immunohistologic studies in IgA nephropathy which have suggested activation of the alternative complement pathway prompted us to study serum complement components and control proteins in 28 patients with IgA nephropathy. Thirteen patients, 12 of whom were men, had or developed chronic renal failure (CRF) during 34 +/- 5 months of follow-up. These patients were more hypertensive and had heavier proteinuria than those with stable renal function. Their serum IgA concentrations were not different from patients with normal renal function. The prevalence of HLA antigens was similar to that for the reference population and BW35 was not associated with CRF. Serum C3, B, H and I concentrations in patients with stable normal renal function were higher than they were in patients with CRF. Four patients studied--two with normal renal function and two with CRF--had partial familial deficiencies of single complement proteins. Our data suggest that high serum levels of C3, B, H and I may be associated with stable normal glomerular filtration rate and that complement deficiencies are not infrequent in IgA nephropathy. How these findings relate to the pathogenesis and progression of IgA nephropathy requires further study. We also conclude that higher serum IgA concentrations and the presence of BW35 are not necessarily associated with progressive renal insufficiency in IgA nephropathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Homozygous C7 defect in a German family].

An 11 year old boy with recurrent meningitis/sepsis (once without positive bacterial culture, once with demonstration of Neisseria meningitidis in blood) was evaluated for suspected immunodeficiency. Absent activity of both the classical and alternative pathway of complement suggested a defect of the membrane attack complex. Immunochemical and functional analyses together with family studies revealed a homozygous defect of the seventh component of complement in the boy. This is the first description of C7 deficiency in a German family.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Resistance of Acanthamoeba species to complement lysis.

Acanthamoeba species were evaluated for susceptibility to complement lysis as determined by release of radiolabeled uridine. The 3 Acanthamoeba species tested, A. culbertsoni (ATCC 30171), A. castellanii (ATCC 30010), and A. polyphaga (ATCC 30461), depleted hemolytic complement activity from normal human serum (NHS), yet were resistant to its lytic effects. Examination of microtiter plates containing amoebae incubated in NHS demonstrated formation of a pellet in the wells. Pellet formation was not observed when amoebae were incubated in human cord serum, heat-inactivated serum, or C1q-deficient serum. Ultrastructural examination of serum-treated amoebae revealed the presence of a finely granular substance that surrounded the amoebae. Treatment of amoebae with enzymes or metabolic inhibitors prior to incubation in NHS was performed to investigate the mechanism of complement resistance. Cycloheximide or cytochalasin D pretreatment increased the susceptibility of A. culbertsoni and A. castellanii to complement lysis. Cytochalasin D treatment also increased the susceptibility of A. polyphaga to complement lysis. Inhibition of serine protease activity by phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride increased complement susceptibility of all 3 species of Acanthamoeba. Enzymatic removal of surface components from A. polyphaga or A. castellanii, with trypsin, neuraminidase, or phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC), did not affect serum resistance. In contrast, PIPLC treatment of A. culbertsoni significantly increased lysis by complement. The ability of Acanthamoeba species to activate the alternative complement pathway yet resist complement-mediated cellular lysis can be attributed to both the release of a transport-dependent extracellular matrix as well as the presence of complement inhibitory surface proteins.

Acanthamoeba↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The state of classical and alternative complement activation pathways in persons who participated in the cleanup of the aftereffects of the accident at the Chernobyl Atomic Power Plant].

The levels of T-cell activation through classical and alternative pathways were studied in persons participated in cleaning-up operations at Chernobyl N. P. P. Proliferation response of T-cells on the action of monoclonal antibody anti-CD3 (classical activation) as well as response on phytohaemagglutinin was partially decreased just as response on autologic erythrocytes in combination with phorbol 12-myristate-13 acetate (CD2-dependent alternative activation) was completely suppressed in all affected persons. Addition of interleukin 2 did not restore T-cell responses on both anti-CD3 and alternative stimulation. The different degree of decrease of T-cell responses on anti-CD3 and CD2-dependent alternative stimulation is not a result of respective alterations of cell surface CD3 and CD2 expression.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1982

An alternative role for specific antibody in neutrophil bactericidal activity against highly pathogenic group B streptococci.

An investigation was undertaken into the role of antibody and complement in neutrophil phagocytosis and killing of group B streptococci of low and high pathogenicity. Phagocytosis of both types of organism appears to be a nonspecific event requiring only nonspecific antibody or complement. However, neutrophil bactericidal activity is mediated by the pathogenicity of the infecting organism. Neutrophils alone can kill some streptococci of low pathogenicity, but their killing ability is considerably increased in the presence of specific antibody or complement. An active role for the alternative pathway of complement in the killing process was demonstrated for organisms of low pathogenicity. Neutrophils did not kill the highly pathogenic organisms in the absence of antibody and complement, and required specific antibody, but not complement, to kill these bacteria. The alternative complement pathway is not involved in killing of highly pathogenic organisms. Addition of specific antibody to neutrophils containing ingested bacteria stimulated the neutrophils to kill the intracellular bacteria, suggesting an alternative role for specific antibody in the killing process other than as an opsonin. It is suggested that activation of Fc receptors on the neutrophil surface initiates the bactericidal action of the neutrophils.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Alternative pathway of complement activation by human lymphoblastoid B and T cell lines.

Other investigators have reported activation of the alternative complement (C) pathway in homologous and heterologous serum by a variety of human lymphoblastoid B cell lines. Their ability to activate the C was associated with Epstein Barr virus transformation of the cells. We report that some human lymphoblastoid T cell lines, lacking EBV-DNA in their genome, do activate the human alternative C pathway with no participation of immunoglobulin or specific antibodies. Nevertheless, activation measured by C3 deposition on the cell surface was weaker than with the B cell lines so far studied; in relation to the RAJl cells, C3 deposition on JURKAT, MOLT 4, HSB2, and 1301 was, respectively, 68, 38, 28, and 19%. Furthermore, C3 deposition on JURKAT T cell line requires D, whereas RAJl cells provide a proteolytic activity able to mimic D, and which, unlike D, can be controlled by serum protease inhibitors. Although the ability to activate the AP seems to be a largely shared property of the human lymphoblastoid B and T cell lines, the situation was strikingly different with normal and mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes or with acute leukemic cells, which led to a negligible AP-dependent C3 deposition compared with the level observed with the lymphoblastoid cell lines. Membrane sialic acid content was determined for every cell tested and revealed no relationship with their ability to activate the AP. The two EBV+ B cell lines tested led to a comparable AP activation regardless of the presence of the C3b receptor.

Absorption↗
PubMed2001

Effect of cholesterol content in activation of the classical versus the alternative pathway of rat complement system induced by hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholine-based liposomes.

Liposomes composed of hydrogenated egg phosphatidylcholine (HEPC) and cholesterol (CHOL) were found to activate the rat complement (C) system in a CHOL content-dependent manner. Liposomes containing 22 or 33 mol% CHOL activated the C system in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, suggesting that C activation occurred via the classical pathway. Liposomes containing 44 mol% CHOL activated the C system in a Ca(2+) independent manner, suggesting that C activation occurred via the alternative pathway. The CHOL content appeared to dictate the pathway by which the C system was activated. This C activation was inhibited by removal of serum component(s), which adsorb to the liposomes. Activation of the alternative pathway, induced by the liposomes, was reduced by the depletion of IgG and IgM, whereas the classical pathway activation was reduced by the depletion of IgG, but not IgM. In addition, the removal of adsorbed serum component(s) by treatment with 44 mol% CHOL-containing liposomes decreased serum IgG and IgM levels that adsorb to the same liposomes, whereas the removal of adsorbed serum component(s) by treatment with 22 mol% CHOL-containing liposomes only slightly decreased serum IgG levels, which adsorbs to the same liposomes. Collectively, both IgG and IgM, which are specifically adsorbed to the liposomes in a CHOL-content dependent manner, were responsible for C activation via the alternative pathway induced by the 44 mol% CHOL containing liposomes. IgG alone would be partially responsible for C activation via the classical pathway induced by 22 or 33 mol% CHOL-containing liposomes. The discovery of this unique C-activating property of liposomes will be of value in attempts to decipher the underlying mechanism of C activation by providing a useful model membrane system.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by human serum IgA.

In order to study the activation of complement by soluble aggregates of human polyclonal serum IgA, lysis of sheep erythrocytes (E) coated with several IgA preparations was used as a model. A complement nonactivating monoclonal mouse IgG1 against IgA was used to coat the cells. IgA, isolated from normal human serum, was aggregated by either N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate (SPDP), glutaraldehyde, carbodiimide or heating. Depending on the size of the aggregates, and on the method of aggregation, E coated with aggregated IgA (E gamma 1.AIgA) could be lysed. The alternative pathway of complement appeared to mediate the lysis because the latter was observed in the presence of EGTA containing 5 mM Mg2+ (MgEGTA) and properdin (P) was deposited on the cells. Furthermore, no lysis was observed in C3-deficient serum. In the absence of AIgA the cells were not lysed, and no P deposition was observed. In another set of experiments E gamma 1.AIgA were first reacted with purified C3, B, D and P for 30 min at 30 degrees C, and subsequently in rat serum EDTA at 37 degrees C. Lysis occurred when E gamma 1.AIgA were prepared using SPDP-, glutaraldehyde- or carbodiimide-AIgA. Incubation of 100 micrograms/ml SPDP-AIgA with normal human serum for 30 min at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of MgEGTA also induced consumption of total complement. The other soluble AIgA preparations were less effective in activating complement. These results suggest that polymeric serum IgA is capable of activating the alternative pathway of complement.

Complement Activation↗
PubMed2002

Activation capacity of the alternative and classic complement pathways in patients operated on for colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Tumor cells may suppress activation of the host's complement system, and the functional state of the complement system may be a prognostic marker of outcome in patients with malignancies. Serial plasma samples from patients undergoing intended curative surgery for colorectal cancer were analyzed for complement factor C3 activation capacity. METHODS: Samples were collected from 91 patients with colorectal cancer and 13 with benign colorectal diseases before surgery and 1, 2, and 7 days after surgery, between 8 and 13 days after surgery, and 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months after surgery. The samples were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that measured C3 activation capacity by the alternative and classic complement pathways. Cancer patients were compared according to Dukes stage, type of surgery performed, transfusion of blood, development of infection, venous thromboembolism, and cancer recurrence. RESULTS: Plasma samples obtained from cancer patients before surgery showed C3 activation capacities corresponding to those of samples from patients with benign disease. For both patient groups, C3 activation capacity decreased after surgery and normalized within seven days. Significant differences in C3 activation capacities were observed between cancer patients that were related to Dukes stage and in patients with and without buffy coat-depleted red cells suspended in saline, adenine, glucose, and mannitol transfusion, infectious events, and deep venous thromboembolism. Measurement of C3 activation capacity was of predictive value in patients who developed infection. CONCLUSION: Serial measurements of C3 activation capacity in plasma from patients who had undergone surgery for colorectal cancer revealed significant differences related to Dukes staging after surgery and to the development of infections but not to cancer recurrence.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1986

Site-specific activation of the alternative pathway of complement. Synthesis of a hybrid molecule consisting of antibody and cobra venom factor.

Cobra venom factor (CoF) is an analog of the activated third component of human complement (C3b). Unlike C3b, CoF is completely resistant to inactivation by factors H and I, the endogenous control proteins of the alternative pathway of complement. This property makes CoF a useful reagent when unrestricted activation of complement is desired. CoF was covalently conjugated to the IgG fraction of rabbit antihuman erythrocyte antiserum, and the ability of the hybrid molecules to initiate activation of the alternative pathway at a specific site was tested. The hybrid molecules were heterogeneous polymers (CoFn-IgGn, where n is an integer greater than 1 for at least one of the components), and both components retained their individual functional activities. The alternative-pathway C3/C5 convertase complex was formed by adding purified factors B and D to the hybrid in the presence of magnesium. This complex (antibody-CoFBb) was able to bind to erythrocytes and activate both C3 and C5. Activation of C5 initiated formation of the potentially cytolytic membrane attack complex of complement on the surface of the cell. When used in combination with rabbit serum, the hybrid molecule was a potent mediator of complement-induced hemolysis. The decay kinetics of the hybrid C3/C5 convertase complex when bound to normal human erythrocytes were not first order, but 40% of the activity remained after 3.5 h at 37 degrees C. Conjugation of CoF to specific antibodies will permit investigation of the consequences of alternative-pathway activation at selective sites. These hybrids may also have therapeutic potential.

Complement Activating Enzymes↗
PubMed2004

Expression of complement factor H by lung cancer cells: effects on the activation of the alternative pathway of complement.

The complement system is important in immunosurveillance against tumors. However, malignant cells are usually resistant to complement-mediated lysis. In this study, we examine the expression of factor H, an inhibitor of complement activation, and factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), its alternatively spliced form, in lung cancer. We also evaluate the potential effect of factor H/FHL-1 in the protection of lung cancer cells against the activation of the complement cascade. By Northern blot analysis we demonstrate a high expression of factor H and FHL-1 in most non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, although neuroendocrine pulmonary tumors (small cell lung carcinoma and carcinoid cell lines) had undetectable levels. Western blot analysis of conditioned medium showed the active secretion of factor H and FHL-1 by cells that were positive by Northern blot. Expression of factor H/FHL-1 mRNA was also shown in a series of non-small cell lung cancer biopsies by in situ hybridization. Interestingly, many cultured lung cancer cells were able to bind fluorescence-labeled factor H to their surfaces. Deposition of C3 fragments from normal human serum on H1264, a lung adenocarcinoma cell line, was more efficient when factor H/FHL-1 activity was blocked by specific antibodies. Blocking factor H/FHL-1 activity also enhanced the release of anaphylatoxin C5a and moderately increased the susceptibility of these cells to complement-mediated cytotoxicity. In summary, we demonstrate the expression of factor H and FHL-1 by some lung cancer cells and analyze the contribution of these proteins to the protection against complement activation.

Blood Proteins↗
PubMed1980

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by mycobacteria and cord factor.

The ability of a number of mycobacteria and some of their components to activate complement was examined. Mycobacterium bovis BCG (Glaxo strain), Mycobacterium leprae, Mycobacterium lepraemurium, and cord factor activated the alternative pathway of complement in normal human serum and normal and C4-deficient guinea pig sera and generated biologically active products. BCG (Pasteur strain) and muramyl dipeptide did not activate complement. The relevance of activation of complement by mycobacteria to their induction of granulomas is discussed.

Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine↗
PubMed1985

Activation of the alternative pathway of complement by human peripheral nerve myelin.

Destruction of peripheral nerve myelin (PNM) occurs as a consequence of a variety of pathologic conditions affecting the peripheral nervous system. In certain primary demyelinating neuropathies, several lines of evidence implicate complement in the pathogenesis of demyelination. In this study we demonstrate that human PNM consumes complement in vitro in the absence of specific antibody or C1 activation. Furthermore, activation of complement by PNM via the alternative pathway was shown by cleavage of C3 in normal human serum (NHS) and of B in C2-deficient serum (C2d-HS). Increasing consumption of hemolytic activity of C3 in Mg-EGTA-treated NHS was also noted with increasing amounts of PNM. Pronase treatment of PNM abolished C3 consumption, suggesting that a protein component exposed on the surface of myelin participated in the alternative pathway activation. When P0, the major amphiphilic glycoprotein of PNM, was incorporated into artificial lipid bilayers, the Po-liposomes consumed C3 activity in NHS containing Mg-EGTA. Pronase treatment of Po-liposomes abolished C3 consumption to the level of control liposomes, indicating that P0 was responsible for at least part of the activation seen with peripheral myelin.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Acute nephrotoxic serum nephritis in complement knockout mice: relative roles of the classical and alternate pathways in neutrophil recruitment and proteinuria.

BACKGROUND: The importance of complement in the pathophysiology of renal disease is still being appreciated. To further address the role of this mediator system, we evaluated the influence of absolute deficiency of C3 and C4 on acute nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN). METHODS: Selective 'knockout' of C3 and C4 was routinely confirmed in null mice by ELISA. NSN was induced by intravenous injection of a sheep anti-rat nephrotoxic serum that cross-reacts with murine glomerular antigens. Deposition of heterologous immunoglobulin in wild-type glomeruli was associated with rapid complement deposition and neutrophil infiltration, and followed by the development of proteinuria. RESULTS: Neutrophil infiltration was markedly inhibited in C3-deficient mice indicating a role for complement in PMN recruitment. In contrast, C3 deficiency afforded only partial protection against proteinuria. NSN was studied further in C4 null mice to probe the relative roles of the classical and alternate pathway in disease pathophysiology. C3 and C4 deficiency were associated with equivalent inhibition of PMN recruitment and proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: In aggregate, the data support a major role for complement in PMN recruitment in this model and point to complement-independent mechanisms of proteinuria in antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis. These 'knockout' mice should prove valuable for defining the complement-activated mediator systems that regulate leukocyte recruitment and tissue injury in renal diseases.

Acute Disease↗