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Role of Escherichia coli K capsular antigens during complement activation, C3 fixation, and opsonization.

Escherichia coli strains with K capsular polysaccharides are relatively resistant to phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes, in contrast to E. coli strains without K antigens. This inhibition of phagocytosis is related to an impaired recognition of the K+ strains by the phagocytes due to ineffective opsonization. All five strains without K antigens were readily phagocytized after opsonization in 5% normal serum, compared with no uptake of the K+ strains. Evidence is presented that the decreased opsonization of the K+ strains in normal serum is caused by a low rate of complement activation of the strains, with subsequent absence of C3b fixation or C3d fixation or both to the cell wall of the bacteria. After removal of the K+ antigens by heating of a K+ E. coli strain, the strain was able to activate complement, to bind C3b or C3d or both, and to become opsonized. Complement was then activated via the classical and alternative pathways, which was comparable to the complement consumption by K- E. coli.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Lupus nephritis in children: a longitudinal study of prognostic factors and therapy.

There are only a few studies in the pediatric literature that have analyzed risk factors for renal failure in childhood lupus nephritis. This study reviewed the outcome of 56 children (4 to 18 yr of age) with lupus nephritis seen at the authors' institution over a 27-yr period (1965 to 1992), in relation to risk factors and therapy. All children underwent percutaneous renal biopsy before the institution of therapy. From 1965 to 1987, treatment for Class III and IV lupus nephritis consisted of high-dose pulse methylprednisolone, 500 mg daily for 10 days, followed by oral prednisone. From 1987 to 1992, IV cyclophosphamide was given monthly for 6 months and then every 3 months for a period of 3 yr for patients with Class III and Class IV disease. Of 56 children, 42% had Class IV and 21% had Class III histology at onset. The mean follow-up period was 4 yr and ranged from 0.5 to 20.3 yr. Life-table analysis showed that the cumulative proportion of patients surviving was 82.8% at 5 yr and 67.7% at 10 yr. Renal survival was 44.4% at 5 yr and 29% at 10 yr, after the initial diagnosis of lupus nephritis was made. Age at diagnosis, race, sex, initial serum creatinine level, and the presence of proteinuria, hypertension, and DNA antibody titers were reviewed with respect to disease progression, as was the histological class at diagnosis. The effect of the different therapies was also examined. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association of progression to ESRD with an elevated serum creatinine level (P = 0.021), decreased C3 complement (P = 0.024), hypertension (P = 0.053), and histological classification of Class IV lupus nephritis (P = 0.031). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that progression to ESRD was independently associated with an initial Class IV histology (relative risk, 1.78; P < 0.003), hypertension at presentation (relative risk, 1.67; P < 0.003), and a low C3 complement level in conjuction with a high creatinine level (relative risk, 1.52; P < 0.028). Among children with lupus nephritis, those with Class IV disease, hypertension, high creatinine levels, and low C3 complement levels at the time of diagnosis are at increased risk for ESRD. Initial histological classification of lupus nephritis was the most reliable prognostic factor for disease progression. This study was unable to detect a difference in outcome for the two treatment groups.

Adolescent↗

Halogenation and proteolysis of complement component C3 on Salmonella typhimurium during phagocytosis by human neutrophils.

We examined the fate of C component C3 on the surface of Salmonella typhimurium during ingestion by human neutrophils. Initial experiments showed that C3 fragments and C3-acceptor complexes were the major serum ligands which were surface iodinated by canine myeloperoxidase on serum-incubated rough and smooth isolates of S. typhimurium. In contrast, labeled C3 was not identified when the same organisms were ingested by neutrophils in the presence of 125I-Na, a situation previously shown to iodinate particulate targets via the neutrophil myeloperoxidase-halide-H2O2 system. Pretreatment of neutrophils before phagocytosis with the lipid-soluble protease inhibitor diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP), but not with other protease inhibitors (p-nitrophenylguanidinobenzoate, leupeptin, pepstatin), substantially blocked proteolysis of 125I-C3 on S. typhimurium strain RG108 during ingestion by neutrophils. Purification of neutrophil phagosomes containing S. typhimurium-bearing 125I-C3 showed that DFP but no other protease inhibitors blocked proteolysis of 125I-C3 within phagosomes. Iodinated C3-acceptor complexes were identified by immunoprecipitation from the detergent-insoluble fraction of phagosomes prepared from DFP-treated cells ingesting S. typhimurium in the presence of 125I-Na. These results show that C3 fragments on the surface of S. typhimurium are the major serum ligands which are halogenated and degraded by proteolysis during phagocytosis by human neutrophils, and suggest that the majority of proteolysis on the ingested target occurs within the neutrophil phagosome.

Adsorption↗

Ultraviolet B radiation exerts enhancing effects on the production of a complement component, C3, by interferon-gamma-stimulated cultured human epidermal keratinocytes, in contrast to photochemotherapy and ultraviolet A radiation that show suppressive effects.

The present study was designed to investigate by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction methods whether photochemotherapy (PUVA) or ultraviolet (UV) B treatment affects C3 production by interferon (IFN)-gamma-stimulated keratinocytes cultured in serum-free medium. The results showed that PUVA and UVA reduced C3 production by IFN-gamma-stimulated epidermal keratinocytes dose-dependently, although the effect of PUVA was stronger than that of UVA alone. Interestingly, UVB induced an enhancement of C3 production at doses ranging from 10 to 50 mJ cm-2. This phenomenon was found at both the protein and mRNA levels. In every experiment, changes in C3 mRNA levels preceded those in its protein levels. Reduced C3 production at higher doses of 75 and 100 mJ cm-2 were probably due to cytotoxic effects of UVB. In our experimental system, PUVA, UVA or UVB treatment did not affect C3 production without IFN-gamma stimulation. Our results suggest that a reduction in C3 production by PUVA treatment may in part explain the efficacy of PUVA in the treatment of inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis, while the results of the UVB experiments may partially explain the proinflammatory nature of UVB.

Cells, Cultured↗

Immunologic studies of male infertility.

Blood and semen samples were obtained from 13 men who had self-agglutination of spermatozoa and spermatozoal antibodies in their sera. The seminal plasma of these men produced spermatozoal immobilization and agglutination when added to normal semen from healthy men. Analysis of the seminal plasma samples showed that immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels were higher in the study group than in the control subjects. They contained IgA and complements C3 and C4, whereas only 2 of 15 samples from normal men contained IgA, and only one case contained C3 and C4. IgM was detected in 10 samples of the study group and in one sample of the control group. IgG levels in the blood of the study group were significantly higher than those in the blood of control subjects. Therefore, the immunoglobulins which probably play a role in the mechanism of autoagglutination and immobilization of spermatozoa are IgG, IgA, and IgM, and complements C3 and C4.

Agglutination↗

Structure of murine complement component C3. I. Nucleotide sequence of cloned complementary and genomic DNA coding for the beta chain.

The nucleotide sequence coding for the beta chain of murine C3 was determined from cloned cDNA and genomic DNA fragments. Sonicated subfragments were randomly inserted into the bacteriophage M13 and sequenced using the dideoxynucleotide technique. Each nucleotide was sequenced on average six times in these studies. The derived amino acid sequence includes a signal peptide and a tetra-arginine sequence between the beta and alpha subunits in the precursor polypeptide prepro-C3. Together with the accompanying report (Wetsel, R.A., Lundwall, A., Davidson, F., Gibson, T., Tack, B.F., and Fey, G.H. (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 13857-13862), this paper completes the analysis of the coding sequences for the prepro-C3 polypeptide. The derived molecular weight of the unglycosylated beta chain (642 amino acids) is 70,641. The sequences of the first two introns in the murine C3 gene and of the 5'-flanking 106 nucleotides are also reported. The 5'-flanking region contains a TATA consensus sequence in agreement with an earlier report (Wiebauer, K., Domdey, H., Diggelmann, H., and Fey, G.H. (1982) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 79, 7077-7081), presumed to be involving in regulating the expression of the C3 gene. A striking feature of the derived sequence was that only 3 cysteine residues were found, all located in the C-terminal part of the polypeptide chain. No carbohydrate attachment sites were predicted in the beta chain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thioester function is conserved in SpC3, the sea urchin homologue of the complement component C3.

The amino acid sequence of the thioester site in the alpha chain of SpC3, the sea urchin homologue of C3, is conserved. This implies a conserved function of covalent bond formation with amine or hydroxyl groups on target molecules. When coelomic fluid (CF) was incubated with 14C-methylamine, a classic assay for thioester binding function, the alpha chain became labeled. When CF was treated to induce autolysis, peptide bond cleavage occurred at the thioester site. Autolysis could be blocked or reduced by pre-treating CF with either methylamine or yeast, both of which are known to bind to thioester sites C3 proteins from other organisms. The data suggest that SpC3 can bind to target cell surfaces, constituting indirect evidence that it can covalently bind to pathogen surfaces and function as an opsonin in vivo. This activity may be an important aspect of host defense in the sea urchin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The ontogenic transcription of complement component C3 and Apolipoprotein A-I tRNA in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)--a role in development and homeostasis?

The complement system is important both in the innate and adaptive immune response, with C3 as the central protein of all three activation pathways. Apolipoprotein A-I (ApoLP A-I), a high-density lipoprotein (HDL), has been shown to have a regulatory role in the complement system by inhibiting the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). Complement has been associated with apoptotic functions, which are important in the immune response and are involved in organ formation and homeostasis. mRNA probes for cod C3 and ApoLP A-I were synthesized and in situ hybridisation used to monitor the ontogenic development of cod from fertilised eggs until 57 days after hatching. Both C3 and ApoLP A-I transcription was detected in the central nervous system (CNS), eye, kidney, liver, muscle, intestines, skin and chondrocytes at different stages of development. Using TUNEL staining, apoptotic cells were identified within the same areas from 4 to 57 days posthatching. The present findings may suggest a role for C3 and ApoLP A-I during larval development and a possible role in the homeostasis of various organs in cod.

Animals↗

Nucleotide sequence of cDNA and derived amino acid sequence of rabbit complement component C3 alpha-chain.

The nucleotide sequence coding for 726 amino acid residues of the alpha-chain of rabbit C3 was determined from a cDNA clone. Subfragments of the cDNA produced by restriction endonucleases were inserted into the bacteriophage M13 and sequenced using the dideoxynucleotide technique. The derived amino acid sequence was compared with those of human and mouse C3, which have been previously reported [by De Brujn, M.H.L. and Fey, G.H. (1985) Proc. Natl. Acad. sci. USA 82, 708, and Westel, R.A. et al. (1984) J. Biol. chem. 259, 13857, respectively]. There was 79% or 78% homology in amino acid sequence between rabbit and human or mouse C3, respectively. All of the cysteinyl residues were conserved among the three molecules, and the sequence around the thioester site was also highly conserved. Several regions having low homology were found: one of them was the small fragment released by factor I cleavage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Impaired humoral immune response in complement C3-deficient guinea pigs: absence of secondary antibody response.

A recently described genetically controlled C3 deficiency (C3D) in guinea pigs (GP) provided a unique model for studying the role of C3 in the afferent limb of the humoral immune response in a direct manner. These C3D animals, which have only 5-7% of normal serum C3 level, were immunized with the bacteriophage phi chi 174, a T cell-dependent antigen, followed by a booster injection after 4 weeks (1.5 X 10(9) plaque-forming units/kg). The formation of IgM and IgG antibody in the course of the primary and secondary response was determined and compared with a control group of inbred strain 2 GP. The C3D animals showed a markedly diminished antibody response to this antigen. Amplification of the antibody titer as well as regular isotype switching from IgM to IgG was absent in the secondary response. Increasing the amount of antigen to a high dose (1 X 10(10) plaque-forming units/kg) led to a normalization of the antibody response. The impairment in antibody formation resembles closely the impaired antibody response in C4-deficient or C2-deficient GP, which both have a block in activation of C3 via the classical pathway. However, in contrast to C4D GP or C2D GP the C3D GP do not exhibit serological characteristics of immune complex disease. They have normal levels of total serum IgM, of IgM anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl antibodies and of IgM rheumatoid factors.

Animals↗

Demonstration of binding sites for IgG Fc and the third complement component (C3) on isolated hepatocytes.

Isolated hepatocytes from rabbits with experimental acute serum sickness showed immune complexes bound to the hepatocellular membrane with a coarse granular fluorescent pattern. Also in vitro preformed immune complexes (BSA-anti-BSA) or aggregated gamma-globulin from human and rabbit could be bound to the surface of isolated hepatocytes. In contrast, immune complexes with F(ab')2 anti-BSA were not fixed on the membranes. Hepatocytes incubated in fresh serum showed membrane-fixed C3 in a coarse granular pattern. This deposition could be abolished by heating (56 degrees C, 30 min) the serum or by adding EDTA (0.02 M). Also, purified human or guinea pig C3 could be bound to the hepatocellular membrane but in a linear fluorescent pattern. Thus, fixation of immune complexes on hepatocytes appears to operate through binding sites for IgG Fc and, possibly, also through binding sites for C3. It is suggested that these hepatocellular-binding sites may have a physiologic clearance function. In vivo fixed IgA could be detected on the membranes of isolated hepatocytes from healthy persons. It is assumed that the membrane-fixed IgA has a carrier function for antigens from the gut.

Animals↗

Structural analysis of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of human complement component C3.

The asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of human C3 were characterized. The C3 oligosaccharides were released by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H and were analysed by lectin affinity chromatography and h.p.l.c. The released oligosaccharides bound tightly to concanavalin A-Sepharose and were not retained by agarose-bound wheat-germ agglutinin, indicating that they were only of high-mannose type. Two major oligosaccharide structures were separated from both the alpha- and beta-chains of C3 by h.p.l.c. on Micropak AX-5, calibrated with high-mannose-type oligosaccharides of known structures. The oligosaccharide structures on the alpha-chain have the compositions (Man)9(GlcNAc)2-Asn and (Man)8 (GlcNAc)2-Asn, and those on the beta-chain have the compositions (Man)6(GlcNAc)2-Asn and (Man)5(GlcNAc)2-Asn.

Asparagine↗

Secretion rate of intestinal immunoglobulins, complement factor C3, "acute phase" reactants, and albumin in the perfused ileum and jejunum of normal man.

A new method for assessment of the intestinal secretion rate of immunoglobulins and other proteins is evaluated. The procedure involves a combination of luminal perfusion of a defined intestinal segment and analysis of the aspirated perfusates by rocket immunoelectrophoresis. The technique is sensitive and reliable. A material from the normal human jejunum and ileum is presented. The method is proposed as an investigative tool for characterization of the local immunological system of the small intestine.

Adult↗

Brief uncontrollable stress and psychological parameters influence human plasma concentrations of IgM and complement component C3.

Thirty-eight men participated in a study of immunological, hormonal, and psychological parameters before and after acute stress situations. A brief but acute stress was repeated daily for 4 days. This exposure caused the plasma levels of IgM and C3 to increase from Basal Day to Experimental Day 4. Significant correlations between endocrine and immunological parameters, and also between psychological measures and immunological parameters, were found. Use of psychological defense was related both to endocrine and immunological changes. The authors concluded that psychological stress may influence immunological functions both indirectly, by hormonal changes, and directly, by nervous regulation during brief but acute stress periods.

Adult↗

[Study of C3 and C4 complement components of synovial fluids in connective tissue diseases (author's transl)].

C3 and C4 levels and the relative concentration of C3 degradation products were measured in fifty pairs of synovial fluids and sera of patients who suffered from different connective tissue diseases. Inverse correlation between C4 level and C3 breakdown products were found in synovial fluids of different groups. Compared to the other groups of patients, the highest increase of C3 degradation was found in RA. patients and it occurred in the SF all of these patients. In arthrosis cases we failed to find any degradation of C3. Of the seven investigated ankylosing spondylitis only two showed some degree of activation of C3 in the SF. Our results suggest that the occurrence and degree of degradation of C3 complement component is a valuable laboratory parameter in the study of connective tissue diseases.

Arthritis↗

Opsonic complement component C3 in the solitary ascidian, Halocynthia roretzi.

The recent identification of two mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease clones from Halocynthia roretzi, an ascidian, suggested the presence of a complement system in urochordates. To elucidate the structure and function of this possibly primitive complement system, we have isolated cDNA clones for ascidian C3 (AsC3) and purified AsC3 protein from body fluid. The deduced primary structure of AsC3 shows overall similarity to mammalian C3, including a typical thioester site with the His residue required for nucleophilic activation of the thioester. AsC3 has a two-subunit chain structure, and the alpha-chain is cleaved at a specific site near to the N terminus upon activation. Ascidian body fluid contains an opsonic activity which enhances phagocytosis of yeast by ascidian blood cells, and Ab against AsC3 inhibits this opsonic activity. These results indicate that the complement system played a pivotal role in innate immunity by enhancing phagocytosis before the emergence of the vertebrates and well ahead of the establishment of adaptive immunity, which is believed to have occurred at about the time of the appearance of cartilaginous fish.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Steroids reduce complement activation in rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with seropositive, classical rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with severe active disease have raised plasma concentrations of the complement C3 split product C3d. These values display little diurnal or circadian variation in the individual patient. During a 3-month period the variation was within 10 mU/l in 45 patients (ref. range 20-52 mU/l, RA patients up to 120 mU/l.) Six RA patients were treated with steroids on clinical indication, and the plasma C3d, Ritchie index and pain score before and during the treatment (30 mg prednisolone per day) were measured. The variables showed a steady decrease during the next 14 days. Plasma C3d fell 2/3 of the total fall within the first 48 hours, while the serum total haemolytic complement activity, complement C3 and C4 did not change significantly. This shows that the anti-inflammatory effect of steroids is accompanied by a reduction of complement activation.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gp41 binds to Candida albicans via complement C3-like regions.

Oral candidiasis in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected persons is believed to be caused by the acquired T lymphocyte immunodeficiency. The direct interaction of C. albicans and HIV-1 in vitro was investigated. Twice as many yeasts adhered to cells transfected with the HIV-1 env gene as they did to controls. HIV-1 rsgp160 and rsgp41 but not rsgp120 were found to bind to Candida albicans via two C3-like regions within gp41. Normal human serum, but not C3-depleted serum, was able to inhibit rsgp41 binding to C. albicans. Vice versa, rsgp160 and rsgp41 were able to block rosetting of C. albicans with iC3b-coated sheep erythrocytes. Binding to C. albicans, and its inhibition by rsgp41 or rsgp160, was confirmed for the whole virus. Therefore, oral candidiasis in HIV-1-infected subjects may be augmented or may even be initiated by direct interaction between C. albicans and HIV-1 or HIV-1-infected cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗