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[Alternative complement pathway (author's transl)].

The dual role of the alternative complement pathway in recognition of foreign substances by a non-immune host and in the intrinsic regulation of the complement sequence is now well recognized. Activation of this pathway occurs through escape from its regulatory mechanisms induced by the activating principle; its functional expression depends on the respective levels of the component proteins C3, factor B, factor D and properdin, and on the control proteins beta 1H and C3bINA. This article presents recently acquired knowlege on the molecular mechanisms of activation, regulation and behaviour under pathological conditions of the alternative complement pathway.

Complement Activation↗

Requirement for human red blood cells in inactivation of C3b in immune complexes and enhancement of binding to spleen cells.

We showed previously that soluble immune complexes (IC) added to normal human serum and unseparated autologous blood cells bind predominantly to red blood cells (RBC) bearing C3b receptors. RBC-associated IC are processed both by C3b/C4b inactivator (I) cleavage of C3b and by alternative pathway-dependent C3b generation, and are returned to the serum in a modified form. In the present study, soluble IC were prepared by using 125I-BSA and guinea pig anti-BSA, and were treated with diluted human serum to optimize sustained C3b-dependent binding to human RBC. This binding to RBC could not be abrogated by preincubation of IC with heat-inactivated human serum or purified serum regulatory proteins, I and beta 1H (H), but after binding, pretreated IC dissociated. When IC were prepared with serum containing 125I-C3, treatment with I + H did not release labeled C3 from the complexes. Analysis by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-PAGE) of 125I-C3b in IC showed similar labeled peaks whether IC were pretreated with buffer or with I + H or were bound to RBC without pretreatment. In contrast, when IC containing 125I-C3b were exposed to I + RBC, nearly 70% of the label was released from the IC. The released material analyzed by SDS-PAGE showed major 125I-C3 peaks corresponding in m.w. to free beta-chain and alpha 1 cleavage products of 30,000 to 33,000 daltons. IC in undiluted serum after incubation with RBC gave less binding to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes than after incubation without RBC, but notably more binding to guinea pig spleen cells and human lymphoblastoid cells. These findings argue that exposure to serum regulatory proteins does not prevent subsequent binding of experimental IC to RBC, that RBC binding promotes degradation of C3b in IC which proceeds beyond iC3b, and that this I-mediated breakdown renders IC reactive with spleen cells.

Animals↗

Human complement factor H: an additional gene product of 43 kDa isolated from human plasma shows cofactor activity for the cleavage of the third component of complement.

In addition to the 150-kDa factor H protein, we have previously described a 43-kDa factor H molecule in human plasma, which probably represents a translational product of the additional 1.8-kb mRNA for factor H. This factor H was isolated from human plasma by means of immunoaffinity chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. When tested for its functional activity, this purified 43-kDa H protein was shown to act as cofactor for factor I- mediated cleavage of fluid-phase C3b to iC3b.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Purification of human ceruloplasmin as a by-product of C1-inhibitor.

Human ceruloplasmin (Cp) has been purified from cryoprecipitate-poor plasma as a by-product of the C1-inhibitor production chain. Highly purified Cp was obtained by subsequent ion-exchange chromatography on sulfate-Fractogel EMD and TMAE-Fractogel EMD. Treatments for viral safety included application of the solvent-detergent method and two nanofiltration steps using 35- and 15-nm pore size filters at the end of the process. Overall antigen yield was 95 (+/-5) %. Purified human ceruloplasmin was studied by electron spin resonance (ESR) to characterize its different types of copper complexes and to check its antioxidant properties. We distinguished three types of complexes: one type-2 Cu(II) with g// = 2.25 and A// = 180 G and two type-I Cu(II) exhibiting different narrow hyperfine splitting (A// = 72 G and A// = 90 G) with close g// (2.20 and 2.21). Purified Cp has a specific activity of 24.5+/-0.2 mU/mg of proteins. This process provides a method for Cp purification that could be easily integrated into modern plasma fractionation.

Antioxidants↗

[Study of the relationship between complement activation and vascular endothelial damage in pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between complement activation and vascular endothelial damage in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: We quantified C1q, B-factor (BF) and C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) in peripheral and retroplacental sera of 35 nulliparous PIH patients and 20 normotensive controls with double antibody sandwich ELISA. Circulating endothelial cell (CEC)of the two groups were isolated with the density gradient system of Percoll liquid and counted under microscope. The correlation between CEC and C1q was analysed. RESULTS: (1) C1q concentrations in peripheral and retroplacental sera were significantly decreased in PIH patients than that in normotensive controls, however, the concentrations of BF and C1-INH were significantly elevated in PIH patients. The changes in retroplacental serum were much more profound than those in peripheral serum. (2) The count of CEC was significantly increased in PIH patients than that in controls. (3) The count of CEC was negatively correlated to C1q concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Not only the classical complement activation pathway but also the alternative complement activation pathway and complement regulatory protein play important roles in the pathogenesis of PIH, and complement activation and vascular endothelial damage is correlated. Evaluation of C1q, BF, C1-INH and CEC may be of value in clinical monitoring and management of PIH.

Cell Count↗

Role of the P2 residue of complement 1 inhibitor (Ala443) in determination of target protease specificity: inhibition of complement and contact system proteases.

A dysfunctional C1 inhibitor (C1 INH) from a family in whom the propositus presented with systemic lupus erythematosus but without angioedema previously was shown to have diminished inhibitory activity toward isolated C1r and C1s, and intact C1. The mutation was identified as replacement of Ala443 (P2) with Val. This study further analyzed the reactivity of this mutant and characterized two mutants with Ser or Asp at this position. Ser at P2 does not interfere with binding of target proteases. However, the mutant with Asp at this position is unable to bind C1r and beta factor XIIa, and also has a decreased rate of reaction with C1s and kallikrein. Therefore, alteration of polarity alone had no effect on binding, while a bulky and/or charged side chain was not tolerated. Although defective in inhibition of C1r and C1s, the P2 A-->V mutant had acquired the ability to complex with trypsin. It also completely retained the ability to complex with kallikrein and factor XIIa. None of the 10 individuals expressing this mutant protein has ever had angioedema. This observation, combined with normal inhibition of contact system proteases and defective inhibition of complement proteases, suggests that angioedema is caused by bradykinin generated from contact system activation.

Alanine↗

Expression of functional cell surface C1-inactivator by U937 cells.

We have previously shown that the human monocyte-like cell line U937 synthesizes C1-INA and expresses cell surface C1-INA. In this report we provide evidence that this surface-expressed C1-INA is functionally active. Intact U937 cells demonstrated functional C1-INA activity in a hemolytic assay. This activity was blocked when the cells were incubated with monospecific antibody to C1-INA, and was not detectable in cell-free supernatants of U937 cells. SDS-PAGE analysis of radiolabeled U937 cell surface proteins purified by anti-C1-INA affinity chromatography revealed two distinct bands. One protein had a Mr of 105 kDa identical to plasma C1-INA, and the second had a Mr of 200 kDa. We were unable to determine the identity of the 200 kDa protein by Western blotting with anti-C1-INA. However, the possibility exists that this 200 kDa molecule may represent a C1-INA receptor, a dimeric form of C1-INA, or an unrelated cell surface protein with affinity for C1-INA. Furthermore, we show that treatment of U937 cells with phorbol ester resulted in an increase in the percentage of cells expressing surface C1-INA. These results suggest that U937 cells express functional cell surface C1-INA, which could function in vivo to protect these human tumor cells from lysis by host complement.

Blotting, Western↗

Two major serum components antigenically related to complement factor H are different glycosylation forms of a single protein with no factor H-like complement regulatory functions.

Factor H is a 150-kDa serum glycoprotein with key regulatory functions in the alternative pathway of complement activation. Two glycoproteins with a molecular mass of approximately 42 and 37 kDa that react with an antiserum against factor H were purified from human plasma. The two glycoproteins have identical N-terminal amino acid sequences but differ in glycosylation. Sequence comparisons indicated that they both correspond to a 1.4-kb mRNA recently cloned from human liver cDNA. The serum concentration of the two glycoproteins together was estimated to be approximately 40 mg/liter. They were found not to exert factor H-like regulatory functions in the alternative pathway. Thus, the 42-kDa glycoprotein described here appears to be distinct from the previously characterized factor H-related protein of similar size, suggesting that human serum contains two factor-H related molecules which both have a molecular mass of 41 to 43 kDa but which differ largely in structure.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Coagulation inhibitor substitution during sepsis.

This review presents the rationale for and main results of coagulation inhibitor substitution during experimental and human sepsis. Activation of the contact system induces activation of the classical complement pathway with generation of anaphylatoxins, of the kinins pathway and of fibrinolysis. Physiologic inhibition depends on the C1-inhibitor (C1-Inh.). Septic patients exhibit a relative deficiency of biologically active C1-Inh. Substitution with concentrations of C1-Inh has been safely performed and preliminary results are consistent with a possible beneficial effect on hypotension and vasopressor requirement in septic shock. The extrinsic pathway is the main initial coagulation process involved in sepsis-induced DIC. Endothelial and monocyte generation of tissue factor (TF) is activated by bacterial products and endotoxin. Activation of TF is counteracted by a specific tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI). The potential for TFPI substitution to inhibit the activation of the coagulation cascade in sepsis requires further study. Thrombin generation is inhibited by antithrombin III (AT III) and the protein C-protein S system. During sepsis, AT III is consumed and degraded by elastase. Animal studies have shown that DIC and death were prevented by high doses of AT III concentrates. Although a significant reduction in the duration of biological symptoms of DIC has been reported in most human studies, the usefulness of AT III substitution in human sepsis is still debated. None of the studies was able to document a statistically significant reduction in mortality. Protein C is activated by thrombomodulin and, with its cofactor protein S, inhibits factors Va and VIIIa. The free level of protein S depends on the level of the C4b binding protein (C4bBP), an acute-phase complement regulatory protein. During sepsis, protein C activity is significantly reduced, either by acute consumption or by thrombomodulin down-regulation, and increased levels of plasma C4bBP inhibit protein S. Infusion of activated protein C and protein S substitution both protect animals from the lethal effects of bacteria. Combining these different coagulation inhibitors should be carefully studied before its use in septic patients is recommended.

Animals↗

Increased expression and secretion of r-Gsp protein, rat counterpart of complement C1s precursor, during cyclic AMP-induced differentiation in rat C6 glioma cells.

The gene, termed r-gsp, was originally isolated during identification of differentiation-associated molecules in rat C6 glial cells. Its mRNA expression was markedly increased during cAMP-induced glial cell differentiation. The deduced amino acid sequence of r-gsp was homologous to those of complement C1s precursors of hamsters and humans. In the present study, we raised anti-peptide antibody against r-Gsp protein and analyzed its change during cAMP-induced differentiation. The 90-kDa r-Gsp protein increased time-dependently and reached the maximal level ( approximately 7.6-fold increase) at 24 h in response to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and theophylline. Moreover, it was secreted into the medium and then was cleaved to form disulfide-linked fragments, one of which was 30 kDa, similar to C1s, suggesting its processing in the extracellular space. In fact, the partially purified r-Gsp from culture medium was cleaved by active human C1r to form a 30-kDa polypeptide. Moreover, secreted r-Gsp protein cleaved human C4alpha to yield C4alpha' and associated with human serum C1-esterase inhibitor, strongly suggesting that r-Gsp protein is rat C1s. However, in C6 cells overexpressing r-Gsp, their morphology and proliferation rate were similar to those in parent C6 cells. These results suggest that r-Gsp protein could not induce glial differentiation alone, and suggest that r-Gsp protein was secreted as a proenzyme and processed in culture medium. Its possible role in glial cell differentiation will be discussed.

Animals↗

Complement-subcomponent-C1-inhibitor synthesis by human monocytes.

By using a radioimmunoassay, C1-inhibitor was found to accumulate in the supernatants of human monocyte cultures. The production of this protein was inhibited reversibly by cycloheximide. When C1-inhibitor synthesis was compared with C2 synthesis, it was found that C1-inhibitor synthesis continued, whereas synthesis of C2 appeared to cease after about 7 days in culture. Immunoprecipitation of supernatants of monocyte cultures that had been pulsed with [35S]methionine showed a specific band with an Mr of 105 000. Immunoprecipitates of the lysates revealed a band of Mr 83 000; this was thought to represent a partially or non-glycosylated precursor of C1-inhibitor. C1-inhibitor produced by the monocytes was shown, by using a haemolytic assay, to be functionally active. However, the functional activity of C1-inhibitor was reduced by only 44% in the presence of cycloheximide, whereas the concentration of this protein in cycloheximide-treated culture supernatants fell by more than 93%. This finding suggests that monocytes secrete a second molecule, which inhibits C1 activity but is distinct from classical C1-inhibitor.

Cells, Cultured↗

Release of prostaglandin E and thromboxane from macrophages by stimulation with factor H.

Recently novel actions of factor H of complement other than regulation of alternative pathway activation have been described. We examined the influence of H on the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism of macrophages. Guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages cultured for up to 18 h under serum free conditions were supplied with homologous factor H. H, tested over a concentration range of 12.5-100 micrograms/ml, promoted an indomethacin sensitive release of prostaglandin E and thromboxane B2 in a dose-dependent manner. Stimulation of AA conversion to prostanoids in response to H was shown to be specific as evidenced by immunoabsorption experiments. This novel effect attests to the potential of H to act not only as regulatory protein of the complement pathway but also as an inducer of cellular release reactions. Moreover, these findings emphasize the close functional links that exist between the three main constituents of the inflammatory process: macrophages, the complement system and the AA cascade.

Animals↗

Hypocomplementemia with low C1s-C1 inhibitor complex in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Ninety-three serum and plasma samples from 45 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were analyzed for the complex formed by C1s and its inhibitor, as well as for C3, C4, C4a desarginine, and staphylococcal protein A-bound immune complexes. There were statistically significant correlations between C1s-C1 inhibitor complex and CH50, between C1s-C1 inhibitor complex and C4, and between C1s-C1 inhibitor complex and C4a desarginine. Serial studies were performed on 24 patients over a period of 6 months. Seven of 21 patients with hypocomplementemia had persistently normal levels of C1s-C1 inhibitor complex, 7 had transiently abnormal levels of C1s-C1 inhibitor complex, and 7 had sustained abnormal levels of C1s-C1 inhibitor complex. Two of 3 pregnant patients with normal levels of complement had abnormal levels of C1s-C1 inhibitor complex. Staphylococcal protein A-bound immune complexes demonstrated no correlation with any of the complement assays. Complement activation, as measured by C1s-C1 inhibitor complex, is often a transient phenomenon in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with persistent hypocomplementemia.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗

Normal C1 inhibitor mRNA expression level in type I hereditary angioedema patients: newly found C1 inhibitor gene mutations.

BACKGROUND: C1 esterase inhibitor (C1INH) plays a key role in the classical pathway of the complement cascade. Mutations in this gene cause a decreased level of antigenic (type I hereditary angioedema, HAE) or functional (type II HAE) C1INH. OBJECTIVE: To find novel mutations in C1INH and evaluate the expression of C1INH gene in HAE patients. METHODS: Direct sequencing mutation analysis was performed for genomic DNA from three unrelated families (14 HAE patients and 18 family members). Genomic DNA from one family was also analyzed for larger genomic rearrangements, using Southern blotting analysis. We used real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate C1INH mRNA expression level. RESULTS: Four mutations in exons (2,311 T-->C, 14,034 G-->A, 16,830 G-->A, and 16,979-16,980 G insertion) and four in introns (738 G-->A, 8,531 A-->G, 14,254 A-->G, and 14,337-14,378 TT deletion) were found. Interestingly, all of the nine patients in one family share the same mutation of Gly345Arg (14,034 G-->A) in the seventh exon. In another family, a single base mutation near the splice site (14,254 A-->G) was found in all of the three patients. In the last family, although a significant mutation was not found by direct sequencing, patients showed an abnormal 16 kb fragment in addition to the normal allele (21 kb Bcl I fragment). The C1INH mRNA expression of HAE patients in two families was not significantly different compared with that of normal controls. CONCLUSION: The two novel exonal mutations (G-->A and A-->G) and one large gene deletion were associated with the clinical phenotypes of HAE. Considering the normal C1INH mRNA levels but below normal protein levels in two families, their phenotypes would be associated with the post-translational defect.

Adolescent↗

gp 58/68, a parasite component that contributes to the escape of the trypomastigote form of T. cruzi from damage by the human alternative complement pathway.

A glycoprotein of apparent molecular weight 58,000 (unreduced)/68,000 (in its reduced form) (gp 58/68), which is one of the fibronectin/collagen receptors of Trypanosoma cruzi, was purified to homogeneity from the trypomastigote forms of the Tehuantepec and Y strains of the parasite. Purified gp 58/68 inhibited formation of cell-bound and fluid-phase alternative pathway C3 convertase in a dose-dependent fashion, as assessed using purified human complement components. Gp 58/68 differed from the human regulatory proteins H, DAF, MCP and CR1 and from previously reported regulatory proteins on the parasite membrane in that it was unable to enhance decay-dissociation of preformed alternative pathway C3 convertase sites, did not serve as a co-factor for I-mediated cleavage of C3b and had no inhibitory activity on the classical pathway convertases. The inhibitory effect of gp 58/68 was most likely dependent on an interaction of the protein with factor B rather than with C3b. Gp 58/68 provides trypomastigotes with an additional potential mechanism for escaping complement lysis by the human alternative pathway.

Animals↗

Regulatory proteins for the activated third and fourth components of complement (C3b and C4b) in mice. II. Identification and properties of complement receptor type 1 (CR1).

We identified on the membrane of mouse spleen cells a polypeptide of Mr 190,000 (S190), with binding affinity for the mouse third component of the complement system (C3). S190, purified by affinity chromatography on C3-Sepharose, has properties resembling those of the human C3 receptor type 1 (CR1). Thus, S190, like CR1, served as a cofactor for the C3b inactivator (I)-mediated cleavage of fluid-phase C3b into iC3b, and had cofactor activity comparable to that of serum factor H (H). S190 also acted as a cofactor for the cleavages of membrane-bound C3b or membrane-bound iC3b into C3c (Mr 140,000) and C3dg (Mr 40,000) by serum factor I. As is the case with CR1, the specific activity of S190 for the cleavages leading to C3c-C3dg formation was approximately 100-fold greater than that of H. We therefore conclude that S190 and CR1 are analogous proteins.

Animals↗

Analysis of the mechanism of recognition in the complement alternative pathway using C3b-bound low molecular weight polysaccharides.

The human complement (C) system recognizes bacterial, fungal and viral activators of the alternative pathway following covalent attachment of the protein C3b to carbohydrates (CHO) on the surface of the organisms. Recognition first manifests itself as a 3- to 10-fold reduction in the affinity of C3b for factor H, a regulatory protein of C. This report describes the use of a fluorimetric assay which is sensitive to the C3b-H interaction to study the characteristics of recognition. Fluid phase C3b covalently bound to CHO (C3b-CHO) was prepared by activating C3 in the presence of the small homopolymers dextran (alpha 1-6 polyglucose) or inulin (beta 1-2 polyfructose). In particulate form both polysaccharides are activators of C. The conjugates exhibited increased resistance to inactivation in the factor H-dependent assays compared to C3b not bound to CHO and to C3b bound to mono- or disaccharides. The dextran-induced restriction of inactivation was partially reversed by treatment of the conjugate with dextranase. C3b-CHO conjugates failed to bind to factor H-Sepharose and when introduced into serum behaved as though C3b was attached to particulate activators of C, suggesting that the fluorimetric assay accurately reports recognition. The results suggest that the recognition site which induces a reduction in the affinity of C3b for factor H is distinct from the thioester site of C3b and can recognize structural features of polysaccharides including size, sialic acid content, and possibly aspects of three-dimensional oligosaccharide structure.

Binding Sites↗

Regulation of the synthesis of C1 subcomponents and C1-inhibitor.

We have investigated the synthesis of C1q, C1r, C1s and C1-inhibitor in HepG2 cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), fibroblasts (skin and synovial membrane), chondrocytes and monocytes. C1q was only synthesised by monocytes, although the mRNAs for the C1qA and C1qC chains were expressed in HUVEC. C1r, C1s and C1-inhibitor were synthesised by all cell types. The secretion rates of C1r and C1s were approximately equimolar in fibroblasts and chondrocytes whereas the secretion rate for C1s exceeded that for C1r in the other cell types. Molar ratios of C1s to C1r were approximately 2:1 for HepG2 cells, 5:1 for monocytes and 10:1 for HUVEC. Stimulation with interferon-gamma resulted in increased expression of all four proteins. The C1s:C1r ratio did not alter in chondrocytes or fibroblasts, but approached unity in HepG2, monocytes and HUVEC, due to relatively greater stimulation of C1r gene expression.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗