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Proteolysis of the heavy chain of major histocompatibility complex class I antigens by complement component C1s.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens contain a light chain, beta 2-microglobulin, non-covalently associated to the transmembrane heavy alpha-chain carrying the allotypic determinants. Since the C1q complement component is known to associate with beta 2-microglobulin, and we recently found that activated C1s complement was capable of cleaving beta 2-microglobulin, we decided to investigate the proteolytic activity of C1 complement towards the heavy chain of class I antigens. Our results demonstrate that human C1s complement cleaves the heavy chain of human class I antigens into at least two fragments, with apparent molecular weights of 22,000 and 24,000 g/mol on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. The cleavage of the heavy chain is inhibited by the presence of C1 esterase inhibitor. The molecular weights of the fragments are in agreement with the cleavage located in the area between the disulphide loops of the alpha 2-and alpha 3-domains of the heavy chain. In addition human C1s complement is able to cleave H-2 antigens from mouse in a similar fashion but not rat MHC class I antigen or mouse MHC class II antigen (I-Ad). Mouse MHC class I antigen-specific determinants could also be detected in supernatant from mouse spleen cells incubated with C1r and C1s. These results indicate the presence in the body fluids of a non-membrane-bound soluble form of the alpha 1-and alpha 2-domains which represent the binding site for antigenic peptides.

Animals

Effect of Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase and alkaline protease on serum complement and isolated components C1q and C3.

The present study was undertaken to examine and compare the direct effect of two Pseudomonas enzymes, elastase and alkaline protease, on the serum hemolytic complement as a whole, and on the two recognition molecules of complement, C1q and C3 in particular. The results of our study show that incubation of serum with 0-50 micrograms/ml elastase or protease (60 min, 37 degrees C) resulted in a dose-dependent depletion of hemolytic complement with the protease being 3-4 times more efficient than elastase. Incubation of highly purified C3 (20 hr, 37 degrees C) with protease (2% w/w) resulted in the conversion of the 190-kDa molecule to a 120-kDa fragment. When analyzed by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, the 120-kDa piece yielded three distinct bands: an intact 75-kDa beta-chain and two alpha-chain pieces of approximately 41- and 26-kDa. NH2-terminal end sequence analysis localized the 26-kDa fragment within the cysteine-rich 41-kDa, COOH-terminal piece. This in turn suggests that the 70-kDa fragment which is not accounted for on SDS-PAGE is derived from the NH2-terminal end of the alpha-chain molecule which is completely degraded into small fragments. While the degradation pattern obtained with elastase is similar to that of protease, the latter enzyme was found to be more efficient. Exposure of C1q (0-5 hr, 37 degrees C) to protease or elastase on the other hand appears to reveal preferential sensitivity of the 28-kDa A-chain and 24-kDa C-chain, of the C1q molecule, with the protease being more potent than the elastase. Since both C1q and physiologic fragments of C3 (C3b, iC3b, and C3dg) are important opsonins of varying efficiencies, degradation of these molecules by Pseudomonas enzymes may, in part, facilitate the survival and proliferation of the organism in plasma. Furthermore, degradation of the key recognition molecules of complement, C1q and C3, would enhance the virulence of this organism by aborting complement-mediated bacterial killing. In addition the results imply that during Pseudomonas bacteremia, PaAP may be a much more destructive enzyme than PaE with regards to C3 and C1q but combined, the synergistic effect may overwhelm not only the proteins of the complement system, but other proteins of the humoral immune defense system as well.

Amino Acid Sequence

Effect of complement binding on a solid-phase immunometric TSH assay.

The binding of serum thyrotropin (TSH) to plastic beads coated with a monoclonal antibody to human TSH was inhibited unless EDTA was present during the incubation. The inhibitory factor in serum was heat labile, and its effect could be abrogated by the addition of human albumin-anti-albumin immune complexes. Subsequently it was shown that the antibody-coated beads were able to bind the first component of complement, C1q, and that this binding was inhibited by addition of albumin-anti-albumin complexes. The results show that a surface coated with a monoclonal murine antibody is able to bind complement, and that binding of complement may interfere in solid-phase immunometric assays.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

[Basaliom. Case report and isolation of mesenchymal stroma cells in various growth conditions in vitro].

The case of a 54-year-old man with multiple basaliomas of the face but without any other symptoms of the Goltz-Gorlin syndrome is described. Obviously, there ist a family history of a tendency to develop basaliomas. One of the patient's three brothers, his mother, her sister and two of his six children were also affected. After removal of the tumor, electron microscopy revealed intranuclear crystal-like structures in some of the epithelial cells of the tumor tissue. The particular geometry of these structures suggests that these are papilloma viruses. The tumor stroma contained fibroblasts, fibrocytes and predominantly myofibroblasts. Tumor explants were cultured in vitro in Dulbecco-Vogt medium using 5 different supplements: 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10% fresh human serum with and without PDGF and CL (PDGF-CL, PDGF, CL, NULL). These cultures result in different rates of collagen gel contraction and binding of varying amounts of the "q" fraction of the first complement (C1q): PDGF CL-cells greater than PDGF cells greater than FCS cells greater than NULL cells. The culture of tumor tissue cells in different media thus seems to enhance the dominance of different cell subtypes.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Serologic profile of alphamethyldopa-induced hemolytic anemia: correlation between cell-bound IgM and hemolysis.

Erythrocyte-bound immunoglobulins have been characterized by a PVP-potentiated antiglobulin test in 11 patients who had developed antibodies after treatment with alpha-methyldopa. Serologic profiles were recognized that could distinguish between the hemolyzing and nonhemolyzing patients: IgM antibodies together with the first component of complement (C1q) were demonstrated on erythrocytes of all eight hemolyzing patients. By contrast, these immunoproteins were absent from the cells of nonhemolyzing patients and became undetectable when the hemolyzing patients recovered. IgG and its subclasses were variably present on erythrocytes of all patients regardless of hemolytic activity. Eluates prepared from erythrocytes of the hemolyzing patients were shown to contain both IgG and IgM, and fixes C1q, C3, and C4. Eluates from the nonhemolyzing patients contained only IgG. The IgM antibodies differed from the commonly occurring cold agglutinins in that they were warm-reactive and were mainly concentrated on the patients' cells rather than being free in the serum. Because of their nonagglutinating property, it is suggested that they are monomeric IgM. It is concluded that the high affinity, warm-reactive IgM and not the IgG antibodies are primarily responsible for clinically manifest anemia in patients receiving alphamethyldopa and that the hemolytic activity is probably mediated by the classic pathway of complement activation.

Adult

The biosynthesis of C1q, the collagen-like and Fc-recognizing molecule of the complement system.

C1q, the collagen-like and Fc-recognizing component of the complement system, is mainly synthesized in macrophages and epithelial cells. Inhibitors of collagen biosynthesis, known to inhibit the post-translational hydroxylation of proline and lysine residues, were as effective in macrophages as inhibitors of C1q synthesis and secretion as has been described for collagen. This indicates that post-translational processing of C1q is dependent upon its collagen portions and triple helical formation within the cells. The macrophage-derived C1q is immuno- and physicochemically identical with serum C1q indicating that macrophages have to be considered as a major source for serum C1q. This was recently confirmed by Northern blot analysis using a cDNA probe for the B-chain of murine C1q. In contrast, an extremely weak signal was found in kidney, lung, gut, muscle and liver RNA. Besides the 11 S C1q molecule macrophages also synthesize a low molecular weight (LMW) form of C1q. The biological function of this 4 S LMW-C1q is still unclear. Macrophage-derived and secreted C1q is reinserted into the macrophage membrane. It is unlikely that the membranous form of C1q is bound via C1q-receptors into the membrane of macrophages since the B-chain of membrane-associated C1q is structurally different to that of fluid-phase C1q. The demonstration of a distinct membrane form of C1q supports earlier functional studies which implicated C1q as a membrane-associated molecule with receptor functions for those molecules which also interact with fluid-phase C1q, such as polyanions, the Fc portions of immune complexes, and bacteria (LPS and outer membrane proteins, OMP).

Animals

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Localization of early components of complement in glomerular deposits.

A body of evidence suggests that in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN), complement is activated by the alternate pathway. Therefore, deposition of early components of complement should not be expected in glomeruli. The renal tissues of 16 patients--13 with classic MPGN and 3 with dense deposit disease, a variant of MPGN--were studied by light and electron microscopy and by means of elution and immunofluorescence for the localization of complement (C1q, C4, and C3), immunoglobulins (1gG, IgM, and 1gA), and other serum proteins. Variable amounts of C3, C4 and/or C1q, and IgM were detected in the glomeruli of all patients, whereas IgG and IgA were present, respectively, in 15 of 16 and 6 of 16 patients. Deposits were localized in mesangium and in peripheral capillary loops in a typical lobular distribution. The specificity of each antiserum was verified by immunodiffusion, immunoelectrophoresis, and blocking experiments utilizing unlabeled antibody. Glomerular-bound IgG was eluted with acid citrate buffer, suggesting that IgG might be complexed with antigen(s) in glomerular deposits. By light microscopy, lesions ranged from focal proliferation and lobulation to more severe involvement with typical splitting of glomerular basement membranes, sclerosis, and less frequently, crescent formation. Ultrastructurally, all patients with classic MPGN exhibited mesangial and subendothelial deposits, and in 5 of these patients, subepithelial deposits were demonstrated. With the exception of ultrastructural lesions, patients with the dense deposit variant lacked distinguishable features when compared with those with classic MPGN. The significance of these findings is discussed in relation to a) activation of complement and the possible role of an immune complex mechanism and b) the variability of the morphologic expression.

Adolescent

[The influence of intraoperative autotransfusion (IAT) on plasmaproteins in patients with posttraumatic intraabdominal bleeding or hemorrhage during vascular surgery (author's transl)].

In 29 patients (12 vascular and 17 trauma cases) the effect of intraabdominal bleeding and surgical management under intraoperative autotransfusion on several plasmaproteins was examined. The following parameters were monitored immediately before and after autotransfusion as well as 24, 48, 72 hours and one week later, in the thawed serum: 1. albumen and the carrier proteins prealbumen, transferrin, retinol-binding protein, 2. acute phase reactants: c-reactive protein coeruloplasmin, haptoglobin, 3. fractions of complement: C1q, C3c, C5 and C 3-activator, 4. serum-cholinesterase. With usual treatment by infusion of electrolyte solutions during operation and the following days, and further applicated blood transfusion, plasma and fresh frozen plasma by clinical needs, while the immediate blood loss during operation was replaced by autotransfusion, there was no change in preoperative dates. Only at the 3rd day the typical picture of catabolic situation of the postoperative period was observed in vascular cases and not at all in trauma cases. Thus the changes were closely related to the preexisting disease or state of shock, without further detoriation by intraoperative autotransfusion. 7 days later a sometimes overshooting normalization of the parameters was observed. Only cholinesterase remained extremely low, especially in vascular cases.

Abdominal Injuries

Trimer and tetramer complexes containing C1 esterase inhibitor, C1r and C1s, in serum and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatic disease.

During activation, the first component of complement C1q (C1r-C1s)2 is dissociated in conjunction with the formation of complexes containing C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH). Trimer complexes, with zymogen C1s associated with a firm C1-INH-C1r complex (C1-INH-C1r-C1s) can be distinguished from tetramer complexes C1-INH-C1r-C1s-C1-INH) in which C1-INH is firmly bound to both proteases. In the present study a two-stage electroimmunoassay was developed for the specific measurement of C1-INH-C1r-C1s. In the first step, C1-INH and its complexes were immunoprecipitated with anti-C1-INH during electrophoresis in the presence of Ca2+. In the second step, C1s contained in C1-INH-C1r-C1s was dissociated in the presence of EDTA and was measured by immunoprecipitation with anti-C1s. C1-INH-C1r-C1s were consistently found in normal sera. Normal sera did not contain C1-INH-C1r-C1s-C1-INH as assessed with a previously described ELISA procedure. Sera and synovial fluids from two groups of patients with inflammatory arthritis were investigated. In rheumatoid arthritis patients (n = 15) C1-INH-C1r-C1s complexes were usually found at high concentration both in serum and synovial fluid. C1-INH-C1r-C1s-C1-INH complexes were also present with values that were higher in synovial fluid than in serum, in accord with previous findings of classical pathway activation in the inflamed joints of the patients. Patients with spondylarthritic syndromes (n = 7) had serum and synovial fluid C1-INH-C1r-C1s concentrations that were comparable to those of the rheumatoid arthritis patients. If at all present, C1-INH-C1r-C1s-C1-INH were detected in trace amounts. Thus, C1 activation in patients with spondylarthritic syndromes appeared to be efficiently controlled at the C1r level. Distinguishing between C1-INH-C1r-C1s and C1-INH-C1r-C1s-C1-INH may prove of value in further studies of the activation and control of C1 in disease.

Animals

Circulating immune complexes in Meniere's disease.

Sixty-six patients with Meniere's disease were studied for possible general immunologic abnormalities. The disease was bilateral in 20 cases, causing active symptoms in 49. Thirty-six healthy control subjects were also studied. Immune activity was assessed by quantitative measurement of the circulating immune complexes, serum immunoglobulin assay, and acetate electrophoresis, and by an autoantibody screen to a battery of ten general tissue antigens. Thirty-six (54.5%) of the 66 patients with Meniere's disease were found to have significantly raised circulating immune complex levels compared with one (2.9%) of the 36 controls. A statistically significant increased incidence of autoantibodies was also found in the Meniere's group.

Adolescent

Solitary plasmacytoma of the skull revealed by a mononeuritis multiplex associated with immune complex vasculitis.

We describe a patient with solitary plasmacytoma of the skull, in whom mononeuritis multiplex was the presenting manifestation. Some features of the POEMS syndrome (plasma cell dyscrasia with polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal [M] protein, skin changes), including thrombocytosis, were found. Muscle and nerve biopsies disclosed a small vessel hypersensitivity-type vasculitis and complement-fixing immune complex deposits in vessel walls. Removal of the plasmacytoma resulted in clinical improvement and clearance of the vasculitis and immune complex deposits.

Adult

Selective inhibition of immune complex trapping by follicular dendritic cells with monoclonal antibodies against rat C3.

The role of complement component C3 in the trapping of immune complexes by follicular dendritic cells (FDC) was studied in the rat, by means of the C3-specific monoclonal antibody ED11. Immunocytochemistry revealed the presence of C3 on FDC, where it co-localized with trapped peroxidase anti-peroxidase complexes. Furthermore, C3 was detected on reticular cells occupying the T cell areas of peripheral lymphoid organs, which are not involved in the handling of immune complexes. The in vivo administration of anti-C3 abolished the trapping of immune complexes in splenic follicles, but was unable to release preexisting complexes from the FDC. Trapping of immune complexes was also prevented by treatment of rats with cobra venom factor (CoVF). While CoVF caused massive depletion of C3 from serum, ED11 treatment had no such effect. The effect of anti-C3 appeared at least in part to be due to an inhibition of complement activation by immune complexes. We also analyzed earlier stages of the trapping process, with respect to their C3 dependence. Upon systemic injection immune complexes are initially observed in the marginal zone. Administration of anti-C3 reduced this localization, indicating a role for C3 in the entry of immune complexes into the spleen. Our results confirm experiments in CoVF-treated animals and extend the evidence for a role of C3 in the follicular trapping process using anti-C3 in vivo. The mechanism of immune complex trapping and the role of complement therein is discussed.

Animals

Complement components in kidney allograft recipients: relationship to cytomegalovirus infection.

Serum complement profiles of 19 renal transplant recipients were studied serially before and after renal transplantation to determine if there is any relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and alteration in the serum complement (C) levels. Most patients had low serum C3 and C4 levels before transplantation, but afterwards these levels increased in some patients. Clq was elevated before and after transplantation. Factor B was low before transplantation, but after surgery, its level approached normal in patients without cytomegalovirus viremia, whereas in those with viremia, Factor B level became even more depressed. Circulating Factor B fragments were found in the sera of five out of seven patients with active cytomegalovirus infection, which suggests activation of the alternative pathway possibly related to active CMV infection.

Adult

DNA antibodies and complement in SLE patients. A follow-up study.

Sixty-seven patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were followed up for 3-19 months (mean 12) in a prospective study. The activity of SLE was estimated on clinical grounds and correlated with DNA antibody and complement levels. The disease reactivations consisted mostly of articular and cutaneous symptoms. There were 17 relapses and 22 complicating infections during the follow-up period. The levels of antibodies to native, double-stranded (ds) DNA (P less than 0.001) and antibodies to denatured, single-stranded (ss) DNA of IgG class (P less than 0.001) and C3 (P less than 0.001) correlated best with disease activity, which was estimated on the clinical symptoms and signs. These assays were not reliable, however, in predicting minor exacerbations. The levels of IgM class ss-DNA antibodies were significantly higher in SLE patients without nephritis than in SLE nephritis patients. In most cases, the combination of IgG class ss-DNA antibody and complement (C3 and CH50) determinations differentiated SLE relapse from infection.

Autoantibodies