PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Complement C8”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Cutaneous localization of the membrane attack complex in discoid and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Biopsy specimens of skin lesions from three patients with discoid lupus erythematosus and six patients with systemic lupus erythematosus contained the membrane attack complex, which comprises C5b through C9, as well as immune complexes at the dermal-epidermal junction. The basilar epithelium in these areas was vacuolated and edematous, and the dermis contained an inflammatory infiltrate. In contrast, 19 of 29 specimens of normal-appearing skin from patients with discoid or systemic lupus erythematosus showed only immune complexes at the dermal-epidermal junction, without the membrane attack complex. The other 10 specimens, all from patients without cutaneous involvement, showed neither immune complexes nor membrane attack complexes. These data suggest that immune complexes within skin lesions selectively generate the assembly of the membrane attack complex, which mediates membrane injury. A synergistic interaction of immune complexes and cofactors may be required to activate complement in areas of skin that are predisposed to tissue injury.

Adult↗

Steady-state analysis of tracer exchange across the C5b-9 complement lesion in a biological membrane.

Resealed erythrocyte ghosts have been used to define the kinetics of tracer exchange across the membrane-bound terminal complex of the complement cascade (C5b-9). Under steady-state conditions and at net chemical equilibrium, C5b-9 ghosts showed no significant lysis above control levels as measured by hemoglobin efflux. In 1 mM sucrose at 37 degrees C, [14C]sucrose isotopic exchange diffusion into C5b-9 ghosts occurred at 4.8 (+/- 0.5, SEM) X 10(-20) mol sec-1 per functional lesion, equivalent to an apparent permeability coefficient of 4.8 X 10(-14) cm3 sec-1 for the single C5b-9 lesion. No significant uptake of [14C]sucrose above control levels was observed in C5b67 ghosts. The apparent rate of tracer permeation through the complement lesion is one to two orders of magnitude slower than predicted by a model of a transmembrane channel of dimensions permitting free diffusion of sucrose. The data support earlier assertions from this laboratory that diffusion of small molecules across the complement lesion in biological membranes is significantly restricted.

Biological Transport↗

Evidence for a two-domain structure of the terminal membrane C5b-9 complex of human complement.

Lipid vesicles carrying the purified membrane C5b-9 complex [C5b-9(m)] of complement were analyzed immunochemically and in the electron microscope after treatment with a combination of trypsin and alpha-chymotrypsin. Under reducing conditions, the externally oriented annulus was removed. The remaining part of the C5b-9(m), representing approximately half of the total mass of the macromolecular complex, was visualized in the electron microscope as a hollow cylindrical structure with walls of 1-nm thickness. This structure remained tenaciously attached to the lipid bilayer, projecting 8-9 nm from the external membrane surface into the aqueous environment. Cleavage of C5b-9(m) by proteolysis and reduction resulted in a sharp reduction of tis antigenic determinants. One hydrophilic protease-resistant C5 derivative was released from the membrane and recovered in the fluid phase. The membrane-bound residue almost totally lacked antigens precipitable with antisera to C5, C6, C9, and C5b-9(m).

Complement C5↗

Lysis of RNA tumor viruses by human serum: direct antibody-independent triggering of the classical complement pathway.

In earlier studies we found that human serum, but not serum from multiple other species, inactivated and lysed oncornaviruses from a number of diverse sources in the apparent absence of antibody. A detailed analysis of the role of the human complement (C) system in mediating this lytic process indicates that human C1q interacts directly, in the absence of immunoglobulin, with oncornaviruses. Binding of C1 via C1q in this manner leads to activation of C1r, C1s, and thus of the classical C pathway. Integrity of the classical pathway is an absolute requirement for lysis although activation of the alternative pathway considerably amplifies the amount of lysis obtained, possibly through involvement of the C3b-dependent feedback mechanism. Activation of C is accompanied by deposition of C components on the viral surface and lysis on completion of the C reaction sequence. Thus in this system, the C1q subunit of C1 subserves a specific recognition function normally associated with antibody. This ability of human serum to inactivate oncornaviruses may represent a natural defense mechanism operative in vivo which deters expression of intact oncornaviruses in human malignancies.

Cell Survival↗

The role of complement in the host's defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

In recent years there has been a growing realization that the complement systems plays an important role in the host's defense against infection and that it plays an especially critical role in both natural and acquired immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae. The terminal components of the complement system, C3-C9, are responsible for most protective functions of the complement system. However, in order to subserve their protective functions, C3-C9 must first be activated. In vitro studies have shown that pneumococci are able to activate the terminal components of complement, C3-C9, by at least two different mechanisms, the classical and alternative pathways. Regardless of the pathway of their activation, C3-C9 produce anaphylatoxic, chemotactic, and opsonic activities in serum, each of which has the potential to play an important protective role in pneumococcal infections. Studies with experimental animals and the experience gained from study of complement deficiencies in humans have each fulfilled the promise of the in vitro studies by demonstrating that the complement system plays a biologically significant role in vivo in the host's defense against S. pneumoniae.

Animals↗

Clinical applications of complement measurements in rheumatic diseases.

There is now convincing evidence that the complement system is involved in the pathogenesis of at least some of the manifestations of human rheumatic diseases. Complement measurements in serum and/or pathologic fluids from patients with these disorders not only reflect this involvement but also may provide important clues regarding the activity and extent of the disease processes. Future studies should provide additional information concerning the usefulness of such measurements for predicting the outcome of specific therapeutic regimens, and perhaps also be the basis for the evolution of new and more rational forms of therapy.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗

Inherited complement deficiencies.

Isolated genetic deficiencies of individual components of the complementary system have been described in man for all the components of the classical pathway and the membrane attack complex as well as for Factor I, Factor H and properdin. It is only for Factor B and Factor D of the alternative pathway that homozygous deficiency states are not so far known. Complement deficiency states provide the most direct way of looking at the role of the complement system in vivo and emphasize the importance of complement in resistance to bacterial infection and in particular to infection with Neisseria. This association is not unexpected since in vitro studies have shown complement to be an efficient enhancer of phagocytosis and inflammation. The particularly frequent occurrence of neisserial infection may be ascribed to the ability of these organisms to survive in phagocytic cells so that the plasma cytolytic activity provided by complement is needed to kill them. On the other hand the strong association between complement deficiencies and immune-complex diseases--especially systemic lupus erythematosus--was unexpected and seems paradoxical in view of the large part played by complement in the pathogenesis of immune complex mediated tissue damage. The paradox can be explained in part by the necessity for an intact complement system in the solubilization and the proper handling of immune complexes. It is also likely that complement deficiency can allow the persistence of low virulence organisms that produce disease solely by an immune complex mechanism. Recently described deficiencies of complement receptors and their effects in vivo are described.

Blood Donors↗

Complement lysis: the ultrastructure and orientation of the C5b-9 complex on target sheep erythrocyte membranes.

The C5b-9 complex derived from human serum and assembled on target sheep erythrocyte membranes is a thin-walled cylinder rimmed by an annulus at one end. The total height of the cylinder is 150 A, towards which the annulus contributes 30 A. The cylinder has an apparently uniform internal diameter of 100 A. The external diameter of the annulus is 200 A. The classical complement 'rings' visualized on membranes after complement lysis represent such C5b-9 cylinders perpendicularly oriented on the membranes. The thin-walled cylinder is anchored in the membrane matrix and the annulus located in the exterior membrane glycocalyx. At the sites of attachment of the C5b-9 complexes, the continuity of the membrane bilayer is disturbed and the presence of trans-membrane pores is indicated. The data essentially support the 'doughnut' theory of complement lysis.

Animals↗

Complement.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Anaphylaxis↗

Terminal complement component deficiencies in Japan.

From the serological screening for complement component deficiencies, we found 2 subjects with inherited C5 deficiency (C5D), 4 with C6D, 6 with C7D, 4 with C81 (alpha-gamma subunit) D and 138 with C9D among 145,640 healthy Japanese blood donors. Recently, the genetic bases of some of the C6D, C7D, C81D and C9D Japanese individuals were elucidated using an exon-specific PCR-SSCP method followed by direct sequencing of the target exons.

Complement C5↗

Effect of the late complement components C5b-9 and of platelet-derived growth factor on the prostaglandin release of human synovial fibroblast-like cells.

We examined the prostaglandin E (PGE) synthesis of cultured adherent synovial fibroblast-like cells (SFC) from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) in the noninflammatory state as well as with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In cells from RA patients the spontaneous PGE release was generally higher compared to that of OA patients, but decreased fast with time in culture. After cell passage, similar PGE baseline levels were seen in cells of the two patient groups. The cells could then be stimulated by the terminal complement components C5b-9 or C5b-8. PGE synthesis was also stimulated by the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), interleukin-1 (IL-1), or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The amount of PGE synthesis after incubation with PDGF, LPS and IL-1 was comparable to that released after C5b-9. Thus, like other inflammatory mediators C5b-9 and PDGF trigger the increased PGE production by SFC and thus may participate in the development of synovial inflammation and contribute to the pathogenesis of RA.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗