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Two cDNAs from the purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, encoding mosaic proteins with domains found in factor H, factor I, and complement components C6 and C7.

The vertebrate complement system is composed of about 30 serum and cell surface proteins that make up three activation pathways, a lytic pathway, and a set of proteins that regulate complement. Regulatory proteins are required for host protection against autologous complement attack and to control the amplification feedback loop of the alternative pathway. Purple sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, homologues of complement C3 (SpC3) and factor B (SpBf) have been identified, suggesting the presence of an alternative complement pathway. This implies that echinoderms require a complement regulatory system for the same reasons that it is required in higher vertebrates. Two cDNAs, Sp5 and Sp5013, have been characterized from coelomocytes and the deduced structures of the encoded mosaic proteins, SpCRL ( S. p urpuratus complement related protein, long form) and SpCRS ( short form), have domains that are also found in regulatory proteins such as factor H and factor I and the terminal pathway components C6 and C7. These domains include multiple short consensus repeats, a fucolectin domain, Ser/Thr/Pro-rich regions, a Cys-rich region, and a factor I-membrane attack complex domain. The genes are constitutively expressed in all tissues of the sea urchin and are not induced in response to immune challenge. Multiple bands of varying intensity on both genome blots and RNA blots suggest that Sp5 and Sp5013 are members of a small gene family and that they might undergo alternative splicing. Based on the domains present in SpCRL and SpCRS, they might be either examples of complement regulatory proteins or members of the terminal pathway of complement.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Immunologic tests of value in diagnosis. 2. Complement.

Laboratory tests are available to assess the function of the complement pathway and to measure levels of individual complement components. The pattern of complement abnormalities is often helpful in suggesting diagnostic possibilities. For example, when when total hemolytic complement, C3, and C4 are all decreased, one of the rheumatoid diseases is likely. In addition, complement levels in spinal and synovial fluid may provide helpful diagnostic clues.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

Hormonal regulation of complement factor B in human endometrium.

PROBLEM: Recent investigations have demonstrated the presence of complement components in human endometrium in a cycle-specific manner. Luteal phase endometrium has been shown to synthesize complement C3 de novo, whereas proliferative endometrium produces little or no C3. Likewise factor B, which is critical to the activation of the alternative pathway of complement, has been shown to be present only in the glandular epithelium of luteal phase endometrium. This investigation was designed to determine if factor B is present in the endometrium in a high progesterone state such as pregnancy or with exogenous progesterone treatment. METHOD: Endometrial biopsies were obtained from patients on progesterone therapy. The endometrium of early pregnancy was evaluated by obtaining biopsies from patients with ectopic pregnancies as well as from patients undergoing therapeutic termination. Immunohistochemistry was performed on each biopsy using monoclonal antibodies to factor B. RESULTS: Our results demonstrate the presence of factor B in the glandular epithelial cells of the endometrium of patients treated with exogenous progesterone therapy. Additionally, factor B was localized to the glandular compartment of the endometrium from patients with ectopic gestations. Interestingly, the evaluation of an implantation site from an early gestation demonstrated factor B in the maternal decidua only; trophoblast did not exhibit the presence of factor B. CONCLUSION: Factor B exists in the endometrium in a hormone-dependent manner and is not expressed in fetal tissue in early gestation.

Complement Factor B↗

Serum complement C3c concentration in non-obese young insulin-resistant Mexicans.

The aim of this study was to compare the serum complement C3 concentration between non-obese young insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant Mexicans. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 28 healthy, non-obese [Body mass index (BMI) < 26 kg/m2] young (age 19-25 yr), male volunteers to measure the serum C3 concentration. In accordance with the constant for rate serum glucose disappearance (KITT) obtained from the insulin tolerance test, the subjects were divided into quartiles, considering as insulin-resistant individuals those in quartile 1, and insulin-sensitive subjects those in quartile 4. Serum C3c concentration was measured by a nephelometric method. Other biochemical characteristics were measured, like lipid profile and uric acid using enzymatic techniques. The serum C3 concentrations were similar (p = 0.949) between insulin-resistant and insulin-sensitive groups respectively (1.4 +/- 0.2 vs 1.3 +/- 0.1 g/l). There were no significant correlations between serum C3 concentrations and serum glucose, insulin levels, KITT and lipid profile. In conclusion, the serum complement C3c concentrations were similar between non-obese young insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant Mexicans.

Adult↗

Anticomplement activity of lysine complexes of propolis phenolic constituents and their synthetic analogs.

Several phenolic constituents of propolis and their synthetic analogs were derivatized with L-lysine. The ability of these complexes to alter complement activity was estimated in vitro in human serum. The influence of selected complexes on C3 hemolytic activity via classical pathway (CP) and alternative pathway (AP) and on zymosan-induced AP activation was determined. The results suppose that the anticomplement effect of the complexes might be related to the interaction with C3 complement component.

Complement Inactivator Proteins↗

Constitutive production of alpha and beta interferons in mutant human cell lines.

Alpha and beta interferons control expression of a selectable marker in the human hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase-negative cell line 2fTGH, in which transcription of gpt is regulated by the upstream region of an interferon-responsive human gene. Selection of mutagenized 2fTGH cells in hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine medium yielded mutants in one recessive (C1) and two dominant (C2 and C3) complementation groups. The mutants constitutively expressed low levels of beta interferon (C1), alpha interferon (C2), or both (C3).

Base Sequence↗

Polyarthritis, polyarteritis and hepatitis B.

An association between viral hepatitis and two rheumatic disease syndromes has been observed. Twenty-nine patients manifested a transient polyarthritis, sometimes associated with a rash (Group I). Ten patients were seen with a multisystem disease (Group II). Histologic evidence of arteritis or glomerulonephritis was present in seven of ten patients with multisystem disease. Liver tissue from 18 patients showed morphologic evidence of hepatitis with viral features in 9 of 10 patients in Group I and in 6 of 8 patients in Group II. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or antibody to HBsAg were detected in sera of all 39 patients. Abnormal liver functions were present in 36. Twelve Group I patients and 2 Group II patients became jaundiced. Rheumatoid factor was present in sera of seven patients in each group. The third component of complement (C3) was depressed in 13 patients in Group I and 7 patients in Group II. The fourth component of complement (C4) was decreased in 8 of 21 Group I and 3 of 7 Group II patients. Synovial fluid C3 was decreased in 2 of 11 Group I and 1 of 4 Group II patient's fluids. Articular inflammation in patients with transient polyarthritis responded in three to seven days to aspirin, acetominophen and/or bedrest alone and rashes disappeared spontaneously. Patients with multisystem disease generally had a prolonged illness and responded somewhat unpredictably to prednisone or a combination of prednisone and cyclophosphamide.

Adolescent↗

C3-mediated release of prostaglandin from human monocytes. Behaviour in short-term culture.

C3b and C3bi, cleavage products of the third component of human complement (C3), stimulate purified human monocytes to release immunoreactive prostaglandin (PG) and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) in vitro. The stimulant must be present in culture for more than 4 hr to achieve maximal PG release during a 24 hr culture period. Preculturing monocytes for 24 hr or more greatly diminishes the capacity of such cells to be stimulated to release PG or TxB2. This diminished capacity is not simply due to loss of complement receptors by a large percentage of cultured cells, since the percentage of C3b receptor-bearing cells is similar at the inception (85%) and after 120 hr of culture (84%). The addition of arachidonic acid (AA) at a concentration of 2.5 micrograms/ml at the beginning of the culture period enhances the PG release induced by C3b or C3bi. However, addition of the same concentration of AA to precultured cells fails to restore the ability of these cells to respond to C3b, C3bi, or AA. The diminished release of PG and TxB2 into the culture medium is not accompanied by an increase in release of PGF2 alpha or other eicosanoids, as determined by thin layer chromatography. Cells that were cultured in the presence of C3b for 24 hr will, however, respond to the addition of AA during the second 24 hr of culture by releasing PG and TxB2. Thus, engagement of C3 receptors by soluble ligands influences the expression of the PG-secretory phenotype by cultured human monocytes.

Arachidonic Acids↗

Trypanosoma lewisi: restriction of alternative complement pathway C3/C5 convertase activity.

The rat parasite Trypanosoma lewisi was incubated in vitro with rat or human serum, washed, and extracted in detergent. Extracts were fractionated by electrophoresis in denaturing gels, transferred to nitrocellulose, allowed to renature, then immunoblotted with polyclonal antibodies to rat complement component C3 and human complement components C3, C5, and factor B. Molecules that reacted with these antibodies were detected in the extracts. Fragments of rat C3 were detected in extracts of parasites that had not been exposed to serum in vitro. Additional complement deposition occurred during in vitro incubations; human complement components deposited in vitro could be distinguished from rat components deposited in vivo. Complement deposition in vitro required magnesium ions and did not occur when heat inactivated serum was used. Components reacting with antibodies to human C3 included a group of bands with molecular weights higher than C3 alpha or beta chains. Blotting with affinity purified, chain specific antibodies demonstrated that a 68 kDa component on parasites is C3 beta and that a 44 kDa molecule is derived from C3 alpha. A 73 kDa component that was difficult to resolve from C3 beta is probably also a C3 alpha fragment. This suggests that an inactive iC3b-like molecule is present on parasites. Kinetic studies showed that cleavage of C3 alpha is rapid and that the amount of C3 alpha fragments and C3 beta on intact parasites reached a steady state after 15 min. When parasites were trypsinized prior to incubation in C5 or C6 deficient serum, the rate and extent of C3 and C5 deposition increased. Unprocessed C3 alpha' and C5 alpha' chains were detected. Trypsinized parasites were lysed by the alternative complement pathway in normal serum. Intact parasites could be lysed by complement in the presence of antibody. The data support our previous suggestion that trypsin sensitive surface proteins on intact T. lewisi limit alternative pathway activity by restricting C3/C5 convertase activity.

Animals↗

Generation of recombinant human C3dg tetramers for the analysis of CD21 binding and function.

CD21 (complement receptor 2, CR2) binds the terminal proteolytic fragments of the third component of complement (C3) that have been covalently attached to immune complexes or other targets during the activation of complement. We used the technique of in vivo biotinylation to create a recombinant multivalent ligand for CD21. A sequence coding for a biotinylation signal peptide was added to the 3' end of the human C3dg cDNA. The modified C3dg was expressed in Escherichia coli and biotinylated intracellularly by the bacterial biotin holoenzyme synthetase (BirA) enzyme. Monomeric C3dg was unable to bind to CD21 as determined by flow cytometry, while biotinylated recombinant C3dg (rC3dg) complexed with fluorochrome-conjugated streptavidin bound tightly. Binding was observed using CD21 positive B cells but not seen on pre-B cells that do not express this complement receptor. Two assays were used to assess the functional capacity of the recombinant C3dg. First, multimeric C3dg caused the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated kinase, p38, in mature B lymphoma cells. Second, C3dg greatly enhanced the activation of primary B cells in combination with a sub-stimulatory concentration of anti-IgM monoclonal antibody. These results illustrate the utility of the technique of in vivo biotinylation to generate ligands for cell surface receptors that require multimerization for high avidity binding and function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Is primary biliary cirrhosis an immune complex disease?

Large immune complexes are present in the circulation of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and result in the activation of complement by the classical pathway. Such large complexes are capable of producing tissue damage. The granulomatous lesions surrounding the small bile-ducts within the liver of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and the vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and associated lesions are all compatible with immune complex injury. It is postulated that such large complexes could be formed in the vicinity of the bile-ducts by an antigen absorbed from the bile or biliary epithelium. Complexes reaching the systemic circulation might be responsible for the associated extra-hepatic diseases.

Antibody Formation↗

Interaction of anti-leprosy drugs with the rat serum complement system.

Dapsone, clofazimine and rifampicin, the three most important constituents of multidrug therapy against leprosy, were studied with respect to their effects on the rat serum complement system, in vitro as well as in vivo. Of the three drugs only dapsone and clofazimine exhibited significant in vitro anti-complement activity and only at a very high, non-therapeutic dose of 0.24 mg/ml. On the contrary, rifampicin could not induce significant in vitro complement consumption. Furthermore, dapsone and clofazimine could reduce rat-serum-mediated rabbit erythrocyte haemolysis in the presence of Mg2+-EGTA, indicating that they could also affect the alternative pathway of complement activation. However, the latter pathway of complement consumption by these drugs seems to be insignificant because the factor-B-mediated complement-consumption system is minimal in rat sera. Immunoelectrophoretic study of mixtures of fresh rat sera and anti-leprosy drugs against specific anti-rat-C3 antisera demonstrated that dapsone and clofazimine could not cleave the C3 complement component. In a separate experiment we attempted to reconstitute the haemolytic complement activity consumed by dapsone and clofazimine by adding Crat-EDTA sera (a source of C3, C5, C6, C7, C8 and C9), but at most only 12% reconstitution of haemolytic activity could be achieved. We thus conclude that both dapsone and clofazimine could affect the complement system, predominantly through the earlier complement components and at very high, non-therapeutic doses. On the contrary, in-vivo experiments in rats showed that a combination of these three drugs, when given at a therapeutic dose or at 10 times the therapeutic dose for three months, did not affect the complement system.

Animals↗

Surface phagocytosis and host defence in the peritoneal cavity during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Since patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are at high risk for peritonitis, the opsonins in peritoneal dialysis effluent responsible for phagocytosis and a neutrophil chemiluminescence response to surface-adherent Staphylococcus epidermidis were examined. In surface phagocytosis assays uninfected dialysate was as opsonic as 1% serum. The opsonic activity was heat stable and equal to that of purified IgG at the same concentration (0.1 mg/ml). In contrast, optimal chemiluminescence to surface-adherent Staphylococcus epidermidis was dependent on complement. C3 deposition on Staphylococcus epidermidis opsonized in dialysate was quantitated by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and represented 13% of control C3 deposited with opsonization in 10% serum. Unused dialysate was found to be inhibitory to neutrophil phagocytosis and complement deposition. A combination of the low pH and high dextrose concentration of dialysate was responsible, but restoration of the pH to 7.4 largely restored both indices. During peritonitis there was a parallel increase in IgG levels and C3 deposition (r = 0.8), and surface phagocytosis was also enhanced. On further analysis, subjects with a single episode of peritonitis had a significantly more opsonic peritoneal effluent than those who had two infections during the study. This latter group had a poor IgG response to infection. This study demonstrates the relative deficiencies of host defence in the peritoneal cavity and indicates that measures to improve opsonin delivery and reduce the inhibitory effects of dialysate would be beneficial.

Aged↗

[Pleural effusion in rheumatoid arthritis (R.A.). Biochemical study of the pleural fluid (author's transl)].

The diagnosis of pleural effusion in R.A. is largely done by exclusion. Histopathological data, obtained by pleural punch-biopsy, are unreliable. It is generally a serofibrinous pleural effusion. Biochemical study of the pleural fluid shows a high protein level (> 40 g/l), high latex factor (larger than or equal to 1/2560) and, predominantly, low sugar rate in pleural fluid (< 0,35 g/l) and low complement level (whole hemolytic complement C3 and C4).

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

The phlogistic role of C3 leukotactic fragments in myocardial infarcts of rats.

An improved method is described for extraction from rat myocardium of an enzyme that cleaves the third component of complement (C3) into leukotactic fragments. Direct cleavage of C3 has been shown by the use of a radiolabeled preparation of human C3. The enzyme elutes slightly beyond (retarded to) an albumin marker in gel filtration. After surgical ligation of a coronary artery, leukotactic activity can be extracted from infarcted rat myocardium. Described in terms of its time of appearance in infarcted tissue, the leukotactic activity has been identified as cleavage products of rat C3. The C3 fragments are of low molecular weight and heterogenous in size. Rats, if treated with the C3 inactivator (isolated from cobra venom) so as to ablate serum C3, fail to develop leukotactic activity in the infarcted myocardium. In turn, few if any of the usual intense accumulations of neutrophils in response to infected myocardium are seen during the first 48 hr after coronary artery ligation. These studies suggest a nonimmunologic role for C3 in the mediation of the acute inflammatory response in nonspecific tissue injury.

Animals↗

Systemic lupus erythematosus with C1q deficiency.

We report a case of systemic lupus erythematosus associated with C1q deficiency. Our patient presented at the age of 6 years with cutaneous lupus. She later developed Raynaud's phenomenon, non-scarring alopecia, oral ulceration and grand mal seizures due to cerebral vasculitis. Complement C3 and C4 levels were consistently normal during flares of her lupus and haemolytic activity of her complement was absent, suggesting a deficiency of an early component of the complement cascade. No C1q could be detected.

Alopecia↗