Addition Of C5a Research Articles

Complement component 5 does not interfere with physiological hemostasis but is essential for Escherichia coli-induced coagulation accompanied by Toll-like receptor 4.

SummaryThere is a close cross‐talk between complement, Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and coagulation. The role of the central complement component 5 (C5) in physiological and pathophysiological hemostasis has not, however, been fully elucidated. This study examined the effects of C5 in normal hemostasis and in Escherichia coli‐induced coagulation and tissue factor (TF) up‐regulation. Fresh whole blood obtained from six healthy donors and one C5‐deficient individual (C5D) was anti‐coagulated with the thrombin inhibitor lepirudin. Blood was incubated with or without E. coli in the presence of the C5 inhibitor eculizumab, a blocking anti‐CD14 monoclonal antibody (anti‐CD14) or the TLR‐4 inhibitor eritoran. C5D blood was reconstituted with purified human C5. TF mRNA was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and monocyte TF and CD11b surface expression by flow cytometry. Prothrombin fragment 1+2 (PTF1·2) in plasma and microparticles exposing TF (TF‐MP) was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Coagulation kinetics were analyzed by rotational thromboelastometry and platelet function by PFA‐200. Normal blood with eculizumab as well as C5D blood with or without reconstitution with C5 displayed completely normal biochemical hemostatic patterns. In contrast, E. coli‐induced TF mRNA and TF‐MP were significantly reduced by C5 inhibition. C5 inhibition combined with anti‐CD14 or eritoran completely inhibited the E. coli‐induced monocyte TF, TF‐MP and plasma PTF1·2. Addition of C5a alone did not induce TF expression on monocytes. In conclusion, C5 showed no impact on physiological hemostasis, but substantially contributed to E. coli‐induced procoagulant events, which were abolished by the combined inhibition of C5 and CD14 or TLR‐4.

Regulation of cAMP Responses by the G12/13 Pathway Converges on Adenylyl Cyclase VII

Regulation of intracellular cAMP by multiple pathways enables differential function of this ubiquitous second messenger in a context-dependent manner. Modulation of G(s)-stimulated intracellular cAMP has long been known to be modulated by the G(i) and G(q)/Ca(2+) pathways. Recently, the G(13) pathway was also shown to facilitate cAMP responses in murine macrophage cells. We report here that this synergistic regulation of cAMP synthesis by the G(s) and G(13) pathways is mediated by a specific isoform of adenylyl cyclase, AC7. Furthermore, this signaling paradigm exists in several hematopoietic lineages and can be recapitulated by exogenous expression of AC7 in HEK 293 cells. Mechanistic characterization of this synergistic interaction indicates that it occurs downstream of receptor activation and it can be mediated by the alpha subunit of either G(12) or G(13). Our results demonstrate that AC7 is a specific downstream effector of the G(12/13) pathway.

Expression and function of C5a receptor in mouse microvascular endothelial cells.

The complement-derived anaphylatoxin, C5a, is a potent phlogistic molecule that mediates its effects by binding to C5a receptor (C5aR; CD88). We now demonstrate specific binding of radiolabeled recombinant mouse C5a to mouse dermal microvascular endothelial cells (MDMEC) with a K(d50) of 3.6 nM and to approximately 15,000-20,000 receptors/cell. Recombinant mC5a competed effectively with binding of [(125)I]rmC5a to MDMEC. Enhanced binding of C5a occurred, as well as increased mRNA for C5aR, after in vitro exposure of MDMEC to LPS, IFN-gamma, or IL-6 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. By confocal microscopy, C5aR could be detected on surfaces of MDMEC using anti-C5aR Ab. In vitro expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) by MDMEC was also measured. Exposure of MDMEC to C5a or IL-6 did not result in changes in MIP-2 or MCP-1 production, but initial exposure of MDMEC to IL-6, followed by exposure to C5a, resulted in significantly enhanced production of MIP-2 and MCP-1 (but not TNF-alpha and MIP-1alpha). Although LPS or IFN-gamma alone induced some release of MCP-1 and MIP-2, pre-exposure of these monolayers to LPS or IFN-gamma, followed by addition of C5a, resulted in synergistic production of MIP-2 and MCP-1. Following i.v. infusion of LPS into mice, up-regulation of C5aR occurred in the capillary endothelium of mouse lung, as determined by immunostaining. These results support the hypothesis that C5aR expression on MDMEC and on the microvascular endothelium of lung can be up-regulated, suggesting that C5a in the co-presence of additional agonists may mediate pro-inflammatory effects of endothelial cells.

C5a-stimulated human neutrophils use a subset of β2 integrins to support the adhesion-dependent phase of superoxide production

Isolated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) responded to human C5a with an immediate, transient release of superoxide lasting from 0.5 to 5 min. This was followed by a second release of superoxide, which began at 10 min after addition of C5a, was sustained for more than 30 min, and required ICAM-1 immobilized in the wells. F(ab')2 monoclonal antibody (mAb) preparations were used to dissect the role of individual beta2 integrins and to avoid the confounding effects of ligating Fc receptors. Anti-CD18 mAb treatment of the PMN had no effect on the immediate first phase but completely inhibited the second, adhesion-dependent phase of superoxide production. Anti-CR3 mAb only inhibited the adhesion phase of superoxide production partially, implying that other beta2 integrins were involved. A mixture of anti-CD11a, anti-CD11b, and anti-CD11c was not able to block superoxide production completely, suggesting a role for alphad/beta2. Surprisingly, blocking anti-LFA-1 mAb had no effect on superoxide production. Consistent with this observation, immobilized, purified ICAM-2, a specific counter-receptor for LFA-1, did not support the adhesion-dependent phase of-superoxide production. Thus, PMN treated with C5a used signals via CR3, P150/95, and alphad/beta2, but not LFA-1, to support superoxide production. LFA-1 has been shown by others to mediate most of the adhesion necessary for transendothelial migration in vivo. The inability of LFA-1 ligation to stimulate superoxide production may be an important means of preventing blood-vessel damage when PMN migrate across the endothelium.

Identification and characterization of the complement C5a anaphylatoxin receptor on human astrocytes.

The C fragment C5a exerts its important physiologic and pathologic effects through interaction with a specific C5a receptor (C5aR) which is highly expressed on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and some other leukocytes. The presence of this receptor on epithelia and endothelia has recently been documented, raising the possibility that these other cells might also respond to locally generated C5a. C has been implicated in several brain disorders, notably demyelination and neurodegeneration, and cells within brain can synthesize a complete C system. It is thus of interest to examine the mechanisms by which C damages or activates brain cells. To this end we have examined the expression on human fetal astrocytes and astrocyte-derived cell lines of receptors for C fragments. We here report that human astrocytes and cell lines express a receptor for C5a (48 to 72 x 10(3) copies/cell), which is indistinguishable at the protein or mRNA level from that in leukocytes. The astrocyte C5aR was recognized by five different specific Abs, which revealed by Western blotting a protein of 40 to 45 kDa in primary human astrocytes and astrocyte cell lines. Expression was confirmed by RT-PCR using multiple primers. Neither inflammatory cytokines nor PMA caused up-regulation of the receptor on astrocytes. The receptor was functional in that addition of C5a (1 nM to 100 nM) or, at high doses (100 nM), C5adesArg, triggered a calcium transient in astrocytes. We propose that C5aR expression on astrocytes plays an important role in control of inflammation in brain and may be a central component of C-mediated brain injury.

Effects of dialysis membranes on beta2-mieroglobulin production and cellular expression

We investigated the effects of different dialysis membranes on the production of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) in peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures (PBMNC) obtained from hemodialysis patients in a prospective cross-over design study. Chronic dialysis with cuprophane membrane leads to an increase in beta 2m production from 129 +/- 11 ng/ml to 192 +/- 23 ng/ml (P less than 0.002). This increase is reversed by the use of a non-complement activating membrane polymethylmethacrylate. In addition, during chronic dialysis with cuprophane membrane, an increasing proportion of these cells display low beta 2m expression on their surface (from 6.1 +/- 0.8% of PBMNC to 16.9 +/- 3.4%, P less than 0.001), concomitant with the emergence of cells with low density of HLA on their surface (from 4.9 +/- 1.2% of cells to 32.9 +/- 7.8% of cells, P less than 0.001). The total content of cell-associated beta 2m is also decreased in dialysis patients in general, and in particular in patients chronically dialyzed with new cuprophane membrane. These effects can be reproduced by incubation of PBMNC with cuprophane membranes, and with the addition of C5a, IL-1 and TNF in vitro. Thus, chronic dialysis with cuprophane membrane may be a factor in the genesis of high beta 2m levels and causes changes in beta 2m and HLA expression on cell surfaces.

Complement- and IgE-mediated release of histamine from basophils in vitro. V. Differential effects of drugs modulating arachidonic acid metabolism.

Basophil degranulation probably plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of different hypersensitivity reactions. These cells can be stimulated to secrete lysosomal histamine in vitro in response to various secretagogues. We compared the effects of drugs, modulating arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, on histamine release (HR) from human basophils stimulated by anti-IgE antibody or C5a anaphylatoxin. Leukocytes from normal donors were preincubated with drug for 15 min at 22 degrees C, followed by the addition of C5a or anti-IgE for 30 min at 37 degrees C. Bromophenacyl bromide, an inhibitor of AA formation by phospholipase, blocked the effects of C5a and anti-IgE (greater than or equal to 3.3 X 10(-6) M, p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively). 3-Amino-1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-2-pyrazoline hydrochloride (BW755C, greater than or equal to 3.3 X 10(-5) M) and 5, 8, 11, 14-eicosatetraynoic acid (greater than or equal to 3.3 X 10(-4) M), known inhibitors of both cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LPX) pathways of AA metabolism, blocked both C5a- and anti-IgE-induced HR (p less than 0.01). Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor of LPX, decreased HR induced by anti-IgE (greater than or equal to 3.3 X 10(-6) M, p less than 0.01) and allergens, but reduced C5a-initiated HR only at a higher concentration (greater than or equal to 7 X 10(-5) M, p less than 0.01). Indomethacin (INDO), an inhibitor of COX, significantly reduced HR caused by C5a (greater than or equal to 3.3 X 10(-8) M, p less than 0.01) and its degradation product C5adesArg, but had no effect or caused slight enhancement of HR initiated by anti-IgE. We confirmed that INDO augments allergen-induced HR. Our findings suggest that there are basic differences in the regulation of C5a- and IgE-mediated basophil degranulation.

Potentiation of the primary humoral immune response in vitro by C5a anaphylatoxin.

The effect of the anaphylatoxin C5a on the primary humoral immune response to SRBC was studied in culture of spleen cells from C3H mice. The addition of human C5a to antigen-stimulated cultures resulted in a significant, dose-dependent augmentation of the primary PFC response to antigen. The specificity of this effect was affirmed by the ability of C5ades Arg, but not of the structurally analogous C3a anaphylatoxin, to act in a parallel fashion. Enhancement could be observed over a range of doses of antigen. Brief preincubation of macrophages, but not of lymphoid cells, with C5a was sufficient to cause subsequent enhancement of the primary humoral immune responses. The duration of preincubation required for this effect closely paralleled that for binding of C5a to peritoneal cells. Immunopotentiation by C5a appears to involve the function of C5a receptor-bearing, Ia- accessory cells as well as Ia+ antigen-presenting cells. Immunopotentiation could be observed when the addition of C5a was delayed for up to 24 hr after initiation of culture. Additionally, augmentation of tritiated thymidine uptake in mixed lymphocyte reactions was enhanced by the addition of C5a in a fashion parallel to that for the primary response to SRBC. These observations support a role for C5a as a modulator of cellular immunity in addition to its role in acute inflammation. Possible cellular mechanisms and implications for immunomodulation of immune responses are discussed.

Complement-Induced Histamine Release from Human Basophils

Abstract The activation of human serum complement by incubation with zymosan generates C5a which releases histamine from autologous basophils. The characteristics of the C5a-induced histamine release were investigated. It is similar to IgE-mediated reactions in requiring Ca++ and in being inhibited by EDTA. However, it has marked differences from IgE-mediated reactions. C5a, at all concentrations, released histamine completely in less than 2 min. The C5a reaction has a narrower pH optimum than antigen-induced release and occurs well at 17° to 37°C but not at 0°C. The optimal reaction temperature is 25° to 30°C. Unlike the antigen-induced release, no two-stage activation with C5a for the release of histamine could be demonstrated. There was additive release between C5a- and IgE-mediated reactions. Leukocytes could be desensitized to the C5a-mediated reaction by 1) incubating the cells at 37°C for 45 min, 2) pretreating the leukocytes with activated serum in the presence of EDTA, and 3) adding the activated serum to the leukocytes at 0°C before transferring to the optimal reaction temperatures. Cells desensitized to the complement-induced release have normal reactions to IgE-mediated histamine release. In parallel experiments, cells from allergic donors desensitized for IgE-mediated reactions by incubation with antigen under sub-optimal conditions release histamine normally upon the addition of C5a. The results indicate that histamine release by C5a involves a mechanism of basophil activation that is different from the pathway involved in the IgE-induced reaction.