Complement Activation Fragments Research Articles

Circulating capsid-antibody-complexes (CACs) drive intrahepatic complement deposition and inform subclinical liver inflammation in chronic hepatitis B

Chronic infection with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) often results in a dysfunctional virus-specific T cell response hampering viral clearance. Paradoxically, intrahepatic inflammatory responses that contribute more to liver histopathology than to viral suppression are commonly observed, which are widely believed to be cell mediated. The involvement of humoral immunity in this process however is not well documented. To investigate the possible roles of HBV Capsid-Antibody Complexes (CACs) in eliciting chronic liver inflammation, we developed a novel microplate-based assay for the quantification of CACs in serum. The CACs assay showed high sensitivity and specificity with its readout closely correlating with the molecular features of CACs. A cross-sectional study on untreated chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients showed a 77% positive rate for CACs with significant association with alanine transaminase (ALT), intrahepatic inflammation, and complement deposition, suggestive of its functional role in hepatic injury. Multiple staining of complement activation fragment C4d with major leukocyte and myofibroblast markers revealed an intertwined picture in periportal area with a morphology reminiscent of “piecemeal necrosis”. In a pooled cohort with ALT levels lower than 40 IU/ml, CACs alone revealed subclinical liver inflammation. We provide definitive evidence for a causative role for CACs in complement-mediated intrahepatic immunopathology, an additional mechanism contributing to liver damage in CHB. Assessment of CACs in serum complements current clinical markers for assessing CHB associated inflammation.

Immunodeposits and Urinary Complement Activation Fragments Are Linked to IgAN Activity and Progression: Findings from the CureGN Study

Immunodeposits and Urinary Complement Activation Fragments Are Linked to IgAN Activity and Progression: Findings from the CureGN Study

Complement factor H in molecular regulation of angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis, the process of formation of new capillaries from existing blood vessels, is required for multiple physiological and pathological processes. Complement factor H (CFH) is a plasma protein that inhibits the alternative pathway of the complement system. Loss of CFH enhances the alternative pathway and increases complement activation fragments with pro-angiogenic capacity, including complement 3a, complement 5a, and membrane attack complex. CFH protein contains binding sites for C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, and endothelial heparan sulfates. Dysfunction of CFH prevents its interaction with these molecules and initiates pro-angiogenic events. Mutations in the CFH gene have been found in patients with age-related macular degeneration characterized by choroidal neovascularization. The Cfh-deficient mice show an increase in angiogenesis, which is decreased by administration of recombinant CFH protein. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of the anti-angiogenic effects of CFH and the regulatory mechanisms of CFH expression. The therapeutic potential of recombinant CFH protein in angiogenesis-related diseases has also been discussed.

Elevated Complement Activation Fragments and C1q-Binding Circulating Immune Complexes in Varied Phases of Chikungunya Virus Infection.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a causative agent of a disease continuum, ranging from an acute transient chikungunya fever to chronic incapacitating viral arthralgia. The interaction between anti-CHIKV antibodies and the complement system has recently received attention. However, the contribution of complement activation in CHIKV-induced pathologies has not been fully elucidated. The present study was undertaken to delineate the possible contribution of complement activation in CHIKV-induced disease progression. In this study, using plasma specimens of chikungunya patients in the acute, chronic, and recovered phases of infection, we explicated the involvement of complement activation in CHIKV disease progression by ELISAs and Bio-Plex assays. Correlation analysis was carried out to demonstrate interrelation among C1q-binding IgG-containing circulating immune complexes (CIC-C1q), complement activation fragments (C3a, C5a, sC5b-9), and complement-modulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-18,IL-6, andTNF-α). We detected elevated complement activation fragments, CIC-C1q, and complement-modulated cytokines in the varied patient groups compared with the healthy controls, indicating persistent activation of the complement system. Furthermore, we observed statistically significant correlations among CIC-C1q with complement activation fragments and C3a with complement modulatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18 during the CHIKV disease progression. Taken together, the current data provide insight into the plausible association between CICs, complement activation, subsequent complement modulatory cytokine expression, and CHIKV etiopathology.

Sample processing time but not storage time affects complement activation markers C4a, C4d, C3a, iC3b, Bb, C5a, and sC5b-9 levels in EDTA-plasma of individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis

The complement system is an important part of the innate immune system and plays a key role in inflammatory processes. Concentrations of complement activation fragments in plasma are markers of systemic activation and have been found to be altered in a wide range of diseases. Some plasma activation marker levels can be influenced by sample processing and storage time. We quantified seven complement activation markers (C4a, C4d, C3a, iC3b, Bb, C5a, and sC5b-9 (TCC)) in EDTA-plasma as part of a multi-centre clinical study analysing complement activation in individuals with clinical high-risk (CHR) for psychosis compared with healthy controls. Samples had been collected, processed, and subsequently stored at -80°C over a period of 9.5–13.6 years, according to a standard operating protocol (SOP). Complement activation markers were quantified using commercially available and standardised enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). In a post hoc analysis of variables affecting the analyses we investigated the impact of EDTA-to-freezer processing time (<1–7.35 hours) and freezer storage time (9.5–13.6 years). EDTA-to-freezer processing time moderately correlated positively with C4a, C3a, iC3b and sC5b-9 levels. Storage time at -80°C was not significantly correlated with any complement activation marker. This study provides valuable insight into the impact of sample processing and long-term sample storage in complement activation marker studies. The results suggest that storage time in -80°C is not a confounding factor affecting non-specific complement activation in EDTA-plasma. Sample-processing time does moderately affect the levels of some complement activation markers. This should be considered as a co-variate when analysing complement activation marker levels. Further, the impact may vary for healthy or clinical samples where immune activation is part of the pathology. These findings are important when planning large-scale clinical studies that include quantification of complement components and its activation fragments as biomarkers. It supports the collection of EDTA-plasma and fast sample processing to be included into a study standard operating procedure.

#1940 Plasma complement activation profile in kidney transplant recipients with IgAN supports the importance of the complement alternative pathway in IgAN

Abstract Background and Aims The alternative complement and lectin pathways are key players in IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, the precise dynamics of complement activation in IgAN remain poorly understood. Non-invasive complement biomarkers are urgently needed in view of the evolving landscape of complement-targeting therapies under evaluation in IgAN. Method We analyzed plasma complement activation biomarkers in a cohort of 87 kidney transplant recipients (KTR) with IgAN and 30 controls consisting of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) KTR (NCT05234463, DC-2013-1990). Patients were excluded if 1) they had a biological inflammatory syndrome at the time of sampling or 2) they had experienced a cellular/humoral rejection in the year prior to or after sampling. We simultaneously measured a large panel of complement activation and regulation fragments (C3a, C5a, C4a, sC5b-9, Ba, Bb) and intact proteins (C3, C4, FI, FH, properdin) in plasma using multiplex ELISA (Quidel Ortho®, A900), nephelometry and in-house ELISA. Results There was no consumption of C3 and C4 proteins in IgAN patients. However, C3a and Bb concentrations were elevated in IgAN patients compared to ADPKD patients (161 [98-227] vs. 102 [66-172] ng/mL, p = 0.007; 3.0 [2.6-4.0] vs. 2.5 [2.0-2.8] µg/mL, p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Overall, 70/87 IgAN patients (80.5%) had elevated Bb levels. The plasma concentration of C5a was elevated in IgAN patients compared to ADPKD patients (6.3 [3.8-9.2] vs. 4.9 [2.8-6.3] ng/mL, p = 0.0274), with values within the reference range in 92.0% of IgAN patients. There was no difference in plasma levels of sC5b-9 between the two groups (p = 0.186). The combined analysis of C3a, C5a and sC5b-9 allowed us to distinguish 4 clusters of patients (Fig. 1). A total of 48 patients (55.2%) show evidence of C3 convertase activity in plasma (clusters 3 and 4), including 16 patients (18.4%) with the highest plasma concentrations of sC5b-9, C3a and Bb. In contrast, 15 patients (17.2%, cluster 1) have no (or very low) complement activation. The last group (n = 32, 36.8%, cluster 2) shows an isolated increase in sC5b-9 without evidence of plasma C3 convertase activity. Proteinuria was significantly increased in groups 3 and 4, which had the highest C3a concentrations, compared to groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.0051). Conclusion This study provides insights into the mechanisms of complement activation in IgAN, with a pivotal role for the activity and regulation of the alternative C3 pathway convertase. In addition, the combined analysis of complement biomarkers identified, for the first time, clusters of patients who may benefit from complement targeting therapies.

#1504 Performance evaluation of MicroVue sC5b-9 for analysis of urine samples

Abstract Background and Aims Complement mediated kidney diseases including C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), atypical uremic syndrome (aHUS), lupus nephritis (LN), and immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) are chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by dysregulated complement activation. Traditionally, complement activation is measured in plasma. However, patients with kidney disease often have an abundance of complement activation fragments in their urine—including soluble C5b-9 (sC5b-9), a marker of terminal pathway activation—highlighting the potential value of sC5b-9 measurement in urine for diagnosis and risk management in patients with C3G, aHUS, LN, IgAN, and other kidney diseases. Herein we evaluated the analytical performance of the Quidel MicroVue sC5b-9 Plus EIA for measurement of sC5b-9 in urine. Method The Quidel MicroVue sC5b-9 Plus EIA was evaluated using randomly collected healthy urine samples or healthy urine samples spiked with a known concentration of sC5b-9, as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD) urine samples. Results The analytical performance of the Quidel MicroVue sC5b-9 Plus EIA for measurement of sC5b-9 in urine met acceptability criteria for accuracy and precision. Assay accuracy was (100 ± 20%) and intra-assay precision as well as inter-assay precision was ≤ 11% coefficient of variability (CV). sC5b-9 was not detected in healthy urine samples (N = 40), but sC5b-9 was detected in a subset of urine samples from patients with CKD (N = 10). Positive linearity was observed over a wide range of concentrations. sC5b-9 measured in urine was not affected by hemoglobin or triglyceride, and was stable following three freeze-thaw cycles. Lastly, sC5b-9 measured in urine was stable when stored at −20°C and –80°C for 4 weeks. Long term stability testing at –80°C is underway. Conclusion Quidel MicroVue sC5b-9 Plus EIA is an accurate, reliable assay for detection of sC5b-9 in urine samples.

Canonical and non-canonical roles of complement in atherosclerosis.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, and atherosclerosis is the major contributor to the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Immune responses have a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, with the complement system being an acknowledged contributor. Chronic activation of liver-derived and serum-circulating canonical complement sustains endothelial inflammation and innate immune cell activation, and deposition of complement activation fragments on inflamed endothelial cells is a hallmark of atherosclerotic plaques. However, increasing evidence indicates that liver-independent, cell-autonomous and non-canonical complement activities are underappreciated contributors to atherosclerosis. Furthermore, complement activation can also have atheroprotective properties. These specific detrimental or beneficial contributions of the complement systemto the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are dictated by the location of complement activation and engagement of its canonical versus non-canonical functions in a temporal fashion during atherosclerosis progression. In this Review, we summarize the classical and the emerging non-classical roles of the complement system in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and discuss potential strategies for therapeutic modulation of complement for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Humoral complementomics – exploration of noninvasive complement biomarkers as predictors of renal cancer progression

ABSTRACT Despite the progress of anti-cancer treatment, the prognosis of many patients with solid tumors is still dismal. Reliable noninvasive biomarkers are needed to predict patient survival and therapy response. Here, we propose a Humoral Complementomics approach: a work-up of assays to comprehensively evaluate complement proteins, activation fragments, and autoantibodies targeting complement proteins in plasma, which we correlated with the intratumoral complement activation, and/or local production, focusing on localized and metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In two prospective ccRCC cohorts, plasma C2, C5, Factor D and properdin were elevated compared to healthy controls, reflecting an inflammatory phenotype that correlated with plasma calprotectin levels but did not associate with CRP or with patient prognosis. Conversely, autoantibodies against the complement C3 and the reduced form of FH (a tumor neo-epitope reported in lung cancer) correlated with a favorable outcome. Our findings pointed to a specific group of patients with elevated plasma C4d and C1s-C1INH complexes, indicating the initiation of the classical pathway, along with elevated Ba and Bb, indicating alternative pathway activation. Boostrapped Lasso regularized Cox regression revealed that the most predictive complement biomarkers were elevated plasma C4d and Bb levels at the time of surgery, which correlated with poor prognosis. In conclusion, we propose Humoral Complementomics as an unbiased approach to study the global state of the complement system in any pathological plasma sample and disease context. Its implementation for ccRCC revealed that elevated C4d and Bb in plasma are promising prognostic biomarkers, correlating with shorter progression-free survival.

Usefulness and analytical performances of complement multiplex assay for measuring complement biomarkers in plasma

IntroductionThe complement system is involved in numerous diseases, through diverse mechanisms and degree of activation. With the emergence of complement targeting therapeutic, simple and accessible tools to evaluate the extent of complement activation are strongly needed. MethodsWe evaluated two multiplex panels, measuring complement activation fragments (C4a, C3a, C5a, Bb, Ba, sC5b9) and intact components or regulators (C1q, C2, C3, C4, C5, FD, FP, FH, FI). The specificity of each measurement was assessed by using complement proteins depleted sera and plasma collected from patients with complement deficiencies. Normal values distribution was estimated using 124 plasma samples from healthy donors and complement activation profile was assessed in plasma collected from 31 patients with various complement-mediated disorders. ResultsWe observed good inter-assay variation. All tested protein deficiencies were accurately detected. We established assay-specific reference values for each analyte. Except for C3, C4 and C4a, the majority of the measurements were in good agreement with references methods or published data. ConclusionOur study substantiates the utility of the Complement Multiplex assay as a tool for measuring complement activation and deficiencies. Quantifying complement cleavage fragments in patients exhibiting classical or alternative pathway activation allowed evaluating the activation state of the whole cascade.

A Prospective Study on Complement Activation Distinguishes Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis from Minimal Change Disease

IntroductionMinimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are related podocytopathies with distinct kidney outcomes. Surprisingly, elevated urinary activation fragments have been found in FSGS despite little complement deposition on immunofluorescence staining. Whether complement activation distinguishes FSGS from MCD, participating in the development of segmental lesions, remains unknown. MethodsWe performed an observational study in subjects with MCD and FSGS, and proteinuria ≥ 1 g/g of creatinine. We included both primary and secondary or unknown causes. We compared urinary fragments of terminal pathway activation, sC5b9 and C5a expressed as creatinine ratios, between MCD and FSGS. ResultsPatients with FSGS (n=41) had a serum albumin of 31±10 g/L and proteinuria of 5.1 (2.6-9.1) g/g at sampling, while those with MCD (n=15) had a lower serum albumin (22±9 g/L, p=0.002), and a proteinuria of 3.8 (1.9-7.7) g/g (p=0.40). Urinary sC5b9 and C5a were 8.7 (1.7-52.3) and 1.26 (0.45-1.84) μg/mmol of creatinine, respectively in FSGS subjects, compared to 0.8 (0.0-1.5) and 0.06 (0.01-0.15) μg/mmol of creatinine in MCD (p<0.001), respectively. We found no association between urinary complement fragments and age, eGFR, or chronic kidney lesions. When analyzing samples with proteinurias ≥ 3 g/g, the c-statistics for urinary sC5b9 and C5a were 0.96 and 1.00, respectively, in differentiating FSGS from MCD. ConclusionWe found no urinary complement activation fragments in MCD, in comparison to FSGS, despite similar levels of proteinuria. This suggests a role for complement activation in the pathogenesis of FSGS and provides an additional tool for distinguishing these two entities.

Complement biomarkers in the antiphospholipid syndrome – Approaches to quantification and implications for clinical management

Complement is a major driver of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and a promising therapeutic target in refractory and catastrophic APS. Complement testing in APS is largely limited to research settings, and reliable, rapid-turnaround biomarkers are needed to predict those at risk for adverse clinical outcomes and most likely to benefit from complement inhibition. We review complement biomarkers and their association with thrombosis and obstetric outcomes, including: (i) complement proteins and activation fragments in the fluid phase; (ii) assays that evaluate complement on cell membranes (e.g. in vivo cell-bound complement fragments, hemolytic assays, and ex vivo ‘functional’ cell-based assays, and (iii) sequencing of complement genes. Current studies highlight the inconsistencies in testing both between studies and various aPL/APS subgroups, suggesting that either cell-based testing or multiplex panels employing a combination of biomarkers simultaneously may be most clinically relevant. Standardization of complement assays is needed to ensure reproducibility and establish clinically relevant applications.

Cold exposure induces vaso-occlusion and pain in sickle mice that depend on complement activation

AbstractVaso-occlusive pain episodes (VOE) cause severe pain in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Vaso-occlusive events promote ischemia/reperfusion pathobiology that activates complement. We hypothesized that complement activation is linked to VOE. We used cold to induce VOE in the Townes sickle homozygous for hemoglobin S (HbSS) mouse model and complement inhibitors to determine whether anaphylatoxin C5a mediates VOE. We used a dorsal skinfold chamber to measure microvascular stasis (vaso-occlusion) and von Frey filaments applied to the plantar surface of the hind paw to assess mechanical hyperalgesia in HbSS and control Townes mice homozygous for hemoglobin A (HbAA) mice after cold exposure at 10°C/50°F for 1 hour. Cold exposure induced more vaso-occlusion in nonhyperalgesic HbSS mice (33%) than in HbAA mice (11%) or HbSS mice left at room temperature (1%). Cold exposure also produced mechanical hyperalgesia as measured by paw withdrawal threshold in HbSS mice compared with that in HbAA mice or HbSS mice left at room temperature. Vaso-occlusion and hyperalgesia were associated with an increase in complement activation fragments Bb and C5a in plasma of HbSS mice after cold exposure. This was accompanied by an increase in proinflammatory NF-κB activation and VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in the liver. Pretreatment of nonhyperalgesic HbSS mice before cold exposure with anti-C5 or anti-C5aR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) decreased vaso-occlusion, mechanical hyperalgesia, complement activation, and liver inflammatory markers compared with pretreatment with control mAb. Anti-C5 or -C5aR mAb infusion also abrogated mechanical hyperalgesia in HbSS mice with ongoing hyperalgesia at baseline. These findings suggest that C5a promotes vaso-occlusion, pain, and inflammation during VOE and may play a role in chronic pain.

Complement activation as a biomarker and a pathogenic factor in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury

Abstract Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition caused by skeletal muscle damage with acute kidney injury (AKI) being the main complication dramatically worsening the prognosis. Specific treatment for rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury (RIAKI) is lacking and the mechanisms of the injury are unclear. We discovered intra-kidney complement activation in tubules and vessels of patients and mice with rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury. Moreover, elevation of complement proteins and activation fragments in the urine of RIAKI patients compared to rhabdomyolysis without RIAKI and healthy donors by complement multiplex assays supported a pathogenic role of the complement system. Urinary C5a distinguished AKI, while Ba was elevated even for the patients without AKI, suggesting infra-clinical manifestations. Complement deficient mice (C3−/−, FB−/−) were protected from RIAKI. The transcriptomic signature of RIAKI mice included a strong inflammatory and apoptotic component, which were C3/complement-dependent, as they were normalized in C3 knockout mice. The intra-kidney macrophage population expressed a complement-sensitive phenotype, overexpressing CD11b and C5aR1. A kinetic mouse model of RIAKI revealed that heme toxicity is the first pathogenic mechanism to injure the tubules, evidenced by kidney transcriptomic signature (QuantiGene RNA assay), followed by neutrophils and inflammatory monocytes, upregulating C5aR1 (flow cytometry). Thus, our results demonstrate a direct pathological role of heme and complement in rhabdomyolysis-induced acute kidney injury. CSL Behring research grant

Soluble Complement Receptor 1 Therapeutics

Human Complement Receptor 1 (CR1/CD35) is a potent negative regulator of the complement system. Its mechanism of action is through interaction with the complement activation fragments, C3b and C4b to mediate decay acceleration of the C3 and C5 convertase complexes as well as cleavage of both ligands into inactive fragments via cofactor activity. The result is inhibition of the classical, lectin, and alternative complement pathways. This article will focus on recombinant soluble forms of CR1 that have been generated as potential therapeutics for complement-mediated disorders. Specifically, we will review and contrast the in vitro and in vivo properties of: sCR1 (BRL55730/TP10/CDX-1135), the soluble full-length extracellular domain of human CR1; sCR1-sLex (TP20), a glyco-engineered version of sCR1 additionally targeted to activated endothelium; APT070 (Mirococept), a CR1 fragment conjugated to a myristoylated peptide to enhance tissue targeting; and CSL040, a soluble truncated version of the CR1 extracellular domain which exhibits altered potency and pharmacokinetic properties as compared to the parental molecule. The data obtained from studies on the effects of these CR1-based molecules in animal models of disease and their therapeutic applications will also be discussed.

FC 130: Kinetics of Renal Injury After Rhabdomyolysis: Implication of Innate Immune Cells and Complement Activation

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS In rhabdomyolysis—characterized by massive striated muscle damage—main complication is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) occurring in up to 50% cases. Physiopathology of rhabdomyolysis induced AKI (RIAKI) was historically described as the association of intrarenal vasoconstriction, tubular obstruction by myoglobin casts and direct tubular toxicity (by oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation). Recently, it became evident that the innate immunity also plays a role. Macrophages infiltrate contributes to direct tubular toxicity and we found activation of the complement system in patients and mice with RIAKI, in part mediated by myoglobin released heme [1]. Still, the mechanisms by which the innate immunity contribute to the RIAKI kidney injury and to which extend there are comparable to ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) are not fully understood. METHOD We performed a kinetic model of glycerol (GLY) induced RIAKI in C57BL/6 mice at 1, 3, 12, 24 hours and 7 days and analysed kidney function (biochemical parameters, histology), injury markers (Quantigene: analyse simultaneously expression of 80 genes, chosen from RIAKI transcriptomic signature (1)), complement deposits (immunofluorescence). We evaluated the abundance of tissue-infiltrating immune and stromal cell populations using gene expression (MCP counter), validated by flow cytometry. Kinetic of expression of RIAKI genes was compared to scRNAseq of IRI model [2]. We compared WT mice to ones deficient of the classical (C1q–/–, C4–/–), alternative (C3–/– and FB–/–) and lectin (Collectin-11-/-) pathways. Finally, we analysed complement activation fragments in the urine of 15 RIAKI patients as compared to controls (n = 5) and IRI patients (n = 5). RESULTS Upon rhabdomyolysis, AKI in mice starts as early as 3 h post-GLY injection. Despite early upregulation of cytoprotective transcription factors (Maff, Myc, Sox9 within 3 h) and genes implicated in heme detoxification (HO1 and ferritin), both proximal and distal tubules are affected between 6 and 12 h post injury and endothelial injury is evident from 3 h. Granulocytes, monocytes and eosinophils increased in blood and infiltrated the kidney at 12 h due to preceding overexpression of chemoattractants (Cxcl1, Lgals3, Ccl2, Ccl7, Ccl12), likely by injured tubules. At 24 h, the phenotype of RIAKI kidney infiltrating inflammatory monocytes, eosinophils and resident macrophages revealed strong upregulation of C5aR1 (5x, 7x and 2x), while its levels in neutrophils tend to decrease, suggesting C5a-mediated activation. This was paralleled by intrarenal complement deposits on injured tubules and complement biomarkers in urine. To underscore the pathological relevance of complement, we found that alternative and to some extend lectin pathway deficient mice were partially protected, as opposed to mice deficient for classical pathway (Figure 1). Complement activation byproducts, notably Ba, C3a and C5a were increased in RIAKI patient urine as compared to control (including when normalized by proteinuria) (Figure 2). CONCLUSION The kinetic of RIAKI follows the pattern of IRI acute kidney injury with specificities regarding early response to heme overload. Despite numerous protective mechanisms initiated, kidney tubules and blood vessels are rapidly affected. This results in early kidney inflammation, complement deposition and chemoattraction of immune cell with complement responsive phenotype. Complement biomarkers are increased in urine of RIAKI mice and patients alike. Our study underlines the importance to study the first hours post injury to understand the mechanisms involved in order to propose specific treatment. Complement targeting has to be explored as a therapeutic strategy in this disease.

Complement Activation Fragments Are Increased in Critically Ill Pediatric Patients with Severe AKI.

Children who are critically ill with AKI suffer from high morbidity and mortality rates, and lack treatment options. Emerging evidence implicates the role of complement activation in AKI pathogenesis, which could potentially be treated with complement inhibitors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between complement activation fragments and severity of AKI in children who are critically ill. A biorepository of samples from children who are critically ill from a prior multisite study was leveraged to identify children with stage 3 AKI and matched to patients without AKI on the basis of PELOD-2 (illness severity) scores. Specimens were analyzed for plasma and urine complement activation fragments of factor B, C3a, C4a, and sC5b-9. The primary outcomes were MAKE30 and severe AKI rates. In total, 14 patients with stage 3 AKI (five requiring RRT) were matched to 14 patients without AKI. Urine factor Ba and plasma C4a levels increased stepwise as severity of AKI increased, from no AKI to stage 3 AKI, to stage 3 AKI with RRT need. Plasma C4a levels were independently associated with increased risk of MAKE30 outcomes (OR, 3.2; IQR, 1.1-8.9), and urine Ba (OR, 1.9; IQR, 1.1-3.1), plasma Bb (OR, 2.7; IQR, 1.1-6.8), C4a (OR, 13.0; IQR, 1.6-106.6), and C3a (OR, 3.3; IQR, 1.3-8.4) were independently associated with risk of severe stage 2-3 AKI on day 3 of admission. Multiple complement fragments increase as magnitude of AKI severity increases. Very high levels of urine Ba or plasma C4a may identify patients at risk for severe AKI, hemodialysis, and MAKE30 outcomes. The fragments may be useful as a functional biomarker of complement activation and may identify those patients to study complement inhibition to treat or prevent AKI in children who are critically ill. These findings suggest the need for further specific investigations of the role of complement activation in children who are critically ill and at risk of AKI.

Complement Activation Fragments in Cervicovaginal Fluid Are Associated with Intra-Amniotic Infection/Inflammation and Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Women with Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.

We sought to determine whether the levels of complement and other inflammatory and angiogenic mediators in cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) are independently associated with intra-amniotic infection and/or inflammation (IAI) and imminent spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB, £48 hours of sampling) in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). This was a retrospective study consisting of 85 singleton pregnant women with PPROM at 200/7 to 336/7 weeks. Amniotic fluid (AF) obtained via amniocentesis was cultured and assayed for interleukin-6. CVF samples collected at the time of amniocentesis were assayed for complement C3a, C4a, and C5a, HSP70 (heat shock protein 70), M-CSF (macrophage colony-stimulating factor), M-CSF-R (macrophage colony-stimulating factor-receptor), S100 A8, S100 A9, thrombospondin-2, VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor), and VEGFR-1 (vascular endothelial growth factor-receptor 1) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that elevated CVF concentrations of complement C3a, 4a, and 5a were significantly associated with an increased risk of IAI and imminent SPTB, whereas those of M-CSF were associated with IAI, but not imminent SPTB (p = 0.063), after adjustment for baseline covariates (e.g., gestational age at sampling). However, univariate, and multivariate analyses showed that the CVF concentrations of angiogenic (thrombospondin-2, VEGF, and VEGFR-1) and inflammatory (HSP70, M-CSF-R, S100 A8, and S100 A9) proteins were not associated with either IAI or imminent SPTB. In women with PPROM, elevated CVF concentrations of complement C3a, C4a, and C5a are independently related to an increased risk of IAI and imminent SPTB. These findings suggest that complement activation in CVF is significantly involved in mechanisms underlying preterm birth and in the host response to IAI in the context of PPROM. · Elevated CVF levels of C3a, 4a and 5a are associated with IAI and SPTB.. · CVF C3a, 4a and 5a have better predictability for SPTB, compared to AF WBC.. · Elevated CVF levels of M-CSF were associated with IAI, but not SPTB..

Natural antibody and complement activation characterize patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and minimal change disease (MCD) are common forms of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. The causes of these diseases are incompletely understood, but the response of patients to immunosuppressive therapies suggests that their pathogenesis is at least in part immune mediated. Preclinical and clinical research indicates that activation of the classical pathway of complement contributes to glomerular injury in FSGS. Glomerular IgM deposits are also prominent in some patients, raising the possibility that IgM is a trigger of classical pathway activation. In the present study, we examined the pattern of complement activation in the glomeruli and plasma of patients with nephrotic syndrome. We also tested whether patients with FSGS and MCD have elevated levels of natural IgM reactive with epitopes on glomerular endothelial cells and cardiolipin. We found evidence of classical pathway activation in patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome compared with healthy control subjects. We also detected higher levels of self-reactive IgM to both targets. Based on these results, IgM and classical pathway activation may contribute to disease pathogenesis in some patients with FSGS and MCD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY IgM is detected in biopsies from some patients with nephrotic syndrome, although this has been attributed to passive trapping of the protein. We found, however, that IgM colocalizes with complement activation fragments in some glomeruli. We also found that affected patients had higher levels of IgM reactive to glomerular endothelial cell epitopes. Thus, IgM activates the complement system in the glomeruli of some patients with nephrotic syndrome and may contribute to injury.

In Vitro Complement Activation By PF4/Heparin Complexes Is Mediated By Plasma IgM

We recently described the early immunizing events following exposure to heparin that likely contribute to the development of Platelet Factor 4 (PF4)/heparin (H) antibodies leading to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In these studies, we demonstrated significant complement (C') activation by PF4/heparin complexes in vitro and in patients receiving heparin therapy, as well as selective binding of C'-coated antigen to B-cells via CD21 (Khandelwal, Blood 2016). To examine the mechanism underlying C' activation by PF4/heparin complexes, we developed a plasma-based capture immunoassay to detect complement activation fragment C3c bound to PF4/heparin complexes (ASH 2016, Abstract # 3734). In this assay, when plasma from healthy donors is incubated under identical conditions with buffer, PF4 alone or PF4/heparin, the degree of C' activation, as determined by antigen-bound C3c, varied significantly among healthy donors [Figure 1A, A 450nm (range): PF4/heparin = 0.05 -0.39 ; PF4 = 0.00- 0.04 ; buffer = 0.00-0.03; PF4/heparin v. PF4 (p<0.01); PF4/heparin v. buffer (p<0.001)]. The extent of C' activation for a given donor, categorized as high, intermediate or low (e.g., donor B=high, A&C=intermediate, and D=low C' activation in Figure 1A), remained stable over weeks to months (Figure 1B). To determine if phenotypic differences among donors were due to variability in levels of complement or complement regulatory proteins, we compared the plasma proteome of healthy donors with high (n=3), intermediate (n=2) or low (n=3) C' activation. Mass spectrometry analysis did not reveal differences in complement or complement regulatory proteins among donors tested. However, there was a marked correlation between donor phenotype and plasma IgM levels (Figure 2 A & B; r = 0.89, p = 0.002 by Pearson's correlation). We next examined the antigen specificity of IgM from donors expressing high C' activation phenotype. As shown in Figure 3, IgM binding was not antigen-specific, as IgM bound to PF4/heparin as well as to PF4 alone or PRT/heparin complexes. Based on data shown in Figures 2 & 3, we next asked if C' activation by PF4/heparin complexes in vitro reflects the total circulating level of IgM. To address this question, we added varying amounts of commercial IgM (0-1000 mcg/mL; Athens Research and Technology, Athens, Georgia) to the plasma of two donors with a low C' activation phenotype. As shown in Figure 4, increasing concentrations of IgM caused a dose-dependent increase in C' activation (> 10 fold of increase in anti-C3c (A450) at 1000 mcg/mL IgM compared to no IgM, p <0.005). Together, these studies indicate that low-avidity interactions between naturally-occurring IgM and PF4/heparin contribute to C' activation in plasma and likely mediated through the classical pathway. Differences in circulating IgM levels may contribute to susceptibility towards C' activation by PF4/heparin complexes and subsequent development of PF4/heparin antibodies in patients receiving heparin therapy. Our findings also hold promise for targeting the classical pathway as a strategy for preventing the development of HIT antibodies. [Display omitted] DisclosuresCines:Syntimmune: Research Funding; Astellas: Consultancy; Rigel: Consultancy; T2 Biosystems: Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy; Ionic: Consultancy; Juno: Consultancy. Arepally:Biokit: Patents & Royalties.