Complement Activation Gene Cluster Research Articles

The Chicken A and E Blood Systems Arise from Genetic Variation in and around the Regulators of Complement Activation Region.

The tightly linked A and E blood alloantigen systems are 2 of 13 blood systems identified in chickens. Reported herein are studies showing that the genes encoding A and E alloantigens map within or near to the chicken regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster, a region syntenic with the human RCA. Genome-wide association studies, sequence analysis, and sequence-derived single-nucleotide polymorphism information for known A and/or E system alleles show that the most likely candidate gene for the A blood system is C4BPM gene (complement component 4 binding protein, membrane). Cosegregation of single-nucleotide polymorphism-defined C4BPM haplotypes and blood system A alleles defined by alloantisera provide a link between chicken blood system A and C4BPM. The best match for the E blood system is the avian equivalent of FCAMR (Fc fragment of IgA and IgM receptor). C4BPM is located within the chicken RCA on chicken microchromosome 26 and is separated from FCAMR by 89 kbp. The genetic variation observed at C4BPM and FCAMR could affect the chicken complement system and differentially guide immune responses to infectious diseases.

Regulatory Architecture of the RCA Gene Cluster Captures an Intragenic TAD Boundary, CTCF-Mediated Chromatin Looping and a Long-Range Intergenic Enhancer.

The Regulators of Complement Activation (RCA) gene cluster comprises several tandemly arranged genes with shared functions within the immune system. RCA members, such as complement receptor 2 (CR2), are well-established susceptibility genes in complex autoimmune diseases. Altered expression of RCA genes has been demonstrated at both the functional and genetic level, but the mechanisms underlying their regulation are not fully characterised. We aimed to investigate the structural organisation of the RCA gene cluster to identify key regulatory elements that influence the expression of CR2 and other genes in this immunomodulatory region. Using 4C, we captured extensive CTCF-mediated chromatin looping across the RCA gene cluster in B cells and showed these were organised into two topologically associated domains (TADs). Interestingly, an inter-TAD boundary was located within the CR1 gene at a well-characterised segmental duplication. Additionally, we mapped numerous gene-gene and gene-enhancer interactions across the region, revealing extensive co-regulation. Importantly, we identified an intergenic enhancer and functionally demonstrated this element upregulates two RCA members (CR2 and CD55) in B cells. We have uncovered novel, long-range mechanisms whereby autoimmune disease susceptibility may be influenced by genetic variants, thus highlighting the important contribution of chromatin topology to gene regulation and complex genetic disease.

A novel, multiplexed targeted mass spectrometry assay for quantification of complement factor H (CFH) variants and CFH-related proteins 1-5 in human plasma.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual loss among older adults. Two variants in the complement factor H (CFH) gene, Y402H and I62V, are strongly associated with risk of AMD. CFH is encoded in regulator of complement activation gene cluster in chromosome 1q32, which includes complement factor related (CFHR) proteins, CFHR1 to CFHR5, with high amino acid sequence homology to CFH. Our goal was to build a SRM assay to measure plasma concentrations of CFH variants Y402, H402, I62, and V62, and CFHR1-5. The final assay consisted of 24 peptides and 72 interference-free SRM transition ion pairs. Most peptides showed good linearity over 0.3-200 fmol/μL concentration range. Plasma concentrations of CFH variants and CFHR1-5 were measured using the SRM assay in 344 adults. Plasma CFH concentrations (mean, SE in μg/mL) by inferred genotype were: YY402, II62 (170.1, 31.4), YY402, VV62 (188.8, 38.5), HH402, VV62 (144.0, 37.0), HY402, VV62 (164.2, 42.3), YY402, IV62 (194.8, 36.8), HY402, IV62 (181.3, 44.7). Mean (SE) plasma concentrations of CFHR1-5 were 1.63 (0.04), 3.64 (1.20), 0.020 (0.001), 2.42 (0.18), and 5.49 (1.55) μg/mL, respectively. This SRM assay should facilitate the study of the role of systemic complement and risk of AMD.

Laboratory-Developed MLPA® Probes Enable CNV Detection in the CFHR4 Gene to Aid aHUS Genetic Evaluation

Large copy number variants (CNVs) such as deletions in the regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster (CFH, CFHR3, CFHR1, CFHR4, CFHR2, CFHR5) are associated with elevated risk for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), a complement regulation disorder (Zipfel 2007). Of particular interest are compound heterozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 and CFHR1-CFHR4 deletions, linked to aHUS due to the resulting composite homozygous CFHR1 deletions (Moore 2010). Detection of CFHR4 CNVs is important as it enables identification of said CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion in trans with the CFHR1-CFHR4 deletion, as well as rare reported CFHR4 duplications (Sudmant 2010). Large heterozygous deletions or duplications involving CFHR3 and CFHR1 or CFHR1 and CFHR4 are undetectable by Sanger sequencing and difficult to detect with amplicon-based Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). When CNVs are detected by NGS, confirmation with an independent reference method is required by regulatory agencies including the New York State Department of Health and College of American Pathology.Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA®) has been used to reliably detect large CNVs for CFH, CFHR3, CFHR1, CFHR2 and CFHR5, and a commercial research use only (RUO) probe mix is available for this purpose from MRC-Holland (Amsterdam, NL).For the CFHR4 region, however, MLPA® probes are not available from any commercial source. Furthermore, CFHR4 MLPA® probe design is complicated by high internal and external homology with adjacent RCA regions (including 91.3-96.2% homology within CFHR4 exons, as well as 90-100% homology with CFHR3 exons). Using a combination of MLPA® probe design freeware, commercial software, literature sources and in-house modifications, a multiplex MLPA® laboratory-developed test (LDT) targeting 5 regions of interest (ROIs) in the CFHR4 gene was designed and validated.The multiplex CFHR4 MLPA® LDT was customized to include an internally-designed ROI MLPA® probe mix targeting CFHR4 intron 1, exon 2, exon 5, intron 6, intron 9, as well as commercially available MLPA® quality control and reference probes. Exon 2 probe sequences were obtained from the literature (Kubista 2011). The remaining MLPA® ROI probes were designed using AlleleID® software (Premier Biosoft) or online freeware MAPD-MLPA (courtesy Stony Brook University Bioinformatics). The MLPA® CFHR4 ROI probes were optimized and challenged to achieve complete specificity for and coverage across the CFHR4 region, as well as to prevent overlap with quality control and reference probes.The CFHR4 MLPA® LDT was validated with 10 genomic DNA samples, comprising a mixture of healthy donors or patients (BloodCenter of Wisconsin archives) and 6 samples from Coriell Repositories (Camden, NJ), all of which were known to harbor large RCA CNVs. 100% concordance with expected findings was observed.Full aHUS genetic evaluation comprising NGS analysis of 15 genes and MLPA® analysis of the RCA gene cluster has now been performed for 161 patients. In 95 (59%) of these patients, no large CNV was detected. Forty patients (25%) tested negative for any large CFHR4 variant but did test positive for the CFHR3-CFHR1 heterozygous deletion. 28% of the population are reported heterozygous for this CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion (Moore 2010). Fifteen patients (9%) were positive for homozygous CFHR1 deletions, which are associated with increased risk for development of autoantibody to complement factor H (CFH), as reported by Moore 2010. Using the CFHR4 MLPA® LDT, the latter homozygous CFHR1 deletions were attributed to compound heterozygosity for the CFHR3-CFHR1 and CFHR1-CFHR4 deletions in 3 of the aforesaid 15 patients. The other 12 patients were found to harbor homozygous deletions of CFHR3 and CFHR1. In 3 (1.9%) patients, the CFHR4 MLPA® LDT revealed a CFHR1-CFHR4 heterozygous deletion, similar to the previously reported frequency of 1.4% in aHUS patients (Moore 2010). Finally, 2 patients tested positive for a heterozygous CFHR3 deletion and a CFHR4 duplication, consistent with the presence of a CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion on one allele and CFHR1-CFHR4 duplication on the other allele resulting in a normal CFHR1 copy number.Overall, these data show the importance of CFHR4 MLPA® CNV testing to aid genetic evaluation of suspected aHUS cases, and this testing should be part of the aHUS genetic panel. DisclosuresFriedman:Alexion: Speakers Bureau; NovoNordisk: Consultancy; Shire: Consultancy; CSL Behring: Consultancy.

Role of complement receptor 1 (CR1; CD35) on epithelial cells: A model for understanding complement-mediated damage in the kidney.

The regulators of complement activation gene cluster encodes a group of proteins that have evolved to control the amplification of complement at the critical step of C3 activation. Complement receptor 1 (CR1) is the most versatile of these inhibitors with both receptor and regulatory functions. While expressed on most peripheral blood cells, the only epithelial site of expression in the kidney is by the podocyte. Its expression by this cell population has aroused considerable speculation as to its biologic function in view of many complement-mediated renal diseases. The goal of this investigation was to assess the role of CR1 on epithelial cells. To this end, we utilized a Chinese hamster ovary cell model system. Among our findings, CR1 reduced C3b deposition by ∼ 80% during classical pathway activation; however, it was an even more potent regulator (>95% reduction in C3b deposition) of the alternative pathway. This inhibition was primarily mediated by decay accelerating activity. The deposited C4b and C3b were progressively cleaved with a t½ of ∼ 30 min to C4d and C3d, respectively, by CR1-dependent cofactor activity. CR1 functioned intrinsically (i.e, worked only on the cell on which it was expressed). Moreover, CR1 efficiently and stably bound but didn't internalize C4b/C3b opsonized immune complexes. Our studies underscore the potential importance of CR1 on an epithelial cell population as both an intrinsic complement regulator and an immune adherence receptor. These results provide a framework for understanding how loss of CR1 expression on podocytes may contribute to complement-mediated damage in the kidney.

Regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster in Xenopus tropicalis

Genome and expressed sequence tag information of Xenopus tropicalis suggested that short-consensus repeat (SCR)-containing proteins are encoded by three genes that are mapped within a 300-kb downstream of PFKFB2, which is a marker gene for the regulator of complement activation (RCA) loci in human and chicken. Based on this observation, we cloned the three cDNAs of these proteins using 3'- or 5'-RACE technique. Since their primary structures and locations of the proximity to the PFKFB2 locus, we named them amphibian RCA protein (ARC) 1, 2, and 3. Expression in human HEK293 or CHO cells suggested that ARC1 is a soluble protein of Mr approximately 67 kDa, ARC2 is a membrane protein with Mr 44 kDa, and ARC3 a secretary protein with a putative transmembrane region. They were N-glycosylated during maturation. In human and chicken RCA clusters, the order in which genes for soluble, GPI-anchored, and membrane forms of SCR proteins are arranged is from the distant to proximity to the PFKFB2 gene. However, the amphibian ARC1, 2, and 3 resembled one another and did not reflect the same order found in human and chicken RCA genes. This may be due to self-duplication of ARCs to form a family, and it evolved after the amphibia separated from the ancestor of the amniotes, which possessed soluble, GPI-anchored, and membrane forms of SCR protein members. Taken together, frog possesses a RCA locus, but the constitution of the ARC proteins differs from that of the amniotes with a unique self-resemblance.

The decay accelerating factor mutation I197V found in hemolytic uraemic syndrome does not impair complement regulation

Hemolytic uremic syndrome is the clinical triad of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anaemia and acute renal failure. Cases not associated with a preceding Shiga-like toxin producing Escherichia coli are described as atypical HUS (aHUS). Approximately 50% of patients with aHUS have mutations in one of three complement regulatory proteins, Factor H ( CFH), membrane cofactor protein ( MCP;CD46) or factor I ( IF). A common feature of these three proteins is that they regulate complement by cofactor activity. Decay accelerating factor (DAF; CD55) regulates the complement system by disassociating the alternative and classical pathway convertases. Like CFH and MCP, the gene for DAF lies within the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster at 1q32. In 1998, we described linkage to this region in families with aHUS which led to the discovery of mutations in CFH and MCP. We therefore genotyped DAF in a panel of 46 aHUS patients including families with linkage to the RCA cluster. A mutation, I197V, was identified in one patient with familial HUS which was not found in 100 healthy controls. Molecular modelling of this mutation shows that the I197V mutation does not reside in an area which would be predicted to be important in decay accelerating activity. The expression of I197V on EBV-transformed B lymphocytes was equivalent to that of wild type controls. There was no significant decrease in decay acceleration activity of the recombinantly produced I197V mutant compared with wild type, as measured by a complement-mediated lytic assay. In conclusion, this study, identifies only one mutation in DAF in 46 patients with aHUS. This mutation, I197V, does not impair complement regulation and cannot be implicated in the pathogenesis of aHUS in this patient. This suggests that the complement regulatory abnormality in aHUS is principally one of deficient cofactor activity rather than of decay acceleration activity.

Disease-associated Sequence Variations Congregate in a Polyanion Recognition Patch on Human Factor H Revealed in Three-dimensional Structure

Mutations and polymorphisms in the regulator of complement activation, factor H, have been linked to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, and age-related macular degeneration. Many aHUS patients carry mutations in the two C-terminal modules of factor H, which normally confer upon this abundant 155-kDa plasma glycoprotein its ability to selectively bind self-surfaces and prevent them from inappropriately triggering the complement cascade via the alternative pathway. In the current study, the three-dimensional solution structure of the C-terminal module pair of factor H has been determined. A binding site for a fully sulfated heparin-derived tetrasaccharide has been delineated using chemical shift mapping and the C3d/C3b-binding site inferred from sequence comparisons and computational docking. The resultant information allows assessment of the likely consequences of aHUS-associated amino acid substitutions in this critical region of factor H. It is striking that, excepting those likely to perturb the three-dimensional structure, aHUS-associated missense mutations congregate in the polyanion-binding site delineated in this study, thus potentially disrupting a vital mechanism for control of complement on self-surfaces in the microvasculature of the kidney. It is intriguing that a single nucleotide polymorphism predisposing to age-related macular degeneration occupies another region of factor H that harbors a polyanion-binding site.

Predisposition to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome involves the concurrence of different susceptibility alleles in the regulators of complement activation gene cluster in 1q32

Predisposition to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome involves the concurrence of different susceptibility alleles in the regulators of complement activation gene cluster in 1q32

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a thrombotic microangiopathy defined by thrombocytopenia, nonimmune microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, and acute renal failure. The most frequent form is associated with infections by Shiga-like toxin-producing bacteria (STEC-HUS). Rarer cases are triggered by neuraminidase-producing Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal-HUS). The designation of aHUS is used to refer to those cases in which an infection by Shiga-like toxin-producing bacteria or S. pneumoniae can be excluded. Studies performed in the last two decades have documented that hyperactivation of the complement system is the pathogenetic effector mechanism leading to the endothelial damage and the microvascular thrombosis in aHUS. Recent data suggested the involvement of the complement system in the pathogenesis of STEC-HUS and pneumococcal-HUS as well. Clinical signs and symptoms may overlap among the different forms of HUS; however, pneumococcal-HUS and aHUS have a worse prognosis compared with STEC-HUS. Early diagnosis and identification of underlying pathogenetic mechanism allows instating specific support measures and therapies. In clinical trials in patients with aHUS, complement inhibition by eculizumab administration leads to a rapid and sustained normalization of hematological parameters with improvement in long-term renal function. This review summarizes current concepts about the epidemiological findings, the pathological and clinical aspects of STEC-HUS, pneumococcal-HUS, and aHUS, and their diagnosis and management.

Predisposition to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome involves the concurrence of different susceptibility alleles in the regulators of complement activation gene cluster in 1q32

The efficiency of the complement system as an innate immune defense mechanism depends on a fine control that restricts its action to pathogens and prevents non-specific damage to host tissues. Genetic and functional analyses have shown that this critical control of complement activation may be impaired in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) patients. Mutations in HF1, MCP or FI have been found in aHUS patients, but incomplete penetrance of the disease in individuals carrying these mutations is relatively frequent and no genetic defect has yet been found in a majority of aHUS patients. We report here the identification of a specific SNP haplotype block, spanning the MCP gene in the regulators of complement activation gene cluster, which is over-represented in aHUS patients and strongly associates with the severity of the disease. Linkage disequilibrium analyses suggest that this SNP haplotype also includes the CR1, DAF and C4BP genes. Initial studies identified two SNPs in the haplotype that influence the transcription activity of the MCP promoter in transient transfection experiments. Notably, the SNP haplotype block was found to be particularly frequent among patients who carry mutations in HF1, MCP or FI. These findings and the identification of aHUS patients carrying mutations in two complement regulatory genes provide an important insight into the etiology of aHUS. Together, they suggest that complement regulatory molecules act as a protein network and that multiple hits, involving plasma- and membrane-associated complement regulatory proteins, are necessary to impair protection to host tissues and to confer significant predisposition to aHUS.

Functional analysis of the human complement receptor 2 (CR2/CD21) promoter: characterization of basal transcriptional mechanisms.

Human complement receptor (CR) type 2 (CR2/CD21) is a 145-kDa membrane protein encoded within the regulators of complement activation gene cluster localized on human chromosome 1q32. Understanding the mechanisms that regulate CR2 expression is important because CR2 is expressed during specific stages of B cell development, and several lines of evidence suggest a role for altered CR2 function or expression in a number of autoimmune diseases. Additionally, even modest changes in CR2 expression are likely to affect relative B cell responses. In this study we have delineated the transcriptional requirements of the human CR2 gene. We have studied the human CR2 proximal promoter and identified sites important for controlling the level of transcription in CR2-expressing cells. We have determined that four functionally relevant sites lie within very close proximity to the transcriptional initiation site. These sites bind the transcription factors USF1, an AP-2-like transcription factor, and Sp1.

Location and structure of the human FHR-5 gene.

The factor H family of genes has been localised to human chromosome 1q32. This region encodes various proteins involved in complement regulation and is known as the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster. The factor H genes encode seven known plasma proteins. Using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), radiation hybrid (RH) mapping and BLAST alignment analysis, we have established that the factor H-related 5 (FHR-5) gene is closely linked to the other factor H gene family members. Analysis of the genomic sequence indicates that the FHR-5 gene is situated between FHR-2 and the non-complement protein factor XIIIb (Fl3B). Like all members of the factor H family. transcription of FHR-5 is in the telomeric direction. Furthermore, the short consensus repeats (SCRs) of FHR-5 are encoded by individual exons and splicing is of type 1. These data allow the generation of a more complete map of the factor H gene family.

Factor H and the pathogenesis of renal diseases.

Complement factor H is a potent inhibitor of alternative pathway complement activation. The factor H gene, a member of the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster, encodes two plasma proteins, one 150 kilodaltons (kDa) and one 43 kDa. Homozygous deficiency of factor H results in low plasma levels of complement factor B and C3 and depletion of the terminal complement proteins C5-C9; heterozygotes may have reduced or normal levels of factor B, C3, and C5-C9. Although factor H deficiency is infrequently reported, it has been associated with a number of types of renal disease, the most common being atypical membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and idiopathic (non-diarrhea-associated) hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The molecular defects responsible for factor H deficiency have been described in only two cases; clearly more research is needed in this area. The possible role of factor H deficiency or dysfunction in the pathogenesis of HUS is discussed.

Membrane and secretory forms of mouse membrane cofactor protein (CD46) generated from a single gene through alternative splicing.

A cDNA encoding a new secretory form of mouse membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) was identified additionally to the membrane form cDNA. The secretory MCP, predicted from the cDNA sequence, consisted of the conserved four short consensus repeats (SCRs) plus a four amino acid-stretch. Unlike human MCP which comprises many isoforms, mouse MCP cDNA predicted a single isoform of membrane MCP with cytoplasmic tail 1 (CYT1) and serine/ threonine-rich domain C (ST(C)). To clarify the genomic origin and monomorphic alteration of these cDNAs, we cloned and analyzed a mouse genomic DNA harboring the full coding sequence of MCP from a 129/SV mouse genomic library. The mouse Mcp was a single gene approximately 50 kilobases long. Eleven of the 14 coding exons of the human MCP gene and intron-exon boundary sequences were found to be conserved in the mouse gene. The STC homologue but not the STA or STB homologue in the mouse exons was functional: the latter being due to deletions and lack of consensus sequences for splicing. The sequence equivalent to cytoplasmic tail 2 (CYT2) has not been identified in the Mcp genome. Thus, the three exons (ST(A), ST(B), and probably CYT2) responsible for the polymorphism of human MCP by differential splicing were missing in the mouse Mcp gene. Unlike the case in humans, no Mcp-related genes or pseudogenes were observed in the mouse genome. The single mouse Mcp gene was mapped to the R-positive H5 band of mouse Chromosome 1 by FISH. Strikingly, one alternative exon with 73 base pairs (encoding the four new amino acids and a TGA stop codon) was discovered between the SCRIV and the STC exons; alternative splicing causes the generation of the secretory form of mouse MCP. These results on mouse MCP, together with the information concerning other mouse SCR proteins, infer that the regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster is genetically diverged between humans and mice.

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of the rat analogue of human membrane cofactor protein (MCP/CD46).

In humans, host cells are protected from homologous complement by membrane proteins encoded in the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster. These include complement receptor 1 (CR1), decay-accelerating factor (DAF, CD55) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46). In mouse and rat a single membrane inhibitor, Crry, appeared to perform the functions of both DAF and MCP and was proposed to be the functional analogue of both. Recently, however, murine homologues of DAF and MCP have been identified, prompting a search for the rat counterparts. We have described the identification of rat DAF and here describe the cloning of rat MCP from cDNA and genomic libraries, using a probe based on the mouse MCP cDNA sequence. The domain structure for rat MCP was identical to that of mouse MCP with four short consensus repeats (SCRs) followed by a STP domain, transmembrane segment and cytoplasmic tail. Overall identity of rat and mouse MCP was 77% at the amino acid level and 88% at the nucleotide level. Northern blot analysis from a range of tissues indicated that high-level expression was limited to the testis, although expression in other tissues was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Rat MCP mRNA localized to Sertoli cells and spermatogonia in seminiferous tubules by in situ hybridization, but was absent in mature sperm. In cofactor assays utilizing human factor I, a recombinant soluble form of rat MCP catalysed cleavage of human C3ma.

An integrated map of the human regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster on 1q32

An integrated map of the human regulator of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster on 1q32

The Gene for Human Fibronectin Glomerulopathy Maps to 1q32, in the Region of the Regulation of Complement Activation Gene Cluster

Fibronectin glomerulopathy (GFND) is a newly recognized autosomal dominant disease of the kidney that results in albuminuria, microscopic hematuria, hypertension, renal tubular acidosis type IV, and end-stage renal disease in the 2d to 6th decade of life. The disease is characterized histologically by massive deposits of fibronectin (Fn) present in the subendothelial spaces of renal glomerular capillaries. The cause of human GFND is unknown. In order to localize a candidate gene for GFND, we performed linkage analysis of a large, 193-member pedigree containing 13 affected individuals. Since we had previously excluded the genes for Fn and uteroglobin as candidate genes for GFND, a total-genome search for linkage was performed. Examination of 306 microsatellite markers resulted in a maximum two-point LOD score of 4.17 at a recombination fraction of. 00 for marker D1S249, and a maximum multipoint LOD score of 4.41 for neighboring marker D1S2782. By detection of recombination events, a critical genetic interval of 4.1 cM was identified, which was flanked by markers D1S2872 and D1S2891. These findings confirm that GFND is a distinct disease entity among the fibrillary glomerulopathies. Gene identification will provide insights into the molecular interactions of Fn in GFND, as well as in genetically unaltered conditions.

A high-resolution map of the regulator of the complement activation gene cluster on 1q32 that integrates new genes and markers.

Sixteen microsatellite markers, including two described here, were used to construct a high-resolution map of the 1q32 region encompassing the regulator of the complement activation (RCA) gene cluster. The RCA genes are a group of related genes coding for plasma and membrane associated proteins that collectively control activation of the complement component C3. We provide here the location of two new genes within the RCA gene cluster. These genes are PFKFB2 that maps 15 kilobases (kb) upstream of the C4BPB gene, and a gene located 4 kb downstream of C4BPA, which seems to code for the 72 000 Mr component of the signal recognition particle (SRP72). Neither of these two genes is related structurally or functionally to the RCA genes. In addition, our map shows the centromere-telomere orientation of the C4BPB/MCP linkage group, which is: centromere-PFKFB2-C4BPB-C4BPA-SRP72-C4BPAL1++ +-C4BPAL2-telomere, and outlines an interval with a significant female-male recombination difference which suggests the presence of a female-specific hotspot(s) of recombination.

Altered expression of host-encoded complement regulators on human cytomegalovirus-infected cells.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected cells persist in the presence of anti-HCMV antibody, suggesting that HCMV has evolved mechanisms to evade host immune defenses. Insofar as no virus-encoded complement inhibitors have been identified for HCMV, we hypothesized that HCMV infection may alter the expression of host-encoded cell surface complement inhibitors. Herein, we report that cell surface expression of two complement regulator proteins, CD55 and CD46, which are members of the regulators of complement activation (RCA) gene cluster, increased up to eightfold following infection of fibroblasts or glioblastoma cells with HCMV, but not after infection with HSV-1 or adenovirus. However, the cell surface expression of a third complement regulator, CD59, which is not a member of the RCA gene cluster, was not altered during HCMV infection. Functional studies using purified complement components demonstrated that up-regulation of CD55 suppressed the activity of cell-associated C3 convertases on HCMV-infected cells. Furthermore, increased CD55 expression protected infected cells from complement-mediated lysis, an effect which directly correlated with the length of HCMV infection. Increased expression of host-encoded complement regulator proteins may provide protection of HCMV-infected cells from the host immune response in vivo, through increasing the resistance of infected cells to complement-mediated lysis and decreasing the deposition of C3-derived products on the cell surface.