Ninth Component Of Complement Research Articles

The kinetics and distribution of C9 and SC5b-9 in vivo: effects of complement activation.

Many diseases associated with complement activation are characterized by tissue deposition of components of the terminal complement complex (TCC). The ninth component of complement (C9) plays an important role in the cytolytic effects, and may contribute to the non-lethal cell-regulating functions of the TCC. In this study we examined the behaviour of radiolabelled human C9 and its soluble complexed form SC5b-9 in vivo in order to determine the effects of complement activation on its turnover, distribution and molecular size. In normal rabbits the metabolic parameters of 125I-C9 (median and range) were: plasma half-life (t1/2) 25.9 (20.6-29.5) h, fractional catabolic rate (FCR) 5.7 (5.3-7.0)%/h, and extravascular/intravascular ratio (EV/IV) 0.7 (0.6-1.1). The distribution of radiolabelled C9 amongst body tissues was similar to that observed for rabbit serum albumin (RSA). Activation of the complement cascade with i.v. injection of cobra venom factor (CVF) resulted in rapid disappearance of C9 from the plasma and accumulation of protein-bound radiolabeled in the spleen (exceeding the plasma concentration) and the liver. RSA metabolism and distribution were unaffected by CVF. Fine performance liquid chromatography (FPLC) gel filtration of plasma samples suggested that monomeric C9 was the only major radiolabelled protein present during normal turnovers, whereas CVF administration was accompanied by the prompt appearance of a high mol. wt species consistent in size with SC5b-9. When injected directly, 125I-SC5b-9 disappeared rapidly from the plasma, falling by 50% in 0.7 (0.6-0.8) h, and less than 15% remaining after 4 h with accumulation of protein-bound label in the spleen and liver. These results demonstrate the complexity of C9 metabolism during complement activation.

A Common Fold Mediates Vertebrate Defense and Bacterial Attack

Proteins containing membrane attack complex/perforin (MACPF) domains play important roles in vertebrate immunity, embryonic development, and neural-cell migration. In vertebrates, the ninth component of complement and perforin form oligomeric pores that lyse bacteria and kill virus-infected cells, respectively. However, the mechanism of MACPF function is unknown. We determined the crystal structure of a bacterial MACPF protein, Plu-MACPF from Photorhabdus luminescens, to 2.0 angstrom resolution. The MACPF domain reveals structural similarity with poreforming cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) from Gram-positive bacteria. This suggests that lytic MACPF proteins may use a CDC-like mechanism to form pores and disrupt cell membranes. Sequence similarity between bacterial and vertebrate MACPF domains suggests that the fold of the CDCs, a family of proteins important for bacterial pathogenesis, is probably used by vertebrates for defense against infection.

Localization and molecular modelling of the membrane-inserted domain of the ninth component of human complement and perforin

Upon interaction with the membrane-bound C5b 8 complex, the ninth component of complement (C9) unfolds and inserts into the membrane of cells on which surface complement has been activated. Consequently C9 oligomerization occurs and transmembrane channels of varying sizes are formed. The domain of the unfolded protein interacting with the cell membrane has so far not been identified since, unlike many integral membrane proteins, the C9 sequence does not contain a continuous stretch of hydrophobic amino acids. We studied the interaction of C9 with the lipid bilayer using the membrane-restricted photoaffinity label 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-( m[ 125I]iodophenyl)diazirine ( 125I-TID). C9 was assembled on liposomes and after photoactivation, several labeled and non-labeled peptides, obtained by chemical and enzymatic cleavage or the 125I-TID-labeled C9. were analyzed. The segment from 176 to 345 was identified as the region containing the membrane-interacting structure. By means of secondary structure predictions, we identified two amphipathic alpha-helices (292–308 and 313–333) separated by a turn (309–312). Based on these results, we constructed a molecular model for the membrane-spanning region of C9. By analogy, we also constructed a model for this domain in perform/cytolysin, a pore-forming protein found in the cytoplasmic granules of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes.

A T. cruzi-secreted protein immunologically related to the complement component C9: Evidence for membrane pore-forming activity at low pH

Protozoan parasite T. cruzi invades cells within acidic vacuoles, but shortly afterward escapes into the cytosol. Exit from the phagosome is blocked by raising the pH of acidic compartments, suggesting that a previously described acid-active hemolysin secreted by T. cruzi might be involved in the membrane disruption process. Here we show that T. cruzi supernatants are cytotoxic for nucleated cells at pH 5.5 and contain a protein reactive with antibodies against reduced and alkylated human C9 (the ninth component of complement). The C9 cross-reactive protein (TC-TOX) copurified with the cytolytic activity, and the active fractions induced conductance steps characteristic of transmembrane ion channels in planar phospholipid bilayers. Immunocytochemical studies using antibodies against purified TC-TOX showed that the protein was localized to the luminal space of parasite-containing phagosomes. We postulate that TC-TOX, when secreted into the acidic environment of the phagosome, forms pores in the membrane, which contribute to its disruption.

Comparison between complement and melittin hemolysis: anti-melittin antibodies inhibit complement lysis

A comparison is made between the hemolytic actions of melittin and the ninth component of complement (C9). Melittin and C9 produce "pores" of similar effective radius in erythrocytes under standardized conditions, and their hemolytic action is suppressed by metal ions at similar concentrations, suggesting a common mechanism. Polyclonal anti-melittin immunoglobulin G (IgG) produced in rabbits retards hemolysis mediated by human C9 in a specific manner. Such antibodies react in several immunoassays with human and monkey C9 but not with C9 from lower animals, and no inhibition of lysis mediated by C9 molecules from these animals is observed. Thus, it is unlikely that anti-melittin IgG reacts with a structural element, such as an amphipathic helix, on human C9 since such structures are also predicted to exist in other C9 molecules. Human C9 and melittin block cross-reactivity in a dose-dependent manner, and anti-melittin IgG recognizes an epitope located between amino acid residues 245 and 390 of human C9 on "Western" blots. Comparison of the melittin and human C9 sequences indicates two regions of complete homology, a tetrapeptide at positions 292-295, and a pentapeptide at positions 527-531 in human C9, corresponding to residues 8-16 in melittin. Inhibition of hemolysis is not caused by blocking of C9 binding to the C5b-8 complex; rather the antibody must dissociate from the bound C9 before lysis ensues, indicating that it interferes with a postbinding event. It is proposed that anti-melittin binds to a conformational epitope on native, folded human C9 and thereby retards unfolding of the molecule, which is required for membrane insertion and hemolysis.

Induction of synthesis of the cytolytic C9 (ninth component of complement)-related protein in human peripheral mononuclear cells by monoclonal antibody OKT3 or interleukin 2: correlation with cytotoxicity and lymphocyte phenotype.

Synthesis of the cytolytic C9-related protein (C9RP) was induced by activation of resting human peripheral T lymphocytes with the anti-CD3 antibody OKT3 or interleukin 2. Comparison of cellular cytotoxicity and C9RP content at various times during activation yielded a coefficient of correlation r = 0.92. During OKT3 stimulation of peripheral mononuclear cells, maximal C9RP content and cytotoxicity were observed by day 2 or 3, with subsequent decline to baseline values by day 5, whereas during interleukin 2 stimulation, both parameters reached the maximal level at days 3-5. After fluorescence-activated cell sorting, C9RP and cytotoxicity were quantitated in CD4+, CD8+, and Leu-19+ subsets. In OKT3-activated CD8+ cells, C9RP increased to approximately 3 X 10(6) molecules per cell, with a corresponding increase in lysis of human melanoma cells mediated by anti-CD3-anti-melanoma monoclonal antibody conjugates. Interleukin 2-stimulated CD8+ cells showed similar increases, but cytotoxicity was conjugate-independent. Activated CD4+ cells showed minimal increase in C9RP content. Leu-19+ cells, which exhibit natural killer cell activity, had a high C9RP content (approximately 2.5 X 10(6) molecules per cell) before stimulation.

Mechanisms of stable serum resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae that resist complement-dependent killing by normal human serum (NHS) are sometimes killed by immune convalescent sera from patients recovering from disseminated gonococcal infection (DGI). In these studies, killing by immune serum was prevented or blocked by immunoglobulin G (IgG) or F(ab')2 isolated from NHS. Purified human IgG antibodies directed against gonococcal protein III, contained most of the blocking activity in IgG. In addition, immune convalescent DGI serum, which did not exhibit bactericidal activity, was restored to killing by selective immunodepletion of protein III antibodies. Blocking IgG or F(ab')2 prepared from IgG, partially inhibited binding of bactericidal antibody to N. gonorrhoeae. Also, binding of a monoclonal antibody recognizing N. gonorrhoeae outer membrane protein PIII was almost completely inhibited by blocking F(ab')2. Presensitization of N. gonorrhoeae with increasing concentrations of blocking IgG or F(ab')2 before incubation with bactericidal antibody and an antibody free source of complement, increased consumption and deposition of the third component of human complement (C3) and the ninth component of complement (C9) but inhibited killing in dose-related fashion.

The pore-forming protein (perforin) of cytolytic T lymphocytes is immunologically related to the components of membrane attack complex of complement through cysteine-rich domains.

Structural, functional and immunological similarities between the ninth component of complement (C9) and the lymphocyte pore-forming protein (PFP, perforin) have recently been described (8-10). PFP is shown here to be immunologically related to all other components of the membrane attack complex (MAC) of human complement, namely, C5b-6, C7, C8, and C9. Polyclonal antibodies raised against purified human C5b-6, C7, C8, or C9 react with other components of the MAC and with mouse lymphocyte PFP. The antigenic epitopes shared by human complement proteins and mouse lymphocyte PFP are limited to cysteine-rich domains. Only complement proteins that have been reduced and alkylated elicit the production of crossreactive antibodies when used as immunogens. The nonreduced forms of complement components or lymphocyte PFP neither react with these antibodies nor give rise to crossreactive antibodies. The homologous domains of complement proteins and lymphocyte PFP may play related functions in their attachment to lipid membranes and assembly of membrane lesions.

The Ninth Component of Complement and the Pore-Forming Protein (Perforin 1) from Cytotoxic T Cells: Structural, Immunological, and Functional Similarities

The ninth component of complement (C9) and the pore-forming protein (PFP or perforin) from cytotoxic T lymphocytes polymerize to tubular lesions having an internal diameter of 100 A and 160 A, respectively, when bound to lipid bilayers. Polymerized C9, assembled by slow spontaneous or rapid Zn2+-induced polymerization, and polyperforin, which is assembled only in the presence of Ca2+, constitute large aqueous pores that are stable, nonselective for solutes, and insensitive to changes of membrane potential. Monospecific polyclonal antibodies to purified C9 and PFP show cross-reactivity, suggesting structural homology between the two molecules. The structural and functional homologies between these two killer molecules imply an active role for pore formation during cell lysis.

Ninth component of complement: self-aggregation and interaction with lipids.

We have investigated environmental conditions that might be of importance for the polymerization of the ninth component (C9) of human complement. In disagreement with earlier reports summarized by Tschopp et al. [Tschopp, J., Müller-Eberhard, H. J., & Podack, E. R. (1982) Nature (London) 298, 534-538] we find no evidence for significant aggregation or loss of hemolytic activity of C9 when incubated at 37 degrees C even after 12 days of incubation. Higher temperatures cause denaturation of the protein and formation of stringlike aggregates. In contrast, short-term proteolysis with 1% (w/w) trypsin at room temperature causes rapid polymerization of part of the C9 into tubular structures (poly-C9), and the remainder of the monomeric C9 is digested. This polymerization reaction is inhibitable by trypsin inhibitor; alpha-thrombin and proteinase K are ineffective in creating polymers. A second discrepancy to the earlier reports is our finding that monomeric C9 immediately interacts with small unilamellar lipid vesicles (SUV) without a required heating step. As a result of this interaction about half of the C9 aggregates to form strings and tubules, and these aggregates cause agglutination of vesicles. The other half of the C9 associates with a second population of SUV without causing a change in Stokes' radius of these vesicles, and no proteinaceous structures are detectable on the vesicle surface by electron microscopy. When these two vesicle populations are tested for their membrane integrity, no release of an encapsulated fluorescent marker can be detected, nor is there leakage of potassium ions across the bilayer membrane since a membrane diffusion potential can be developed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evidence for a temperature-dependent and temperature-independent pathway in the generation of complement-mediated transmembrane channels

Summary The formation of transmembrane channels by the ninth component of complement in sheep red cell membranes is the result of a series of reactions that occur in and on the membrane after the binding of this component. The energy requirements of this series of reactions vary with the species of the eighth component of complement to which the ninth component is bound. Furthermore, the results provide the first evidence that two mechanisms of channel formation exist, one that is temperature-independent and the other that has the characteristics of an enzymatic reaction with a Q10 close to 2.

Determination of serum C9 level by immunodiffusion. Elevation in patients with infectious or allergic skin diseases.

The measurement of the ninth component of complement (C9) in human serum can be easily carried out by the Mancini method using antiserum raised against purified C9. The average C9 level in 29 healthy adults was 44.5 plus or minus 10.6 mug/ml. The serum C9 level was often elevated in patients with infectious or allergic skin diseases. The C9 level remained normal in most patients with collagen diseases. The availability of the monospecific antiserum has permitted identifying C9 in human serum as alpha2-globulin.

Multiple differentiated functions in an unusual clonal strain of hepatoma cells.

A clonal strain of rat hepatoma cells (MH1C1) has been established from Morris hepatoma 7795. The cells grow slowly and have been serially propagated in culture without evidence of senescence for over 2 years. They perform the following differentiated functions in vitro: 1. MH1C1 cells produce serum albumin and secrete it into the culture medium. The rate of production of albumin is stimulated 3- to 12-fold by adding hydrocortisone to the medium. 2. The ninth component of complement (C9) is synthesized by MH1C1 cells, a finding which gives evidence that this trace complement component may be a liver product. The synthesis of C9 is not stimulated by hydrocortisone. 3. Testosterone is metabolized by the MH1C1 cells by pathways which are very similar to, or the same as, those found in normal liver. Evidence for the following testosterone metabolizing enzymes has been obtained: 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, Δ4-3-ketosteroid 5α-reductase, 6β-, 7α-, and 16β-hydroxylases, urindine diphosphate glucuronyl transferase, and 17β-hydroxysteroid sulfotransferase. 4. MH1C1 cells produce tyrosine aminotransferase and respond to hydrocortisone by rapidly increasing the activity of this enzyme.

Complement: substitution of the terminal component in immune hemolysis by 1,10-phenanthroline.

The participation of metal ions in the terminal step of immune cytolysis was investigated with chelating agents. 1,10-Phenanthroline induced lysis of sensitized sheep erythrocytes which had reacted with the first eight components of human complement. Hemolysis caused by 1,10-phenanthroline resembled lysis produced by the ninth component of complement in dependence on cell-bound eighth component and on temperature and in inhibition by 0.09M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Bivalent metal ions reduced the hemolytic capacity of 1,10-phenanthroline, and Fe(++) inhibited the activity of the ninth component. Since trivalent iron had no such effects, it is postulated that the hemolytic activity of 1,10-phenanthroline and the ninth component of complement is a function of their affinity for Fe(++).