B. Damerau

Non-enzymic activation of the fifth component of human complement, by oxygen radicals. Some properties of the activation product, C5b-like C5

Purified human C5 was converted non-enzymically to an activated form as defined by its ability to participate in reactive lysis. This conversion occurred following exposure to systems that generate oxygen radicals, namely addition of H2O2 in the presence of ascorbic acid and iron or the addition of xanthine oxidase, acetaldehyde and iron. The conversion of C5 to a functionally active species was iron-dependent and inhibited by hydroxyl radical scavengers such as DMSO. The findings suggest that OH. is the active oxygen species that converts C5. The conversion product of C5, termed C5(H2O2), is C5b-like due to its ability to bind C6 and cause reactive lysis. C5(H2O2) is much more stable than C5b obtained by complement convertases. Although C5(H2O2) has lost the binding site of native C5 for C3b it can be cleaved by complement-derived convertases; the cleavage is, however, less efficient than in the case of native C5. The resulting cleavage product, which is C5a-like, is chemotactic although C5(H2O2) is not chemotactic. C5(H2O2) serves as a better substrate for plasma kallikrein than native C5, resulting in the generation of a C5a-like chemotactic product. These data indicate that oxygen radicals can bring about a conformational change in C5, causing it to behave as a functionally activated molecule of the complement system. This may have implications for the role of complement and its activation in the inflammatory response.

Induction of platelet aggregation by the complement-derived peptides C3a and C5a

SummaryThe effect of two complement-derived peptides, hog serum C3a and C5a, on platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and suspensions in Tyrode solution was investigated.1.Guinea-pig platelets were aggregated by both C3a and C5a; the spasmogenically inactive product of C3a, C3ai, also induced aggregation. Threshold concentrations were in the range of 10−6–10−9 M depending on the peptide and platelet preparation.2.Cat platelets were aggregated by C5a (threshold concentrations 10−7–10−8 M) but not by C3a.3.Platelets from pig, rabbit and man were not aggregated by either of the two peptides in concentrations of up to 5x10−6 M.4.When C5a was administered repeatedly in subthreshold doses guinea-pig platelets became tachyphylactic to C5a but were still aggregable by C3a or ADP. Conversely, platelets desensitized to C3a still reacted to C5a or ADP. Tachyphylaxis towards C5a developed also when platelets were incubated with C5a in the absence of free Ca2+ under which condition they do not react. The tachyphylaxis in this case became evident after recalcification of the medium. The lack of cross-desensitization indicates that C3a and C5a react via different receptors.5.C3a and C5a were injected i.v. into guinea pigs. Histological examination of the lungs revealed that some of the smaller vessels (20–30 μ in diameter) were occluded by platelet aggregates. In addition signs of severe acute emphysema were seen in animals treated with C5a, but only slight emphysema in C3a-treated animals. Intravenous injections of C3a into guinea pigs caused but weak respiratory distress and drowsiness and never killed an animal (at doses of up to 20 mg per kg body weight), whereas C5a caused the well-known severe respiratory failure and death already at doses of 0.03 mg/kg body weight.

Histamine release, formation of prostaglandin-like activity (SRS-C) and mast cell degranulation by the direct lytic factor (DLF) and phospholipase A of cobra venom

SummaryThe effect of Direct Lytic Factor (DLF) and phospholipase A (ph-ase A) from cobra venom, alone and in combination, on mast cell degranulation, histamine release and formation of prostaglandin-like activity (SRS-C) was studied in perfused guinea-pig lungs and in mast cell-containing rat peritoneal cell suspensions. For comparison, the effect of equivalent doses of whole cobra venom was investigated.1.Cobra venom caused mast cell degranulation, histamine release and SRS-C formation in both systems. For comparable effects much higher doses had to be used in guinea-pig lungs than in rat peritoneal cell suspensions.2.Ph-ase A showed little degranulation of mast cells in both systems, a limited histamine release in rat peritoneal cell suspensions and none in perfused guinea-pig lungs. It caused a considerable SRS-C formation in both, lung tissue and peritoneal cell suspensions.3.DLF caused histamine release, SRS-C formation and mast cell degranulation in both systems; in rat peritoneal cell suspensions it acted almost as strong as equivalent doses of cobra venom, in guinea pig lungs it was much less active.4.In rat peritoneal cell suspensions the effects of DLF and ph-ase A in combination did not exceed the sum of their single effects. In guinea-pig lungs these two substances interacted in a potentiating synergism. It is concluded that DLF is the main cytotoxic principle of cobra venom, whereas ph-ase A alone is not cytotoxic. The difference in the synergism of DLF and ph-ase A between rat peritoneal cells and guinea-pig lungs may be due to two different actions of DLF and species differences as regards sensitivity against these actions.

Mechanisms of complement activation by crystalline cholesterol

The mechanism by which cholesterol crystals activate complement in human serum has been studied. Crystals treated with serum and washed with buffer contain a fixed C3/C5 convertase. Its generation is dependent on the presence of divalent cations (and of factor B). The cholesterol-fixed convertase is subject to decay and can be regenerated by factors B and D. C2 in combination with C1 is not essential but enhances the convertase formation. These findings indicate that it is predominantly the alternative C3/C5 convertase C3bBb(P) that assembles on cholesterol during exposure to human serum. By the use of different antisera and immunofluorescence a C3 fragment, probably C3b, was demonstrated on serum-treated crystals. Its fixation is resistant to washing with urea, and with buffers of differing pH: by hydroxylaminolysis the C3 fragment dissociates from the crystals. This indicates a covalent ester bond linking the labile binding site of activated C3 to the hydroxyl group of cholesterol. Cholesterol acetate does not fix C3 nor acquire a C3-cleaving activity upon contact with serum. In addition, cholesterol crystals bind factor I (C3b inactivator) and in this way may facilitate fixation and amplification of the alternative C3/C5 convertase.

Aggregation of Leukocytes Induced by the Complement-Derived Peptides C3a and C5a and by Three Synthetic Formyl-Methionyl Peptides

The highly purified hog complement peptides C3a and C5a and three formylmethionyl peptides induced dose-dependent aggregation of human leukocytes. For the effect Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions were required; in their absence the peptides induced specific desensitization. Human serum albumin (1 and 2%) reduced aggregation, whereas equivalent or even higher concentrations of plasma or serum were not inhibitory. SH reagents, protease inhibitors (N-tosyl-L-lysyl-chloromethyl ketone, N-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl-chloromethyl ketone), and colchicine also inhibited aggregation, whereas cytochalasin B greatly enhanced it. Dose-response studies under comparable conditions showed that aggregation is induced in similar dose ranges as chemotaxis. This suggests that complement-derived peptides generated in vivo may contribute to leukocyte accumulation in two ways, first by causing adherence of leukocytes to endothelium (equivalent to aggregation) and then by promoting migration to the inflammatory site.

Chemotactic effects of the complement-derived peptides C3a, C3ai and C5a (classical anaphylatoxin) on rabbit and guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes

SummaryThe complement-derived peptides C3a, C3ai and C5a (= classical anaphylatoxin) were purified from hog serum and examined for chemotactic activity on rabbit and guinea-pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) with the Boyden chamber technique (with filters of 3,0 μm pore size). When media containing albumin or serum were used all peptides induced chemotaxis of both cell species. Only C3a showed a pronounced species dependence in that it was much more active on rabbit than on guinea-pig PMN. No gross differences were found between the influence of 0.5% BSA and 10% heated (56°, 30 min) homologous serum added to the medium. In the absence of protein chemotaxis did not occur.

Complement Activation in Human Lymph: Modulation by the Contact Activation System and by Leukocytes

Complement components, their activation and the generation of C3a and C5a peptides were studied in human lymph used as a model of tissue fluid. Both, classical and alternative pathways could be activated by suitable agents such as immune aggregates or zymosan. C3 activation and C3a formation were marked while only 10-15% of the anyway low amount of C5 were converted during complement activation, yielding very low concentrations of C5a. Carboxypeptidase N activity was present in lymph and converted the peptides to their less (C5a) or not at all (C3a) active desArg derivatives. Contact activation of Hageman factor and kallikrein enhanced activation of the classical pathway up to C3 conversion. The search for additional processes apt to create efficient concentrations of C5a (desArg) in lymph led to the discovery that the presence of leukocytes in lymph greatly increases the release of C5a activity upon complement activation. This suggests a physiological role of leukocytes resident in tissues for the induction of inflammatory reactions.

Effect of hog anaphylatoxin (C5a) on vascular permeability and leukocyte emigration in vivo

SummaryThe effects of highly purified hog anaphylatoxin (C5a) in leukocyte emigration were investigated in guinea pigs in vivo using two experimental models:1.Subcutaneous infusions. Sterile solutions of C5a in saline infused at a rate of 1.8 μg C5a/h (0.2 ml/h) for 10h induced a dense accumulation of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils but also some eosinophils at the site of application. In control infusions with saline alone comparatively few leukocytes were found.2.Single injections into the pleural cavity. 10 or 20 μg C5a (dissolved in 2 ml saline) caused a dosedependent increase in leukocyte number and volume of pleural exudate. Bradykinin in a dose of 18 μg produced similar fluid exudation as 20 μg C5a but had no significant effect on leukocyte accumulation. Intrapleural injections of C5a further caused the appearance of i.v. injected Evans blue in the pleural cavity. This effect, indicating an increase in vascular permeability lasted for about 3 h.Since at least one of the two models used — subcutaneous infusion—simulates natural conditions—continuous local generation of C5a in small amounts at the site of an inflammatory lesion—the results indicate that C5a once formed by complement activation in natural defense reactions may contribute to local increase in vascular permeability and leukocyte infiltration.

Biological activities of C5a and C5adesArg from hog serum.

The complement-derived peptides C5a and C5adesArg (highly purified from yeast-activated hog serum) were both active in the following biological assays: in aggregation of human leukocytes (potency ratio for C5a:C5adesArg 3:1), in aggregation of guinea pig platelets (10:1), in chemotaxis of peritoneal rabbit leukocytes (10:1), and in contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum (1.4:1). The fact that C5adesArg preparations have 30 and 40% of the activity of C5a in leukocyte aggregation and smooth muscle contraction but only 10% of C5a chemotactic activity, clearly indicates that aggregation and spasmogenic activity are inherent properties of C5adesArg. Evidence that C5adesArg owns all activities studied is further given by the following findings: chromatographic separation of mixtures of C5a and C5adesArg results in the appearance of two peaks of spasmogenic activity; treatment of C5adesArg with carbopeptidase B does neither lead to release of detectable arginine nor abrogate any of the biological effects; treatment of C5a with carboxypeptidase B reduces the activities quantitatively to those of C5adesArg, and liberates the theoretically expected amount of arginine.

Differences in binding of the direct lytic factor (DLF) of cobra venom (Naja naja) to intact red cells and ghosts

SummaryThe binding of direct lytic factor (DLF) from cobra venom (Naja naja) to intact guinea-pig red cells and to guinea-pig ghosts was estimated quantitatively by bioassay of DLF in the supernatant. 1.DLF was not bound to intact red cells in considerable amounts, during 320 min incubation.2.The degree of binding to ghosts was much larger than that in suspensions of intact red cells. Binding to ghosts increased with time.3.Whereas the binding of DLF to ghosts was not much influenced by varying the incubation temperature, its haemolytic activity was completely absent at temperatures below 15°C. By an immunofluorescence technique binding of DLF to erythrocytes was studied morphologically: 1.DLF was only bound to red cell ghosts (guinea pig and rat), but not to intact red cells. This binding was not temperature dependent.2.Pretreatment of ghosts with SH-reagents such as NEM or PCMB did not prevent binding of DLF.3.Ghosts prepared by different methods (hypotonic shock, freezing and thawing, ultrasonication, and resealing) were all able to bind DLF to their surface. It is concluded that the binding of small amounts of DLF to intact red cells, observed by bioassay, was due to the presence of a small fraction of lysed cells, and that the binding to ghosts is not related to the lytic effect of DLF but secondary to lysis.