Increased complement biosynthesis by microglia and complement activation on neurons in Huntington's disease

In this study complement activation and biosynthesis have been analysed in the brains of Huntington's disease (HD) (n = 9) and normal (n = 3) individuals. In HD striatum, neurons, myelin and astrocytes were strongly stained with antibodies to C1q, C4, C3, iC3b-neoepitope and C9-neoepitope. In contrast, no staining for complement components was found in the normal striatum. Marked astrogliosis and microgliosis were observed in all HD caudate and the internal capsule samples but not in normal brain. RT-PCR analysis and in-situ hybridisation were carried out to determine whether complement was synthesised locally by activated glial cells. By RT-PCR, we found that complement activators of the classical pathway C1q C chain, C1r, C4, C3, as well as the complement regulators, C1 inhibitor, clusterin, MCP, DAF, CD59, were all expressed constitutively and at much higher level in HD brains compared to normal brain. Complement anaphylatoxin receptor mRNAs (C5a receptor and C3a receptor) were strongly expressed in HD caudate. In general, we found that the level of complement mRNA in normal control brains was from 2 to 5 fold lower compared to HD striatum. Using in-situ hybridisation, we confirmed that C3 mRNA and C9 mRNA were expressed by reactive microglia in HD internal capsule. We propose that complement produced locally by reactive microglia is activated on the membranes of neurons, contributing to neuronal necrosis but also to proinflammatory activities. Complement opsonins (iC3b) and anaphylatoxins (C3a, C5a) may be involved in the recruitment and stimulation of glial cells and phagocytes bearing specific complement receptors.

Expression of a functional anaphylatoxin C3a receptor by astrocytes

Human astrocyte cell lines reportedly contain a specific receptor for the complement anaphylatoxin C3a based on ligand-binding studies, functional responses, and RNA analysis by RT-PCR. Uptake of 125I-C3a by astrocytes was specific and reversible. Scatchard analysis indicated the presence of two classes of binding sites. High-affinity binding sites were abundantly expressed (20,000-80,000 sites per cell) with an estimated K(D) of 1-2 nM. Low-affinity binding sites with a K(D) of 209 nM were largely expressed (n > or = 4 x 10(6) sites per cell) and probably did not reflect a receptor-mediated binding, but rather an ionic interaction between C3a and the membrane. Analysis of astrocyte mRNA by RT-PCR with three different sets of primers covering 60% of the C3a receptor (C3aR) mRNA sequence indicated that glial C3aR was identical to the leukocytic one. Western blot analysis using a specific anti-C3aR evidenced a C3aR with a molecular mass of 60,000 Da. C3a and a superagonist peptide, E7, induced a transient increase of intracellular [Ca2+] in primary culture of astrocytes. Treatment of the ligands by carboxypeptidase B to eliminate the C-terminus Arg considerably decreased the [Ca2+] response. Moreover, flow cytometry experiments demonstrated the expression of C3aR on normal rat astrocyte membrane. This report brings new insight for the role of the complement system in the brain inflammation response.

The receptor for complement anaphylatoxin C3a is expressed by myeloid cells and nonmyeloid cells in inflamed human central nervous system: analysis in multiple sclerosis and bacterial meningitis

The complement anaphylatoxins C5a and C3a are released at the inflammatory site, where they contribute to the recruitment and activation of leukocytes and the activation of resident cells. The distribution of the receptor for C5a (C5aR) has been well studied; however, the receptor for C3a (C3aR) has only recently been cloned, and its distribution is uncharacterized. Using a specific affinity-purified anti-C3aR peptide Ab and oligonucleotides for reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis, C3aR expression was characterized in vitro on myeloid and nonmyeloid cells and in vivo in the brain. C3aR was expressed by adult astrocytes, astrocyte cell lines, monocyte lines THP1 and U937, neutrophils, and monocytes, but not by K562 or Ramos. C3aR staining was confirmed by flow cytometry, confocal imaging, and electron microscopy analysis. A 65-kDa protein was immunoprecipitated by the anti-C3aR from astrocyte and monocyte cell lysates. Our results at the protein level were confirmed at the mRNA level. Using reverse transcriptase-PCR, Southern blot, and sequencing we found that C3aR mRNA was expressed by fetal astrocytes, astrocyte cell lines, and THP1, but not by K562 or Ramos. The astrocyte C3aR cDNA was identical with the reported C3aR cDNA. C3aR expression was not detected in normal brain sections. However, a strong C3aR staining was evident in areas of inflammation in multiple sclerosis and bacterial meningitis. In meningitis, C3aR was abundantly expressed by reactive astrocytes, microglia, and infiltrating cells (macrophages and neutrophils). In multiple sclerosis, infiltrating lymphocytes did not express C3aR, but a strong staining was detected on smooth muscle cells (pericytes) surrounding blood vessels.

Identification of an astrocyte cell population from human brain that expresses perforin, a cytotoxic protein implicated in immune defense

The brain is an immunoprivileged organ isolated from the peripheral immune system. However, it has been shown that resident cells, notably astrocytes and microglia, can express numerous innate immune molecules, providing the capacity to generate a local antipathogen system. Perforin is a cytolytic protein present in the granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Expression in cells other than those of the hemopoetic lineage has not been described. We report here that fetal astrocytes in culture (passages 2 to 15), astrocytoma, and adult astrocytes expressed perforin. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction followed by Southern blot was carried out using multiple specific primers and all cDNAs were cloned and sequenced. Human fetal astrocyte perforin cDNA sequence was approximately 100% identical to the reported perforin cDNA cloned from T cells. Western blot analysis using monoclonal and polyclonal antiperforin peptide antibodies revealed a protein of 65 kD in both human fetal astrocyte and rat natural killer cell lysates (n = 4). Immunostaining followed by FACS(R) and confocal and electron microscopy analysis revealed that perforin was expressed by 40-50% of glial fibrillary acidic protein positive cells present in the fetal brain culture (n = 11). Perforin was not localized to granules in astrocytes but was present throughout the cytoplasm, probably in association with the endoplasmic reticulum. Perforin was not detected in normal adult brain tissue but was present in and around areas of inflammation (white and grey matter) in multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative brains. Perforin-positive cells were identified as reactive astrocytes. These findings demonstrate that perforin expression is not unique to lymphoid cells and suggest that perforin produced by a subpopulation of astrocytes plays a role in inflammation in the brain.

The role of complement in disorders of the nervous system

The complement (C) system plays important roles in host defense but activation at inappropriate sites or to an excessive degree can cause host tissue damage. C has been implicated as a factor in the causation or propagation of tissue injury in numerous diseases. The brain is an immunologically isolated site, sheltered from circulating cells and proteins of the immune system; nevertheless, there is a growing body of evidence implicating C in numerous brain diseases. In this brief article we review the evidence suggesting a role for C in diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system and discuss the possible sources of C at these sites. Some brain cells synthesize C and also express specific receptors; some are exquisitely sensitive to the lytic effects of C. The evidence suggests that C synthesis and activation in the brain are important in immune defense at this site, but may also play a role in brain disease.

Characterization of rat C5a anaphylatoxin receptor (C5aR): cloning of rat C5aR cDNA and study of C5aR expression by rat astrocytes

Complement system activation within the central nervous system (CNS) is involved in demyelinating and neurodegenerative disorders, but the role of complement in the pathogenic process or in the repair remains unclear. Besides the direct lytic effects of complement on target cells (oligodendrocytes or neurons), complement can exert other functions through interaction of complement fragments with specific receptors. The C5a anaphylatoxin, an inflammatory peptide which is formed during complement activation, might play a role in the CNS pathogenesis, and activation and recruitment of glial cells by binding to its receptor (C5aR) on CNS cells. Using degenerate primers corresponding to homologous regions between human and mouse C5aR cDNAs, we have cloned a rat C5aR cDNA probe from rat monocytes RNAs after RT-PCR experiment. The rat C5aR probe isolated by this procedure allowed us to clone the rat C5aR cDNA-coding sequence using a library screening cloning strategy. This probe was also used to study the expression of the C5aR mRNA in the rat CNS. Northern blotting and RT-PCR experiments demonstrated the constitutive expression of C5aR mRNA in brain, spleen, kidney and lung. This transcript was also observed in primary culture of rat astrocytes. Microfluorimetry experiments demonstrated that C5aR expressed by astrocytes in culture is functional since the addition of C5a induced a dose-dependent increase of intracellular calcium concentration. The expression of the C5aR by astrocytes suggests new roles for the C5a anaphylatoxin in reactive astrogliosis to CNS injuries.

Complement classical pathway expression by human skeletal myoblasts in vitro

Human myoblasts express immunological properties in vitro and we have previously reported that they produce Complement (C) components of the alternative pathway. Myoblasts activate the classical pathway but are fully protected against C attack by the expression of major C regulators. In order to fully understand the relationship between myoblasts and C, we here report the biosynthesis of C components of the classical pathway by skeletal muscle cells. Human myoblasts in vitro produced C1q, C1r, C1s, C2 and C4 constitutively and all syntheses were upregulated after stimulation with IFN-gamma. We suggest that human myoblasts may constitute a local source of C and therefore C could be implicated in inflammatory or physiopathological processes developed in skeletal muscle.

Role of complement in inflammation and injury in the nervous system

The complement (C) system plays important roles in host defence but activation at inappropriate sites or to an excessive degree can cause host tissue damage. C has been implicated as a factor in the causation or propagation of tissue injury in numerous diseases. The brain is an immunologically isolated site, sheltered from circulating cells and proteins of the immune system; nevertheless, there is a growing body of evidence implicating C in numerous brain diseases. In this brief article we review the evidence suggesting a role for C in diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system and discuss the possible sources of C at these sites. Some brain cells synthesise C and also express specific receptors; some are exquisitely sensitive to the lytic effects of C. The evidence suggests that C synthesis and activation in the brain are important in immune defence at this site but may also play a role in brain disease.

Expression of the receptor for complement C5a (CD88) is up-regulated on reactive astrocytes, microglia, and endothelial cells in the inflamed human central nervous system

C5a receptor (C5aR, CD88) is a receptor originally described on neutrophils and monocyte-macrophages but recently found on hepatocytes, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and tissue mast cells. We recently reported that human fetal astrocytes expressed a functional C5aR in vitro. Here we examine C5aR expression in adult brain cultures by immunostaining with six different anti-C5aRs and show that C5aR is expressed constitutively by astrocytes, microglia, and fibroblast-like cells but not by oligodendrocytes. In fetal brain cultures we confirmed that astrocytes constitutively expressed C5aR and demonstrated that fetal microglia and fibroblast-like cells but not oligodendrocytes and neurones expressed C5aR. Incubation with inflammatory cytokines (interferon gamma, interleukin-1, and tumor necrosis factor alpha) or phorbol ester failed to induce or up-regulate C5aR expression on fetal or adult brain cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression and distribution of C5aR in the normal and inflamed brain. In the normal brain C5aR was minimally expressed, whereas in inflamed brains from a variety of pathologies, C5aR expression was greatly up-regulated on reactive astrocytes and microglia and to a lesser extent on endothelial cells. We propose that expression of C5aR is a marker of central nervous system inflammation, and that C5aR expression on brain cells in inflammation plays an important role in cell activation and recruitment (gliosis).

Complement regulatory protein expression by a human oligodendrocyte cell line: cytokine regulation and comparison with astrocytes

Rat oligodendrocytes spontaneously activate complement (C) and lack the C inhibitor CD59. As a consequence, rat oligodendrocytes are susceptible to lysis by autologous C in vitro. Expression of C inhibitors on human oligodendrocytes in vitro and other human glia has yet to be well characterized. We have previously shown expression at the mRNA level of the membrane inhibitors CD59, decay-accelerating factor (DAF; CD55) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46) in human astrocytes. We here examine the expression of membrane and secreted C inhibitors by the oligodendrocyte cell line, HOG. HOG cells abundantly expressed CD59, assessed at protein and mRNA level, and expressed DAF and MCP, albeit at a lower level. Expression of all three inhibitors was enhanced by incubation with interferon-gamma or with phorbol ester (PMA). Complement receptor type 1 (CR1; CD35) was neither expressed constitutively nor induced by cytokines. HOG also constitutively secreted C1-inhibitor, S-protein and clusterin. Factor H was secreted only after stimulation with cytokines. C4b binding protein was expressed at a very low level and was detected only at the mRNA level by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For comparison, astrocyte expression of CD59, DAF, MCP and CR1 was confirmed at the mRNA and protein levels. HOG did not activate C spontaneously, as judged by the lack of deposition of C fragments, and were not lysed by C even after inhibition of CD59 and DAF using specific monoclonal antibodies.

Human skeletal myoblasts spontaneously activate allogeneic complement but are resistant to killing

The complement (C) system has previously been implicated in several diseases of muscle. We here report that human myoblasts or rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines spontaneously activate C through the classical pathway, causing release of anaphylatoxins and coating of myoblasts with opsonic C fragments but without causing cell killing. Survival of myoblasts is a consequence of the abundant expression of the membrane C regulatory molecules MCP and CD59, and neutralization of CD59 renders cells susceptible to C killing. The decay-accelerating factor was expressed at a very low level. Myoblasts and rhabdomyosarcoma lines also abundantly express the fluid-phase regulators C1-inhibitor, factor H, C4 binding protein, S-protein, and clusterin and secrete a soluble form of CD59. Expression of membrane and fluid-phase regulators is enhanced by either IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha. Although myoblasts resist C killing, spontaneous activation of C on these cells may have important consequences in inflammatory diseases of muscle where the generation of anaphylactic and opsonic fragments will recruit and activate inflammatory cells. C activation on myoblasts may also have consequences for the use of these cells as vehicles for gene delivery. Inhibition of C using soluble complement receptor I (sCR1) efficiently protected myoblasts from C attack in vitro, and this agent, already being tested in therapy of several C-mediated diseases, might be of value in inflammatory muscle disease and in improving the efficiency of gene delivery.

Role of complement in the aetiology of Pick's disease?

Complement in the postmortem brains of 15 cases of Pick's disease has been widely analyzed immunohistochemically and, in 2 cases, by immunoelectron microscopy. Astrocytes and the Pick bodies and cytoplasm of ballooned neurons were immunoreactive with antibodies to classical pathway components C1, C1q, C4, C2 and C3 and the terminal complex components C5, C6 and C8. In almost all cases, no immunostaining was obtained with antibodies against C9 and neoepitopes in the membrane attack complex (MAC), the complement complex responsible for cytotoxicity. However, unequivocal staining with antibodies to two soluble complement regulatory proteins, S-protein and clusterin, and to the membrane complement inhibitor CD59 was found, although three other membrane inhibitors, CR1(CD35), DAF (CD55), and MCP (CD46), were not detected. The complement immunoreactivity of astrocytes and neurons could be the result of complement biosynthesis or attack. Complement attack will be restricted by the expressed regulatory proteins. However, neurons may be the victims of attack since they show pathological change. The internalization of complement-attacked membrane, perhaps involving the genesis of Pick bodies and ballooning, may explain the intracellular immunolocalization of complement in damaged neurons. Immunoglobulins, as a possible source of complement activation, were observed in only two cases, leaving unresolved the trigger for complement activation in the other cases.

Expression and function of membrane regulators of complement on rat astrocytes in culture

Human astrocytes express CD59, decay accelerating factor and membrane cofactor protein to restrict the damaging effect of complement (C) activation on their cell surface. 5I2 antigen (5I2 Ag) is the functional analogue of the latter two proteins in rats. We here demonstrate the surface expression on rat astrocytes of CD59 and 5I2 Ag and use sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting to confirm their identity and to quantify expression. Rat CD59 (MW 20,000) was expressed at 720 x 10(3) molecules per cell and 5I2 Ag (MW 58,000 and 64,000) at 625 x 10(3) molecules per cell. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction using specific oligonucleotide primers demonstrated expression of mRNA for each protein. Twenty-four-hour stimulation with inflammatory cytokines (interferon-gamma, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins-1 beta, -2 and -6) or phorbol myristate acetate had no significant effect on the level of expression of either protein as determined by Western blotting. Lysis caused by classical pathway activation of C in human or rat serum was enhanced by blocking the function of CD59 and 5I2 Ag on rat astrocytes with monoclonal antibodies.

Complement activation on human neuroblastoma cell lines in vitro: route of activation and expression of functional complement regulatory proteins

Two human neuroblastoma cell lines activated the classical pathway of complement in serum. Activation caused the opsonisation of these cells with complement fragments but with moderate cell killing. Neuroblastoma expressed regulators MCP and CD59 but did not express DAF or CR1. Neutralisation of CD59 rendered the cells susceptible to killing. Neuroblastoma also expressed C1-inhibitor, factor H, clusterin and S-protein. Expression of several regulators was enhanced by incubation with cytokines. Complement inhibition using soluble CRI markedly reduced opsonisation and killing of neuroblastoma. Our results suggest that complement might play a role in neuronal loss and that treatment with complement inhibitors might be of therapeutic value.

Human skeletal myoblasts spontaneously activate allogeneic complement but are resistant to killing

The complement (C) system has previously been implicated in several diseases of muscle. We here report that human myoblasts or rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines spontaneously activate C through the classical pathway, causing release of anaphylatoxins and coating of myoblasts with opsonic C fragments but without causing cell killing. Survival of myoblasts is a consequence of the abundant expression of the membrane C regulatory molecules MCP and CD59, and neutralization of CD59 renders cells susceptible to C killing. The decay-accelerating factor was expressed at a very low level. Myoblasts and rhabdomyosarcoma lines also abundantly express the fluid-phase regulators C1-inhibitor, factor H, C4 binding protein, S-protein, and clusterin and secrete a soluble form of CD59. Expression of membrane and fluid-phase regulators is enhanced by either IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha. Although myoblasts resist C killing, spontaneous activation of C on these cells may have important consequences in inflammatory diseases of muscle where the generation of anaphylactic and opsonic fragments will recruit and activate inflammatory cells. C activation on myoblasts may also have consequences for the use of these cells as vehicles for gene delivery. Inhibition of C using soluble complement receptor I (sCR1) efficiently protected myoblasts from C attack in vitro, and this agent, already being tested in therapy of several C-mediated diseases, might be of value in inflammatory muscle disease and in improving the efficiency of gene delivery.

The endogenous benzodiazepine receptor ligand ODN increases cytosolic calcium in cultured rat astrocytes

We have investigated the production of diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI)-related peptides by astrocytes in primary culture and we have determined the effect of the octadecaneuropeptide DBI[33-50] (ODN) on the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in astrocytes. Immunocytochemical labeling with antibodies against ODN showed that cultured astrocytes retain their ability to synthesize DBI in vitro. Cultured astrocytes were also found to release substantial amounts of ODN-immunoreactive material, and a brief exposure of astrocytes to a depolarizing potassium concentration resulted in a 5-fold increase in the rate of release of the ODN-like peptide. Microfluorimetric measurement of [Ca2+]i with the fluorescent probe indo-1 showed that nanomolar concentrations of ODN induced a marked increase in [Ca2+]i. The stimulatory effect of ODN on [Ca2+]i was not affected by calcium channel blockers or by incubation in Ca(2+)-free medium. In contrast, thapsigargin, an inhibitor of microsomal Ca(2+)-ATPase activity, totally abolished the ODN-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Repeated pulses of ODN caused attenuation of the response, indicating the existence of a desensitization phenomenon. Preincubation of astrocytes with pertussis toxin totally blocked the effect of ODN on [Ca2+]i. The present study indicates that ODN-related peptides are synthesized and released by glial cells. Our results also show that synthetic ODN induces calcium mobilization from an intracellular store through stimulation of pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein. Taken together, these data suggest that endozepines act as paracrine and/or autocrine factors controlling the activity of astroglial cells.

Identification and characterization of complement C3 receptors on human astrocytes

Astrocytes express C components and have been implicated as a major source of intrathecal C. To ascertain the effects of C activation on these cells, we have evaluated the expression of CR1, CR2, and CR3 (CD35, CD21, and CD11b/CD18) in primary fetal astrocytes and astrocyte cell lines. None of the astrocyte cells tested expressed CR3, whereas primary astrocytes and one of four astrocyte cell lines expressed CR1 (220 kDa), as assessed at the protein and mRNA level. Primary fetal astrocytes and all four astrocyte cell lines expressed CR2 (155 kDa). Expression of CR2 by astrocytes was confirmed at mRNA level by reverse-transcriptase PCR, using different combinations of seven specific CR2 oligonucleotides, and by partial sequencing of the astrocyte CR2 cDNA. Astrocyte CR2 cDNA presented 100% homology with the lymphocyte CR2 cDNA between the position 181 bp to 600 bp and position 1017 bp to 1347 bp. An alternative splicing pattern of exon 11, reported previously in B cells, was observed in astrocyte CR2 cDNA. Astrocyte CR2 was functional, in that it specifically bound C3d and the EBV surface protein gp340, and the binding was blocked specifically with polyclonal anti-CR2. Scatchard analysis of membrane expression of CR2 on astrocytes revealed 2000 functional sites per cell with a Kd (3 x 10(-7) M) identical with that of CR2 on B cell (Raji).

Identification and characterization of complement C3 receptors on human astrocytes

Astrocytes express C components and have been implicated as a major source of intrathecal C. To ascertain the effects of C activation on these cells, we have evaluated the expression of CR1, CR2, and CR3 (CD35, CD21, and CD11b/CD18) in primary fetal astrocytes and astrocyte cell lines. None of the astrocyte cells tested expressed CR3, whereas primary astrocytes and one of four astrocyte cell lines expressed CR1 (220 kDa), as assessed at the protein and mRNA level. Primary fetal astrocytes and all four astrocyte cell lines expressed CR2 (155 kDa). Expression of CR2 by astrocytes was confirmed at mRNA level by reverse-transcriptase PCR, using different combinations of seven specific CR2 oligonucleotides, and by partial sequencing of the astrocyte CR2 cDNA. Astrocyte CR2 cDNA presented 100% homology with the lymphocyte CR2 cDNA between the position 181 bp to 600 bp and position 1017 bp to 1347 bp. An alternative splicing pattern of exon 11, reported previously in B cells, was observed in astrocyte CR2 cDNA. Astrocyte CR2 was functional, in that it specifically bound C3d and the EBV surface protein gp340, and the binding was blocked specifically with polyclonal anti-CR2. Scatchard analysis of membrane expression of CR2 on astrocytes revealed 2000 functional sites per cell with a Kd (3 x 10(-7) M) identical with that of CR2 on B cell (Raji).