Immune modulation of human dendritic cells by complement

Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies: historical and future perspectives

Antibodies to CD20 have confirmed the hypothesis that monoclonal reagents can be given in vivo to alleviate human diseases. The targeting of CD20 on normal, malignant and auto-immune B-lymphocytes by rituximab has demonstrated substantial benefits for patients with a variety of B-cell lymphomas, as well as some with autoimmune disorders. There has been a notable increase in the survival rates from B-cell lymphoma in the decade since anti-CD20 therapy was introduced.

C1q differentially modulates phagocytosis and cytokine responses during ingestion of apoptotic cells by human monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells

C1q, the first component of the classical complement pathway, is also a pattern recognition receptor involved in the recognition and clearance of apoptotic cells. C1q deficiency in humans leads to development of lupus-like autoimmune disease, and it has been speculated that impaired clearance of apoptotic cells may contribute to disease development. Since phagocytes initiate specific and appropriate immune responses as a result of initial ligand-receptor interactions, regulation of gene expression by C1q may also contribute to the sculpting of an immune response to the ingested "self-Ags." In this study, the role of C1q in apoptotic cell clearance and subsequent modulation of cytokine release by phagocytes was assessed including donor matched human monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs), and dendritic cells (DCs). First, C1q binding is much greater to late compared with early apoptotic cells. Second, C1q binding to apoptotic cells significantly enhanced the levels of ingestion by monocytes but had no effect on HMDM and DC uptake. Third, in the presence of serum, C1q bound to apoptotic cells, activated the complement pathway, leading to C3b deposition, and enhancement of uptake of apoptotic cells by monocytes, HMDMs, and DCs. Finally, although C1q, either immobilized on a plate or bound to apoptotic cells, modulates the LPS-induced cytokine levels released by human monocytes, HMDMs, and DCs toward a more limited immune response, both the degree and direction of modulation differed significantly depending on the differentiation state of the phagocyte, providing further evidence of the integration of these cell- and environment-specific signals in determining appropriate immune responses.

Evidence that a C1q/C1qR system regulates monocyte-derived dendritic cell differentiation at the interface of innate and acquired immunity

Growing evidence shows that C1q modulates the growth and function of cells committed to the monocyte-derived dendritic cell (DC) lineage. Because C1q regulates both innate and acquired immune responses, we postulated that C1q modulates the transition from monocytes to DCs, i.e. the interface between innate and acquired immunity. Human peripheral blood monocytes cultured with soluble C1q and DC growth factors (granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor + Interleukin-4) failed to down-regulate monocyte-associated (CD14, CD16) and up-regulate DC-associated (CD83, CD86) markers. Impaired DC differentiation was not due to apoptosis; further analysis revealed the development of CD14(hi)CD11c(hi)CD16 (+/-) cells that have previously been associated with both innate and acquired immunity. Monocyte-DC precursors expressed gC1qR, the receptor for globular heads of C1q, from the outset, while cC1qR, the receptor for the collagen tails of C1q, was expressed at low levels. Notably, the binding pattern of monoclonal antibodies specific to the globular heads of C1q indicated that C1q is bound to monocytes via globular heads, presumably through gC1qR. Moreover, gC1qR levels decreased, while cC1qR levels were dramatically amplified as monocytes differentiated into immature DC. Thus, specific C1q/C1q receptor (R) interactions may control the transition from the monocyte state (innate immunity) toward the professional antigen-presenting cell state (adaptive immunity).

Autoantibodies against complement C1q specifically target C1q bound on early apoptotic cells

Autoantibodies against complement C1q (anti-C1q) are frequently found in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They strongly correlate with the occurrence of severe lupus nephritis, suggesting a pathogenic role in SLE. Because anti-C1q are known to recognize a neoepitope on bound C1q, but not on fluid-phase C1q, the aim of this study was to clarify the origin of anti-C1q by determining the mechanism that renders C1q antigenic. We investigated anti-C1q from serum and purified total IgG of patients with SLE and hypocomplementemic urticarial vasculitis as well as two monoclonal human anti-C1q Fab from a SLE patient generated by phage display. Binding characteristics, such as their ability to recognize C1q bound on different classes of Igs, on immune complexes, and on cells undergoing apoptosis, were analyzed. Interestingly, anti-C1q did not bind to C1q bound on Igs or immune complexes. Neither did we observe specific binding of anti-C1q to C1q bound on late apoptotic/necrotic cells when compared with binding in the absence of C1q. However, as shown by FACS analysis and confocal microscopy, anti-C1q specifically targeted C1q bound on early apoptotic cells. Anti-C1q were found to specifically target C1q bound on cells undergoing apoptosis. Our observations suggest that early apoptotic cells are a major target of the autoimmune response in SLE and provide a direct link between human SLE, apoptosis, and C1q.

Expression and role of CR1 and CR2 on B and T lymphocytes under physiological and autoimmune conditions

The involvement of complement in the development and regulation of antibody responses under both healthy and pathological conditions is known for long. Unravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying the events however is still in progress. This review focuses on the role of complement receptors CR1 (CD35) and CR2 (CD21) expressed on T and B cells. Alteration in the expression and function of these receptors may contribute to the initiation and maintenance of immune complex mediated autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent data regarding complement receptor expression on T lymphocytes and on memory B cells are also discussed.

Complement and its role in protection and pathogenesis of flavivirus infections

The complement system is a family of serum and cell surface proteins that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns, altered-self ligands, and immune complexes. Activation of the complement cascade triggers several antiviral functions including pathogen opsonization and/or lysis, and priming of adaptive immune responses. In this review, we will examine the role of complement activation in protection and/or pathogenesis against infection by Flaviviruses, with an emphasis on experiments with West Nile and Dengue viruses.

Complement production and regulation by dendritic cells: molecular switches between tolerance and immunity

In recent years it has become clear that the innate and adaptive immune systems are highly integrated and interact at several levels. Dendritic cells (DCs) are on the one hand instrumental for directing and controlling adaptive immunity and on the other hand are specialized in detecting and integrating signals from the microenvironment. In view of the strong link between deficiencies in certain complement components and the development of autoimmunity, interaction between complement and DCs seems to be of fundamental importance. We will discuss the role of C1q, C3, as well as complement regulators in DC biology.

Properdin binds to late apoptotic and necrotic cells independently of C3b and regulates alternative pathway complement activation

Cells that undergo apoptosis or necrosis are promptly removed by phagocytes. Soluble opsonins such as complement can opsonize dying cells, thereby promoting their removal by phagocytes and modulating the immune response. The pivotal role of the complement system in the handling of dying cells has been demonstrated for the classical pathway (via C1q) and lectin pathway (via mannose-binding lectin and ficolin). Herein we report that the only known naturally occurring positive regulator of complement, properdin, binds predominantly to late apoptotic and necrotic cells, but not to early apoptotic cells. This binding occurs independently of C3b, which is additional to the standard model wherein properdin binds to preexisting clusters of C3b on targets and stabilizes the convertase C3bBb. By binding to late apoptotic or necrotic cells, properdin serves as a focal point for local amplification of alternative pathway complement activation. Furthermore, properdin exhibits a strong interaction with DNA that is exposed on the late stage of dying cells. Our data indicate that direct recognition of dying cells by properdin is essential to drive alternative pathway complement activation.