1
|
Pietroforte S, Plough M, Amargant F. Age-associated increased stiffness of the ovarian microenvironment impairs follicle development and oocyte quality and rapidly alters follicle gene expression. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.09.598134. [PMID: 38915651 PMCID: PMC11195110 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.09.598134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
In humans, aging triggers cellular and tissue deterioration, and the female reproductive system is the first to show signs of decline. Reproductive aging is associated with decreased ovarian reserve, decreased quality of the remaining oocytes, and decreased production of the ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone. With aging, both mouse and human ovaries become pro-fibrotic and stiff. However, whether stiffness directly impairs ovarian function, folliculogenesis, and oocyte quality is unknown. To answer this question, we cultured mouse follicles in alginate gels that mimicked the stiffness of reproductively young and old ovaries. Follicles cultured in stiff hydrogels exhibited decreased survival and growth, decreased granulosa cell viability and estradiol synthesis, and decreased oocyte quality. We also observed a reduction in the number of granulosa cell-oocyte transzonal projections. RNA sequencing revealed early changes in the follicle transcriptome in response to stiffness. Follicles cultured in a stiff environment had lower expression of genes related to follicle development and greater expression of genes related to inflammation and extracellular matrix remodeling than follicles cultured in a soft environment. Altogether, our findings suggest that ovarian stiffness directly modulates folliculogenesis and contributes to the progressive decline in oocyte quantity and quality observed in women of advanced maternal age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Pietroforte
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Makenzie Plough
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Farners Amargant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Dobó J, Kocsis A, Farkas B, Demeter F, Cervenak L, Gál P. The Lectin Pathway of the Complement System-Activation, Regulation, Disease Connections and Interplay with Other (Proteolytic) Systems. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1566. [PMID: 38338844 PMCID: PMC10855846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The complement system is the other major proteolytic cascade in the blood of vertebrates besides the coagulation-fibrinolytic system. Among the three main activation routes of complement, the lectin pathway (LP) has been discovered the latest, and it is still the subject of intense research. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), other collectins, and ficolins are collectively termed as the pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) of the LP, and they are responsible for targeting LP activation to molecular patterns, e.g., on bacteria. MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs) are the effectors, while MBL-associated proteins (MAps) have regulatory functions. Two serine protease components, MASP-1 and MASP-2, trigger the LP activation, while the third component, MASP-3, is involved in the function of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement. Besides their functions within the complement system, certain LP components have secondary ("moonlighting") functions, e.g., in embryonic development. They also contribute to blood coagulation, and some might have tumor suppressing roles. Uncontrolled complement activation can contribute to the progression of many diseases (e.g., stroke, kidney diseases, thrombotic complications, and COVID-19). In most cases, the lectin pathway has also been implicated. In this review, we summarize the history of the lectin pathway, introduce their components, describe its activation and regulation, its roles within the complement cascade, its connections to blood coagulation, and its direct cellular effects. Special emphasis is placed on disease connections and the non-canonical functions of LP components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- József Dobó
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.D.); (A.K.); (B.F.)
| | - Andrea Kocsis
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.D.); (A.K.); (B.F.)
| | - Bence Farkas
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.D.); (A.K.); (B.F.)
| | - Flóra Demeter
- Cell Biology and Cell Therapy Group, Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.D.); (L.C.)
| | - László Cervenak
- Cell Biology and Cell Therapy Group, Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary; (F.D.); (L.C.)
| | - Péter Gál
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, HUN-REN Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary; (J.D.); (A.K.); (B.F.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rathi S, Hasan R, Ueffing M, Clark SJ. Therapeutic targeting of the complement system in ocular disease. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103757. [PMID: 37657753 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The complement system is involved in the pathogenesis of several ocular diseases, providing a rationale for the investigation of complement-targeting therapeutics for these conditions. Dry age-related macular degeneration, as characterised by geographic atrophy (GA), is currently the most active area of research for complement-targeting therapeutics, with a complement C3 inhibitor approved in the United States earlier this year marking the first approved therapy for GA. This review discusses the role of complement in ocular disease, provides an overview of the complement-targeting agents currently under development for ocular conditions, and reflects on the lessons that can be learned from the preclinical investigations and clinical trials conducted in this field to date.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sonika Rathi
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Marius Ueffing
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Simon J Clark
- Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Department for Ophthalmology, University Medical Center, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; University Eye Clinic, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Gerogianni A, Baas LM, Sjöström DJ, van de Kar NCAJ, Pullen M, van de Peppel SJ, Nilsson PH, van den Heuvel LP. Functional evaluation of complement factor I variants by immunoassays and SDS-PAGE. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1279612. [PMID: 37954579 PMCID: PMC10639126 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1279612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Factor I (FI) is an essential regulator of the complement system. Together with co-factors, FI degrades C3b, which inhibits further complement activation. Genetic mutations in FI are associated with pathological conditions like age-related macular degeneration and atypical hemolytic uremic syndome. Here, we evaluated eight recombinant FI genetic variants found in patients. We assessed FI's co-factor activity in the presence of two co-factors; Factor H and soluble CR1. Different analytical assays were employed; SDS-PAGE to evaluate the degradation of C3b, ELISA to measure the generation of fluid phase iC3b and the degradation of surface-bound C3b using a novel Luminex bead-based assay. We demonstrate that mutations in the FIMAC and SP domains of FI led to significantly reduced protease activity, whereas the two analyzed mutations in the LDLRA2 domain did not result in any profound changes in FI's function. The different assays employed displayed a strong positive correlation, but differences in the activity of the genetic variants Ile55Phe and Gly261Asp could only be observed by combining different methods and co-factors for evaluating FI activity. In conclusion, our results provide a new perspective regarding available diagnostic tools for assessing the impact of mutations in FI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Gerogianni
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Laura M. Baas
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Dick J. Sjöström
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Nicole C. A. J. van de Kar
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marit Pullen
- Department of Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Siem J. van de Peppel
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Per H. Nilsson
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lambertus P. van den Heuvel
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics/Pediatric Nephrology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Development and Regeneration, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rolfes M, Harroud A, Zorn KC, Tubati A, Omura C, Kurtz K, Matloubian M, Berger A, Chiu CY, Wilson MR, Ramachandran PS. Complement Factor I Gene Variant as a Treatable Cause of Recurrent Aseptic Neutrophilic Meningitis: A Case Report. NEUROLOGY(R) NEUROIMMUNOLOGY & NEUROINFLAMMATION 2023; 10:e200121. [PMID: 37339889 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000200121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the complement factor I (CFI) gene have previously been identified as causes of recurrent CNS inflammation. We present a case of a 26-year-old man with 18 episodes of recurrent meningitis, who had a variant in CFI(c.859G>A,p.Gly287Arg) not previously associated with neurologic manifestations. He achieved remission with canakinumab, a human monoclonal antibody targeted at interleukin-1 beta.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary Rolfes
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Adil Harroud
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kelsey C Zorn
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Asritha Tubati
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Charles Omura
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kenneth Kurtz
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mehrdad Matloubian
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Amy Berger
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Charles Y Chiu
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael R Wilson
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Prashanth S Ramachandran
- From the Weill Institute for Neurosciences (M.R., M.R.W.), Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco; Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (A.H.), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (K.C.Z., A.T.); Department of Laboratory Medicine (C.O., C.Y.C.); Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (K.K.)Department of Medicine (M.M.), Division of Rheumatology; Department of Medicine (A.B.), Molecular Medicine Consult Service; Department of Medicine (C.Y.C.), Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, San Francisco; The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (P.S.R.); Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), Royal Melbourne Hospital; and Department of Neurology (P.S.R.), St.Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hallam TM, Sharp SJ, Andreadi A, Kavanagh D. Complement factor I: Regulatory nexus, driver of immunopathology, and therapeutic. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152410. [PMID: 37478687 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Complement factor I (FI) is the nexus for classical, lectin and alternative pathway complement regulation. FI is an 88 kDa plasma protein that circulates in an inactive configuration until it forms a trimolecular complex with its cofactor and substrate whereupon a structural reorganization allows the catalytic triad to cleave its substrates, C3b and C4b. In keeping with its role as the master complement regulatory enzyme, deficiency has been linked to immunopathology. In the setting of complete FI deficiency, a consumptive C3 deficiency results in recurrent infections with encapsulated microorganisms. Aseptic cerebral inflammation and vasculitic presentations are also less commonly observed. Heterozygous mutations in the factor I gene (CFI) have been demonstrated to be enriched in atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, albeit with a very low penetrance. Haploinsufficiency of CFI has also been associated with decreased retinal thickness and is a strong risk factor for the development of age-related macular degeneration. Supplementation of FI using plasma purified or recombinant protein has long been postulated, however, technical difficulties prevented progression into clinical trials. It is only using gene therapy that CFI supplementation has reached the clinic with GT005 in phase I/II clinical trials for geographic atrophy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T M Hallam
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, London N7 9AS, UK; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK
| | - S J Sharp
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, A Novartis Company, Rolling Stock Yard, London N7 9AS, UK
| | - A Andreadi
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK
| | - D Kavanagh
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 7RU, UK; National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Building 26, Royal Victoria Infirmary, UK; NIHR Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Java A, Atkinson J, Hu Z, Pozzi N. Mutations in atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome provide evidence for the role of calcium in complement factor I. Blood 2023; 142:607-610. [PMID: 37363824 PMCID: PMC10447607 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2022019361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare thrombotic microangiopathy. Genetic variants in complement proteins are found in ≈60% of patients. Of these patients, ≈15% carry mutations in complement factor I (CFI). Factor I (FI) is a multidomain serine protease that cleaves and thereby inactivates C3b and C4b in the presence of cofactor proteins. Crystal structures have shown that FI possesses 2 calcium-binding domains, low-density lipoprotein receptor class A (LDLRA) 1 and LDLRA2. Yet, the role of calcium in FI is unknown. We determined that 9 genetic variants identified in aHUS (N151S, G162D, G188A, V230E, A240G, G243R, C247G, A258T, and Q260D) cluster around the calcium-binding site of LDLRA1. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we established that the synthesis of all, except A258T, was impaired, implying defective protein folding, perhaps due to loss of calcium binding. To further explore this possibility, we generated 12 alanine mutants that coordinate with the calcium in LDLRA1 and LDLRA2 (K239A, D242A, I244A, D246A, D252A, E253A, Y276A, N279A, E281A, D283A, D289A, and D290A) and are expected to perturb calcium binding. Except for K239A and Y276A, none of the mutants was secreted. These observations suggest that calcium ions play key structural and functional roles in FI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anuja Java
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - John Atkinson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Zheng Hu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Nicola Pozzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Edward A. Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sun S, Hu K, Wang L, Liu M, Zhang Y, Dong N, Wu Q. Spatial position is a key determinant of N-glycan functionality of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain of human hepsin. FEBS J 2023; 290:3966-3982. [PMID: 36802168 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
The scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) domain is a key constituent in diverse proteins. N-glycosylation is important in protein expression and function. In the SRCR domain of different proteins, N-glycosylation sites and functionality vary substantially. In this study, we examined the importance of N-glycosylation site positions in the SRCR domain of hepsin, a type II transmembrane serine protease involved in many pathophysiological processes. We analysed hepsin mutants with alternative N-glycosylation sites in the SRCR and protease domains using three-dimensional modelling, site-directed mutagenesis, HepG2 cell expression, immunostaining, and western blotting. We found that the N-glycan function in the SRCR domain in promoting hepsin expression and activation on the cell surface cannot be replaced by alternatively created N-glycans in the protease domain. Within the SRCR domain, the presence of an N-glycan in a confined surface area was essential for calnexin-assisted protein folding, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) exiting, and zymogen activation of hepsin on the cell surface. Hepsin mutants with alternative N-glycosylation sites on the opposite side of the SRCR domain were trapped by ER chaperones, resulting in the activation of the unfolded protein response in HepG2 cells. These results indicate that the spatial N-glycan positioning in the SRCR domain is a key determinant in the interaction with calnexin and subsequent cell surface expression of hepsin. These findings may help to understand the conservation and functionality of N-glycosylation sites in the SRCR domains of different proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shijin Sun
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Kaixuan Hu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Lina Wang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yikai Zhang
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ningzheng Dong
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Thrombosis and Hemostasis, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qingyu Wu
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Prevention, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Tsiftsoglou SA. Heme Interactions as Regulators of the Alternative Pathway Complement Responses and Implications for Heme-Associated Pathologies. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2023; 45:5198-5214. [PMID: 37367079 DOI: 10.3390/cimb45060330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Heme (Fe2+-protoporphyrin IX) is a pigment of life, and as a prosthetic group in several hemoproteins, it contributes to diverse critical cellular processes. While its intracellular levels are tightly regulated by networks of heme-binding proteins (HeBPs), labile heme can be hazardous through oxidative processes. In blood plasma, heme is scavenged by hemopexin (HPX), albumin and several other proteins, while it also interacts directly with complement components C1q, C3 and factor I. These direct interactions block the classical pathway (CP) and distort the alternative pathway (AP). Errors or flaws in heme metabolism, causing uncontrolled intracellular oxidative stress, can lead to several severe hematological disorders. Direct interactions of extracellular heme with alternative pathway complement components (APCCs) may be implicated molecularly in diverse conditions at sites of abnormal cell damage and vascular injury. In such disorders, a deregulated AP could be associated with the heme-mediated disruption of the physiological heparan sulphate-CFH coat of stressed cells and the induction of local hemostatic responses. Within this conceptual frame, a computational evaluation of HBMs (heme-binding motifs) aimed to determine how heme interacts with APCCs and whether these interactions are affected by genetic variation within putative HBMs. Combined computational analysis and database mining identified putative HBMs in all of the 16 APCCs examined, with 10 exhibiting disease-associated genetic (SNPs) and/or epigenetic variation (PTMs). Overall, this article indicates that among the pleiotropic roles of heme reviewed, the interactions of heme with APCCs could induce differential AP-mediated hemostasis-driven pathologies in certain individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos A Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tsiftsoglou SA, Gavriilaki E, Touloumenidou T, Koravou EE, Koutra M, Papayanni PG, Karali V, Papalexandri A, Varelas C, Chatzopoulou F, Chatzidimitriou M, Chatzidimitriou D, Veleni A, Rapti E, Kioumis I, Kaimakamis E, Bitzani M, Boumpas DT, Tsantes A, Sotiropoulos D, Papadopoulou A, Sakellari I, Kokoris S, Anagnostopoulos A. Targeted genotyping of COVID-19 patients reveals a signature of complement C3 and factor B coding SNPs associated with severe infection. Immunobiology 2023; 228:152351. [PMID: 36805858 PMCID: PMC9928680 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2023.152351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
We have attempted to explore further the involvement of complement components in the host COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-19) immune responses by targeted genotyping of COVID-19 adult patients and analysis for missense coding Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (coding SNPs) of genes encoding Alternative pathway (AP) components. We have identified a small group of common coding SNPs in Survivors and Deceased individuals, present in either relatively similar frequencies (CFH and CFI SNPs) or with stark differences in their relative abundance (C3 and CFB SNPs). In addition, we have identified several sporadic, potentially protective, coding SNPs of C3, CFB, CFD, CFH, CFHR1 and CFI in Survivors. No coding SNPs were detected for CD46 and CD55. Our demographic analysis indicated that the C3 rs1047286 or rs2230199 coding SNPs were present in 60 % of all the Deceased patients (n = 25) (the rs2230199 in 67 % of all Deceased Males) and in 31 % of all the Survivors (n = 105, p = 0.012) (the rs2230199 in 25 % of all Survivor Males). When we analysed these two major study groups using the presence of the C3 rs1047286 or rs2230199 SNPs as potential biomarkers, we noticed the complete absence of the protective CFB rs12614 and rs641153 coding SNPs from Deceased Males compared to Females (p = 0.0023). We propose that in these individuals, C3 carrying the R102G and CFB lacking the R32W or the R32Q amino acid substitutions, may contribute to enhanced association dynamics of the C3bBb AP pre-convertase complex assembly, thus enabling the exploitation of the activation of the Complement Alternative pathway (AP) by SARS-CoV-2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos A Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece.
| | - Eleni Gavriilaki
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece.
| | - Tasoula Touloumenidou
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | | | - Maria Koutra
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | | | - Vassiliki Karali
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, University General Hospital "Attikon", Αthens, Greece
| | - Apostolia Papalexandri
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Christos Varelas
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Fani Chatzopoulou
- Microbiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Chatzidimitriou
- Biomedical Sciences Alexander Campus International Hellenic University, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Anastasia Veleni
- Infectious Disease Committee, G Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evdoxia Rapti
- Laboratory of Hematology and Hospital Blood Transfusion Department, University General Hospital "Attikon", NKUA, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Kioumis
- Respiratory Failure Department, G Papanicolaou Hospital-Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Milly Bitzani
- 1st Intensive Care Unit, G Papanicolaou Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitrios T Boumpas
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, University General Hospital "Attikon", Αthens, Greece
| | - Argyris Tsantes
- Laboratory of Hematology and Hospital Blood Transfusion Department, University General Hospital "Attikon", NKUA, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Damianos Sotiropoulos
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Ioanna Sakellari
- Hematology Department-BMT Unit, G. Papanicolaou Hospital, Exochi, Thessaloniki 57010, Greece
| | - Styliani Kokoris
- Laboratory of Hematology and Hospital Blood Transfusion Department, University General Hospital "Attikon", NKUA, Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ruiz-Molina N, Parsons J, Decker EL, Reski R. Structural modelling of human complement FHR1 and two of its synthetic derivatives provides insight into their in-vivo functions. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1473-1486. [PMID: 36851916 PMCID: PMC9957715 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human complement is the first line of defence against invading pathogens and is involved in tissue homeostasis. Complement-targeted therapies to treat several diseases caused by a dysregulated complement are highly desirable. Despite huge efforts invested in their development, only very few are currently available, and a deeper understanding of the numerous interactions and complement regulation mechanisms is indispensable. Two important complement regulators are human Factor H (FH) and Factor H-related protein 1 (FHR1). MFHR1 and MFHR13, two promising therapeutic candidates based on these regulators, combine the dimerization and C5-regulatory domains of FHR1 with the central C3-regulatory and cell surface-recognition domains of FH. Here, we used AlphaFold2 to model the structure of these two synthetic regulators. Moreover, we used AlphaFold-Multimer (AFM) to study possible interactions of C3 fragments and membrane attack complex (MAC) components C5, C7 and C9 in complex with FHR1, MFHR1, MFHR13 as well as the best-known MAC regulators vitronectin (Vn), clusterin and CD59, whose experimental structures remain undetermined. AFM successfully predicted the binding interfaces of FHR1 and the synthetic regulators with C3 fragments and suggested binding to C3. The models revealed structural differences in binding to these ligands through different interfaces. Additionally, AFM predictions of Vn, clusterin or CD59 with C7 or C9 agreed with previously published experimental results. Because the role of FHR1 as MAC regulator has been controversial, we analysed possible interactions with C5, C7 and C9. AFM predicted interactions of FHR1 with proteins of the terminal complement complex (TCC) as indicated by experimental observations, and located the interfaces in FHR11-2 and FHR14-5. According to AFM prediction, FHR1 might partially block the C3b binding site in C5, inhibiting C5 activation, and block C5b-7 complex formation and C9 polymerization, with similar mechanisms of action as clusterin and vitronectin. Here, we generate hypotheses and give the basis for the design of rational approaches to understand the molecular mechanism of MAC inhibition, which will facilitate the development of further complement therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Ruiz-Molina
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Juliana Parsons
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eva L Decker
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Reski
- Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Signalling Research Centres BIOSS and CIBSS, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kumar J, Dhyani S, Kumar P, Sharma NR, Ganguly S. SARS-CoV-2-encoded ORF8 protein possesses complement inhibitory properties. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:102930. [PMID: 36682494 PMCID: PMC9851726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.102930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivation of the complement system, a major component of innate immunity, has been recognized as one of the core clinical features in severe covid-19 patients. However, how the virus escapes the targeted elimination by the network of activated complement pathways still remains an enigma. Here, we identified SARS-CoV-2-encoded ORF8 protein as one of the major binding partners of human complement C3/C3b components and their metabolites. Our results demonstrated that preincubation of ORF8 with C3/C3b in the fluid phase has two immediate functional consequences in the alternative pathway; this preincubation inhibits factor I-mediated proteolysis and blocks factor B zymogen activation into active Bb. ORF8 binding results in the occlusion of both factor H and factor B from C3b, rendering the complexes resistant to factor I-mediated proteolysis and inhibition of pro-C3-convertase (C3bB) formation, respectively. We also confirmed the complement inhibitory activity of ORF8 in our hemolysis-based assay, where ORF8 prevented human serum-induced lysis of rabbit erythrocytes with an IC50 value of about 2.3 μM. This inhibitory characteristic of ORF8 was also supported by in-silico protein-protein docking analysis, as it appeared to establish primary interactions with the β-chain of C3b, orienting itself near the C3b CUB (C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain like a peptidomimetic compound, sterically hindering the binding of essential cofactors required for complement amplification. Thus, ORF8 has characteristics to act as an inhibitor of critical regulatory steps in the alternative pathway, converging to hasten the decay of C3-convertase and thereby, attenuating the complement amplification loop.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Kumar
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), Neurobiology and Drug Discovery (NDD) Laboratory, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Saurabh Dhyani
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), Neurobiology and Drug Discovery (NDD) Laboratory, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Prateek Kumar
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, VPO Kamand, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Nishi Raj Sharma
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), Neurobiology and Drug Discovery (NDD) Laboratory, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
| | - Surajit Ganguly
- Department of Molecular Medicine (DMM), Neurobiology and Drug Discovery (NDD) Laboratory, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hallam TM, Cox TE, Smith-Jackson K, Brocklebank V, Baral AJ, Tzoumas N, Steel DH, Wong EKS, Shuttleworth VG, Lotery AJ, Harris CL, Marchbank KJ, Kavanagh D. A novel method for real-time analysis of the complement C3b:FH:FI complex reveals dominant negative CFI variants in age-related macular degeneration. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1028760. [PMID: 36643920 PMCID: PMC9832388 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1028760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is linked to 2 main disparate genetic pathways: a chromosome 10 risk locus and the alternative pathway (AP) of complement. Rare genetic variants in complement factor H (CFH; FH) and factor I (CFI; FI) are associated with AMD. FH acts as a soluble cofactor to facilitate FI's cleavage and inactivation of the central molecule of the AP, C3b. For personalised treatment, sensitive assays are required to define the functional significance of individual AP genetic variants. Generation of recombinant FI for functional analysis has thus far been constrained by incomplete processing resulting in a preparation of active and inactive protein. Using an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES)-Furin-CFI expression vector, fully processed FI was generated with activity equivalent to serum purified FI. By generating FI with an inactivated serine protease domain (S525A FI), a real-time surface plasmon resonance assay of C3b:FH:FI complex formation for characterising variants in CFH and CFI was developed and correlated well with standard assays. Using these methods, we further demonstrate that patient-associated rare genetic variants lacking enzymatic activity (e.g. CFI I340T) may competitively inhibit the wild-type FI protein. The dominant negative effect identified in inactive factor I variants could impact on the pharmacological replacement of FI currently being investigated for the treatment of dry AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Hallam
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas E. Cox
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kate Smith-Jackson
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Vicky Brocklebank
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - April J. Baral
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nikolaos Tzoumas
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David H. Steel
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, United Kingdom,Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Edwin K. S. Wong
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria G. Shuttleworth
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Lotery
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Claire L. Harris
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J. Marchbank
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - David Kavanagh
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre, Biomedical Research Building, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: David Kavanagh,
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Functional and Expressional Analyses Reveal the Distinct Role of Complement Factor I in Regulating Complement System Activation during GCRV Infection in Ctenopharyngodon idella. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911369. [PMID: 36232671 PMCID: PMC9569754 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement factor I (CFI), a complement inhibitor, is well known for regulating the complement system activation by degrading complement component 3b (C3b) in animal serum, thus becoming involved in innate defense. Nevertheless, the functional mechanisms of CFI in the complement system and in host-pathogen interactions are far from being clarified in teleost fish. In the present study, we cloned and characterized the CFI gene, CiCFI, from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) and analyzed its function in degrading serum C3b and expression changes after grass carp reovirus (GCRV) infection. The open reading frame of CiCFI was found to be 2121 bp, encoding 706 amino acids with a molecular mass of 79.06 kDa. The pairwise alignments showed that CiCFI shared the highest identity (66.9%) with CFI from Carassius gibelio and the highest similarity (78.7%) with CFI from Danio rerio. The CiCFI protein was characterized by a conserved functional core Tryp_SPc domain with the catalytic triad and substrate binding sites. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that CiCFI and the homologs CFIs from other teleost fish formed a distinct evolutionary branch. Similar with the CFIs reported in mammals, the recombinant CiCFI protein could significantly reduce the C3b content in the serum, demonstrating the conserved function of CiCFI in the complement system in the grass carp. CiCFI mRNA and protein showed the highest expression level in the liver. After GCRV infection, the mRNA expressions of CiCFI were first down-regulated, then up-regulated, and then down-regulated to the initial level, while the protein expression levels maintained an overall downward trend to the late stage of infection in the liver of grass carps. Unexpectedly, the protein levels of CiCFI were also continuously down-regulated in the serum of grass carps during GCRV infection, while the content of serum C3b proteins first increases and then returns to the initial level, suggesting a distinct role of CiCFI in regulating complement activation and fish-virus interaction. Combining our previous results that complement factor D, a complement enhancer, shows continuously up-regulated expression levels in grass carps during GCRV infection, and this study may provide the further essential data for the full picture of complex complement regulation mechanism mediated by Df and CFI of the grass carp during pathogen infection.
Collapse
|
15
|
Gerogianni A, Dimitrov JD, Zarantonello A, Poillerat V, Chonat S, Sandholm K, McAdam KE, Ekdahl KN, Mollnes TE, Mohlin C, Roumenina LT, Nilsson PH. Heme Interferes With Complement Factor I-Dependent Regulation by Enhancing Alternative Pathway Activation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:901876. [PMID: 35935964 PMCID: PMC9354932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.901876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemolysis, as a result of disease or exposure to biomaterials, is characterized by excess amounts of cell-free heme intravascularly and consumption of the protective heme-scavenger proteins in plasma. The liberation of heme has been linked to the activation of inflammatory systems, including the complement system, through alternative pathway activation. Here, we investigated the impact of heme on the regulatory function of the complement system. Heme dose-dependently inhibited factor I-mediated degradation of soluble and surface-bound C3b, when incubated in plasma or buffer with complement regulatory proteins. Inhibition occurred with factor H and soluble complement receptor 1 as co-factors, and the mechanism was linked to the direct heme-interaction with factor I. The heme-scavenger protein hemopexin was the main contaminant in purified factor I preparations. This led us to identify that hemopexin formed a complex with factor I in normal human plasma. These complexes were significantly reduced during acute vasoocclusive pain crisis in patients with sickle cell disease, but the complexes were normalized at their baseline outpatient clinic visit. Hemopexin exposed a protective function of factor I activity in vitro, but only when it was present before the addition of heme. In conclusion, we present a mechanistic explanation of how heme promotes uncontrolled complement alternative pathway amplification by interfering with the regulatory capacity of factor I. Reduced levels of hemopexin and hemopexin-factor I complexes during an acute hemolytic crisis is a risk factor for heme-mediated factor I inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Gerogianni
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Jordan D. Dimitrov
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Alessandra Zarantonello
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Victoria Poillerat
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Satheesh Chonat
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kerstin Sandholm
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Karin E. McAdam
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristina N. Ekdahl
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tom E. Mollnes
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research, and Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Research Laboratory, Nordland Hospital, Bodo, Norway
| | - Camilla Mohlin
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Lubka T. Roumenina
- Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Per H. Nilsson
- Linnaeus Centre for Biomaterials Chemistry, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry and Biomedicine, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- *Correspondence: Per H. Nilsson,
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dobó J, Kocsis A, Dani R, Gál P. Proprotein Convertases and the Complement System. Front Immunol 2022; 13:958121. [PMID: 35874789 PMCID: PMC9296861 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.958121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteins destined for secretion - after removal of the signal sequence - often undergo further proteolytic processing by proprotein convertases (PCs). Prohormones are typically processed in the regulated secretory pathway, while most plasma proteins travel though the constitutive pathway. The complement system is a major proteolytic cascade in the blood, serving as a first line of defense against microbes and also contributing to the immune homeostasis. Several complement components, namely C3, C4, C5 and factor I (FI), are multi-chain proteins that are apparently processed by PCs intracellularly. Cleavage occurs at consecutive basic residues and probably also involves the action of carboxypeptidases. The most likely candidate for the intracellular processing of complement proteins is furin, however, because of the overlapping specificities of basic amino acid residue-specific proprotein convertases, other PCs might be involved. To our surprise, we have recently discovered that processing of another complement protein, mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-3 (MASP-3) occurs in the blood by PCSK6 (PACE4). A similar mechanism had been described for the membrane protease corin, which is also activated extracellularly by PCSK6. In this review we intend to point out that the proper functioning of the complement system intimately depends on the action of proprotein convertases. In addition to the non-enzymatic components (C3, C4, C5), two constitutively active complement proteases are directly activated by PCs either intracellularly (FI), or extracellularly (MASP-3), moreover indirectly, through the constitutive activation of pro-factor D by MASP-3, the activity of the alternative pathway also depends on a PC present in the blood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Péter Gál
- *Correspondence: József Dobó, ; Péter Gál,
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhang Y, Goodfellow RX, Ghiringhelli Borsa N, Dunlop HC, Presti SA, Meyer NC, Shao D, Roberts SM, Jones MB, Pitcher GR, Taylor AO, Nester CM, Smith RJH. Complement Factor I Variants in Complement-Mediated Renal Diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:866330. [PMID: 35619721 PMCID: PMC9127439 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.866330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) are two rare diseases caused by dysregulated activity of the alternative pathway of complement secondary to the presence of genetic and/or acquired factors. Complement factor I (FI) is a serine protease that downregulates complement activity in the fluid phase and/or on cell surfaces in conjunction with one of its cofactors, factor H (FH), complement receptor 1 (CR1/CD35), C4 binding protein (C4BP) or membrane cofactor protein (MCP/CD46). Because altered FI activity is causally related to the pathogenesis of C3G and aHUS, we sought to test functional activity of select CFI missense variants in these two patient cohorts. We identified 65 patients (16, C3G; 48, aHUS; 1 with both) with at least one rare variant in CFI (defined as a MAF < 0.1%). Eight C3G and eleven aHUS patients also carried rare variants in either another complement gene, ADAMTS13 or THBD. We performed comprehensive complement analyses including biomarker profiling, pathway activity and autoantibody testing, and developed a novel FI functional assay, which we completed on 40 patients. Seventy-eight percent of rare CFI variants (31/40) were associated with FI protein levels below the 25th percentile; in 22 cases, FI levels were below the lower limit of normal (type 1 variants). Of the remaining nine variants, which associated with normal FI levels, two variants reduced FI activity (type 2 variants). No patients carried currently known autoantibodies (including FH autoantibodies and nephritic factors). We noted that while rare variants in CFI predispose to complement-mediated diseases, phenotypes are strongly contingent on the associated genetic background. As a general rule, in isolation, a rare CFI variant most frequently leads to aHUS, with the co-inheritance of a CD46 loss-of-function variant driving the onset of aHUS to the younger age group. In comparison, co-inheritance of a gain-of-function variant in C3 alters the phenotype to C3G. Defects in CFH (variants or fusion genes) are seen with both C3G and aHUS. This variability underscores the complexity and multifactorial nature of these two complement-mediated renal diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Richard J. H. Smith
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Java A, Pozzi N, Schroeder MC, Hu Z, Huan T, Seddon JM, Atkinson J. Functional analysis of rare genetic variants in complement factor I in advanced age-related macular degeneration. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 31:3683-3693. [PMID: 35531992 PMCID: PMC9616575 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Factor I (FI) is a serine protease inhibitor of the complement system. Heterozygous rare genetic variants in complement factor I (CFI) are associated with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The clinical impact of these variants is unknown since a majority have not been functionally characterized and are classified as 'variants of uncertain significance' (VUS). This study assessed the functional significance of VUS in CFI. Our previous cross-sectional study using a serum-based assay demonstrated that CFI variants in advanced AMD can be categorized into three types. Type 1 variants cause a quantitative deficiency of FI. Type 2 variants demonstrate a qualitative deficiency. However, Type 3 variants consist of VUS that are less dysfunctional than Types 1 and 2 but are not as biologically active as wild type (WT). In this study, we employed site-directed mutagenesis followed by expression of the recombinant variant and a comprehensive set of functional assays to characterize nine Type 3 variants that were identified in 37 individuals. Our studies establish that the expression of the recombinant protein compared with WT is reduced for R202I, Q217H, S221Y and G263V. Further, G362A and N536K, albeit expressed normally, have significantly less cofactor activity. These results led to re-categorization of CFI variants R202I, Q217H, S221Y and G263V as Type 1 variants and to reclassification of N536K and G362A as Type 2. The variants K441R, Q462H and I492L showed no functional defect and remained as Type 3. This study highlights the utility of an in-depth biochemical analysis in defining the pathologic and clinical implications of complement variants underlying AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anuja Java
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Nicola Pozzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Edward A. Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Molly C Schroeder
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Zheng Hu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Tianxiao Huan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | | | - John Atkinson
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. Tel: +1 3143628391; Fax: +1 3143621366;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bouzroud W, Tazzite A, yousra I, Gazzaz B, Dehbi H. Complement Factor I deficiency: A novel homozygous CFI gene mutation. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/2050313x221105992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement Factor I deficiency is a very rare autosomal recessive disease, with only 38 cases reported in the literature. It is caused by a homozygous mutation in the CFI gene (complement Factor I), which encodes for the Factor I protein, an important regulator of the complement system. Clinically, complement Factor I deficiency presents various symptoms in several organs. We report the case of a child with a history of seizures and unexplained recurrent fever. Whole exome sequencing revealed a novel homozygous missense CFI gene mutation (V270F) of unknown significance. Using multiple bioinformatics tools, we suggest the probable pathogenicity of this mutation. This analysis will help us manage precisely his case, preventing infections and the development of kidney failure, a possible and fatal consequence of complement Factor I deficiency. This study emphasizes the importance of molecular analysis in the diagnosis of rare and atypical diseases and in the establishment of appropriate and effective care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wafaa Bouzroud
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Amal Tazzite
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Ibenbrahim yousra
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Bouchaïb Gazzaz
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
- Genetics Analysis Institute, Royal Gendarmerie, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Hind Dehbi
- Medical Genetics Laboratory, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Garam N, Cserhalmi M, Prohászka Z, Szilágyi Á, Veszeli N, Szabó E, Uzonyi B, Iliás A, Aigner C, Schmidt A, Gaggl M, Sunder-Plassmann G, Bajcsi D, Brunner J, Dumfarth A, Cejka D, Flaschberger S, Flögelova H, Haris Á, Hartmann Á, Heilos A, Mueller T, Rusai K, Arbeiter K, Hofer J, Jakab D, Sinkó M, Szigeti E, Bereczki C, Janko V, Kelen K, Reusz GS, Szabó AJ, Klenk N, Kóbor K, Kojc N, Knechtelsdorfer M, Laganovic M, Lungu AC, Meglic A, Rus R, Kersnik Levart T, Macioniene E, Miglinas M, Pawłowska A, Stompór T, Podracka L, Rudnicki M, Mayer G, Rysava R, Reiterova J, Saraga M, Seeman T, Zieg J, Sládková E, Stajic N, Szabó T, Capitanescu A, Stancu S, Tisljar M, Galesic K, Tislér A, Vainumäe I, Windpessl M, Zaoral T, Zlatanova G, Józsi M, Csuka D. FHR-5 Serum Levels and CFHR5 Genetic Variations in Patients With Immune Complex-Mediated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis and C3-Glomerulopathy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:720183. [PMID: 34566977 PMCID: PMC8461307 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.720183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Factor H-related protein 5 (FHR-5) is a member of the complement Factor H protein family. Due to the homology to Factor H, the main complement regulator of the alternative pathway, it may also be implicated in the pathomechanism of kidney diseases where Factor H and alternative pathway dysregulation play a role. Here, we report the first observational study on CFHR5 variations along with serum FHR-5 levels in immune complex-mediated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) patients together with the clinical, genetic, complement, and follow-up data. Methods A total of 120 patients with a histologically proven diagnosis of IC-MPGN/C3G were enrolled in the study. FHR-5 serum levels were measured in ELISA, the CFHR5 gene was analyzed by Sanger sequencing, and selected variants were studied as recombinant proteins in ELISA and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Results Eight exonic CFHR5 variations in 14 patients (12.6%) were observed. Serum FHR-5 levels were lower in patients compared to controls. Low serum FHR-5 concentration at presentation associated with better renal survival during the follow-up period; furthermore, it showed clear association with signs of complement overactivation and clinically meaningful clusters. Conclusions Our observations raise the possibility that the FHR-5 protein plays a fine-tuning role in the pathogenesis of IC-MPGN/C3G.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nóra Garam
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marcell Cserhalmi
- MTA-ELTE Complement Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Prohászka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University-Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Szilágyi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Veszeli
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University-Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Edina Szabó
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barbara Uzonyi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Iliás
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Christof Aigner
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alice Schmidt
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martina Gaggl
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gere Sunder-Plassmann
- Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dóra Bajcsi
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Jürgen Brunner
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Alexandra Dumfarth
- Department of Medicine III: Nephrology, Transplant Medicine and Rheumatology, Geriatric Department, Ordensklinikum Linz-Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | - Daniel Cejka
- Department of Medicine III: Nephrology, Transplant Medicine and Rheumatology, Geriatric Department, Ordensklinikum Linz-Elisabethinen, Linz, Austria
| | | | - Hana Flögelova
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University and Faculty Hospital in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Ágnes Haris
- Department of Nephrology, Péterfy Hospital, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Hartmann
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Andreas Heilos
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Krisztina Rusai
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Arbeiter
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Gastroenterology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Hofer
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Institute of Neurology of Senses and Language, Hospital of St John of God, Linz, Austria.,Research Institute for Developmental Medicine, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Dániel Jakab
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Mária Sinkó
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Erika Szigeti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Csaba Bereczki
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | | | - Kata Kelen
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - György S Reusz
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila J Szabó
- 1st Department of Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Klenk
- Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) Center of Dialysis, Miskolc, Hungary
| | - Krisztina Kóbor
- Fresenius Medical Care (FMC) Center of Dialysis, Miskolc, Hungary
| | - Nika Kojc
- Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | - Mario Laganovic
- Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Center Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Anamarija Meglic
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rina Rus
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kersnik Levart
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Division of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ernesta Macioniene
- Nephrology Center, Santaros Klinikos, Medical Faculty, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marius Miglinas
- Nephrology Center, Santaros Klinikos, Medical Faculty, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Anna Pawłowska
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tomasz Stompór
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ludmila Podracka
- Department of Pediatrics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michael Rudnicki
- Department of Internal Medicine IV-Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gert Mayer
- Department of Internal Medicine IV-Nephrology and Hypertension, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Romana Rysava
- Nephrology Clinic, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Reiterova
- Nephrology Clinic, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czechia
| | - Marijan Saraga
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Split, Split, Croatia.,School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
| | - Tomáš Seeman
- Department of Pediatrics, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, University Hospital Motol, Pragu, Czechia
| | - Jakub Zieg
- Department of Pediatrics, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague, University Hospital Motol, Pragu, Czechia
| | - Eva Sládková
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Natasa Stajic
- Institute of Mother and Childhealth Care of Serbia "Dr Vukan Čupić", Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tamás Szabó
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Debrecen University, Debrecen, Hungary
| | | | - Simona Stancu
- Carol Davila Nephrology Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Miroslav Tisljar
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Dubrava Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kresimir Galesic
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Dubrava Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - András Tislér
- Department of Internal Medicine and Oncology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Inga Vainumäe
- Department of Pathology, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martin Windpessl
- Internal Medicine IV, Section of Nephrology, Klinikum Wels-Grieskirchen, Wels, Austria
| | - Tomas Zaoral
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Ostrava, Czechia
| | - Galia Zlatanova
- University Children's Hospital, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Mihály Józsi
- MTA-ELTE Complement Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Csuka
- Department of Internal Medicine and Haematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University-Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
de Jong S, Volokhina EB, de Breuk A, Nilsson SC, de Jong EK, van der Kar NCAJ, Bakker B, Hoyng CB, van den Heuvel LP, Blom AM, den Hollander AI. Effect of rare coding variants in the CFI gene on Factor I expression levels. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 29:2313-2324. [PMID: 32510551 PMCID: PMC7424754 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddaa114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Factor I (FI) is one of the main inhibitors of complement activity, and numerous rare coding variants have been reported in patients with age-related macular degeneration, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and C3 glomerulopathy. Since many of these variants are of unknown clinical significance, this study aimed to determine the effect of rare coding variants in the complement factor I (CFI) gene on FI expression. We measured FI levels in plasma samples of carriers of rare coding variants and in vitro in the supernatants of epithelial cells expressing recombinant FI. FI levels were measured in 177 plasma samples of 155 individuals, carrying 24 different rare coding variants in CFI. In carriers of the variants p.Gly119Arg, p.Leu131Arg, p.Gly188Ala and c.772G>A (r.685_773del), significantly reduced FI plasma levels were detected. Furthermore, recombinant FI expression levels were determined for 126 rare coding variants. Of these variants 68 (54%) resulted in significantly reduced FI expression in supernatant compared to wildtype (WT). The recombinant protein expression levels correlated significantly with the FI level in plasma of carriers of CFI variants. In this study, we performed the most comprehensive FI expression level analysis of rare coding variants in CFI to date. More than half of CFI variants lead to reduced FI expression, which might impair complement regulation in vivo. Our study will aid the interpretation of rare coding CFI variants identified in clinical practice, which is in particular important in light of patient inclusion in ongoing clinical trials for CFI gene supplementation in AMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elena B Volokhina
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anita de Breuk
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sara C Nilsson
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 21428 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eiko K de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole C A J van der Kar
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bjorn Bakker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Carel B Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert P van den Heuvel
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Blom
- Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, 21428 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Anneke I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Khan AH, Sutton J, Cree AJ, Khandhadia S, De Salvo G, Tobin J, Prakash P, Arora R, Amoaku W, Charbel Issa P, MacLaren RE, Bishop PN, Peto T, Mohamed Q, Steel DH, Sivaprasad S, Bailey C, Menon G, Kavanagh D, Lotery AJ. Prevalence and phenotype associations of complement factor I mutations in geographic atrophy. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:1139-1152. [PMID: 34153144 PMCID: PMC9290714 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Rare variants in the complement factor I (CFI) gene, associated with low serum factor I (FI) levels, are strong risk factors for developing the advanced stages of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). No studies have been undertaken on the prevalence of disease-causing CFI mutations in patients with geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to AMD. A multicenter, cross-sectional, noninterventional study was undertaken to identify the prevalence of pathogenic rare CFI gene variants in an unselected cohort of patients with GA and low FI levels. A genotype-phenotype study was performed. Four hundred and sixty-eight patients with GA secondary to AMD were recruited to the study, and 19.4% (n = 91) demonstrated a low serum FI concentration (below 15.6 μg/ml). CFI gene sequencing on these patients resulted in the detection of rare CFI variants in 4.7% (n = 22) of recruited patients. The prevalence of CFI variants in patients with low serum FI levels and GA was 25%. Of the total patients recruited, 3.2% (n = 15) expressed a CFI variant classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic. The presence of reticular pseudodrusen was detected in all patients with pathogenic CFI gene variants. Patients with pathogenic CFI gene variants and low serum FI levels might be suitable for FI supplementation in therapeutic trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adnan H Khan
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Janice Sutton
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Angela J Cree
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Samir Khandhadia
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - Gabriella De Salvo
- Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - John Tobin
- Gyroscope Therapeutics Limited, Stevenage, UK
| | - Priya Prakash
- The Eye Unit, The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Harlow, UK
| | - Rashi Arora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Salisbury District Hospital, Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, Salisbury, UK
| | - Winfried Amoaku
- Eye and ENT Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter Charbel Issa
- Oxford Eye Hospital and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robert E MacLaren
- Oxford Eye Hospital and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK.,Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Paul N Bishop
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Tunde Peto
- Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Quresh Mohamed
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucester, UK
| | - David H Steel
- Sunderland Eye Infirmary, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland, UK.,Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sobha Sivaprasad
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Clare Bailey
- Clinical Research Unit, Bristol Eye Hospital, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Geeta Menon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Camberley, UK
| | - David Kavanagh
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,Southampton Eye Unit, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Suvarna K, Biswas D, Pai MGJ, Acharjee A, Bankar R, Palanivel V, Salkar A, Verma A, Mukherjee A, Choudhury M, Ghantasala S, Ghosh S, Singh A, Banerjee A, Badaya A, Bihani S, Loya G, Mantri K, Burli A, Roy J, Srivastava A, Agrawal S, Shrivastav O, Shastri J, Srivastava S. Proteomics and Machine Learning Approaches Reveal a Set of Prognostic Markers for COVID-19 Severity With Drug Repurposing Potential. Front Physiol 2021; 12:652799. [PMID: 33995121 PMCID: PMC8120435 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.652799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pestilential pathogen SARS-CoV-2 has led to a seemingly ceaseless pandemic of COVID-19. The healthcare sector is under a tremendous burden, thus necessitating the prognosis of COVID-19 severity. This in-depth study of plasma proteome alteration provides insights into the host physiological response towards the infection and also reveals the potential prognostic markers of the disease. Using label-free quantitative proteomics, we performed deep plasma proteome analysis in a cohort of 71 patients (20 COVID-19 negative, 18 COVID-19 non-severe, and 33 severe) to understand the disease dynamics. Of the 1200 proteins detected in the patient plasma, 38 proteins were identified to be differentially expressed between non-severe and severe groups. The altered plasma proteome revealed significant dysregulation in the pathways related to peptidase activity, regulated exocytosis, blood coagulation, complement activation, leukocyte activation involved in immune response, and response to glucocorticoid biological processes in severe cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, we employed supervised machine learning (ML) approaches using a linear support vector machine model to identify the classifiers of patients with non-severe and severe COVID-19. The model used a selected panel of 20 proteins and classified the samples based on the severity with a classification accuracy of 0.84. Putative biomarkers such as angiotensinogen and SERPING1 and ML-derived classifiers including the apolipoprotein B, SERPINA3, and fibrinogen gamma chain were validated by targeted mass spectrometry-based multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) assays. We also employed an in silico screening approach against the identified target proteins for the therapeutic management of COVID-19. We shortlisted two FDA-approved drugs, namely, selinexor and ponatinib, which showed the potential of being repurposed for COVID-19 therapeutics. Overall, this is the first most comprehensive plasma proteome investigation of COVID-19 patients from the Indian population, and provides a set of potential biomarkers for the disease severity progression and targets for therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kruthi Suvarna
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Deeptarup Biswas
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Medha Gayathri J. Pai
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Arup Acharjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Renuka Bankar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Viswanthram Palanivel
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Akanksha Salkar
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Ayushi Verma
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Amrita Mukherjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Manisha Choudhury
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Saicharan Ghantasala
- Centre for Research in Nanotechnology and Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Susmita Ghosh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Avinash Singh
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Arghya Banerjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Apoorva Badaya
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Surbhi Bihani
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Gaurish Loya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Krishi Mantri
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Ananya Burli
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Jyotirmoy Roy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Alisha Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Sachee Agrawal
- Kasturba Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mumbai, India
| | - Om Shrivastav
- Kasturba Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Mumbai, India
| | | | - Sanjeeva Srivastava
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Tsiftsoglou SA. SARS-CoV-2 associated Complement genetic variants possibly deregulate the activation of the Alternative pathway affecting the severity of infection. Mol Immunol 2021; 135:421-425. [PMID: 33838929 PMCID: PMC7997388 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Stefanos A Tsiftsoglou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Functional expression of complement factor I following AAV-mediated gene delivery in the retina of mice and human cells. Gene Ther 2021; 28:265-276. [PMID: 33750925 PMCID: PMC8149295 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00239-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterised by loss of central vision and currently has no approved medical treatment. Dysregulation of the complement system is thought to play an important role in disease pathology and supplementation of Complement Factor I (CFI), a key regulator of the complement system, has the potential to provide a treatment option for AMD. In this study, we demonstrate the generation of AAV constructs carrying the human CFI sequence and expression of CFI in cell lines and in the retina of C57BL/6 J mice. Four codon optimised constructs were compared to the most common human CFI sequence. All constructs expressed CFI protein; however, most codon optimised sequences resulted in significantly reduced CFI secretion compared to the non-optimised CFI sequence. In vivo expression analysis showed that CFI was predominantly expressed in the RPE and photoreceptors. Secreted protein in vitreous humour was demonstrated to be functionally active. The findings presented here have led to the formulation of an AAV-vectored gene therapy product currently being tested in a first-in-human clinical trial in subjects with geographic atrophy secondary to dry AMD (NCT03846193).
Collapse
|
26
|
Tseng MH, Fan WL, Liu H, Yang CY, Ding JJ, Lee HJ, Huang SM, Lin SH, Huang JL. Complement Factor I Mutation May Contribute to Development of Thrombotic Microangiopathy in Lupus Nephritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 7:621609. [PMID: 33614676 PMCID: PMC7892619 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.621609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Renal thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is associated with complement overactivation and poor outcome in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). The role of genetic makeup of complement system in these patients remains to be elucidated. Methods: The clinical and laboratory characteristics of 100 patients with LN during 2010-2017 were retrospectively analyzed. LN patients with renal TMA and condition-matched LN patients without renal TMA were studied. Twenty normal subjects were also enrolled for comparison. Whole exome sequence followed by Sanger sequence was used in our study cohort. Results: Eight patients with renal TMA and eight condition-matched patients were enrolled from 100 LN patients with mean age 11.2 ± 2.0 years. Compared with condition-matched LN patients without renal TMA, LN patients with renal TMA exhibited statistically higher serum urea. Although most patients with renal TMA responded to plasma exchange, they had significantly higher relapse rate of nephritis, lower remission rate, and higher risk of end-stage renal disease and mortality. Compared with patients without renal TMA and normal subjects, those with renal TMA had significantly lower serum complement factor H (CFH) and plasma ADAMTS13 activity. Molecular analysis of all 100 patients with LN uncovered that three patients with renal TMA harbored mutations, two missense and non-sense, on CFI and CFHR2. The non-sense mutation, E302X, on CFI may impair its interaction C3b/CFH complex by loss of the heavy chain of complement factor I on simulation model. Conclusion: In addition to low serum CFH level and plasma ADAMTS13 activity, defects in genes responsible for complement regulatory proteins may contribute to the development of renal TMA in patients with LN.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hua Tseng
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Pediatrics, Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Ximen, China
| | - Wen-Lang Fan
- Genomic Medicine Core Laboratory, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsuan Liu
- College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Lin-Kou Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Yang
- College of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Molecular Medicine Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jhao-Jhuang Ding
- Department of Pediatrics, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Jen Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ming Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Hua Lin
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Long Huang
- Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Cell-Type-Specific Complement Profiling in the ABCA4 -/- Mouse Model of Stargardt Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228468. [PMID: 33187113 PMCID: PMC7697683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stargardt macular degeneration is an inherited retinal disease caused by mutations in the ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 4 (ABCA4) gene. Here, we characterized the complement expression profile in ABCA4−/− retinae and aligned these findings with morphological markers of retinal degeneration. We found an enhanced retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) autofluorescence, cell loss in the inner retina of ABCA4−/− mice and demonstrated age-related differences in complement expression in various retinal cell types irrespective of the genotype. However, 24-week-old ABCA4−/− mice expressed more c3 in the RPE and fewer cfi transcripts in the microglia compared to controls. At the protein level, the decrease of complement inhibitors (complement factor I, CFI) in retinae, as well as an increased C3b/C3 ratio in the RPE/choroid and retinae of ABCA4−/−, mice was confirmed. We showed a corresponding increase of the C3d/C3 ratio in the serum of ABCA4−/− mice, while no changes were observed for CFI. Our findings suggest an overactive complement cascade in the ABCA4−/− retinae that possibly contributes to pathological alterations, including microglial activation and neurodegeneration. Overall, this underpins the importance of well-balanced complement homeostasis to maintain retinal integrity.
Collapse
|
28
|
Tang YY, Li YT, Zha XH, Zhang DZ, Tang BP, Liu QN, Jiang SH, Dai LS. A complement factor I (CFI) gene mediates innate immune responses in yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Genomics 2020; 113:1257-1264. [PMID: 32949684 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2020.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This study isolated CFI gene from Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and named it PfCFI. The cDNA of PfCFI is 2374 bp long, including a 52 bp 5' untranslated sequence, a 222 bp 3' untranslated sequence, and an open reading frame (ORF) of 2100 bp encoding polypeptide consisting of 699 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the PfCFI was closely related to CFI of Ictalurus punctatus. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicate that there is the PfCFI gene which expressed in all the rest of tested tissues in varied levels, and mainly distributed in liver and least in heart. The reseachers induce the expressions level of PfCFI gene in liver, spleen, head kidney and blood at different points in time after challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C), respectively. Together these results suggested that CFI gene plays an important role in resistance to pathogens in yellow catfish immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Yu Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China; School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China; College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanjing 210009, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue-Tian Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, College of Aquaculture and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Han Zha
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China
| | - Dai-Zhen Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Ping Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiu-Ning Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sen-Hao Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Bioresources of Saline Soils, Jiangsu Synthetic Innovation Center for Coastal Bio-agriculture, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, School of Wetland, Yancheng Teachers University, Yancheng 224007, People's Republic of China.
| | - Li-Shang Dai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Deciphering the Intricate Roles of Radiation Therapy and Complement Activation in Cancer. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2020; 108:46-55. [PMID: 32629082 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2020.06.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The complement system consists of a collection of serum proteins that act as the main frontline effector arm of the innate immune system. Activation of complement can occur through 3 individual induction pathways: the classical, mannose-binding lectin, and alternative pathways. Activation results in opsonization, recruitment of effector cells through potent immune mediators known as anaphylatoxins, and cell lysis via the formation of the membrane attack complex. Stringent regulation of complement is required to protect against inappropriate activation of the complement cascade. Complement activation within the tumor microenvironment does not increase antitumoral action; instead, it enhances tumor growth and disease progression. Radiation therapy (RT) is a staple in the treatment of malignancies and controls tumor growth through direct DNA damage and the influx of immune cells, reshaping the makeup of the tumor microenvironment. The relationship between RT and complement activity in the tumor microenvironment is uncertain at best. The following review will focus on the complex interaction of complement activation and the immune-modulating effects of RT and the overall effect on tumor progression. The clinical implications of complement activation in cancer and the use of therapeutics and potential biomarkers will also be covered.
Collapse
|
30
|
Boon L, Ugarte-Berzal E, Vandooren J, Opdenakker G. Protease propeptide structures, mechanisms of activation, and functions. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 55:111-165. [PMID: 32290726 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2020.1742090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Proteases are a diverse group of hydrolytic enzymes, ranging from single-domain catalytic molecules to sophisticated multi-functional macromolecules. Human proteases are divided into five mechanistic classes: aspartate, cysteine, metallo, serine and threonine proteases, based on the catalytic mechanism of hydrolysis. As a protective mechanism against uncontrolled proteolysis, proteases are often produced and secreted as inactive precursors, called zymogens, containing inhibitory N-terminal propeptides. Protease propeptide structures vary considerably in length, ranging from dipeptides and propeptides of about 10 amino acids to complex multifunctional prodomains with hundreds of residues. Interestingly, sequence analysis of the different protease domains has demonstrated that propeptide sequences present higher heterogeneity compared with their catalytic domains. Therefore, we suggest that protease inhibition targeting propeptides might be more specific and have less off-target effects than classical inhibitors. The roles of propeptides, besides keeping protease latency, include correct folding of proteases, compartmentalization, liganding, and functional modulation. Changes in the propeptide sequence, thus, have a tremendous impact on the cognate enzymes. Small modifications of the propeptide sequences modulate the activity of the enzymes, which may be useful as a therapeutic strategy. This review provides an overview of known human proteases, with a focus on the role of their propeptides. We review propeptide functions, activation mechanisms, and possible therapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lise Boon
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Estefania Ugarte-Berzal
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jennifer Vandooren
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ghislain Opdenakker
- Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Perkins SJ. Genetic and Protein Structural Evaluation of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and C3 Glomerulopathy. Adv Chronic Kidney Dis 2020; 27:120-127.e4. [PMID: 32553244 DOI: 10.1053/j.ackd.2020.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) are associated with loss of regulation of the alternative pathway of complement and its resulting overactivation. As rare diseases, genetic variants leading to aHUS and C3G were previously analysed in relatively low patient numbers. To improve this analysis, data were pooled from six centres. Totals of 610 rare variants for aHUS and 82 for C3G were presented in an interactive database for 13 genes. Using allele frequency comparisons with the Exome Aggregation Consortium as a reference genome, the patients with aHUS showed significantly more protein-altering ultrarare variants (allele frequency <0.01%) in five genes CFH, CFI, CD46, C3, and DGKE. In patients with C3G, the corresponding association was only found for C3 and CFH. Protein structure analyses of these five proteins showed distinct differences in the positioning of these variants in C3 and FH. For aHUS, variants were clustered at the C-terminus of FH and implicated changes in the binding of FH to host cell surfaces. For C3G, variants were clustered at the N-terminal C3b binding site of FH and implicated changes in the fluid-phase regulation of C3b. We discuss the utility of the Web database as a patient resource for clinicians.
Collapse
|
32
|
Reichhardt MP, Loimaranta V, Lea SM, Johnson S. Structures of SALSA/DMBT1 SRCR domains reveal the conserved ligand-binding mechanism of the ancient SRCR fold. Life Sci Alliance 2020; 3:3/4/e201900502. [PMID: 32098784 PMCID: PMC7043408 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.201900502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The structures of SALSA SRCR domains 1 and 8 reveal a cation-dependent mechanism for ligand recognition, contributing to important roles in the immune system and cellular signalling. The cation-binding sites are conserved across all SRCR domains, suggesting conserved functional mechanisms. The scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) family of proteins comprises more than 20 membrane-associated and secreted molecules. Characterised by the presence of one or more copies of the ∼110 amino-acid SRCR domain, this class of proteins have widespread functions as antimicrobial molecules, scavenger receptors, and signalling receptors. Despite the high level of structural conservation of SRCR domains, no unifying mechanism for ligand interaction has been described. The SRCR protein SALSA, also known as DMBT1/gp340, is a key player in mucosal immunology. Based on detailed structural data of SALSA SRCR domains 1 and 8, we here reveal a novel universal ligand-binding mechanism for SALSA ligands. The binding interface incorporates a dual cation-binding site, which is highly conserved across the SRCR superfamily. Along with the well-described cation dependency on most SRCR domain–ligand interactions, our data suggest that the binding mechanism described for the SALSA SRCR domains is applicable to all SRCR domains. We thus propose to have identified in SALSA a conserved functional mechanism for the SRCR class of proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Susan M Lea
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Central Oxford Structural Molecular Imaging Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Steven Johnson
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Álvarez I, Fernández I, Traoré A, Pérez-Pardal L, Menéndez-Arias NA, Goyache F. Genomic scan of selective sweeps in Djallonké (West African Dwarf) sheep shed light on adaptation to harsh environments. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2824. [PMID: 32071365 PMCID: PMC7028950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59839-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Djallonké (West African Dwarf) sheep is a small-sized haired sheep resulting from a costly evolutionary process of natural adaptation to the harsh environment of West Africa including trypanosome challenge. However, genomic studies carried out in this sheep are scant. In this research, genomic data of 184 Djallonké sheep (and 12 Burkina-Sahel sheep as an outgroup) generated using medium-density SNP Chips were analyzed. Three different statistics (iHS, XP-EHH and nSL) were applied to identify candidate selection sweep regions spanning genes putatively associated with adaptation of sheep to the West African environment. A total of 207 candidate selection sweep regions were defined. Gene-annotation enrichment and functional annotation analyses allowed to identify three statistically significant functional clusters involving 12 candidate genes. Genes included in Functional Clusters associated to selection signatures were mainly related to metabolic response to stress, including regulation of oxidative and metabolic stress and thermotolerance. The bovine chromosomal areas carrying QTLs for cattle trypanotolerance were compared with the regions on which the orthologous functional candidate cattle genes were located. The importance of cattle BTA4 for trypanotolerant response might have been conserved between species. The current research provides new insights on the genomic basis for adaptation and highlights the importance of obtaining information from non-cosmopolite livestock populations managed in harsh environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Álvarez
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, E-33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Iván Fernández
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, E-33394, Gijón, Spain
| | - Amadou Traoré
- Institut de l'Environnement et des Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Ouagadougou, 04 BP 8645, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Félix Goyache
- Servicio Regional de Investigación y Desarrollo Agroalimentario, E-33394, Gijón, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Jia BB, Jin CD, Li MF. The trypsin-like serine protease domain of Paralichthys olivaceus complement factor I regulates complement activation and inhibits bacterial growth. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 97:18-26. [PMID: 31830570 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2019.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, complement factor I (CFI) is a serine protease in serum and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of complement activation. In the presence of cofactor, CFI cleaves C3b to iC3b, and further degrades iC3b to C3c and C3d. In teleost, the function of CFI is poorly understood. In this study, we examined the immunological property of CFI from Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) (PoCFI), a teleost species with important economic value. PoCFI is composed of 597 amino acid residues and possesses a trypsin-like serine protease (Tryp) domain. We found that PoCFI expressions occurred in nine different tissues and were upregulated by bacterial challenge. Recombinant PoCFI-Tryp (rPoCFI-Tryp) inhibited complement activation and degraded C3b in serum. rPoCFI-Tryp exhibited apparent binding capacities to a board-spectrum of bacteria and inhibited bacterial growth. These results provide the first evidence to indicate that CFI in teleost negatively regulates complement activation via degradation C3b, and probably plays a role in host immune defense against bacterial infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bei-Bei Jia
- CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, CAS Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng-Dong Jin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, CAS Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mo-Fei Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology, CAS Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology Qingdao, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Goettig P, Brandstetter H, Magdolen V. Surface loops of trypsin-like serine proteases as determinants of function. Biochimie 2019; 166:52-76. [PMID: 31505212 PMCID: PMC7615277 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Trypsin and chymotrypsin-like serine proteases from family S1 (clan PA) constitute the largest protease group in humans and more generally in vertebrates. The prototypes chymotrypsin, trypsin and elastase represent simple digestive proteases in the gut, where they cleave nearly any protein. Multidomain trypsin-like proteases are key players in the tightly controlled blood coagulation and complement systems, as well as related proteases that are secreted from diverse immune cells. Some serine proteases are expressed in nearly all tissues and fluids of the human body, such as the human kallikreins and kallikrein-related peptidases with specialization for often unique substrates and accurate timing of activity. HtrA and membrane-anchored serine proteases fulfill important physiological tasks with emerging roles in cancer. The high diversity of all family members, which share the tandem β-barrel architecture of the chymotrypsin-fold in the catalytic domain, is conferred by the large differences of eight surface loops, surrounding the active site. The length of these loops alters with insertions and deletions, resulting in remarkably different three-dimensional arrangements. In addition, metal binding sites for Na+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ serve as regulatory elements, as do N-glycosylation sites. Depending on the individual tasks of the protease, the surface loops determine substrate specificity, control the turnover and allow regulation of activation, activity and degradation by other proteins, which are often serine proteases themselves. Most intriguingly, in some serine proteases, the surface loops interact as allosteric network, partially tuned by protein co-factors. Knowledge of these subtle and complicated molecular motions may allow nowadays for new and specific pharmaceutical or medical approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Goettig
- Division of Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria.
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Division of Structural Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Billrothstrasse 11, 5020, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Viktor Magdolen
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, München, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Bewersdorff T, Gruber A, Eravci M, Dumbani M, Klinger D, Haase A. Amphiphilic nanogels: influence of surface hydrophobicity on protein corona, biocompatibility and cellular uptake. Int J Nanomedicine 2019; 14:7861-7878. [PMID: 31576128 PMCID: PMC6769055 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s215935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nanogels (NGs) are promising drug delivery tools but are typically limited to hydrophilic drugs. Many potential new drugs are hydrophobic. Our study systematically investigates amphiphilic NGs with varying hydrophobicity, but similar colloidal features to ensure comparability. The amphiphilic NGs used in this experiment consist of a hydrophilic polymer network with randomly distributed hydrophobic groups. For the synthesis we used a new synthetic platform approach. Their amphiphilic character allows the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs. Importantly, the hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance determines drug loading and biological interactions. In particular, protein adsorption to NG surfaces is dependent on hydrophobicity and critically determines circulation time. Our study investigates how network hydrophobicity influences protein binding, biocompatibility and cellular uptake. METHODS Biocompatibility of the NGs was examined by WST-1 assay in monocytic-like THP-1 cells. Serum protein corona formation was investigated using dynamic light scattering and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, cellular uptake was analyzed via flow cytometry. RESULTS All NGs were highly biocompatible. The protein binding patterns for the two most hydrophobic NGs were very similar to each other but clearly different from the hydrophilic ones. Overall, protein binding was increased with increasing hydrophobicity, resulting in increased cellular uptake. CONCLUSION Our study supports the establishment of structure-property relationships and contributes to the accurate balance between maximum loading capacity with low protein binding, optimal biological half-life and good biocompatibility. This is an important step to derive design principles of amphiphilic NGs to be applied as drug delivery vehicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tony Bewersdorff
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gruber
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Berlin, Germany
| | - Murat Eravci
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Malti Dumbani
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Klinger
- Freie Universität Berlin, Institute of Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Haase
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Department of Chemical and Product Safety, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Peng H, Hulleman JD. Prospective Application of Activity-Based Proteomic Profiling in Vision Research-Potential Unique Insights into Ocular Protease Biology and Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20163855. [PMID: 31398819 PMCID: PMC6720450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-based proteomic profiling (ABPP) is a powerful tool to specifically target and measure the activity of a family of enzymes with the same function and reactivity, which provides a significant advantage over conventional proteomic strategies that simply provide abundance information. A number of inherited and age-related eye diseases are caused by polymorphisms/mutations or abnormal expression of proteases including serine proteases, cysteine proteases, and matrix metalloproteinases, amongst others. However, neither conventional genomic, transcriptomic, nor traditional proteomic profiling directly interrogate protease activities. Thus, leveraging ABPP to probe the activity of these enzyme classes as they relate to normal function and pathophysiology of the eye represents a unique potential opportunity for disease interrogation and possibly intervention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Peng
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9057, USA
| | - John D Hulleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390-9057, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shields AM, Pagnamenta AT, Pollard AJ, Taylor JC, Allroggen H, Patel SY. Classical and Non-classical Presentations of Complement Factor I Deficiency: Two Contrasting Cases Diagnosed via Genetic and Genomic Methods. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1150. [PMID: 31231365 PMCID: PMC6568211 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency of complement factor I is a rare immunodeficiency that typically presents with increased susceptibility to encapsulated bacterial infections. However, non-infectious presentations including rheumatological, dermatological and neurological disease are increasingly recognized and require a high-index of suspicion to reach a timely diagnosis. Herein, we present two contrasting cases of complement factor I deficiency: one presenting in childhood with invasive pneumococcal disease, diagnosed using conventional immunoassays and genetics and the second presenting in adolescence with recurrent sterile neuroinflammation, diagnosed via a genomic approach. Our report and review of the literature highlight the wide spectrum of clinical presentations associated with CFI deficiency and the power of genomic medicine to inform rare disease diagnoses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian M Shields
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.,Department of Clinical Immunology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alistair T Pagnamenta
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jenny C Taylor
- NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Holger Allroggen
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Coventry, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Smita Y Patel
- Clinical Immunology Service, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Lachmann PJ. The story of complement factor I. Immunobiology 2019; 224:511-517. [PMID: 31109748 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Factor I was first discovered in 1966. Its importance became apparent with the description of the original Factor I deficient patient in Boston in 1967. This patient presented with a hyperactive alternative complement pathway resulting in secondary complement deficiency due to continuous complement consumption. On the basis of these findings, the mechanism of the alternative pathway was worked out. In 1975, the surprise finding was made that elevating levels of Factor I in plasma down-regulated the alternative pathway. Attempts to exploit this finding for clinical use had a long and frustrating history and it was not until 2019 that the first patient was treated with the gene therapy vector for age related macular degeneration by Professor Sir Robert MacLaren in Oxford. This review follows the long and contorted course from initial observations to clinical use of complement Factor I.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Lachmann
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Molecular engineering of an efficient four-domain DAF-MCP chimera reveals the presence of functional modularity in RCA proteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:9953-9958. [PMID: 31036650 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1818573116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The complement system is highly efficient in targeting pathogens, but lack of its apposite regulation results in host-cell damage, which is linked to diseases. Thus, complement activation is tightly regulated by a series of proteins, which primarily belong to the regulators of complement activation (RCA) family. Structurally, these proteins are composed of repeating complement control protein (CCP) domains where two to four successive domains contribute to the regulatory functions termed decay-accelerating activity (DAA) and cofactor activity (CFA). However, the precise constitution of the functional units and whether these units can be joined to form a larger composition with dual function have not been demonstrated. Herein, we have parsed the functional units for DAA and CFA by constructing chimeras of the decay-accelerating factor (DAF) that exhibits DAA and membrane cofactor protein (MCP) that exhibits CFA. We show that in a four-CCP framework, a functional unit for each of the regulatory activities is formed by only two successive CCPs wherein each participates in the function, albeit CCP2 has a bipartite function. Additionally, optimal activity requires C-terminal domains that enhance the avidity of the molecule for C3b/C4b. Furthermore, by composing a four-CCP DAF-MCP chimera with robust CFA (for C3b and C4b) and DAA (for classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases), named decay cofactor protein, we show that CCP functional units can be linked to design a dual-activity regulator. These data indicate that the regulatory determinants for these two biological processes are distinct and modular in nature.
Collapse
|
41
|
Java A, Pozzi N, Love-Gregory LD, Heusel JW, Sung YJ, Hu Z, Bertram P, Liszewski MK, Cline LM, Ren Z, Atkinson JP. A Multimodality Approach to Assessing Factor I Genetic Variants in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. Kidney Int Rep 2019; 4:1007-1017. [PMID: 31312772 PMCID: PMC6609824 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anuja Java
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicola Pozzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Edward A. Doisy Research Center, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Latisha D Love-Gregory
- Genomic and Pathology Services, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Jonathan W Heusel
- Genomic and Pathology Services, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Yun Ju Sung
- Department of Medicine, Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zheng Hu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Paula Bertram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - M Kathryn Liszewski
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Laura M Cline
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zhen Ren
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - John P Atkinson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Zhong H, Zhang H, Tang Z, Guo Z, Yan J, Xiao J, Luo Y, Zhou Y. Evidence for natural selection of immune genes from Parachromis managuensis by transcriptome sequencing. BIOTECHNOL BIOTEC EQ 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/13102818.2018.1519377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Zhong
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Qinzhou University, Qinzhou, PR China
| | - Zhanyang Tang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Zhongbao Guo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Jinpeng Yan
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, PR China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Yongju Luo
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| | - Yi Zhou
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Aquatic Genetic Breeding and Healthy Aquaculture, Guangxi Academy of Fishery Sciences, Nanning, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Dobó J, Kocsis A, Gál P. Be on Target: Strategies of Targeting Alternative and Lectin Pathway Components in Complement-Mediated Diseases. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1851. [PMID: 30135690 PMCID: PMC6092519 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system has moved into the focus of drug development efforts in the last decade, since its inappropriate or uncontrolled activation has been recognized in many diseases. Some of them are primarily complement-mediated rare diseases, such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, C3 glomerulonephritis, and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. Complement also plays a role in various multifactorial diseases that affect millions of people worldwide, such as ischemia reperfusion injury (myocardial infarction, stroke), age-related macular degeneration, and several neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the potential advantages of targeting various complement proteins with special emphasis on the components of the lectin (LP) and the alternative pathways (AP). The serine proteases (MASP-1/2/3, factor D, factor B), which are responsible for the activation of the cascade, are straightforward targets of inhibition, but the pattern recognition molecules (mannose-binding lectin, other collectins, and ficolins), the regulatory components (factor H, factor I, properdin), and C3 are also subjects of drug development. Recent discoveries about cross-talks between the LP and AP offer new approaches for clinical intervention. Mannan-binding lectin-associated serine proteases (MASPs) are not just responsible for LP activation, but they are also indispensable for efficient AP activation. Activated MASP-3 has recently been shown to be the enzyme that continuously supplies factor D (FD) for the AP by cleaving pro-factor D (pro-FD). In this aspect, MASP-3 emerges as a novel feasible target for the regulation of AP activity. MASP-1 was shown to be required for AP activity on various surfaces, first of all on LPS of Gram-negative bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- József Dobó
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea Kocsis
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Péter Gál
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Geerlings MJ, Volokhina EB, de Jong EK, van de Kar N, Pauper M, Hoyng CB, van den Heuvel LP, den Hollander AI. Genotype-phenotype correlations of low-frequency variants in the complement system in renal disease and age-related macular degeneration. Clin Genet 2018; 94:330-338. [PMID: 29888403 PMCID: PMC6175426 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Genetic alterations in the complement system have been linked to a variety of diseases, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), and age‐related macular degeneration (AMD). We performed sequence analysis of the complement genes complement factor H (CFH), complement factor I (CFI), and complement C3 (C3) in 866 aHUS/C3G and 697 AMD patients. In total, we identified 505 low‐frequency alleles, representing 121 unique variants, of which 51 are novel. CFH contained the largest number of unique low‐frequency variants (n = 64; 53%), followed by C3 (n = 32; 26%) and CFI (n = 25; 21%). A substantial number of variants were found in both patients groups (n = 48; 40%), while 41 (34%) variants were found only in aHUS/C3G and 32 (26%) variants were AMD specific. Genotype‐phenotype correlations between the disease groups identified a higher frequency of protein altering alleles in short consensus repeat 20 (SCR20) of factor H (FH), and in the serine protease domain of factor I (FI) in aHUS/C3G patients. In AMD, a higher frequency of protein‐altering alleles was observed in SCR3, SCR5, and SCR7 of FH, the SRCR domain of FI, and in the MG3 domain of C3. In conclusion, we observed a substantial overlap of variants between aHUS/C3G and AMD; however, there is a distinct clustering of variants within specific domains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Geerlings
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E B Volokhina
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - E K de Jong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - N van de Kar
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M Pauper
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - C B Hoyng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - L P van den Heuvel
- Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Amalia Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Department of Growth and Regeneration, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - A I den Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.,Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Jensen RK, Pihl R, Gadeberg TAF, Jensen JK, Andersen KR, Thiel S, Laursen NS, Andersen GR. A potent complement factor C3-specific nanobody inhibiting multiple functions in the alternative pathway of human and murine complement. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:6269-6281. [PMID: 29497000 PMCID: PMC5925797 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system is a complex, carefully regulated proteolytic cascade for which suppression of aberrant activation is of increasing clinical relevance, and inhibition of the complement alternative pathway is a subject of intense research. Here, we describe the nanobody hC3Nb1 that binds to multiple functional states of C3 with subnanomolar affinity. The nanobody causes a complete shutdown of alternative pathway activity in human and murine serum when present in concentrations comparable with that of C3, and hC3Nb1 is shown to prevent proconvertase assembly, as well as binding of the C3 substrate to C3 convertases. Our crystal structure of the C3b-hC3Nb1 complex and functional experiments demonstrate that proconvertase formation is blocked by steric hindrance between the nanobody and an Asn-linked glycan on complement factor B. In addition, hC3Nb1 is shown to prevent factor H binding to C3b, rationalizing its inhibition of factor I activity. Our results identify hC3Nb1 as a versatile, inexpensive, and powerful inhibitor of the alternative pathway in both human and murine in vitro model systems of complement activation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rasmus Pihl
- Biomedicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Jan K. Jensen
- From the Departments of Molecular Biology and Genetics and
| | | | - Steffen Thiel
- Biomedicine, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Gregers R. Andersen
- From the Departments of Molecular Biology and Genetics and , To whom correspondence should be addressed:
Dept. of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 10C, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark. Tel.:
45-5144-6530; Fax:
45-8619-6500; E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Nanthapisal S, Eleftheriou D, Gilmour K, Leone V, Ramnath R, Omoyinmi E, Hong Y, Klein N, Brogan PA. Cutaneous Vasculitis and Recurrent Infection Caused by Deficiency in Complement Factor I. Front Immunol 2018; 9:735. [PMID: 29696024 PMCID: PMC5904195 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis arises from immune complex deposition and dysregulated complement activation in small blood vessels. There are many causes, including dysregulated host response to infection, drug reactions, and various autoimmune conditions. It is increasingly recognised that some monogenic autoinflammatory diseases cause vasculitis, although genetic causes of vasculitis are extremely rare. We describe a child of consanguineous parents who presented with chronic cutaneous leukocytoclastic vasculitis, recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, and hypocomplementaemia. A homozygous p.His380Arg mutation in the complement factor I (CFI) gene CFI was identified as the cause, resulting in complete absence of alternative complement pathway activity, decreased classical complement activity, and low levels of serum factor I, C3, and factor H. C4 and C2 levels were normal. The same homozygous mutation and immunological defects were also identified in an asymptomatic sibling. CFI deficiency is thus now added to the growing list of monogenic causes of vasculitis and should always be considered in vasculitis patients found to have persistently low levels of C3 with normal C4.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sira Nanthapisal
- Infection Inflammation and Rheumatology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Despina Eleftheriou
- Infection Inflammation and Rheumatology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kimberly Gilmour
- Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Leone
- Department of Paediatric Rheumatology, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Radhika Ramnath
- Department of Histopathology, St. James University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ebun Omoyinmi
- Infection Inflammation and Rheumatology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Hong
- Infection Inflammation and Rheumatology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Klein
- Infection Inflammation and Rheumatology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A Brogan
- Infection Inflammation and Rheumatology Section, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Osborne AJ, Breno M, Borsa NG, Bu F, Frémeaux-Bacchi V, Gale DP, van den Heuvel LP, Kavanagh D, Noris M, Pinto S, Rallapalli PM, Remuzzi G, Rodríguez de Cordoba S, Ruiz A, Smith RJH, Vieira-Martins P, Volokhina E, Wilson V, Goodship THJ, Perkins SJ. Statistical Validation of Rare Complement Variants Provides Insights into the Molecular Basis of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and C3 Glomerulopathy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 200:2464-2478. [PMID: 29500241 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) are associated with dysregulation and overactivation of the complement alternative pathway. Typically, gene analysis for aHUS and C3G is undertaken in small patient numbers, yet it is unclear which genes most frequently predispose to aHUS or C3G. Accordingly, we performed a six-center analysis of 610 rare genetic variants in 13 mostly complement genes (CFH, CFI, CD46, C3, CFB, CFHR1, CFHR3, CFHR4, CFHR5, CFP, PLG, DGKE, and THBD) from >3500 patients with aHUS and C3G. We report 371 novel rare variants (RVs) for aHUS and 82 for C3G. Our new interactive Database of Complement Gene Variants was used to extract allele frequency data for these 13 genes using the Exome Aggregation Consortium server as the reference genome. For aHUS, significantly more protein-altering rare variation was found in five genes CFH, CFI, CD46, C3, and DGKE than in the Exome Aggregation Consortium (allele frequency < 0.01%), thus correlating these with aHUS. For C3G, an association was only found for RVs in C3 and the N-terminal C3b-binding or C-terminal nonsurface-associated regions of CFH In conclusion, the RV analyses showed nonrandom distributions over the affected proteins, and different distributions were observed between aHUS and C3G that clarify their phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amy J Osborne
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Matteo Breno
- Centro di Ricerche Cliniche per le Malattie Rare "Aldo e Cele Daccò," IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," 24020 Ranica Bergamo, Italy
| | - Nicolo Ghiringhelli Borsa
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Fengxiao Bu
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.,Medical Genetics Center, Southwest Hospital, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Véronique Frémeaux-Bacchi
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service d'Immunologie Biologique, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Daniel P Gale
- Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital, University College London, London NW3 2QG, United Kingdom
| | - Lambertus P van den Heuvel
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Growth and Regeneration, University Hospital Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Kavanagh
- The National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, United Kingdom.,Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Marina Noris
- Centro di Ricerche Cliniche per le Malattie Rare "Aldo e Cele Daccò," IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," 24020 Ranica Bergamo, Italy
| | - Sheila Pinto
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biological Research and Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pavithra M Rallapalli
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppe Remuzzi
- Centro di Ricerche Cliniche per le Malattie Rare "Aldo e Cele Daccò," IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri," 24020 Ranica Bergamo, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; and
| | - Santiago Rodríguez de Cordoba
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biological Research and Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Ruiz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biological Research and Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Richard J H Smith
- Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242
| | - Paula Vieira-Martins
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Service d'Immunologie Biologique, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Elena Volokhina
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Valerie Wilson
- Northern Molecular Genetics Service, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy H J Goodship
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3BZ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Perkins
- Department of Structural and Molecular Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom;
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Hajishengallis G, Reis ES, Mastellos DC, Ricklin D, Lambris JD. Novel mechanisms and functions of complement. Nat Immunol 2017; 18:1288-1298. [PMID: 29144501 PMCID: PMC5706779 DOI: 10.1038/ni.3858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 318] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Accepted: 09/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Progress at the beginning of the 21st century transformed the perception of complement from that of a blood-based antimicrobial system to that of a global regulator of immunity and tissue homeostasis. More recent years have witnessed remarkable advances in structure-function insights and understanding of the mechanisms and locations of complement activation, which have added new layers of complexity to the biology of complement. This complexity is readily reflected by the multifaceted and contextual involvement of complement-driven networks in a wide range of inflammatory and neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. This Review provides an updated view of new and previously unanticipated functions of complement and how these affect immunity and disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- George Hajishengallis
- Department of Microbiology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Edimara S Reis
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dimitrios C Mastellos
- Division of Biodiagnostic Sciences and Technologies, INRASTES, National Center for Scientific Research 'Demokritos', Aghia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
| | - Daniel Ricklin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - John D Lambris
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Early Versus Late Diagnosis of Complement Factor I Deficiency: Clinical Consequences Illustrated in Two Families with Novel Homozygous CFI Mutations. J Clin Immunol 2017; 37:781-789. [PMID: 28942469 DOI: 10.1007/s10875-017-0447-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The complement system is an important effector arm of innate immunity and plays a crucial role in the defense against common pathogens. But effective defense and maintenance of homeostasis requires a careful balance between complement activation and regulation. Factor I (FI) is one of the most important regulators of the complement system. Complete FI deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder typically resulting in severe, recurrent infection by encapsulated bacteria. In the present study, we describe two patients from unrelated families with complete FI deficiency diagnosed at very different ages: Patient 1 is a 60-year-old man who had experienced several severe infections (pneumonia, meningitis, sepsis) since childhood, one of which caused significant and permanent neurologic sequelae. In contrast, patient 2 was diagnosed at the age of 4 years after a single infectious episode (otitis media) and through detection of a flat beta2 peak on serum protein electrophoresis. This early diagnosis of FI deficiency enabled prompt implementation of a therapeutic intervention consisting of vaccination with encapsulated bacteria and prophylactic antibiotics. The two patients had novel homozygous mutations in the CFI gene (p.Gly162Asp and p.His380Arg) that disrupted protein function. Interestingly, p.His380Arg is the first mutation described affecting a residue of the highly conserved FI catalytic triad (His380, Asp429, and Ser525). This study illustrates the importance of early versus late diagnosis of FI deficiency and, in general, highlights the clinical relevance of prompt detection of complement system deficiencies.
Collapse
|
50
|
Species Specificity of Vaccinia Virus Complement Control Protein for the Bovine Classical Pathway Is Governed Primarily by Direct Interaction of Its Acidic Residues with Factor I. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00668-17. [PMID: 28724763 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00668-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Poxviruses display species tropism-variola virus is a human-specific virus, while vaccinia virus causes repeated outbreaks in dairy cattle. Consistent with this, variola virus complement regulator SPICE (smallpox inhibitor of complement enzymes) exhibits selectivity in inhibiting the human alternative complement pathway and vaccinia virus complement regulator VCP (vaccinia virus complement control protein) displays selectivity in inhibiting the bovine alternative complement pathway. In the present study, we examined the species specificity of VCP and SPICE for the classical pathway (CP). We observed that VCP is ∼43-fold superior to SPICE in inhibiting bovine CP. Further, functional assays revealed that increased inhibitory activity of VCP for bovine CP is solely due to its enhanced cofactor activity, with no effect on decay of bovine CP C3-convertase. To probe the structural basis of this specificity, we utilized single- and multi-amino-acid substitution mutants wherein 1 or more of the 11 variant VCP residues were substituted in the SPICE template. Examination of these mutants for their ability to inhibit bovine CP revealed that E108, E120, and E144 are primarily responsible for imparting the specificity and contribute to the enhanced cofactor activity of VCP. Binding and functional assays suggested that these residues interact with bovine factor I but not with bovine C4(H2O) (a moiety conformationally similar to C4b). Mapping of these residues onto the modeled structure of bovine C4b-VCP-bovine factor I supported the mutagenesis data. Taken together, our data help explain why the vaccine strain of vaccinia virus was able to gain a foothold in domesticated animals.IMPORTANCE Vaccinia virus was used for smallpox vaccination. The vaccine-derived virus is now circulating and causing outbreaks in dairy cattle in India and Brazil. However, the reason for this tropism is unknown. It is well recognized that the virus is susceptible to neutralization by the complement classical pathway (CP). Because the virus encodes a soluble complement regulator, VCP, we examined whether this protein displays selectivity in targeting bovine CP. Our data show that it does exhibit selectivity in inhibiting the bovine CP and that this is primarily determined by its amino acids E108, E120, and E144, which interact with bovine serine protease factor I to inactivate bovine C4b-one of the two subunits of CP C3-convertase. Of note, the variola complement regulator SPICE contains positively charged residues at these positions. Thus, these variant residues in VCP help enhance its potency against the bovine CP and thereby the fitness of the virus in cattle.
Collapse
|