C4 and HLA haplotypes associated with partial inhibition of anti-Rg and anti-Ch

Identification of two new C4 alleles by DNA sequencing and evidence for a historical recombination of serologically defined C4A and C4B alleles

Nucleotide polymorphisms of the C4 genes were investigated by direct sequencing of seven different homozygous typing cells from the 10IHW panels. Two novel sequences were identified within the C4d region of the C4 genes. Our sequencing analyses extend previous findings suggesting that a recombination hot spot is likely to have occurred between codon positions 1157 and 1186 within the C4d region. The classification of electrophoretically defined C4A and C4B alleles can be further subtyped by sequencing. Because the central major histocompatibility complex region that carries various copies of the C4 gene has been associated with a range of disorders; further analysis at the sequence level within the C4 locus may provide informative genetic markers for the investigation of disease-associated polymorphisms.

Characterization of a de novo conversion in human complement C4 gene producing a C4B5-like protein

Complement C4 is a highly polymorphic protein essential for the activation of the classical complement pathway. Most of the allelic variation of C4 resides in the C4d region. Four polymorphic amino acid residues specify the isotype and an additional four specify the Rodgers and Chido determinants of the protein. Rare C4 allotypes have been postulated to originate from recombination between highly homologous C4 genes through gene conversions. Here we describe the development of a de novo C4 hybrid protein with allotypic and antigenic diversity resulting from nonhomologous intra or interchromosomal recombination of the maternal chromosomes. A conversion was observed between maternal C4A3a and C4B1b genes producing a functional hybrid gene in one of the children. The codons determining the isotype, Asp(1054), Leu(1101), Ser(1102), Ile(1105) and His(1106), were characteristic of C4B gene, whereas the polymorphic sites in exon and intron 28 were indicative of C4A3a sequence. The protein produced by this hybrid gene was electrophoretically similar to C4B5 allotype. It also possesses reversed antigenicity being Rodgers 1, 2, 3 and Chido-1, -2, -3, 4, -5, and -6. Our case describes the development of a rare bimodular C4B-C4B haplotype containing a functional de novo C4 hybrid gene arisen through gene conversion from C4A to C4B. Overall the data supports the hypothesis of gene conversions as an ongoing process increasing allelic diversity in the C4 locus.

DNA sequence analysis of the C4 antigen WH: evidence for two mechanisms of expression

Amino acid and protein analyses have allowed the construction of a model for the C4-based Rodgers and Chido blood group antigens. The single low-frequency allele (WH) in this blood group system, however, has not been characterized at the molecular level. Two WH+ donors were studied by C4 agarose gel electrophoreses, immunoblot studies using monoclonal anti-Rg: 1 or anti-Ch: 1, serological phenotyping, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of their C4 genes, and DNA sequencing of the WH allele. The first donor had the C4A1, A3 phenotype; the C4A1 carried Ch: 1, 3, 6 (thus exhibiting reversed antigenicity) and the C4A3 carried the WH antigen. The amino acid sequence of the WH allele was PCPVLD at positions 1101 - 1106, S at position 1157, and VDLL at positions 1188 - 1191. A second donor typed as C4A2, A4, B1 and was also WH+. Immunoblot analysis showed that a C4B1 protein expressed Rg: 1. Sequence analysis of the C4B genes showed the amino acids LSPVIH at positions 1101 - 1106, S at position 1157, and ADLR at positions 1188 - 1191. Thus, the WH antigen is a conformational epitope that can arise through different mechanisms on either a C4A or C4B gene.

Polymerase chain reaction analysis of the Xba I polymorphism of the human complement C4 genes provides evidence for strong haplotype conservation

The genes coding for the two isotypes of the fourth component of human complement, C4A and C4B, are located between the HLA-B and -DR loci of the MHC. We studied the linkage relationship of the previously described XbaI RFLP to obtain further insight into the evolution of the tandemly arranged C4 genes. Using exon-specific PCR amplification followed by restriction analysis and direct DNA sequencing, the polymorphic site could be located in exon 40 of the C4 gene (cDNA position 5095). The polymorphism does not change an amino acid residue. Using nested PCR amplification with isotype-specific primers to amplify either C4A or C4B alleles the haplotype arrangement of the XbaI sites in both isotypic C4 genes was analyzed independently. It was observed that the XbaI restriction site was either present or absent in both C4 genes of a given haplotype. In a study of 106 Caucasian haplotypes, only two different haplotypes could be identified carrying a C4A gene with and a C4B gene without the XbaI restriction site. Also, the XbaI site could only be detected in long C4 genes possessing the 6.5-kb insertion in intron 9. Our findings provide evidence that the mutation creating the XbaI polymorphism occurred in an ancestral C4 gene already carrying the long intron 9. The duplicating resulting in the presence of two isotypic genes, C4A and C4B, must have taken place subsequently giving rise to haplotypes with or without the XbaI site.

C4 Chido 3 and 6 distinguish two diabetogenic haplotypes: HLA-B49, SC01,DR4,DQw8 and B8,SC01,DR3,DQw2

The combination of the HLA complement allotypes BFS, C2C, C4AQ0 (deleted gene) and C4B1, termed SC01 complotype, usually present in the HLA-B8,DR3,DQw2 diabetogenic haplotype, has also been found in a novel "low frequency" HLA-B49,DR4,DQw8 haplotype associated with Spanish insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Family studies of C4 antigenic determinants Rodgers/Chido and their specific C4d nucleotide sequences confirm that this novel haplotype bearing Chido -3, -6 is not due to a recent recombination from the common HLA-B8,DR3 haplotype bearing Chido 3,6; moreover, Chido analysis at the serological or DNA level is presently the only way to distinguish both SC01 complotypes, since BF, C2, steroid 21-hydroxylase and C4 genes do not reveal other differences by restriction fragment analysis. On the other hand, HLA-B49,SC01,DR4 is the first DR4-bearing IDDM-susceptible haplotype with a deleted C4 gene described so far and the only DR4-bearing haplotype found in the Spanish population. This report further supports the fact that extended haplotypes with deleted (or "not duplicated") genes in the class III region contain IDDM-susceptibility more often than non-deleted (or "duplicated") haplotypes in the Spanish and other Mediterranean populations.

Characterization of two hybrid C4 allotypes (C4A*12 and C4B*3) by electrophoretic, serological and restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses

Informative pedigree analysis of two rare C4 allotypes is reported. One proband was C4A deficient as a consequence of having one haplotype with a deleted C4A gene, and the second haplotype with two C4B genes--one encoding the common C4B*1 and one encoding a unique hybrid gene product C4B*3. C4B*3 had approximately normal C4B hemolytic activity, a single alpha-chain of MR 94,000 by SDS-PAGE but was positive for Rg:1,2 by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and for Rg:1 by Western blotting. The hybrid nature was confirmed by RFLP analysis with a Rg:1-associated fragment by Eco0109 digestion but no C4A-associated fragments by N1aIV digestion were identified. A gene conversion at Locus I which included just the C4 isotype region could explain the structure of C4B*3. The second pedigree had a Rodgers negative C4A*12 allotype. This C4A gene, which segregated with a single 7.0 kb TaqI fragment, encoded a C4A alpha-chain, which was negative for Rg:1 epitope. The affected haplotype lacked the Rg:1-associated fragment by Eco0109 digestion yet had the C4A specific N1aIV digestion fragment. These studies successfully employed RFLP analyses to confirm serologic and electrophoretic observations.

An epitope on C4 beta light (L) chains detected by human anti-Rg; its relationship with beta chain polymorphism and MHC associations

Two out of ten Rg-specific antisera tested contain a third antibody specific for the beta chain of C4. Analysis of the beta chains of 66 unrelated individuals by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the epitope detected is located exclusively on the light (L) beta chain. A strong, but incomplete, association between the beta chain epitope and the expression of the Rg:2 determinant on the alpha chain of the same protein was also observed. While H (heavy) and L beta chains were not associated with a particular C4 isotype, previously unrecorded associations of beta chain polymorphism with the DR locus have been established.

The antigenic determinants, Rg/Ch/WH, expressed by Japanese C4 allotypes

The expression of antigenic determinants, Rg/Ch/WH, on Japanese C4 allotypes has been studied. Although the Japanese C4 allotype frequencies are known to differ from Europeans, the antigenic expression of their C4 allotypes correlates with associations described previously. All 89 random donors and 17 selected donors were Rg:1,2 so neither Rg:1,-2 nor Rg:1,-2 was found. The frequency of Ch:1,-2,3 was elevated while that of Ch:1,2,3 was reduced, which was seen as a direct result of the higher frequency of B2 and B5 allotypes. None of the Japanese were Ch:1,2,-3, but this can be accounted for by the absence of the A*6,B*1 haplotype. The WH determinant, which has been associated completely with Rg:1,-2 in Caucasians, was found at a higher frequency, 32%, in association with an A*3,2,B*QO haplotype expressing Rg:1,2, which has not been described previously. Detailed investigation showed that the A3 allotype was Rg:1,2 whereas the A2 allotype only expressed Rg1 (Rg:1,-2 WH+).

Antigenic determinants expressed by human C4 allotypes; a study of 325 families provides evidence for the structural antigenic model

The antigenic determinants of human C4 have been defined by human IgG antisera, Rodgers (Rg) and Chido (Ch), in hemagglutination-inhibition assays (HAI). Eight (2 Rg and 6 Ch) are of high frequency, greater than 90%, and 1, WH, is of low frequency, 15%. The phenotypic combinations are complex; generally, C4A expresses Rg, and C4B has Ch, but reverse antigenicities have been established both by HAI and by sequence data of selected C4 allotypes. A study of 325 families provides data on the antigenic expression of each C4 allotype and demonstrates strong associations. A structural model for the antigenic determinants of C4 proteins has been proposed and is completely supported by the family material. Of the 16 possible antigenic combinations for C4 proteins, only 3 are undetected. A new Ch combination has been recorded in two French families. The reported sequence variation within the C4d region can account for the antigenic determinants but leaves the location of electrophoretic variation in C4 still unclear.

The study of a French family with two duplicated C4A haplotypes

The finding of two duplicated C4A haplotypes in a normal French family led to a detailed study of their C4 polymorphism. The father had an extremely rare A*6A*11, B*QO haplotype inherited by all of his children and the mother had the more common A*3A*2, B*QO haplotype. Two HLA identical daughters only have four C4A alleles. The father's A11 allotype expresses Ch:1 (Chido) rather than Rg:1 (Rodgers) and represents a new Ch phenotype Ch:1,-2,-3,-4,-5,-6. In order to clarify the genetic background in this unusual family, DNA studies of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) were undertaken. The father's rare haplotype, which expresses two C4A allotypes, results from a long and a short C4 gene normally associated with the A*6, B*1 that also exhibits the Bg/II RFLP. As it travels in an extended MHC haplotype HLA A2, B57(17), C2*C, BF*S, DR7 that is most frequently associated with A*6, B*1, we postulate that the short C4B has been converted in the alpha chain region to a C4A gene which produces a C4A protein. This report of a short C4A gene is the first example in the complex polymorphism of C4.

There are two C4 genetic loci and a null allele in the chimpanzee

Genetic polymorphism in C4 in the chimpanzee was studied by agarose gel electrophoresis of desialated plasma and development of patterns by immunofixation with antiserum to human C4 and by a C4-sensitive hemolytic overlay. In general, immunofixation patterns showed multiple partially overlapping bands of which only the most cathodal had strong hemolytic activity. In analogy to human C4, the latter were designated C4B, whereas those detected by immunofixation which had little hemolytic activity were designated C4A. Chimp C4A and C4B reacted with human and mouse (monoclonal) anti-C4B and human anti-Ch1 but neither reacted with monoclonal anti-C4A or human anti-Ch2, Ch3, Rg1, or Rg2. On sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the alpha chain of C4B showed a slightly lower apparent relative mass than that of C4A at around Mr 93,000. There were three C4A variants and two C4B variants inherited in families as autosomal codominant traits, as C4A-C4B cosegregating pairs with no detectable crossing-over. These pairs were inherited with chimpanzee leukocyte antigen types C2 and BF variants without detectable crossing-over. Half-null C4 haplotypes with C4B QO were observed in family studies. Nine BF, C2, C4A, C4B allelic haplotypic combinations (complotypes) were identified among presumably unrelated chimpanzees.

Definitive RFLPs to distinguish between the human complement C4A/C4B isotypes and the major Rodgers/Chido determinants: application to the study of C4 null alleles

Definitive restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) representing the exact locations responsible for isotypicity between the human complement components C4A and C4B, and their generally associated major Rodgers (Rg1) and Chido (Ch1) antigenic determinants, have been designed. By means of C4d-specific genomic probe for Southern blot analysis, a C4A gene can be defined by the presence of the 276 bp and 191 bp N1a IV fragments, while a C4B gene can be defined by a single 467 bp N1aIV fragment. In addition, an Rg1-expressing C4 gene can be represented by a 565 bp EcoO 109 fragment, and a Ch1-expressing C4 gene by a 458 bp EcoO 109 fragment, under the same conditions. All these polymorphic restriction fragments can be unambiguously and conveniently detected. In combination with the Taq I polymorphic patterns specific for the C4 loci and for the neighboring 21-hydroxylase genes, the nature and structure of the tandem C4,21-hydroxylase gene complex can be elucidated. In this study, it is inferred that the null allele of the HLA haplotype B44 DR6 C4A3 C4BQO is not a C4B allele, but probably encodes another C4A 3 allotype at the second C4 locus.

Allo-anti-Chido in a Ch-positive patient

Allo-anti-Chido (Ch) was detected in a patient whose red cells typed as Ch+. The C4 allotype of the patient was A4,B2 which associates strongly with the Ch phenotype Ch:1,-2,3,4,-5,6. Anti-Ch2 + Ch5 were the Ch specificities identified. Absence of only Ch2 and Ch5 determinants on the C4B protein allowed this unique immune response to blood transfusion.

Three Chido determinants detected on the B5Rg+ allotype of human C4: their expression in Ch-typed donors and families

A study was made of polyspecific human allo-anti-C4, anti-Chido (Ch), which reacts with determinants usually located on C4B protein. Some anti-Ch reagents are capable of reacting with Ch- red cells coated with C4 from Ch:-1,-2,-3 donors. A complex serologic pattern demonstrated three more Ch determinants, Ch4, Ch5, and Ch6, which were detected by haemagglutination-inhibition tests. All Ch:1,2,3 samples were Ch:4,5,6 but samples lacking one or more of the Ch1,Ch2,Ch3 series of determinants also lacked some of the new determinants. MHC typed families demonstrated the inheritance of the new determinants as part of the Ch haplotype, and associations with C4 allotypes and haplotypes have been established. Ch4 always associates with C4B protein. Ch5 and Ch6, normally detected on C4B protein, were detected in several individuals who lacked C4B (BQO allotypes) and were therefore presumed in these instances to be located on the accompanying C4A protein.

The purification and properties of some less common allotypes of the fourth component of human complement

Human complement component C4 is coded by two genes situated between HLA-D and HLA-B. Both genes are highly polymorphic; C4-A gene products normally carry the blood group antigen Rodgers and C4-B proteins usually carry the Chido antigen. Using a monoclonal antibody which binds Rodgers-positive and Chido-positive proteins with different affinities, we have purified a number of less common C4 allotypes and compared their properties. All C4-B allotypes tested have similar specific hemolytic activities and binding efficiencies to small molecules. All C4-A proteins tested had similar binding to small molecules and hemolytic activities except for the C4-A6 proteins from two individuals with different extended haplotypes, both of which had identical hemolytic activities and much lower ones than other C4-A allotypes. Two allotypes, C4-A1, Rodgers-negative but Chido-positive, and C4-B5, Chido-negative but probably Rodgers-positive, were found to behave as typical C4-A and C4-B proteins, respectively, apart from the switch in their antigenic properties.

HLA haplotypes with C4B5; evidence for further allelic heterogeneity

Twenty-three individuals from various disease groups and normal controls were identified by immunofixation with anti-C4, C4-dependent lysis, determination of Rg (Rodgers) and Ch (Chido) phenotypes, and immunoblotting with C4-specific mouse monoclonal antibody. We found that one haplotype predominates with the C4B*5 allele, HLA-A11, B22(55), Cw3, Bf*S, C4A*4B*5, which also carries the Ch1,-2, 3 haplotype. The B5 allotype was also found with HLA-B60, HLA-B35 in Caucasoids, and HLA-B18 in non-Caucasoids; these carried the Ch-1, -2, -3 haplotype. Our results are in accord with an earlier report of two B5 subtypes, B5Rg+ and B5Rg- (Roos et al. 1984). The specificity of the mouse monoclonal antibodies IC4 and 2B12 had been previously related to C4A and C4B, respectively, but our results suggest that they relate more closely to Rg and Ch determinants.

C4B3 allotype with a novel Ch phenotype

The fourth component of complement (C4) has two classes of protein, C4A and C4B, both of which have many allelic forms. The serological determinants Rodgers (Rg1, Rg2) and Chido (Ch1, Ch2, Ch3) are generally associated with C4A and C4B, respectively. The C4B3 allotype has been detected in a single Canadian family that expresses a novel Ch phenotype, Ch:-1, 2, -3. There was no information for the Rg determinants, as the C4A*2B*3 haplotype would normally express Rg on the C4A protein. Other C4B3 allotypes in informative families have different Ch phenotypes, and the relationships of these within extended major histocompatibility complex haplotypes are discussed in this paper.