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Sándor N, Schneider AE, Matola AT, Barbai VH, Bencze D, Hammad HH, Papp A, Kövesdi D, Uzonyi B, Józsi M. The human factor H protein family - an update. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1135490. [PMID: 38410512 PMCID: PMC10894998 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1135490] [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: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Complement is an ancient and complex network of the immune system and, as such, it plays vital physiological roles, but it is also involved in numerous pathological processes. The proper regulation of the complement system is important to allow its sufficient and targeted activity without deleterious side-effects. Factor H is a major complement regulator, and together with its splice variant factor H-like protein 1 and the five human factor H-related (FHR) proteins, they have been linked to various diseases. The role of factor H in inhibiting complement activation is well studied, but the function of the FHRs is less characterized. Current evidence supports the main role of the FHRs as enhancers of complement activation and opsonization, i.e., counter-balancing the inhibitory effect of factor H. FHRs emerge as soluble pattern recognition molecules and positive regulators of the complement system. In addition, factor H and some of the FHR proteins were shown to modulate the activity of immune cells, a non-canonical function outside the complement cascade. Recent efforts have intensified to study factor H and the FHRs and develop new tools for the distinction, quantification and functional characterization of members of this protein family. Here, we provide an update and overview on the versatile roles of factor H family proteins, what we know about their biological functions in healthy conditions and in diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémi Sándor
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE Complement Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | - Veronika H. Barbai
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dániel Bencze
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Hani Hashim Hammad
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Papp
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Kövesdi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE Complement Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barbara Uzonyi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE Complement Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mihály Józsi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- HUN-REN-ELTE Complement Research Group, Hungarian Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
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2
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Wiens GD, Marancik DP, Chadwick CC, Osbourn K, Reid RM, Leeds TD. Plasma proteomic profiling of bacterial cold water disease-resistant and -susceptible rainbow trout lines and biomarker discovery. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1265386. [PMID: 37928534 PMCID: PMC10623068 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1265386] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic variation for disease resistance is present in salmonid fish; however, the molecular basis is poorly understood, and biomarkers of disease susceptibility/resistance are unavailable. Previously, we selected a line of rainbow trout for high survival following standardized challenge with Flavobacterium psychrophilum (Fp), the causative agent of bacterial cold water disease. The resistant line (ARS-Fp-R) exhibits over 60 percentage points higher survival compared to a reference susceptible line (ARS-Fp-S). To gain insight into the differential host response between genetic lines, we compared the plasma proteomes from day 6 after intramuscular challenge. Pooled plasma from unhandled, PBS-injected, and Fp-injected groups were simultaneously analyzed using a TMT 6-plex label, and the relative abundance of 513 proteins was determined. Data are available via ProteomeXchange, with identifier PXD041308, and the relative protein abundance values were compared to mRNA measured from a prior, whole-body RNA-seq dataset. Our results identified a subset of differentially abundant intracellular proteins was identified, including troponin and myosin, which were not transcriptionally regulated, suggesting that these proteins were released into plasma following pathogen-induced tissue damage. A separate subset of high-abundance, secreted proteins were transcriptionally regulated in infected fish. The highest differentially expressed protein was a C1q family member (designated complement C1q-like protein 3; C1q-LP3) that was upregulated over 20-fold in the infected susceptible line while only modestly upregulated, 1.8-fold, in the infected resistant line. Validation of biomarkers was performed using immunoassays and C1q-LP3, skeletal muscle troponin C, cathelcidin 2, haptoglobin, leptin, and growth and differentiation factor 15 exhibited elevated concentration in susceptible line plasma. Complement factor H-like 1 exhibited higher abundance in the resistant line compared to the susceptible line in both control and challenged fish and thus was a baseline differentiator between lines. C1q-LP3 and STNC were elevated in Atlantic salmon plasma following experimental challenge with Fp. In summary, these findings further the understanding of the differential host response to Fp and identifies salmonid biomarkers that may have use for genetic line evaluation and on-farm health monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory D. Wiens
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kearneysville, WV, United States
| | - David P. Marancik
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, St. George’s University, True Blue, Grenada
| | | | - Keira Osbourn
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kearneysville, WV, United States
| | - Ross M. Reid
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kearneysville, WV, United States
| | - Timothy D. Leeds
- National Center for Cool and Cold Water Aquaculture, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Kearneysville, WV, United States
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3
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Yee WX, Barnes G, Lavender H, Tang CM. Meningococcal factor H-binding protein: implications for disease susceptibility, virulence, and vaccines. Trends Microbiol 2023; 31:805-815. [PMID: 36941192 PMCID: PMC10914675 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2023.02.011] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a human-adapted pathogen that causes meningitis and sepsis worldwide. N. meningitidis factor H-binding protein (fHbp) provides a mechanism for immune evasion by binding human complement factor H (CFH) to protect it from complement-mediated killing. Here, we discuss features of fHbp which enable it to engage human CFH (hCFH), and the regulation of fHbp expression. Studies of host susceptibility and bacterial genome-wide association studies (GWAS) highlight the importance of the interaction between fHbp and CFH and other complement factors, such as CFHR3, on the development of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Understanding the basis of fHbp:CFH interactions has also informed the design of next-generation vaccines as fHbp is a protective antigen. Structure-informed refinement of fHbp vaccines will help to combat the threat posed by the meningococcus, and accelerate the elimination of IMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wearn-Xin Yee
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Grace Barnes
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Hayley Lavender
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
| | - Christoph M Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
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4
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Lucientes-Continente L, Márquez-Tirado B, Goicoechea de Jorge E. The Factor H protein family: The switchers of the complement alternative pathway. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:25-45. [PMID: 36382387 PMCID: PMC10099856 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The factor H (FH) protein family is emerging as a complex network of proteins controlling the fate of the complement alternative pathway (AP) and dictating susceptibility to a wide range of diseases including infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, and degenerative diseases and cancer. Composed, in man, of seven highly related proteins, FH, factor H-like 1, and 5 factor H-related proteins, some of the FH family proteins are devoted to down-regulating the AP, while others exert an opposite function by promoting AP activation. Recent findings have provided insights into the molecular mechanisms defining their biological roles and their pathogenicity, illustrating the relevance that the balance between the regulators and the activators within this protein family has in defining the outcome of complement activation on cell surfaces. In this review we will discuss the emerging roles of the factor H protein family, their impact in the complement cascade, and their involvement in the pathogenesis of complement-mediated diseases associated with the AP dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lucientes-Continente
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University and Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Bárbara Márquez-Tirado
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University and Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Goicoechea de Jorge
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University and Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
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5
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Rodríguez de Córdoba S. Genetic variability shapes the alternative pathway complement activity and predisposition to complement-related diseases. Immunol Rev 2023; 313:71-90. [PMID: 36089777 PMCID: PMC10086816 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of next-generation sequencing technologies has provided a sharp picture of the genetic variability in the components and regulators of the alternative pathway (AP) of the complement system and has revealed the association of many AP variants with different rare and common diseases. An important finding that has emerged from these analyses is that each of these complement-related diseases associate with genetic variants altering specific aspects of the activation and regulation of the AP. These genotype-phenotype correlations have provided valuable insights into their pathogenic mechanisms with important diagnostic and therapeutic implications. While genetic variants in coding regions and structural variants are reasonably well characterized and occasionally have been instrumental to uncover unknown features of the complement proteins, data about complement expressed quantitative trait loci are still very limited. A crucial task for future studies will be to identify these quantitative variations and to determine their impact in the overall activity of the AP. This is fundamental as it is now clear that the consequences of genetic variants in the AP are additive and that susceptibility or resistance to disease is the result of specific combinations of genetic variants in different complement components and regulators ("complotypes").
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6
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Pathogenic Neisseria Bind the Complement Protein CFHR5 via Outer Membrane Porins. Infect Immun 2022; 90:e0037722. [PMID: 36194022 PMCID: PMC9584296 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00377-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae are important human pathogens that have evolved to bind the major negative regulator of the complement system, complement factor H (CFH). However, little is known about the interaction of pathogens with CFH-related proteins (CFHRs) which are structurally similar to CFH but lack the main complement regulatory domains found in CFH. Insights into the role of CFHRs have been hampered by a lack of specific reagents. We generated a panel of CFHR-specific monoclonal antibodies and demonstrated that CFHR5 was bound by both pathogenic Neisseria spp. We showed that CFHR5 bound to PorB expressed by both pathogens in the presence of sialylated lipopolysaccharide and enhanced complement activation on the surface of N. gonorrhoeae. Our study furthered our understanding of the interactions of CFHRs with bacterial pathogens and revealed that CFHR5 bound the meningococcus and gonococcus via similar mechanisms.
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7
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Kumar V, Pouw RB, Autio MI, Sagmeister MG, Phua ZY, Borghini L, Wright VJ, Hoggart C, Pan B, Tan AKY, Binder A, Brouwer MC, Pinnock E, De Groot R, Hazelzet J, Emonts M, Van Der Flier M, Reiter K, Nöthen MM, Hoffmann P, Schlapbach LJ, Bellos E, Anderson S, Secka F, Martinón-Torres F, Salas A, Fink C, Carrol ED, Pollard AJ, Coin LJ, Zenz W, Wouters D, Ang LT, Hibberd ML, Levin M, Kuijpers TW, Davila S. Variation in CFHR3 determines susceptibility to meningococcal disease by controlling factor H concentrations. Am J Hum Genet 2022; 109:1680-1691. [PMID: 36007525 PMCID: PMC9502058 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2022.08.001] [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: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis protects itself from complement-mediated killing by binding complement factor H (FH). Previous studies associated susceptibility to meningococcal disease (MD) with variation in CFH, but the causal variants and underlying mechanism remained unknown. Here we attempted to define the association more accurately by sequencing the CFH-CFHR locus and imputing missing genotypes in previously obtained GWAS datasets of MD-affected individuals of European ancestry and matched controls. We identified a CFHR3 SNP that provides protection from MD (rs75703017, p value = 1.1 × 10-16) by decreasing the concentration of FH in the blood (p value = 1.4 × 10-11). We subsequently used dual-luciferase studies and CRISPR gene editing to establish that deletion of rs75703017 increased FH expression in hepatocyte by preventing promotor inhibition. Our data suggest that reduced concentrations of FH in the blood confer protection from MD; with reduced access to FH, N. meningitidis is less able to shield itself from complement-mediated killing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikrant Kumar
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Richard B Pouw
- Division of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Matias I Autio
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | | | - Zai Yang Phua
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lisa Borghini
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Victoria J Wright
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Clive Hoggart
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bangfen Pan
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Cardiovascular Research Institute, Centre for Translational Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Antson Kiat Yee Tan
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alexander Binder
- Department of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Mieke C Brouwer
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Ronald De Groot
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Hazelzet
- Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke Emonts
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; National Institute for Health and Care Research Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre Based at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals National Health Service Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK; Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology Department, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michiel Van Der Flier
- Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Laboratory of Medical Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Karl Reiter
- Department of Paediatrics, Division of Paediatric Intensive Care Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and Dr. von Hauner's Children's Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Per Hoffmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Luregn J Schlapbach
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Intensive Care and Neonatology and Children`s Research Center, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Evangelos Bellos
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Fatou Secka
- Medical Research Council Unit Gambia, Banjul, The Gambia
| | - Federico Martinón-Torres
- Translational Pediatrics and Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Genetics, Vaccines, Infectious Diseases, and Pediatrics Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Salas
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Unidade de Xenética, Instituto de Ciencias Forenses, Facultade de Medicina, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; GenPoB Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Colin Fink
- Micropathology, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - Enitan D Carrol
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Pediatrics, University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Lachlan J Coin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Werner Zenz
- Department of General Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Diana Wouters
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lay Teng Ang
- Cancer Stem Cell Biology, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Martin L Hibberd
- Infectious Diseases, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Infectious and Tropical Disease, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Michael Levin
- Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Division of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Sonia Davila
- Human Genetics, Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore; SingHealth Duke-NUS Institute of Precision Medicine, Singapore, Singapore.
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8
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van Beek AE, Pouw RB, Wright VJ, Sallah N, Inwald D, Hoggart C, Brouwer MC, Galassini R, Thomas J, Calvo-Bado L, Fink CG, Jongerius I, Hibberd M, Wouters D, Levin M, Kuijpers TW. Low Levels of Factor H Family Proteins During Meningococcal Disease Indicate Systemic Processes Rather Than Specific Depletion by Neisseria meningitidis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:876776. [PMID: 35720329 PMCID: PMC9204383 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.876776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis, the causative agent of meningococcal disease (MD), evades complement-mediated clearance upon infection by ‘hijacking’ the human complement regulator factor H (FH). The FH protein family also comprises the homologous FH-related (FHR) proteins, hypothesized to act as antagonists of FH, and FHR-3 has recently been implicated to play a major role in MD susceptibility. Here, we show that the circulating levels of all FH family proteins, not only FH and FHR-3, are equally decreased during the acute illness. We did neither observe specific consumption of FH or FHR-3 by N. meningitidis, nor of any of the other FH family proteins, suggesting that the globally reduced levels are due to systemic processes including dilution by fluid administration upon admission and vascular leakage. MD severity associated predominantly with a loss of FH rather than FHRs. Additionally, low FH levels associated with renal failure, suggesting insufficient protection of host tissue by the active protection by the FH protein family, which is reminiscent of reduced FH activity in hemolytic uremic syndrome. Retaining higher levels of FH may thus limit tissue injury during MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E van Beek
- Sanquin Research, Department of Immunopathology, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Richard B Pouw
- Sanquin Research, Department of Immunopathology, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Victoria J Wright
- Section for Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Neneh Sallah
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Inwald
- Section for Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clive Hoggart
- Section for Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mieke C Brouwer
- Sanquin Research, Department of Immunopathology, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rachel Galassini
- Section for Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Thomas
- Micropathology Ltd., University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - Leo Calvo-Bado
- Micropathology Ltd., University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - Colin G Fink
- Micropathology Ltd., University of Warwick, Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - Ilse Jongerius
- Sanquin Research, Department of Immunopathology, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Martin Hibberd
- Department of Infection Biology, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Diana Wouters
- Sanquin Research, Department of Immunopathology, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michael Levin
- Section for Paediatric Infectious Disease, Department of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Sanquin Research, Department of Blood Cell Research, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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9
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Earle SG, Lobanovska M, Lavender H, Tang C, Exley RM, Ramos-Sevillano E, Browning DF, Kostiou V, Harrison OB, Bratcher HB, Varani G, Tang CM, Wilson DJ, Maiden MCJ. Genome-wide association studies reveal the role of polymorphisms affecting factor H binding protein expression in host invasion by Neisseria meningitidis. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009992. [PMID: 34662348 PMCID: PMC8553145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Many invasive bacterial diseases are caused by organisms that are ordinarily harmless components of the human microbiome. Effective interventions against these microbes require an understanding of the processes whereby symbiotic or commensal relationships transition into pathology. Here, we describe bacterial genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Neisseria meningitidis, a common commensal of the human respiratory tract that is nevertheless a leading cause of meningitis and sepsis. An initial GWAS discovered bacterial genetic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), associated with invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) versus carriage in several loci across the meningococcal genome, encoding antigens and other extracellular components, confirming the polygenic nature of the invasive phenotype. In particular, there was a significant peak of association around the fHbp locus, encoding factor H binding protein (fHbp), which promotes bacterial immune evasion of human complement by recruiting complement factor H (CFH) to the meningococcal surface. The association around fHbp with IMD was confirmed by a validation GWAS, and we found that the SNPs identified in the validation affected the 5' region of fHbp mRNA, altering secondary RNA structures, thereby increasing fHbp expression and enhancing bacterial escape from complement-mediated killing. This finding is consistent with the known link between complement deficiencies and CFH variation with human susceptibility to IMD. These observations demonstrate the importance of human and bacterial genetic variation across the fHbp:CFH interface in determining IMD susceptibility, the transition from carriage to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G. Earle
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mariya Lobanovska
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley Lavender
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Changyan Tang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington United States of America
| | - Rachel M. Exley
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Douglas F. Browning
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vasiliki Kostiou
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, Experimental Medicine Division, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Gabriele Varani
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington United States of America
- * E-mail: (GV); (CMT); (DJW); (MCJM)
| | - Christoph M. Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (GV); (CMT); (DJW); (MCJM)
| | - Daniel J. Wilson
- Big Data Institute, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (GV); (CMT); (DJW); (MCJM)
| | - Martin C. J. Maiden
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (GV); (CMT); (DJW); (MCJM)
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10
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Zewde NT, Hsu RV, Morikis D, Palermo G. Systems Biology Modeling of the Complement System Under Immune Susceptible Pathogens. FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS 2021; 9:603704. [PMID: 35145963 PMCID: PMC8827490 DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2021.603704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The complement system is assembled from a network of proteins that function to bring about the first line of defense of the body against invading pathogens. However, complement deficiencies or invasive pathogens can hijack complement to subsequently increase susceptibility of the body to infections. Moreover, invasive pathogens are increasingly becoming resistant to the currently available therapies. Hence, it is important to gain insights into the highly dynamic interaction between complement and invading microbes in the frontlines of immunity. Here, we developed a mathematical model of the complement system composed of 670 ordinary differential equations with 328 kinetic parameters, which describes all three complement pathways (alternative, classical, and lectin) and includes description of mannose-binding lectin, collectins, ficolins, factor H-related proteins, immunoglobulin M, and pentraxins. Additionally, we incorporate two pathogens: (type 1) complement susceptible pathogen and (type 2) Neisseria meningitidis located in either nasopharynx or bloodstream. In both cases, we generate time profiles of the pathogen surface occupied by complement components and the membrane attack complex (MAC). Our model shows both pathogen types in bloodstream are saturated by complement proteins, whereas MACs occupy <<1.0% of the pathogen surface. Conversely, the MAC production in nasopharynx occupies about 1.5-10% of the total N. meningitidis surface, thus making nasal MAC levels at least about eight orders of magnitude higher. Altogether, we predict complement-imbalance, favoring overactivation, is associated with nasopharynx homeostasis. Conversely, orientating toward complement-balance may cause disruption to the nasopharynx homeostasis. Thus, for sporadic meningococcal disease, our model predicts rising nasal levels of complement regulators as early infection biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehemiah T. Zewde
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Rohaine V. Hsu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Dimitrios Morikis
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- Correspondence: Giulia Palermo, , Dimitrios Morikis,
| | - Giulia Palermo
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
- Correspondence: Giulia Palermo, , Dimitrios Morikis,
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11
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Poppelaars F, Goicoechea de Jorge E, Jongerius I, Baeumner AJ, Steiner MS, Józsi M, Toonen EJM, Pauly D. A Family Affair: Addressing the Challenges of Factor H and the Related Proteins. Front Immunol 2021; 12:660194. [PMID: 33868311 PMCID: PMC8044877 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.660194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a common denominator of diseases. The complement system, an intrinsic part of the innate immune system, is a key driver of inflammation in numerous disorders. Recently, a family of proteins has been suggested to be of vital importance in conditions characterized by complement dysregulation: the human Factor H (FH) family. This group of proteins consists of FH, Factor H-like protein 1 and five Factor H-related proteins. The FH family has been linked to infectious, vascular, eye, kidney and autoimmune diseases. In contrast to FH, the functions of the other highly homologous proteins are largely unknown and, hence, their role in the different disease-specific pathogenic mechanisms remains elusive. In this perspective review, we address the major challenges ahead in this emerging area, including 1) the controversies about the functional roles of the FH protein family, 2) the discrepancies in quantification of the FH protein family, 3) the unmet needs for validated tools and 4) limitations of animal models. Next, we also discuss the opportunities that exist for the immunology community. A strong multidisciplinary approach is required to solve these obstacles and is only possible through interdisciplinary collaboration between biologists, chemists, geneticists and physicians. We position this review in light of our own perspective, as principal investigators of the SciFiMed Consortium, a consortium aiming to create a comprehensive analytical system for the quantitative and functional assessment of the entire FH protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Poppelaars
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Elena Goicoechea de Jorge
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University and Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ilse Jongerius
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology, and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Antje J. Baeumner
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Chemo-and Biosensors, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Mihály Józsi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
- MTA-ELTE Complement Research Group, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Diana Pauly
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Experimental Ophthalmology, University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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12
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Spinsanti M, Brignoli T, Bodini M, Fontana LE, De Chiara M, Biolchi A, Muzzi A, Scarlato V, Delany I. Deconvolution of intergenic polymorphisms determining high expression of Factor H binding protein in meningococcus and their association with invasive disease. PLoS Pathog 2021; 17:e1009461. [PMID: 33770146 PMCID: PMC8026042 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1009461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a strictly human pathogen and is the major cause of septicemia and meningitis worldwide. Factor H binding protein (fHbp) is a meningococcal surface-exposed lipoprotein that binds the human Complement factor H allowing the bacterium to evade the host innate immune response. FHbp is also a key antigen in two vaccines against N. meningitidis serogroup B. Although the fHbp gene is present in most circulating meningococcal strains, level of fHbp expression varies among isolates and has been correlated to differences in promoter sequences upstream of the gene. Here we elucidated the sequence determinants that control fHbp expression in globally circulating strains. We analyzed the upstream fHbpintergenic region (fIR) of more than 5800 strains representative of the UK circulating isolates and we identified eleven fIR sequence alleles which represent 88% of meningococcal strains. By engineering isogenic recombinant strains where fHbp expression was under the control of each of the eleven fIR alleles, we confirmed that the fIR sequence determines a specific and distinct level of expression. Moreover, we identified the molecular basis for variation in expression through polymorphisms within key regulatory regions that are known to affect fHbp expression. We experimentally established three expression groups, high–medium–low, that correlated directly with the susceptibility to killing mediated by anti-fHbp antibodies and the ability of the meningococcal strain to survive within human serum. By using this sequence classification and information about the variant, we predicted fHbp expression in the panel of UK strains and we observed that strains with higher expressing fIR alleles are more likely associated with invasive disease. Overall, our findings can contribute to understand and predict vaccine coverage mediated by fHbp as well as to shed light on the role of this virulence factor in determining an invasive phenotype. Complement plays a key role in the immunity against Neisseria meningitidis. The meningococcus uses the Factor H binding protein (fHbp), to bind a negative regulator of the alternative complement pathway, factor H, to its surface thus preventing complement deposition and lysis. The use of fHbp as an antigen in two licensed vaccines highlights its public health relevance. Therefore the levels of this antigen produced by the bacterium are pivotal on the one hand for the survival of N. meningitidis in blood and on the other hand for the susceptibility to vaccine-induced killing antibodies. Here, we identify the predominant nucleotide sequences that drive distinct levels of the fHbp antigen in circulating meningococcal strains. We cluster them into distinct groups with increasing levels and observe that strains expressing higher fHbp amounts are associated with invasive disease. Our findings show that the nucleotide sequence of the fHbp promoter can be used for the prediction of antigen levels of any given strain and consequently for both the assessment of its sensitivity to killing by fHbp antibodies and its likelihood to cause invasive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarcisio Brignoli
- GSK, Siena, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vincenzo Scarlato
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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13
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Gómez Delgado I, Corvillo F, Nozal P, Arjona E, Madrid Á, Melgosa M, Bravo J, Szilágyi Á, Csuka D, Veszeli N, Prohászka Z, Sánchez-Corral P. Complement Genetic Variants and FH Desialylation in S. pneumoniae-Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome. Front Immunol 2021; 12:641656. [PMID: 33777036 PMCID: PMC7991904 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.641656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome associated with Streptococcus pneumoniae infections (SP-HUS) is a clinically well-known entity that generally affects infants, and could have a worse prognosis than HUS associated to E. coli infections. It has been assumed that complement genetic variants associated with primary atypical HUS cases (aHUS) do not contribute to SP-HUS, which is solely attributed to the action of the pneumococcal neuraminidase on the host cellular surfaces. We previously identified complement pathogenic variants and risk polymorphisms in a few Hungarian SP-HUS patients, and have now extended these studies to a cohort of 13 Spanish SP-HUS patients. Five patients presented rare complement variants of unknown significance, but the frequency of the risk haplotypes in the CFH-CFHR3-CFHR1 region was similar to the observed in aHUS. Moreover, we observed desialylation of Factor H (FH) and the FH-Related proteins in plasma samples from 2 Spanish and 4 Hungarian SP-HUS patients. To analyze the functional relevance of this finding, we compared the ability of native and "in vitro" desialylated FH in: (a) binding to C3b-coated microtiter plates; (b) proteolysis of fluid-phase and surface-bound C3b by Factor I; (c) dissociation of surface bound-C3bBb convertase; (d) haemolytic assays on sheep erythrocytes. We found that desialylated FH had reduced capacity to control complement activation on sheep erythrocytes, suggesting a role for FH sialic acids on binding to cellular surfaces. We conclude that aHUS-risk variants in the CFH-CFHR3-CFHR1 region could also contribute to disease-predisposition to SP-HUS, and that transient desialylation of complement FH by the pneumococcal neuraminidase may have a role in disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Gómez Delgado
- Complement Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Corvillo
- Complement Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Nozal
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Immunology Unit, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Emilia Arjona
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research, Madrid, Spain
| | - Álvaro Madrid
- Pediatric Nephrology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Melgosa
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Bravo
- Pediatric Nephrology Unit, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ágnes Szilágyi
- Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dorottya Csuka
- Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nóra Veszeli
- Research Group for Immunology and Haematology, Semmelweis University- Eötvös Loránd Research Network (Office for Supported Research Groups), Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Prohászka
- Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pilar Sánchez-Corral
- Complement Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
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14
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Moore SR, Menon SS, Cortes C, Ferreira VP. Hijacking Factor H for Complement Immune Evasion. Front Immunol 2021; 12:602277. [PMID: 33717083 PMCID: PMC7947212 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.602277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system is an essential player in innate and adaptive immunity. It consists of three pathways (alternative, classical, and lectin) that initiate either spontaneously (alternative) or in response to danger (all pathways). Complement leads to numerous outcomes detrimental to invaders, including direct killing by formation of the pore-forming membrane attack complex, recruitment of immune cells to sites of invasion, facilitation of phagocytosis, and enhancement of cellular immune responses. Pathogens must overcome the complement system to survive in the host. A common strategy used by pathogens to evade complement is hijacking host complement regulators. Complement regulators prevent attack of host cells and include a collection of membrane-bound and fluid phase proteins. Factor H (FH), a fluid phase complement regulatory protein, controls the alternative pathway (AP) both in the fluid phase of the human body and on cell surfaces. In order to prevent complement activation and amplification on host cells and tissues, FH recognizes host cell-specific polyanionic markers in combination with complement C3 fragments. FH suppresses AP complement-mediated attack by accelerating decay of convertases and by helping to inactivate C3 fragments on host cells. Pathogens, most of which do not have polyanionic markers, are not recognized by FH. Numerous pathogens, including certain bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, and fungi, can recruit FH to protect themselves against host-mediated complement attack, using either specific receptors and/or molecular mimicry to appear more like a host cell. This review will explore pathogen complement evasion mechanisms involving FH recruitment with an emphasis on: (a) characterizing the structural properties and expression patterns of pathogen FH binding proteins, as well as other strategies used by pathogens to capture FH; (b) classifying domains of FH important in pathogen interaction; and (c) discussing existing and potential treatment strategies that target FH interactions with pathogens. Overall, many pathogens use FH to avoid complement attack and appreciating the commonalities across these diverse microorganisms deepens the understanding of complement in microbiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Moore
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Smrithi S Menon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Claudio Cortes
- Department of Foundational Medical Sciences, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, MI, United States
| | - Viviana P Ferreira
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
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15
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Affiliation(s)
- Omoshola Aleru
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Matthew F. Barber
- Institute of Ecology & Evolution, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, United States of America
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16
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Nayagam JS, McGrath S, Montasser M, Delaney M, Cairns TD, Marchbank KJ, Denton H, Yang Y, Sacks SH, Cook HT, Shah S, Heaton N, Pickering MC, Suddle A. Successful simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation for renal failure associated with hereditary complement C3 deficiency. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:2260-2263. [PMID: 31970896 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15785] [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: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Hereditary complement C3 deficiency is associated with recurrent bacterial infections and proliferative glomerulonephritis. We describe a case of an adult with complete deficiency of complement C3 due to homozygous mutations in C3 gene: c.1811delT (Val604Glyfs*2), recurrent bacterial infections, crescentic glomerulonephritis, and end-stage renal failure. Following isolated kidney transplantation he would remain C3 deficient with a similar, or increased, risk of infections and glomerulonephritis. As C3 is predominantly synthesized in the liver, with a small proportion of C3 monocyte derived and kidney derived, he proceeded to simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation. The procedure has been successful with restoration of his circulating C3 levels, normal liver and kidney function at 26 months of follow-up. Simultaneous liver-kidney transplant is a viable option to be considered in this rare setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Nayagam
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Samuel McGrath
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mahmoud Montasser
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Kent, UK
| | - Michael Delaney
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Kent, UK
| | - Tom D Cairns
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Kevin J Marchbank
- Newcastle University and National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, The Medical School, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Harriet Denton
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK
| | - Yi Yang
- National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle, UK.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Steven H Sacks
- Medical Research Council Centre for Transplantation, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - H Terry Cook
- Centre for Inflammatory Disease, Imperial College, London, UK
| | | | - Nigel Heaton
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Abid Suddle
- Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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17
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Kárpáti É, Papp A, Schneider AE, Hajnal D, Cserhalmi M, Csincsi ÁI, Uzonyi B, Józsi M. Interaction of the Factor H Family Proteins FHR-1 and FHR-5 With DNA and Dead Cells: Implications for the Regulation of Complement Activation and Opsonization. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1297. [PMID: 32765490 PMCID: PMC7378360 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement plays an essential role in the opsonophagocytic clearance of apoptotic/necrotic cells. Dysregulation of this process may lead to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Factor H (FH), a major soluble complement inhibitor, binds to dead cells and inhibits excessive complement activation on their surface, preventing lysis, and the release of intracellular material, including DNA. The FH-related (FHR) proteins share common ligands with FH, due to their homology with this complement regulator, but they lack the domains that mediate the complement inhibitory activity of FH. Because their roles in complement regulation is controversial and incompletely understood, we studied the interaction of FHR-1 and FHR-5 with DNA and dead cells and investigated whether they influence the regulatory role of FH and the complement activation on DNA and dead cells. FH, FHR-1, and FHR-5 bound to both plasmid DNA and human genomic DNA, where both FHR proteins inhibited FH-DNA interaction. The FH cofactor activity was inhibited by FHR-1 and FHR-5 due to the reduced binding of FH to DNA in the presence of the FHRs. Both FHRs caused increased complement activation on DNA. FHR-1 and FHR-5 bound to late apoptotic and necrotic cells and recruited monomeric C-reactive protein and pentraxin 3, and vice versa. Interactions of the FHRs with pentraxins resulted in enhanced activation of both the classical and the alternative complement pathways on dead cells when exposed to human serum. Altogether, our results demonstrate that FHR-1 and FHR-5 are competitive inhibitors of FH on DNA; moreover, FHR-pentraxin interactions promote opsonization of dead cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Éva Kárpáti
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alexandra Papp
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrea E Schneider
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dávid Hajnal
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Marcell Cserhalmi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám I Csincsi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barbara Uzonyi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-ELTE Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mihály Józsi
- Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-ELTE Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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18
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Complement Evasion Strategies of Human Pathogenic Bacteria. Indian J Microbiol 2020; 60:283-296. [PMID: 32655196 DOI: 10.1007/s12088-020-00872-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pathogens need to overcome an elaborate network of host defense mechanisms in order to establish their infection, colonization, proliferation and eventual dissemination. The interaction of pathogens with different effector molecules of the immune system results in their neutralization and elimination from the host. The complement system is one such integral component of innate immunity that is critically involved in the early recognition and elimination of the pathogen. Hence, under this immune pressure, all virulent pathogens capable of inducing active infections have evolved immune evasive strategies that primarily target the complement system, which plays an essential and central role for host defense. Recent reports on several bacterial pathogens have elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying complement evasion, inhibition of opsonic phagocytosis and cell lysis. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the recent findings on the various strategies adopted by pathogenic bacteria to escape complement-mediated clearance.
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19
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Hodeib S, Herberg JA, Levin M, Sancho-Shimizu V. Human genetics of meningococcal infections. Hum Genet 2020; 139:961-980. [PMID: 32067109 PMCID: PMC7272491 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02128-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial septicaemia and meningitis worldwide. Meningococcal disease is rare but can be life threatening with a tendency to affect children. Many studies have investigated the role of human genetics in predisposition to N. meningitidis infection. These have identified both rare single-gene mutations as well as more common polymorphisms associated with meningococcal disease susceptibility and severity. These findings provide clues to the pathogenesis of N. meningitidis, the basis of host susceptibility to infection and to the aetiology of severe disease. From the multiple discoveries of monogenic complement deficiencies to the associations of complement factor H and complement factor H-related three polymorphisms to meningococcal disease, the complement pathway is highlighted as being central to the genetic control of meningococcal disease. This review aims to summarise the current understanding of the host genetic basis of meningococcal disease with respect to the different stages of meningococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Hodeib
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Jethro A Herberg
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Michael Levin
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK.
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20
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Regulation of regulators: Role of the complement factor H-related proteins. Semin Immunol 2019; 45:101341. [PMID: 31757608 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2019.101341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 10/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The complement system, while being an essential and very efficient effector component of innate immunity, may cause damage to the host and result in various inflammatory, autoimmune and infectious diseases or cancer, when it is improperly activated or regulated. Factor H is a serum glycoprotein and the main regulator of the activity of the alternative complement pathway. Factor H, together with its splice variant factor H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), inhibits complement activation at the level of the central complement component C3 and beyond. In humans, there are also five factor H-related (FHR) proteins, whose function is poorly characterized. While data indicate complement inhibiting activity for some of the FHRs, there is increasing evidence that FHRs have an opposite role compared with factor H and FHL-1, namely, they enhance complement activation directly and also by competing with the regulators FH and FHL-1. This review summarizes the current stand and recent data on the roles of factor H family proteins in health and disease, with focus on the function of FHR proteins.
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21
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Seguin-Devaux C, Plesseria JM, Verschueren C, Masquelier C, Iserentant G, Fullana M, Józsi M, Cohen JHM, Dervillez X. FHR4-based immunoconjugates direct complement-dependent cytotoxicity and phagocytosis towards HER2-positive cancer cells. Mol Oncol 2019; 13:2531-2553. [PMID: 31365168 PMCID: PMC6887587 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Directing selective complement activation towards tumour cells is an attractive strategy to promote their elimination. In the present work, we have generated heteromultimeric immunoconjugates that selectively activate the complement alternative pathway (AP) on tumour cells. We used the C4b‐binding protein C‐terminal‐α‐/β‐chain scaffold for multimerisation to generate heteromultimeric immunoconjugates displaying (a) a multivalent‐positive regulator of the AP, the human factor H‐related protein 4 (FHR4) with; (b) a multivalent targeting function directed against erbB2 (HER2); and (c) a monovalent enhanced GFP tracking function. Two distinct VHH targeting two different epitopes against HER2 and competing either with trastuzumab or with pertuzumab‐recognising epitopes [VHH(T) or VHH(P)], respectively, were used as HER2 anchoring moieties. Optimised high‐FHR4 valence heteromultimeric immunoconjugates [FHR4/VHH(T) or FHR4/VHH(P)] were selected by sequential cell cloning and a selective multistep His‐Trap purification. Optimised FHR4‐heteromultimeric immunoconjugates successfully overcame FH‐mediated complement inhibition threshold, causing increased C3b deposition on SK‐OV‐3, BT474 and SK‐BR3 tumour cells, and increased formation of lytic membrane attack complex densities and complement‐dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). CDC varies according to the pattern expression and densities of membrane‐anchored complement regulatory proteins on tumour cell surfaces. In addition, opsonised BT474 tumour cells were efficiently phagocytosed by macrophages through complement‐dependent cell‐mediated cytotoxicity. We showed that the degree of FHR4‐multivalency within the multimeric immunoconjugates was the key element to efficiently compete and deregulate FH and FH‐mediated convertase decay locally on tumour cell surface. FHR4 can thus represent a novel therapeutic molecule, when expressed as a multimeric entity and associated with an anchoring system, to locally shift the complement steady‐state towards activation on tumour cell surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Seguin-Devaux
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Jean-Marc Plesseria
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Charlène Verschueren
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Cécile Masquelier
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Gilles Iserentant
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Marie Fullana
- Société d'Accélération des Transferts de Technologies du Nord, Direction Territoriale Reims, Reims, France
| | - Mihály Józsi
- Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Xavier Dervillez
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Life Sciences Research Unit (LSRU), Signal Transduction Laboratory, University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
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22
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Ermert D, Ram S, Laabei M. The hijackers guide to escaping complement: Lessons learned from pathogens. Mol Immunol 2019; 114:49-61. [PMID: 31336249 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pathogens that invade the human host are confronted by a multitude of defence mechanisms aimed at preventing colonization, dissemination and proliferation. The most frequent outcome of this interaction is microbial elimination, in which the complement system plays a major role. Complement, an essential feature of the innate immune machinery, rapidly identifies and marks pathogens for efficient removal. Consequently, this creates a selective pressure for microbes to evolve strategies to combat complement, permitting host colonization and access to resources. All successful pathogens have developed mechanisms to resist complement activity which are intimately aligned with their capacity to cause disease. In this review, we describe the successful methods various pathogens use to evade complement activation, shut down inflammatory signalling through complement, circumvent opsonisation and override terminal pathway lysis. This review summarizes how pathogens undermine innate immunity: 'The Hijackers Guide to Complement'.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ermert
- Department of Preclinical Research, BioInvent International AB, Lund, Sweden; Department of Translational Medicine, Division of Medical Protein Chemistry, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Maisem Laabei
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
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23
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Dopler A, Guntau L, Harder MJ, Palmer A, Höchsmann B, Schrezenmeier H, Simmet T, Huber-Lang M, Schmidt CQ. Self versus Nonself Discrimination by the Soluble Complement Regulators Factor H and FHL-1. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:2082-2094. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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24
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Complement factor H family proteins in their non-canonical role as modulators of cellular functions. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 85:122-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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25
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Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) is a member of the normal nasopharyngeal microbiome in healthy individuals, but can cause septicemia and meningitis in susceptible individuals. In this chapter we provide an overview of the disease caused by N. meningitidis and the schemes used to type the meningococcus. We also review the adhesions, virulence factors, and phase variable genes that enable it to successfully colonize the human host. Finally, we outline the history and current status of meningococcal vaccines and highlight the importance of continued molecular investigation of the epidemiology and the structural analysis of the antigens of this pathogen to aid future vaccine development.
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26
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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.
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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
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27
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Dasari P, Shopova IA, Stroe M, Wartenberg D, Martin-Dahse H, Beyersdorf N, Hortschansky P, Dietrich S, Cseresnyés Z, Figge MT, Westermann M, Skerka C, Brakhage AA, Zipfel PF. Aspf2 From Aspergillus fumigatus Recruits Human Immune Regulators for Immune Evasion and Cell Damage. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1635. [PMID: 30166981 PMCID: PMC6106110 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can cause life-threatening infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Most pathogenic microbes control host innate immune responses at the earliest time, already before infiltrating host immune cells arrive at the site of infection. Here, we identify Aspf2 as the first A. fumigatus Factor H-binding protein. Aspf2 recruits several human plasma regulators, Factor H, factor-H-like protein 1 (FHL-1), FHR1, and plasminogen. Factor H contacts Aspf2 via two regions located in SCRs6–7 and SCR20. FHL-1 binds via SCRs6–7, and FHR1 via SCRs3–5. Factor H and FHL-1 attached to Aspf2-maintained cofactor activity and assisted in C3b inactivation. A Δaspf2 knockout strain was generated which bound Factor H with 28% and FHL-1 with 42% lower intensity. In agreement with less immune regulator acquisition, when challenged with complement-active normal human serum, Δaspf2 conidia had substantially more C3b (>57%) deposited on their surface. Consequently, Δaspf2 conidia were more efficiently phagocytosed (>20%) and killed (44%) by human neutrophils as wild-type conidia. Furthermore, Aspf2 recruited human plasminogen and, when activated by tissue-type plasminogen activator, newly generated plasmin cleaved the chromogenic substrate S2251 and degraded fibrinogen. Furthermore, plasmin attached to conidia damaged human lung epithelial cells, induced cell retraction, and caused matrix exposure. Thus, Aspf2 is a central immune evasion protein and plasminogen ligand of A. fumigatus. By blocking host innate immune attack and by disrupting human lung epithelial cell layers, Aspf2 assists in early steps of fungal infection and likely allows tissue penetration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasad Dasari
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Iordana A Shopova
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Maria Stroe
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Dirk Wartenberg
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Hans Martin-Dahse
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Niklas Beyersdorf
- University of Würzburg, Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hortschansky
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dietrich
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Zoltán Cseresnyés
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Marc Thilo Figge
- Research Group Applied Systems Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Westermann
- Electron Microscopy Center of the University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany
| | - Axel A Brakhage
- Department of Molecular and Applied Microbiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans Knöll Institute (HKI), Jena, Germany.,Faculty for Biological Sciences, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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28
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Sánchez-Corral P, Pouw RB, López-Trascasa M, Józsi M. Self-Damage Caused by Dysregulation of the Complement Alternative Pathway: Relevance of the Factor H Protein Family. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1607. [PMID: 30050540 PMCID: PMC6052053 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The alternative pathway is a continuously active surveillance arm of the complement system, and it can also enhance complement activation initiated by the classical and the lectin pathways. Various membrane-bound and plasma regulatory proteins control the activation of the potentially deleterious complement system. Among the regulators, the plasma glycoprotein factor H (FH) is the main inhibitor of the alternative pathway and its powerful amplification loop. FH belongs to a protein family that also includes FH-like protein 1 and five factor H-related (FHR-1 to FHR-5) proteins. Genetic variants and abnormal rearrangements involving the FH protein family have been linked to numerous systemic and organ-specific diseases, including age-related macular degeneration, and the renal pathologies atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, C3 glomerulopathies, and IgA nephropathy. This review covers the known and recently emerged ligands and interactions of the human FH family proteins associated with disease and discuss the very recent experimental data that suggest FH-antagonistic and complement-activating functions for the FHR proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Sánchez-Corral
- Complement Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain
| | - Richard B Pouw
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Margarita López-Trascasa
- Complement Research Group, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ), La Paz University Hospital, Center for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (CIBERER), Madrid, Spain.,Department of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mihály Józsi
- Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary.,MTA-SE Research Group of Immunology and Hematology, Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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29
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Goicoechea de Jorge E, López Lera A, Bayarri-Olmos R, Yebenes H, Lopez-Trascasa M, Rodríguez de Córdoba S. Common and rare genetic variants of complement components in human disease. Mol Immunol 2018; 102:42-57. [PMID: 29914697 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Genetic variability in the complement system and its association with disease has been known for more than 50 years, but only during the last decade have we begun to understand how this complement genetic variability contributes to the development of diseases. A number of reports have described important genotype-phenotype correlations that associate particular diseases with genetic variants altering specific aspects of the activation and regulation of the complement system. The detailed functional characterization of some of these genetic variants provided key insights into the pathogenic mechanisms underlying these pathologies, which is facilitating the design of specific anti-complement therapies. Importantly, these analyses have sometimes revealed unknown features of the complement proteins. As a whole, these advances have delineated the functional implications of genetic variability in the complement system, which supports the implementation of a precision medicine approach based on the complement genetic makeup of the patients. Here we provide an overview of rare complement variants and common polymorphisms associated with disease and discuss what we have learned from them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Goicoechea de Jorge
- Department of Immunology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain; Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto López Lera
- Research Institute Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPaz), Madrid, Spain; Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bayarri-Olmos
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hugo Yebenes
- Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain; Molecular Pathology and Complement Genetics Unit. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Santiago Rodríguez de Córdoba
- Ciber de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain; Molecular Pathology and Complement Genetics Unit. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
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30
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Crystal structure of a tripartite complex between C3dg, C-terminal domains of factor H and OspE of Borrelia burgdorferi. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188127. [PMID: 29190743 PMCID: PMC5708776 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement is an important part of innate immunity. The alternative pathway of complement is activated when the main opsonin, C3b coats non-protected surfaces leading to opsonisation, phagocytosis and cell lysis. The alternative pathway is tightly controlled to prevent autoactivation towards host cells. The main regulator of the alternative pathway is factor H (FH), a soluble glycoprotein that terminates complement activation in multiple ways. FH recognizes host cell surfaces via domains 19-20 (FH19-20). All microbes including Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis, must evade complement activation to allow the infectious agent to survive in its host. One major mechanism that Borrelia uses is to recruit FH from host. Several outer surface proteins (Osp) have been described to bind FH via the C-terminus, and OspE is one of them. Here we report the structure of the tripartite complex formed by OspE, FH19-20 and C3dg at 3.18 Å, showing that OspE and C3dg can bind simultaneously to FH19-20. This verifies that FH19-20 interacts via the "common microbial binding site" on domain 20 with OspE and simultaneously and independently via domain 19 with C3dg. The spatial organization of the tripartite complex explains how OspE on the bacterial surface binds FH19-20, leaving FH fully available to protect the bacteria against complement. Additionally, formation of tripartite complex between FH, microbial protein and C3dg might enable enhanced protection, particularly on those regions on the bacteria where previous complement activation led to deposition of C3d. This might be especially important for slow-growing bacteria that cause chronic disease like Borrelia burgdorferi.
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31
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Neisseria cinerea Expresses a Functional Factor H Binding Protein Which Is Recognized by Immune Responses Elicited by Meningococcal Vaccines. Infect Immun 2017; 85:IAI.00305-17. [PMID: 28739825 PMCID: PMC5607398 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00305-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Capsular polysaccharide vaccines are available against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y. More recently two protein-based vaccines, Bexsero and Trumenba, against meningococcal serogroup B strains have been licensed; both vaccines contain meningococcal factor H binding protein (fHbp). fHbp is a surface-exposed lipoprotein that binds the negative complement regulator complement factor H (CFH), thereby inhibiting the alternative pathway of complement activation. Recent analysis of available genomes has indicated that some commensal Neisseria species also contain genes that potentially encode fHbp, although the functions of these genes and how immunization with fHbp-containing vaccines could affect the commensal flora have yet to be established. Here, we show that the commensal species Neisseria cinerea expresses functional fHbp on its surface and that it is responsible for recruitment of CFH by the bacterium. N. cinerea fHbp binds CFH with affinity similar to that of meningococcal fHbp and promotes survival of N. cinerea in human serum. We examined the potential impact of fHbp-containing vaccines on N. cinerea We found that immunization with Bexsero elicits serum bactericidal activity against N. cinerea, which is primarily directed against fHbp. The shared function of fHbp in N. cinerea and N. meningitidis and cross-reactive responses elicited by Bexsero suggest that the introduction of fHbp-containing vaccines has the potential to affect carriage of N. cinerea and other commensal species.
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32
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Cserhalmi M, Csincsi ÁI, Mezei Z, Kopp A, Hebecker M, Uzonyi B, Józsi M. The Murine Factor H-Related Protein FHR-B Promotes Complement Activation. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1145. [PMID: 28974948 PMCID: PMC5610720 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Factor H-related (FHR) proteins consist of varying number of complement control protein domains that display various degrees of sequence identity to respective domains of the alternative pathway complement inhibitor factor H (FH). While such FHR proteins are described in several species, only human FHRs were functionally investigated. Their biological role is still poorly understood and in part controversial. Recent studies on some of the human FHRs strongly suggest a role for FHRs in enhancing complement activation via competing with FH for binding to certain ligands and surfaces. The aim of the current study was the functional characterization of a murine FHR, FHR-B. To this end, FHR-B was expressed in recombinant form. Recombinant FHR-B bound to human C3b and was able to compete with human FH for C3b binding. FHR-B supported the assembly of functionally active C3bBb alternative pathway C3 convertase via its interaction with C3b. This activity was confirmed by demonstrating C3 activation in murine serum. In addition, FHR-B bound to murine pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and this interaction resulted in murine C3 fragment deposition due to enhanced complement activation in mouse serum. FHR-B also induced C3 deposition on C-reactive protein, the extracellular matrix (ECM) extract Matrigel, and endothelial cell-derived ECM when exposed to mouse serum. Moreover, mouse C3 deposition was strongly enhanced on necrotic Jurkat T cells and the mouse B cell line A20 by FHR-B. FHR-B also induced lysis of sheep erythrocytes when incubated in mouse serum with FHR-B added in excess. Altogether, these data demonstrate that, similar to human FHR-1 and FHR-5, mouse FHR-B modulates complement activity by promoting complement activation via interaction with C3b and via competition with murine FH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell Cserhalmi
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ádám I Csincsi
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Mezei
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anne Kopp
- Junior Research Group for Cellular Immunobiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Mario Hebecker
- Junior Research Group for Cellular Immunobiology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology - Hans Knöll Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Barbara Uzonyi
- MTA-ELTE Immunology Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mihály Józsi
- MTA-ELTE Lendület Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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33
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Abstract
The role of the complement factor H-related (FHR) proteins in homeostasis, pathogen defense, and autoimmune disease has recently attracted considerable interest. We highlight the exciting research that has contributed to our understanding of the FHR protein family. Unlike factor H, a potent negative regulator of complement C3 activation, the FHR proteins appear to promote C3 activation. These data have important implications for understanding complement-mediated diseases because, depending on the context, the balance between the actions of factor H and the FHR proteins determines the degree of complement activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew C Pickering
- Centre for Complement and Inflammation Research, Imperial College, London, UK
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34
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Medjeral-Thomas NR, Lomax-Browne HJ, Beckwith H, Willicombe M, McLean AG, Brookes P, Pusey CD, Falchi M, Cook HT, Pickering MC. Circulating complement factor H-related proteins 1 and 5 correlate with disease activity in IgA nephropathy. Kidney Int 2017; 92:942-952. [PMID: 28673452 PMCID: PMC5611987 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a common cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal failure, especially in young people. Due to a wide range of clinical outcomes and difficulty in predicting response to immunosuppression, we need to understand why and identify which patients with IgAN will develop progressive renal impairment. A deletion polymorphism affecting the genes encoding the complement factor H-related protein (FHR)-1 and FHR-3 is robustly associated with protection against IgAN. Some FHR proteins, including FHR-1 and FHR-5, antagonize the ability of complement factor H (fH), the major negative regulator of the complement alternative pathway, to inhibit complement activation on surfaces, a process termed fH deregulation. From a large cohort of patients, we demonstrated that plasma FHR-1 and the FHR-1/fH ratio were elevated in IgAN and associated with progressive disease. Plasma FHR-1 negatively correlated with eGFR but remained elevated in patients with IgAN with normal eGFR. Serum FHR5 was slightly elevated in IgAN but did not correlate with eGFR. Neither FHR5 levels nor the FHR-5/fH ratio was associated with progressive disease. However, higher serum FHR-5 levels were associated with a lack of response to immunosuppression, the presence of endocapillary hypercellularity, and histology scores of disease severity (the Oxford Classification MEST score). Thus, FHR-1 and FHR-5 have a role in IgAN disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hannah Beckwith
- Centre for Complement and Inflammation Research, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Michelle Willicombe
- Renal and Transplant Centre, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Adam G McLean
- Renal and Transplant Centre, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Paul Brookes
- Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Charles D Pusey
- Renal and Vascular Inflammation Section, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Mario Falchi
- Department of Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology, King's College London, UK
| | - H Terence Cook
- Centre for Complement and Inflammation Research, Imperial College London, UK
| | - Matthew C Pickering
- Centre for Complement and Inflammation Research, Imperial College London, UK.
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Józsi M. Factor H Family Proteins in Complement Evasion of Microorganisms. Front Immunol 2017; 8:571. [PMID: 28572805 PMCID: PMC5435753 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Human-pathogenic microbes possess various means to avoid destruction by our immune system. These include interactions with the host complement system that may facilitate pathogen entry into cells and tissues, expression of molecules that defuse the effector complement components and complexes, and acquisition of host complement inhibitors to downregulate complement activity on the surface of the pathogen. A growing number of pathogenic microorganisms have acquired the ability to bind the complement inhibitor factor H (FH) from body fluids and thus hijack its host protecting function. In addition to FH, binding of FH-related (FHR) proteins was also demonstrated for several microbes. Initial studies assumed that these proteins are complement inhibitors similar to FH. However, recent evidence suggests that FHR proteins may rather enhance complement activation both directly and also by competing with the inhibitor FH for binding to certain ligands and surfaces. This mini review focuses on the role of the main alternative pathway regulator FH in host–pathogen interactions, as well as on the emerging role of the FHR proteins as enhancers of complement activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihály Józsi
- MTA-ELTE "Lendület" Complement Research Group, Department of Immunology, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Hovingh ES, van den Broek B, Jongerius I. Hijacking Complement Regulatory Proteins for Bacterial Immune Evasion. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:2004. [PMID: 28066340 PMCID: PMC5167704 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.02004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The human complement system plays an important role in the defense against invading pathogens, inflammation and homeostasis. Invading microbes, such as bacteria, directly activate the complement system resulting in the formation of chemoattractants and in effective labeling of the bacteria for phagocytosis. In addition, formation of the membrane attack complex is responsible for direct killing of Gram-negative bacteria. In turn, bacteria have evolved several ways to evade complement activation on their surface in order to be able to colonize and invade the human host. One important mechanism of bacterial escape is attraction of complement regulatory proteins to the microbial surface. These molecules are present in the human body for tight regulation of the complement system to prevent damage to host self-surfaces. Therefore, recruitment of complement regulatory proteins to the bacterial surface results in decreased complement activation on the microbial surface which favors bacterial survival. This review will discuss recent advances in understanding the binding of complement regulatory proteins to the bacterial surface at the molecular level. This includes, new insights that have become available concerning specific conserved motives on complement regulatory proteins that are favorable for microbial binding. Finally, complement evasion molecules are of high importance for vaccine development due to their dominant role in bacterial survival, high immunogenicity and homology as well as their presence on the bacterial surface. Here, the use of complement evasion molecules for vaccine development will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise S. Hovingh
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentBilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Bryan van den Broek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
| | - Ilse Jongerius
- Department of Medical Microbiology, University Medical Center UtrechtUtrecht, Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the EnvironmentBilthoven, Netherlands
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37
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Schäfer N, Grosche A, Reinders J, Hauck SM, Pouw RB, Kuijpers TW, Wouters D, Ehrenstein B, Enzmann V, Zipfel PF, Skerka C, Pauly D. Complement Regulator FHR-3 Is Elevated either Locally or Systemically in a Selection of Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol 2016; 7:542. [PMID: 27965669 PMCID: PMC5124756 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The human complement factor H-related protein-3 (FHR-3) is a soluble regulator of the complement system. Homozygous cfhr3/1 deletion is a genetic risk factor for the autoimmune form of atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), while also found to be protective in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The precise function of FHR-3 remains to be fully characterized. We generated four mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for FHR-3 (RETC) without cross-reactivity to the complement factor H (FH)-family. These antibodies detected FHR-3 from human serum with a mean concentration of 1 μg/mL. FHR-3 levels in patients were significantly increased in sera from systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica but remained almost unchanged in samples from AMD or aHUS patients. Moreover, by immunostaining of an aged human donor retina, we discovered a local FHR-3 production by microglia/macrophages. The mAb RETC-2 modulated FHR-3 binding to C3b but not the binding of FHR-3 to heparin. Interestingly, FHR-3 competed with FH for binding C3b and the mAb RETC-2 reduced the interaction of FHR-3 and C3b, resulting in increased FH binding. Our results unveil a previously unknown systemic involvement of FHR-3 in rheumatoid diseases and a putative local role of FHR-3 mediated by microglia/macrophages in the damaged retina. We conclude that the local FHR-3/FH equilibrium in AMD is a potential therapeutic target, which can be modulated by our specific mAb RETC-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Schäfer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Antje Grosche
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Joerg Reinders
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
| | - Stefanie M Hauck
- Research Unit Protein Science, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH) , Neuherberg , Germany
| | - Richard B Pouw
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Academic Medical Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Diana Wouters
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , Netherlands
| | - Boris Ehrenstein
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie, Asklepios Klinikum Bad Abbach , Bad Abbach , Germany
| | - Volker Enzmann
- Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, University of Bern , Bern , Switzerland
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany; Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology , Jena , Germany
| | - Diana Pauly
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Regensburg , Regensburg , Germany
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38
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Loh E, Lavender H, Tan F, Tracy A, Tang CM. Thermoregulation of Meningococcal fHbp, an Important Virulence Factor and Vaccine Antigen, Is Mediated by Anti-ribosomal Binding Site Sequences in the Open Reading Frame. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005794. [PMID: 27560142 PMCID: PMC4999090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During colonisation of the upper respiratory tract, bacteria are exposed to gradients of temperatures. Neisseria meningitidis is often present in the nasopharynx of healthy individuals, yet can occasionally cause severe disseminated disease. The meningococcus can evade the human complement system using a range of strategies that include recruitment of the negative complement regulator, factor H (CFH) via factor H binding protein (fHbp). We have shown previously that fHbp levels are influenced by the ambient temperature, with more fHbp produced at higher temperatures (i.e. at 37°C compared with 30°C). Here we further characterise the mechanisms underlying thermoregulation of fHbp, which occurs gradually over a physiologically relevant range of temperatures. We show that fHbp thermoregulation is not dependent on the promoters governing transcription of the bi- or mono-cistronic fHbp mRNA, or on meningococcal specific transcription factors. Instead, fHbp thermoregulation requires sequences located in the translated region of the mono-cistronic fHbp mRNA. Site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that two anti-ribosomal binding sequences within the coding region of the fHbp transcript are involved in fHbp thermoregulation. Our results shed further light on mechanisms underlying the control of the production of this important virulence factor and vaccine antigen. The bacterium Neisseria meningitidis is exquisitely adapted to survive in the human host, and possesses several mechanisms to interact with host cells in the upper airway and to circumvent immune responses. However, the mechanisms that govern the expression of factors that contribute to colonisation and disease are incompletely understood. In this work, we further characterise how temperature influences the production of factor H binding protein (fHbp) by the meningococcus; fHbp recruits human complement proteins to the surface of the bacterium, and is an important vaccine antigen. We show that thermoregulation of fHbp occurs gradually over a physiological range of temperatures found in the upper airway, the site of colonisation. This regulation does not require specific meningococcal transcription factors, and sequence analysis indicates that fHbp mRNA forms a secondary structure which could act as an RNA thermosensor. Additional studies demonstrate that there are two specific sequences within the coding region of fHbp mRNA are important for thermosensing and could base-pair to the ribosome binding site, thus blocking translation of this protein. As fHbp is thermoregulated, vaccines that target this antigen might not impose a high level of selective pressure on the bacterium at the mucosal surface, thereby limiting herd immunity induce by fHbp containing vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Loh
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hayley Lavender
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Felicia Tan
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Tracy
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Christoph M. Tang
- Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Meri S. Self-nonself discrimination by the complement system. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:2418-34. [PMID: 27393384 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The alternative pathway (AP) of complement can recognize nonself structures by only two molecules, C3b and factor H. The AP deposits C3b covalently on nonself structures via an amplification system. The actual discrimination is performed by factor H, which has binding sites for polyanions (sialic acids, glycosaminoglycans, phospholipids). This robust recognition of 'self' protects our own intact viable cells and tissues, while activating structures are recognized by default. Foreign targets are opsonized for phagocytosis or killed. Mutations in factor H predispose to severe diseases. In hemolytic uremic syndrome, they promote complement attack against blood cells and vascular endothelial cells and lead, for example, to kidney and brain damage. Even pathogens can exploit factor H. In fact, the ability to bind factor H discriminates most pathogenic microbes from nonpathogenic ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppo Meri
- Immunobiology, Research Programs Unit, Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.,HUSLAB, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland.,Humanitas University, Milan, Italy
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40
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Rosa TFA, Flammersfeld A, Ngwa CJ, Kiesow M, Fischer R, Zipfel PF, Skerka C, Pradel G. The Plasmodium falciparum blood stages acquire factor H family proteins to evade destruction by human complement. Cell Microbiol 2016; 18:573-90. [PMID: 26457721 PMCID: PMC5063132 DOI: 10.1111/cmi.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition of regulatory proteins is a means of blood-borne pathogens to avoid destruction by the human complement. We recently showed that the gametes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum bind factor H (FH) from the blood meal of the mosquito vector to assure successful sexual reproduction, which takes places in the mosquito midgut. While these findings provided a first glimpse of a complex mechanism used by Plasmodium to control the host immune attack, it is hitherto not known, how the pathogenic blood stages of the malaria parasite evade destruction by the human complement. We now show that the human complement system represents a severe threat for the replicating blood stages, particularly for the reinvading merozoites, with complement factor C3b accumulating on the surfaces of the intraerythrocytic schizonts as well as of free merozoites. C3b accumulation initiates terminal complement complex formation, in consequence resulting in blood stage lysis. To inactivate C3b, the parasites bind FH as well as related proteins FHL-1 and CFHR-1 to their surface, and FH binding is trypsin-resistant. Schizonts acquire FH via two contact sites, which involve CCP modules 5 and 20. Blockage of FH-mediated protection via anti-FH antibodies results in significantly impaired blood stage replication, pointing to the plasmodial complement evasion machinery as a promising malaria vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago F A Rosa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ansgar Flammersfeld
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Che J Ngwa
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Meike Kiesow
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Christine Skerka
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstr. 11a, 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pradel
- Division of Cellular and Applied Infection Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringerweg 1, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Forckenbeckstr. 6, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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41
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Pouw RB, Brouwer MC, Geissler J, van Herpen LV, Zeerleder SS, Wuillemin WA, Wouters D, Kuijpers TW. Complement Factor H-Related Protein 3 Serum Levels Are Low Compared to Factor H and Mainly Determined by Gene Copy Number Variation in CFHR3. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152164. [PMID: 27007437 PMCID: PMC4805260 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The major human complement regulator in blood, complement factor H (FH), has several closely related proteins, called FH-related (FHR) proteins. As all FHRs lack relevant complement regulatory activity, their physiological role is not well understood. FHR protein 3 (FHR-3) has been suggested to compete with FH for binding to Neisseria meningitidis, thereby affecting complement-mediated clearance. Clearly, the in vivo outcome of such competition greatly depends on the FH and FHR-3 concentrations. While FH levels have been established, accurate FHR-3 levels were never unequivocally reported to date. Moreover, CFHR3 gene copy numbers commonly vary, which may impact the FHR-3 concentration. Hence, we generated five anti-FHR-3 mAbs to specifically measure FHR-3 in human healthy donors of which we determined the gene copy number variation at the CFH/CFHR locus. Finally, we examined the acute-phase response characteristics of FHR-3 in a small sepsis cohort. We determined FHR-3 levels to have a mean of 19 nM and that under normal conditions the copy number of CFHR3 correlates to a very large extent with the FHR-3 serum levels. On average, FHR-3 was 132-fold lower compared to the FH concentration in the same serum samples and FHR-3 did not behave as a major acute phase response protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B. Pouw
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mieke C. Brouwer
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Judy Geissler
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Laurens V. van Herpen
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sacha S. Zeerleder
- Department of Hematology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Walter A. Wuillemin
- Division of Hematology and Central Hematology Laboratory, Luzerner Kantonsspital and University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Diana Wouters
- Department of Immunopathology, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Taco W. Kuijpers
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Immunology & Infectious Diseases, Emma Children’s Hospital, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research and Landsteiner Laboratory of the Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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42
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Multiple Functions of Glutamate Uptake via Meningococcal GltT-GltM L-Glutamate ABC Transporter in Neisseria meningitidis Internalization into Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Infect Immun 2015; 83:3555-67. [PMID: 26099588 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00654-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that Neisseria meningitidis internalization into human brain microvasocular endothelial cells (HBMEC) was triggered by the influx of extracellular L-glutamate via the GltT-GltM L-glutamate ABC transporter, but the underlying mechanism remained unclear. We found that the ΔgltT ΔgltM invasion defect in assay medium (AM) was alleviated in AM without 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) [AM(-S)]. The alleviation disappeared again in AM(-S) supplemented with 500 μM glutamate. Glutamate uptake by the ΔgltT ΔgltM mutant was less efficient than that by the wild-type strain, but only upon HBMEC infection. We also observed that both GltT-GltM-dependent invasion and accumulation of ezrin, a key membrane-cytoskeleton linker, were more pronounced when N. meningitidis formed larger colonies on HBMEC under physiological glutamate conditions. These results suggested that GltT-GltM-dependent meningococcal internalization into HBMEC might be induced by the reduced environmental glutamate concentration upon infection. Furthermore, we found that the amount of glutathione within the ΔgltT ΔgltM mutant was much lower than that within the wild-type N. meningitidis strain only upon HBMEC infection and was correlated with intracellular survival. Considering that the L-glutamate obtained via GltT-GltM is utilized as a nutrient in host cells, l-glutamate uptake via GltT-GltM plays multiple roles in N. meningitidis internalization into HBMEC.
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Józsi M, Tortajada A, Uzonyi B, Goicoechea de Jorge E, Rodríguez de Córdoba S. Factor H-related proteins determine complement-activating surfaces. Trends Immunol 2015; 36:374-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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de Córdoba SR. Complement genetics and susceptibility to inflammatory disease. Lessons from genotype-phenotype correlations. Immunobiology 2015; 221:709-14. [PMID: 26004345 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Different genome-wide linkage and association studies performed during the last 15 years have associated mutations and polymorphisms in complement genes with different diseases characterized by tissue damage and inflammation. These are complex disorders in which genetically susceptible individuals usually develop the pathology as a consequence of environmental triggers. Although complement dysregulation is a common feature of these pathologies, how the disease phenotype is determined is only partly understood. One way to advance understanding is to focus the research in the analysis of the peculiar genotype-phenotype correlations that characterize some of these diseases. I will review here how understanding the functional consequences of these disease-associated complement genetic variants is providing us with novel insights into the underpinning complement biology and a better knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying each of these pathologies. These advances have important therapeutic and diagnostic implications.
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