The ficolin response to LPS challenge in mice

The ficolins belong to an important family of pattern recognition molecules, which contributes to complement activation via the lectin pathway. How the ficolins respond to inflammatory stimuli remains only partly understood. In the present study, we investigated the ficolin A and ficolin B expression and protein distribution patterns in a mouse model of LPS-induced inflammation. The time- and tissue-specific expression of ficolin A and B was determined by real time PCR. Furthermore, ficolin protein levels in serum and bone marrow extracts from LPS challenged mice were determined by novel in-house developed sandwich ELISAs. Ficolin A was mainly expressed in liver and spleen. However, our data also suggested that ficolin A is expressed in bone marrow, which is the main site of ficolin B expression. The level of ficolin A and B expression was increased after stimulation with LPS in the investigated tissues. This was followed by a downregulation of expression, causing mRNA levels to return to baseline 24 h post LPS challenge. Protein levels appeared to follow the same pattern as the expression profiles, with an exception of ficolin B levels in serum, which kept increasing for 24 h. Ficolin A was likewise significantly increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from mice infected with the fungi A. fumigatus, pointing towards a similar effect of the ficolins in non-sterile mouse models of inflammation. The results demonstrate that LPS-induced inflammation can induce a significant ficolin response, suggesting that the murine ficolins are acute phase reactants with increase in both mRNA expression and protein levels during systemic inflammation.

C-Reactive Protein Binds to Cholesterol Crystals and Co-Localizes with the Terminal Complement Complex in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques

Inflammation is a part of the initial process leading to atherosclerosis and cholesterol crystals (CC), found in atherosclerotic plaques, which are known to induce complement activation. The pentraxins C-reactive protein (CRP), long pentraxin 3 (PTX3), and serum amyloid P component (SAP) are serum proteins associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events and these proteins have been shown to interact with the complement system. Whether the pentraxins binds to CC and mediate downstream complement-dependent inflammatory processes remains unknown. Binding of CRP, PTX3, and SAP to CC was investigated in vitro by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. CRP, PTX3, and SAP bound to CC in a concentration-dependent manner. CRP and PTX3 interacted with the complement pattern recognition molecule C1q on CC by increasing the binding of both purified C1q and C1q in plasma. However, CRP was the strongest mediator of C1q binding and also the pentraxin that most potently elevated C1q-mediated complement activation. In a phagocytic assay using whole blood, we confirmed that phagocytosis of CC is complement dependent and initiated by C1q-mediated activation. The pathophysiological relevance of the in vitro observations was examined in vivo in human atherosclerotic plaques. CRP, PTX3, and SAP were all found in atherosclerotic plaques and were located mainly in the cholesterol-rich necrotic core, but co-localization with the terminal C5b-9 complement complex was only found for CRP. In conclusion, this study identifies CRP as a strong C1q recruiter and complement facilitator on CC, which may be highly relevant for the development of atherosclerosis.

Ficolins do not alter host immune responses to lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in vivo

Ficolins are a family of pattern recognition molecules that are capable of activating the lectin pathway of complement. A limited number of reports have demonstrated a protective role of ficolins in animal models of infection. In addition, an immune modulatory role of ficolins has been suggested. Yet, the contribution of ficolins to inflammatory disease processes remains elusive. To address this, we investigated ficolin deficient mice during a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced model of systemic inflammation. Although murine serum ficolin was shown to bind LPS in vitro, there was no difference between wildtype and ficolin deficient mice in morbidity and mortality by LPS-induced inflammation. Moreover, there was no difference between wildtype and ficolin deficient mice in the inflammatory cytokine profiles after LPS challenge. These findings were substantiated by microarray analysis revealing an unaltered spleen transcriptome profile in ficolin deficient mice compared to wildtype mice. Collectively, results from this study demonstrate that ficolins are not involved in host response to LPS-induced systemic inflammation.

Evasion Mechanisms Used by Pathogens to Escape the Lectin Complement Pathway

The complement system is a crucial defensive network that protects the host against invading pathogens. It is part of the innate immune system and can be initiated via three pathways: the lectin, classical and alternative activation pathway. Overall the network compiles a group of recognition molecules that bind specific patterns on microbial surfaces, a group of associated proteases that initiates the complement cascade, and a group of proteins that interact in proteolytic complexes or the terminal pore-forming complex. In addition, various regulatory proteins are important for controlling the level of activity. The result is a pro-inflammatory response meant to combat foreign microbes. Microbial elimination is, however, not a straight forward procedure; pathogens have adapted to their environment by evolving a collection of evasion mechanisms that circumvent the human complement system. Complement evasion strategies features different ways of exploiting human complement proteins and moreover features different pathogen-derived proteins that interfere with the normal processes. Accumulated, these mechanisms target all three complement activation pathways as well as the final common part of the cascade. This review will cover the currently known lectin pathway evasion mechanisms and give examples of pathogens that operate these to increase their chance of invasion, survival and dissemination.

Complementary Roles of the Classical and Lectin Complement Pathways in the Defense against Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus infections are associated with a high mortality rate for immunocompromised patients. The complement system is considered to be important in protection against this fungus, yet the course of activation is unclear. The aim of this study was to unravel the role of the classical, lectin, and alternative pathways under both immunocompetent and immunocompromised conditions to provide a relevant dual-perspective on the response against A. fumigatus. Conidia (spores) from a clinical isolate of A. fumigatus were combined with various human serum types (including serum deficient of various complement components and serum from umbilical cord blood). We also combined this with inhibitors against C1q, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and ficolin-2 before complement activation products and phagocytosis were detected by flow cytometry. Our results showed that alternative pathway amplified complement on A. fumigatus, but required classical and/or lectin pathway for initiation. In normal human serum, this initiation came primarily from the classical pathway. However, with a dysfunctional classical pathway (C1q-deficient serum), lectin pathway activated complement and mediated opsonophagocytosis through MBL. To model the antibody-decline in a compromised immune system, we used serum from normal umbilical cords and found MBL to be the key complement initiator. In another set of experiments, serum from patients with different kinds of immunoglobulin insufficiencies showed that the MBL lectin pathway contribution was highest in the samples with the lowest IgG/IgM binding. In conclusion, lectin pathway appears to be the primary route of complement activation in the absence of anti-A. fumigatus antibodies, whereas in a balanced immune state classical pathway is the main activator. This suggests a crucial role for the lectin pathway in innate immune protection against A. fumigatus in immunocompromised patients.

A journey through the lectin pathway of complement-MBL and beyond

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL), collectin-10, collectin-11, and the ficolins (ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3) are soluble pattern recognition molecules in the lectin complement pathway. These proteins act as mediators of host defense and participate in maintenance of tissue homeostasis. They bind to conserved pathogen-specific structures and altered self-antigens and form complexes with the pentraxins to modulate innate immune functions. All molecules exhibit distinct expression in different tissue compartments, but all are found to a varying degree in the circulation. A common feature of these molecules is their ability to interact with a set of serine proteases named MASPs (MASP-1, MASP-2, and MASP-3). MASP-1 and -2 trigger the activation of the lectin pathway and MASP-3 may be involved in the activation of the alternative pathway of complement. Furthermore, MASPs mediate processes related to coagulation, bradykinin release, and endothelial and platelet activation. Variant alleles affecting expression and structure of the proteins have been associated with a variety of infectious and non-infectious diseases, most commonly as disease modifiers. Notably, the severe 3MC (Malpuech, Michels, Mingarelli, and Carnevale) embryonic development syndrome originates from rare mutations affecting either collectin-11 or MASP-3, indicating a broader functionality of the complement system than previously anticipated. This review summarizes the characteristics of the molecules in the lectin pathway.

Ficolins Promote Fungal Clearance in vivo and Modulate the Inflammatory Cytokine Response in Host Defense against Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes severe invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. Innate immunity plays a major role in protection against A. fumigatus. The ficolins are a family of soluble pattern recognition receptors that are capable of activating the lectin pathway of complement. Previous in vitro studies reported that ficolins bind to A. fumigatus, but their part in host defense against fungal infections in vivo is unknown. In this study, we used ficolin-deficient mice to investigate the role of ficolins during lung infection with A. fumigatus. Ficolin knockout mice showed significantly higher fungal loads in the lungs 24 h postinfection compared to wild-type mice. The delayed clearance of A. fumigatus in ficolin knockout mice could not be attributed to a compromised recruitment of inflammatory cells. However, it was revealed that ficolin knockout mice exhibited a decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs compared to wild-type mice following A. fumigatus infection. The impaired clearance and cytokine production in ficolin knockout mice was independent of complement, as shown by equivalent levels of A. fumigatus-mediated complement activation in ficolin knockout mice and wild-type mice. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ficolins are important in initial innate host defense against A. fumigatus infections in vivo.

Cholesterol Crystals Activate the Lectin Complement Pathway via Ficolin-2 and Mannose-Binding Lectin: Implications for the Progression of Atherosclerosis

Cholesterol crystals (CC) play an essential role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. CC activate the classical and the alternative complement pathways, but the role of the lectin pathway is unknown. We hypothesized that the pattern recognition molecules (PRMs) from the lectin pathway bind CC and function as an upstream innate inflammatory signal in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. We investigated the binding of the PRMs mannose-binding lectin (MBL), ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3, the associated serine proteases, and complement activation products to CC in vitro using recombinant proteins, specific inhibitors, as well as deficient and normal sera. Additionally, we examined the deposition of ficolin-2 and MBL in human carotid plaques by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the lectin pathway was activated on CC by binding of ficolin-2 and MBL in vitro, resulting in activation and deposition of complement activation products. MBL bound to CC in a calcium-dependent manner whereas ficolin-2 binding was calcium-independent. No binding was observed for ficolin-1 or ficolin-3. MBL and ficolin-2 were present in human carotid plaques, and binding of MBL to CC was confirmed in vivo by immunohistochemistry, showing localization of MBL around CC clefts. Moreover, we demonstrated that IgM, but not IgG, bound to CC in vitro and that C1q binding was facilitated by IgM. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that PRMs from the lectin pathway recognize CC and provides evidence for an important role for this pathway in the inflammatory response induced by CC in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.

Cholesterol crystals activate the lectin complement pathway via ficolin-2 and MBL - implications for the progression of atherosclerosis

Cholesterol crystals (CC) play an essential role in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by inducing inflammation and by functioning as an endogenous danger signal. CC activate the classical and the alternative complement pathways, but the role of the lectin pathway is unknown. In this study we hypothesized that pattern recognition molecules (PRM) from the lectin pathway bind CC and functions as an upstream innate inflammatory signal in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. We investigated the binding of the PRMs mannose-binding lectin (MBL), ficolin-1, ficolin-2, and ficolin-3, the associated serine proteases, and complement activation products to CC using recombinant proteins, specific inhibitors as well as deficient and normal sera. Binding was assessed by flow cytometry and microscopy. The results showed that the lectin pathway was activated on CC by binding of ficolin-2 and MBL, resulting in activation and deposition of complement activation products. MBL bound to CC in a calcium dependent manner while ficolin-2 binding was calcium independent. No binding was observed for ficolin-1 or ficolin-3. Moreover, we demonstrated that IgM, but not IgG bound to CC and that C1q binding was facilitated by IgM. In conclusion our study demonstrates that PRMs from the lectin pathway recognize CC and provides evidence for an important role for this pathway in the inflammatory response induced by CC in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.

Ficolins promote fungal clearance during the early stage of pulmonary infection with Aspergillus fumigatus

Aspergillus fumigatus is a fungal pathogen causing severe and usually fatal invasive infections in immunocompromised patients. The Ficolins are pattern recognition molecules of the lectin pathway of complement and in vitro studies suggest a role for ficolins in the defence against A.fumigatus. However, little is known about their significance in fungal infections in vivo. Thus, our aim of the current project was to establish a murine model of pulmonary A. fumigatus infection to study the relevance of ficolins in host protection against A.fumigatus. Wildtype and ficolin knockout mice were infected intranasally with a sublethal dose of A.fumigatus conidia and the lungs were removed at various time points post-infection to assess the fungal load and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines was measured in the bronchoalveolar lavage. After 24 hours of A.fumigatus infection, the pulmonary fungal load was significantly higher in ficolin knockout mice compared to wildtype mice. In contrast, no significant difference in fungal load between ficolin knockout mice and wildtype mice was observed after 12, 48 or 72 hours of infection. Interestingly, the increased fungal load in knockout mice 24 post-infection was accompanied by a significantly impaired induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to wildtype mice. These results show that ficolins promote fungal clearance and modulate the pro-inflammatory cytokine response, demonstrating the importance of ficolins during the initial phase of A. fumigatus infections in vivo.

Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is the main complement activator on Aspergillus fumigatus conidia under immunocompromised conditions

Aspergillus fumigatus is normally a non-pathogenic fungus, but in immunocompromised patients this fungus becomes highly pathogenic. Complement activation are thought to be of crucial importance for elimination of A. fumigatus. However, which of the three complement pathways that are important under immunocompromised conditions are only partly understood.

Conidia from a clinical isolate of A. fumigatus were co-incubated with serum before complement activation products C4b, C3b and TCC were measured in flow cytometry. Besides normal (NHS) and complement deficient sera plus complement inhibitors, we used umbilical cord serum (UCS) to mimic a compromised immune defense reflected in the low immunoglobulin (Ig) levels.

In NHS, the classical pathway was the dominant initiator with the alternative pathway providing a strong C3b amplification. Classical pathway is known to be initiated via C1q binding to Ig, whereas MBL and ficolin-2 from the lectin pathway bind the fungus directly. UCS conveyed low IgG and no IgM binding to the conidia, and we observed that complement activation on A. fumigatus in UCS was predominantly MBL dependent. UCS with low MBL had significantly lower C3b deposition than serum from NHS with low MBL. Moreover, a close positive correlation between MBL levels and C3b deposition in UCS (Spearman r = 0.79, p < 0.0001, n = 23) was observed. The significance of MBL was emphasized by decreased neutrophilic phagocytosis of conidia via MBL inhibition in C1q−/− serum.

We conclude that MBL is the main complement activator and phagocytosis initiator of A. fumigatus conidia in individuals with low Ig levels. This suggests a crucial role for the lectin pathway in protection against infection of A. fumigatus in immunocompromised patients.

Lessons learned from mice deficient in lectin complement pathway molecules

The lectin pathway of the complement system is initiated when the pattern-recognition molecules, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), ficolins or collectin-11, bind to invading pathogens or damaged host cells. This leads to activation of MBL/ficolin/collectin-11 associated serine proteases (MASPs), which in turn activate downstream complement components, ultimately leading to elimination of the pathogen. Mice deficient in the key molecules of lectin pathway of complement have been generated in order to build knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of the lectin pathway in health and disease. Despite differences in the genetic arrangements of murine and human orthologues of lectin pathway molecules, the knockout mice have proven to be valuable models to explore the effect of deficiency states in humans. In addition, new insight and unexpected findings on the diverse roles of lectin pathway molecules in complement activation, pathogen infection, coagulation, host tissue injury and developmental biology have been revealed by in vivo investigations. This review provides an overview of the mice deficient in lectin pathway molecules and highlights some of the most important findings that have resulted from studies of these.

The pattern recognition molecule ficolin-1 exhibits differential binding to lymphocyte subsets, providing a novel link between innate and adaptive immunity

Ficolin-1 is a soluble pattern recognition molecule synthesized by myeloid cells and capable of activating the lectin pathway of complement on the surface of pathogens. It is tethered to the membranes of monocytes and granulocytes; however, the biological significance of cell-associated ficolin-1 is unknown. Recognition of healthy host cells by a pattern recognition molecule constitutes a potential hazard to self cells and tissues, emphasizing the importance of further elucidating the reported self-recognition. In the current study we investigated the potential recognition of lymphocytes by ficolin-1 and demonstrated that CD56(dim) NK-cells and both CD4(+) and CD8(+) subsets of activated T-cells were recognized by ficolin-1. In contrast we did not detect binding of ficolin-1 to CD56(bright) NK-cells, NKT-cells, resting T-cells or B-cells. Furthermore, we showed that the protein-lymphocyte interaction occurred via the pathogen-recognition domain of ficolin-1 to sialic acid on the cell surface. Thus, the differential binding of ficolin-1 to lymphocyte subsets suggests ficolin-1 as a novel link between innate and adaptive immunity. Our results provide new insight about the recognition properties of ficolin-1 and point toward additional immune modulating functions of the molecule besides its role in pathogen recognition.