Mapping of the sites responsible for factor I-cofactor activity for cleavage of C3b and C4b on human C4b-binding protein (C4bp) by deletion mutagenesis

Human C4b-binding protein (C4bp) facilitates the factor I-mediated proteolytic cleavage of the active forms of complement effectors C3b and C4b into their inactive forms. C4bp comprises a disulfide-linked heptamer of alpha-chains with complement (C) regulatory activity and a beta-chain. Each alpha-chain contains 8 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains. Using SCR-deletion mutants of recombinant multimeric C4bp, we identified the domains responsible for the C3b/C4b-binding and C3b/C4b-inactivating cofactor activity. The C4bp mutant with deletion of SCR2 lost the C4b-binding ability, as judged on C3b/C4b-Sepharose binding assaying and ELISA. In contrast, the essential domains for C3b-binding extended more to the C-terminus, exceeding SCR4. Using fluid phase cofactor assaying and deletion mutants of C4bp, SCR2 and 3 were found to be indispensable for C4b cleavage by factor I, and SCR1 contributed to full expression of the factor I-mediated C4b cleaving activity. On the other hand, SCR1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 participated in the factor I-cofactor activity for C3b cleavage, and SCR2, 3, and 4 were absolutely required for C3b inactivation. Thus, different sets of SCRs participate in C3b and C4b inactivation, and the domain repertoire supporting C3b cofactor activity is broader than that supporting C4b inactivation by C4bp and factor I. Furthermore, the domains participating in C3b/C4b binding are not always identical to those responsible for cofactor activity. The necessity of the wide range of SCRs in C3b inactivation compared to C4b inactivation by C4bp and factor I may reflect the physiological properties of C4bp, which is mainly directed to C4b rather than C3b.     

Domain swapping reveals complement control protein modules critical for imparting cofactor and decay-accelerating activities in vaccinia virus complement control protein

Vaccinia virus encodes a structural and functional homolog of human complement regulators named vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP). This four-complement control protein domain containing secretory protein is known to inhibit complement activation by supporting the factor I-mediated inactivation of complement proteins, proteolytically cleaved form of C3 (C3b) and proteolytically cleaved form of C4 (C4b) (termed cofactor activity), and by accelerating the irreversible decay of the classical and to a limited extent of the alternative pathway C3 convertases (termed decay-accelerating activity [DAA]). In this study, we have mapped the VCP domains important for its cofactor activity and DAA by swapping its individual domains with those of human decay-accelerating factor (CD55) and membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46). Our data indicate the following: 1) swapping of VCP domain 2 or 3, but not 1, with homologous domains of decay-accelerating factor results in loss in its C3b and C4b cofactor activities; 2) swapping of VCP domain 1, but not 2, 3, or 4 with corresponding domains of MCP results in abrogation in its classical pathway DAA; and 3) swapping of VCP domain 1, 2, or 3, but not 4, with homologous MCP domains have marked effect on its alternative pathway DAA. These functional data together with binding studies with C3b and C4b suggest that in VCP, domains 2 and 3 provide binding surface for factor I interaction, whereas domain 1 mediates dissociation of C2a and Bb from the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases, respectively.     

Dissecting the regions of virion-associated Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus complement control protein required for complement regulation and cell binding

Complement, which bridges innate and adaptive immune responses as well as humoral and cell-mediated immunity, is antiviral. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes a lytic cycle protein called KSHV complement control protein (KCP) that inhibits activation of the complement cascade. It does so by regulating C3 convertases, accelerating their decay, and acting as a cofactor for factor I degradation of C4b and C3b, two components of the C3 and C5 convertases. These complement regulatory activities require the short consensus repeat (SCR) motifs, of which KCP has four (SCRs 1 to 4). We found that in addition to KCP being expressed on the surfaces of experimentally infected endothelial cells, it is associated with the envelope of purified KSHV virions, potentially protecting them from complement-mediated immunity. Furthermore, recombinant KCP binds heparin, an analogue of the known KSHV cell attachment receptor heparan sulfate, facilitating infection. Treating virus with an anti-KCP monoclonal antibody (MAb), BSF8, inhibited KSHV infection of cells by 35%. Epitope mapping of MAb BSF8 revealed that it binds within SCR domains 1 and 2, also the region of the protein involved in heparin binding. This MAb strongly inhibited classical C3 convertase decay acceleration by KCP and cofactor activity for C4b cleavage but not C3b cleavage. Our data suggest similar topological requirements for cell binding by KSHV, heparin binding, and regulation of C4b-containing C3 convertases but not for factor I-mediated cleavage of C3b. Importantly, they suggest KCP confers at least two functions on the virion: cell binding with concomitant infection and immune evasion.     

A short consensus repeat-containing complement regulatory protein of lamprey that participates in cleavage of lamprey complement 3

The prototype of the short consensus repeat (SCR)-containing C regulatory protein is of interest in view of its evolutionary significance with regard to the origin of the C regulatory system. Lamprey is an agnathan fish that belongs to the lowest class of vertebrates. Because it does not possess lymphocytes, it lacks Ig and consequently the classical C pathway. We identified an SCR-containing C regulatory protein from the lamprey. The primary structure predicted from the cDNA sequence showed that this is a secretary protein consisting of eight SCRs. This framework is similar to the alpha-chain of C4b-binding protein (C4bp). SCR2 and -3 of human C4bp are essential for C4b inactivation, and this region is fairly well conserved in the lamprey protein. However, the other SCRs of this protein are similar to those of other human C regulatory proteins. The lamprey protein binds to the previously reported lamprey C3b/C3bi deposited on yeast and cleaves lamprey C3b-like C3 together with a putative serum protease. The scheme resembles the C regulatory system of mammals, where factor I and its cofactor inactivate C3b. Unlike human cofactors, the lamprey protein requires divalent cations for C3b-like C3 cleavage. Its artificial membrane-anchored form protects host cells from lamprey C attack via the lectin pathway. Thus, the target of this protein appears to be C3b and/or its family. We named this protein Lacrep, the lamprey C regulatory protein. Lacrep is a member of SCR-containing C regulators, the first of its kind identified in the lowest vertebrates.     

Identification of the streptococcal M protein binding site on membrane cofactor protein (CD46)

Adherence of group A streptococcus (GAS) to keratinocytes is mediated by an interaction between human CD46 (membrane cofactor protein) with streptococcal cell surface M protein. CD46 belongs to a family of proteins that contain structurally related short consensus repeat (SCR) domains and regulate the activation of the complement components C3b and/or C4b. CD46 possesses four SCR domains and the aim of this study was to characterize their interaction with M protein. Following confirmation of the M6 protein-dependent interaction between GAS and human keratinocytes, we demonstrated that M6 protein binds soluble recombinant CD46 protein and to a CD46 construct containing only SCRs 3 and 4. M6 protein did not bind to soluble recombinant CD46 chimeric proteins that had the third and/or fourth SCR domains replaced with the corresponding domains from another complement regulator, CD55 (decay-accelerating factor). Homology-based molecular modeling of CD46 SCRs 3 and 4 revealed a cluster of positively charged residues between the interface of these SCR domains similar to the verified M protein binding sites on the plasma complement regulators factor H and C4b-binding protein. The presence of excess M6 protein did not inhibit the cofactor activity of CD46 and the presence of excess C3b did not inhibit the ability of CD46 to bind M6 protein by ELISA. In conclusion, 1) adherence of M6 GAS to keratinocytes is M protein dependent and 2) a major M protein binding site is located within SCRs 3 and 4, probably at the interface of these two domains, at a site distinct from the C3b-binding and cofactor site of CD46.     

Mutations in alpha-chain of C4BP that selectively affect its factor I cofactor function

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) inhibits all pathways of complement activation, acting as a cofactor to the serine protease factor I (FI) in the degradation of activated complement factors C4b and C3b. C4BP is a disulfide-linked polymer of seven alpha-chains and a unique beta-chain, the alpha- and beta-chains being composed of eight and three complement control protein (CCP) domains, respectively. In previous studies we have localized cofactor activity and binding of C4b to alpha-chain CCP1-3 of C4BP, whereas the binding of C3b required additionally CCP4. Likewise, introduced point mutations that decreased binding of C4b/C3b caused a decrease in cofactor activity. In the present study, we describe two mutants of C4BP, K126Q/K128Q and F144S/F149S, clustered on alpha-chain CCP3, which selectively lost their ability to act as cofactors in the cleavage of both C4b and C3b. Both mutants show the same binding affinity for C4b/C3b as measured by surface plasmon resonance and have the same inhibitory effect on formation and decay of the classical pathway C3-convertase as the wild type C4BP. It appears that C4b and C3b do not undergo the same conformational changes upon binding to the C4BP mutants as during the interaction with the wild type C4BP, which then results in the observed loss of the cofactor activity.     

Functional activity of the complement regulator encoded by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is closely associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and certain B-cell lymphomas. The fourth open reading frame of the KSHV genome encodes a protein (KSHV complement control protein (KCP, previously termed ORF4)) predicted to have complement-regulating activity. Here, we show that soluble KCP strongly enhanced the decay of classical C3-convertase but not the alternative pathway C3-convertase, when compared with the host complement regulators: factor H, C4b-binding protein, and decay-accelerating factor. The equilibrium affinity constant (KD) of KCP for C3b and C4b was determined by surface plasmon resonance analysis to range between 0.47-10 microM and 0.025-6.1 microM, respectively, depending on NaCl concentration and cation presence. Soluble and cell-associated KCP acted as a cofactor for factor I (FI)-mediated cleavage of both C4b and C3b and induced the cleavage products C4d and iC3b, respectively. In the presence of KCP, FI further cleaved iC3b to C3d, which has never been described before as complement receptor 1 only mediates the production of C3dg by FI. KCP would enhance virus pathogenesis through evading complement attack, opsonization, and anaphylaxis but may also aid in targeting KSHV to one of its host reservoirs since C3d is a ligand for complement receptor 2 on B-cells.     

Identification of complement regulatory domains in vaccinia virus complement control protein

Vaccinia virus encodes a homolog of the human complement regulators named vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP). It is composed of four contiguous complement control protein (CCP) domains. Previously, VCP has been shown to bind to C3b and C4b and to inactivate the classical and alternative pathway C3 convertases by accelerating the decay of the classical pathway C3 convertase and (to a limited extent) the alternative pathway C3 convertase, as well as by supporting the factor I-mediated inactivation of C3b and C4b (the subunits of C3 convertases). In this study, we have mapped the CCP domains of VCP important for its cofactor activities, decay-accelerating activities, and binding to the target proteins by utilizing a series of deletion mutants. Our data indicate the following. (i) CCPs 1 to 3 are essential for cofactor activity for C3b and C4b; however, CCP 4 also contributes to the optimal activity. (ii) CCPs 1 to 2 are enough to mediate the classical pathway decay-accelerating activity but show very minimal activity, and all the four CCPs are necessary for its efficient activity. (iii) CCPs 2 to 4 mediate the alternative pathway decay-accelerating activity. (iv) CCPs 1 to 3 are required for binding to C3b and C4b, but the presence of CCP 4 enhances the affinity for both the target proteins. These results together demonstrate that the entire length of the protein is required for VCP's various functional activities and suggests why the four-domain structure of viral CCP is conserved in poxviruses.     

Role of membrane cofactor protein (CD46) in regulation of C4b and C3b deposited on cells

C4b and C3b deposited on host cells undergo limited proteolytic cleavage by regulatory proteins. Membrane cofactor protein (MCP; CD46), factor H, and C4b binding protein mediate this reaction, known as cofactor activity, that also requires the plasma serine protease factor I. To explore the roles of the fluid phase regulators vs those expressed on host cells, a model system was used examining complement fragments deposited on cells transfected with human MCP as assessed by FACS and Western blotting. Following incubation with Ab and complement on MCP(+) cells, C4b was progressively cleaved over the first hour to C4d and C4c. There was no detectable cleavage of C4b on MCP(-) cells, indicating that MCP (and not C4BP in the serum) primarily mediates this cofactor activity. C3b deposition was not blocked on MCP(+) cells because classical pathway activation occurred before substantial C4b cleavage. Cleavage, though, of deposited C3b was rapid (<5 min) and iC3b was the dominant fragment on MCP(-) and MCP(+) cells. Studies using a function-blocking mAb further established factor H as the responsible cofactor. If the level of Ab sensitization was reduced 8-fold or if Mg(2+)-EGTA was used to block the classical pathway, MCP efficiently inhibited C3b deposition mediated by the alternative pathway. Thus, for the classical pathway, MCP is the cofactor for C4b cleavage and factor H for C3b cleavage. However, if the alternative pathway mediates C3b deposition, then MCP's cofactor activity is sufficient to restrict complement activation.     

Characterization of the echovirus 7 receptor: domains of CD55 critical for virus binding.

CD55, or decay-accelerating factor (DAF), is a cell surface glycoprotein which regulates complement activity by accelerating the decay of C3/C5 convertases. Recently, we and others have established that this molecule acts as a cellular receptor for echovirus 7 and related viruses. DAF consists of five domains: four short consensus repeats (SCRs) and a serine/threonine-rich region, attached to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchor. Chinese hamster ovary cells stably transfected with deletion mutants of DAF or DAF-membrane cofactor protein recombinants were analyzed for virus binding. The results indicate that the binding of echovirus 7 to DAF specifically requires SCR2, SCR3, and SCR4. There is also a nonspecific requirement for the S/T-rich region which probably functions to project the binding region away from the cell membrane. The three nonpeptide modifications of DAF, N-linked glycosylation, O-linked glycosylation, and the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchor, are not required for virus binding. The SCRs of membrane cofactor protein, the closest known relative of DAF, cannot substitute for those of DAF with retention of virus binding activity. The monoclonal antibody used to identify DAF as an echovirus receptor, and which inhibits binding of the virus (monoclonal antibody 854), binds to SCR3.     

Contribution of the repeating domains of membrane cofactor protein (CD46) of the complement system to ligand binding and cofactor activity.

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP) (CD46) of the C system binds to C3b and C4b, functions as a cofactor for their cleavage, and protects autologous cells from C-mediated injury. The predominant structural motif of MCP is the short consensus repeat (SCR), a repeating domain involved in ligand binding of other related C regulatory proteins. SCR deletion mutants were constructed to determine which of the four SCR of MCP contribute to ligand binding and cofactor activity. ELISA were developed to evaluate binding efficiency of mutants to ligand. Analysis of the deletion mutants indicated that the third and fourth SCR were important for both ligand binding and cofactor activity of C3b (iC3) and C4b. In addition, the same SCR were required for efficient binding of an mAb known to inhibit MCP function. The mutant deleted of SCR-2 bound but lacked cofactor activity for iC3. It did not bind or possess cofactor activity for C4b. Deletion of the first (amino-terminal) SCR had a minimal effect on iC3 binding and cofactor activity but reduced the efficiency of C4b binding. The results identify the SCR of MCP that contribute to ligand binding and cofactor activity. The data also suggest the presence of distinguishable iC3 and C4b binding sites and provide evidence that iC3 binding is not always sufficient for cofactor activity.     

Restoration of complement-enhanced neutralization of vaccinia virus virions by novel monoclonal antibodies raised against the vaccinia virus complement control protein

The vaccinia virus complement control protein (VCP) is secreted by infected cells and has been shown to inhibit complement activation through interactions with C3b/C4b. It contains four short consensus repeat (SCR) domains. It has been suggested that all four SCRs are required for VCP's activity. To elucidate which SCR domains are involved in abolishing complement-enhanced neutralization of vaccinia virus virions, we generated and characterized a panel of mouse monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) raised against VCP. Ten MAbs were isolated and all recognized VCP on Western blots under reducing conditions as well as native-bound VCP in a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Three of the 10 MAbs (2E5, 3D1, and 3F11) inhibited VCP's abolition of complement-enhanced neutralization of vaccinia virus virions. These MAbs blocked the interaction of VCP with C3b/C4b. The seven remaining MAbs did not alter VCP function in the complement neutralization assay and recognized VCP bound to C3b/C4b. To understand MAb specificity and mode of interaction with VCP, we mapped the MAb binding regions on VCP. The seven nonblocking MAbs all bound to the first SCR of VCP. One of the blocking MAbs recognized SCR 2 while the other two recognized either SCR 4 or the junction between SCRs 3 and 4, indicating that structural elements involved in the interaction of VCP with C3b/C4b are located within SCR domains 2 and 3 and 4. These anti-VCP MAbs may have clinical significance as therapeutic inhibitors of VCP's complement control activity and may also offer a novel approach to managing vaccinia virus vaccine complications that occur from smallpox vaccination.     

Each of the three binding sites on complement factor H interacts with a distinct site on C3b

Factor H (fH) restricts activation of the alternative pathway of complement at the level of C3, both in the fluid phase and on self-structures, but allows the activation to proceed on foreign structures. To study the interactions between fH and C3b we used surface plasmon resonance analysis (Biacore(R)) and eight recombinantly expressed fH constructs containing fragments of the 20 short consensus repeat domains (SCRs) of fH. We analyzed the binding of these constructs to C3b and its cleavage products C3c and C3d. Three binding sites for C3b were found on fH. Site 1 was localized to the five amino-terminal SCRs (SCR1-5), and its reciprocal binding site on C3b was found to be lost upon the cleavage of C3b to C3c and C3d. Site 2 on fH was localized by exclusion probably within or near SCRs 12-14 (fragment SCR8-20 bound to C3b, C3c, and C3d; SCR8-11 did not bind to C3b at all; and SCR15-20 bound only to the C3d part of C3b). Site 3 on fH for C3b was localized to the carboxyl-terminal SCRs 19-20, and its reciprocal binding site was mapped to the C3d part of C3b. In conclusion, we confirmed and mapped three binding sites on fH for C3b and demonstrated that the three binding sites on fH interact with distinct sites on C3b. Multiple reciprocal interactions between C3b and fH can provide a basis for the different reactivity of the alternative pathway with different target structures.     

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (human herpesvirus 8) open reading frame 4 protein (kaposica) is a functional homolog of complement control proteins

The genome analysis of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has revealed the presence of an open reading frame (ORF 4) with sequence homology to complement control proteins. To assign a function to this protein, we have now expressed this ORF using the Pichia expression system and shown that the purified protein inhibited human complement-mediated lysis of erythrocytes, blocked cell surface deposition of C3b (the proteolytically activated form of C3), and served as a cofactor for factor I-mediated inactivation of complement proteins C3b and C4b (the subunits of C3 convertases). Thus, our data indicate that this KSHV inhibitor of complement activation (kaposica) provides a mechanism by which KSHV can subvert complement attack by the host.     

Factor H-related protein 4 activates complement by serving as a platform for the assembly of alternative pathway C3 convertase via its interaction with C3b protein

Human complement factor H-related protein (CFHR) 4 belongs to the factor H family of plasma glycoproteins that are composed of short consensus repeat (SCR) domains. Although factor H is a well known inhibitor of the alternative complement pathway, the functions of the CFHR proteins are poorly understood. CFHR4 lacks SCRs homologous to the complement inhibitory domains of factor H and, accordingly, has no significant complement regulatory activities. We have previously shown that CFHR4 binds C-reactive protein via its most N-terminal SCR, which leads to classical complement pathway activation. CFHR4 binds C3b via its C terminus, but the significance of this interaction is unclear. Therefore, we set out to clarify the functional relevance of C3b binding by CFHR4. Here, we report a novel role for CFHR4 in the complement system. CFHR4 serves as a platform for the assembly of an alternative pathway C3 convertase by binding C3b. This is based on the sustained ability of CFHR4-bound C3b to bind factor B and properdin, leading to an active convertase that generates C3a and C3b from C3. The CFHR4-C3bBb convertase is less sensitive to the factor H-mediated decay compared with the C3bBb convertase. CFHR4 mutants containing exchanges of conserved residues within the C-terminal C3b-binding site showed significantly reduced C3b binding and alternative pathway complement activation. In conclusion, our results suggest that, in contrast to the complement inhibitor factor H, CFHR4 acts as an enhancer of opsonization by promoting complement activation.     

Mapping of Functional Domains in Herpesvirus Saimiri Complement Control Protein Homolog: Complement Control Protein Domain 2 Is the Smallest Structural Unit Displaying Cofactor and Decay-Accelerating Activities

Herpesvirus saimiri encodes a functional homolog of human regulator-of-complement-activation proteins named CCPH that inactivates complement by accelerating the decay of C3 convertases and by serving as a cofactor in factor I-mediated inactivation of their subunits C3b and C4b. Here, we map the functional domains of CCPH. We demonstrate that short consensus repeat 2 (SCR2) is the minimum domain essential for classical/lectin pathway C3 convertase decay-accelerating activity as well as for factor I cofactor activity for C3b and C4b. Thus, CCPH is the first example wherein a single SCR domain has been shown to display complement regulatory functions.The complement system is an ancient and yet highly evolved effector mechanism of immune defense that forms an imperative branch of innate immunity (23, 46). In addition, recent findings have clearly revealed its role as a vital viaduct between the innate and acquired immune systems (6, 18). Thus, it is not surprising that the system helps in purging a wide array of invaders, including viruses. Consequently, for their successful survival, many viruses have developed mechanisms to subvert the host complement system (7, 24, 26, 29, 39, 45). Herpesviruses and poxviruses, in particular, subvert host complement by encoding structural and/or functional homologs of human complement regulators belonging to the regulator-of-complement-activation (RCA) family, by capturing host membrane complement regulators and by using cellular receptors for entering cells (1, 8, 15, 23).The RCA proteins are formed by multiple tandem repeats of bead-like complement control protein (CCP) domains or short consensus repeats (SCRs) separated by short linkers. It has been suggested that the sequence variations enforced upon these SCR domain folds and the interdomain dynamics dictate the functionality of the complement regulators (17, 19, 44, 49). Because sequence similarity in herpesviral complement regulators varies between 43% and 89% and in poxviral complement regulators exceeds 91%, it is likely that the structural diversity in herpesviral complement regulators may have resulted in functional differences in these proteins and/or have resulted in variation in structural requirements for complement regulation. In the herpesviridae family, detailed functional characterization has been performed for complement regulators of Kaposi''s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (Kaposica/KCP) (28, 42), herpesvirus saimiri (HVS) (CCPH) (10, 38), and rhesus rhadinovirus (RCP) (31). All these proteins showed conservation of complement regulatory activities, indicating thereby that structural diversity has not resulted in loss of complement regulatory functions in these proteins. However, it is not clear whether sequence variations within the herpesviral complement regulators have resulted in differences in the domain requirements for complement regulatory activities, since mapping of functional domains has been performed only for Kaposica (30, 43). In the present study, we therefore have mapped the complement regulatory domains of HVS CCPH to get further insight into diversity in domain requirements for functional activities.HVS is a classical prototype of the gamma 2-herpesviruses or rhadinoviruses. It causes rapidly progressing fulminant lymphoma, lymphosarcoma, and leukemia of T-cell origin in marmosets, owl monkeys, and other species of New World primates but not in its natural host, the squirrel monkey (9, 16). Unlike other herpesviruses, it encodes two complement regulators: an RCA homolog (ORF 4; CCPH) that regulates the early steps of complement activation (2, 10) and a CD59 homolog (ORF 15) that inhibits the late steps of complement activation (4, 36). The RCA homolog is formed of four SCR modules (Fig. ​(Fig.1).1). As a result of alternative splicing, the protein is expressed as a full-length membrane-bound form (mCCPH) containing the transmembrane region as well as a spliced secretory form (sCCPH) lacking the transmembrane region (2). Earlier, we showed that sCCPH inhibits complement by targeting C3 convertases: (i) it supports serine protease factor I-mediated inactivation of C3b and C4b, the subunits of C3 convertases (cofactor activity), and (ii) it accelerates the irreversible decay of the classical pathway (CP)/lectin pathway and to a limited extent the alternative pathway (AP) C3 convertases (decay-accelerating activity [DAA]) (38).Open in a separate windowFIG. 1.Schematic illustration of sCCPH and SDS-PAGE analysis of purified recombinant sCCPH and its deletion mutants. (Top) Schematic representation of the structure of the soluble form of CCPH (sCCPH), which is composed of four SCRs. The domains are numbered, and the minimum domains shown to be important for C3b and C4b cofactor activities (CFA) and CP DAA are identified. (Bottom) Expressed and purified sCCPH and its deletion mutants were analyzed by 12% (left) and 13% (right) SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and stained with Coomassie blue. Molecular weights as determined by SDS-PAGE: for sCCPH, 32,000; for SCR1-3, 26,000; for SCR2-4, 27,500; for SCR1-2, 17,000; for SCR2-3, 17,500; for SCR3-4, 16,500; for SCR1, 9,500; for SCR2, 7,000; for SCR3, 8,000; and for SCR4, 8,000. Molecular mass is expressed as kilodaltons in the figure.(This work was done in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. thesis requirements of A.K.S., University of Pune, Pune, India.)In order to map the functional domains of sCCPH, we have generated a series of soluble triple, double, and single SCR deletion mutants. In brief, the deletion mutants of sCCPH comprising SCR1-3, -2-4, -1-2, -2-3, and -3-4 as well as SCR1, -2, -3, and -4 were constructed from the full-length HVS sCCPH clone (38) by PCR amplification and cloning into the bacterial expression vector pET29. The authenticity of each of the clones was confirmed by DNA sequencing, and then they were transformed into the Escherichia coli BL21 strain for expression. The mutants carried the histidine tag at the C terminus and hence were purified to homogeneity by using histidine affinity chromatography. Refolding of the purified proteins was performed by using the rapid dilution method as previously described (38, 47, 48), and the refolded proteins were loaded onto a Superose 12 gel filtration column (Pharmacia) to obtain monodisperse populations of the expressed mutants (38, 48). The preservation of various functions in mutants (see below) suggests that the mutants have maintained their proper conformation. The expressed proteins were >95% pure as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis (Fig. ​(Fig.11).To identify the domains required for cofactor activities of sCCPH against C3b and C4b, we utilized a fluid phase assay wherein C3b or C4b was incubated with each of the deletion mutants and factor I, and inactivation of C3b/C4b (cleavage of the α′-chain) was determined by running the samples on SDS-PAGE gels. It is clear from the data presented in Fig. ​Fig.22 that sCCPH and the mutants SCR1-3, -2-4, and -1-2 supported the cleavage of the α′-chain of C3b. A very weak cleavage was also supported by SCR2-3 and -3-4. The cleavage of the α′-chain of C4b, however, was supported by sCCPH and the mutants SCR1-3, -2-4, -1-2, and -2-3 but not by SCR3-4 (Fig. ​(Fig.2).2). Together, these data point out that SCR1 and -2 considerably contribute to the C3b and C4b cofactor activities of sCCPH but that SCR3 and SCR4 in the case of C3b cofactor activity and SCR3 in the case of C4b cofactor activity contribute to its optimal activity. These results, however, did not elucidate whether a single domain(s) could impart the cofactor activities. We therefore expressed the single-domain mutants (SCR1, SCR2, SCR3, and SCR4) and analyzed their cofactor activities. The results presented in Fig. ​Fig.33 indicate that SCR2, by itself, possesses the ability to support factor I-mediated inactivation of C3b and C4b; SCR3 also displayed very weak cofactor activity against C3b when used at higher concentrations (88 μM; data not shown). These results suggest that structural elements involved in the interaction of sCCPH with factor I are primarily located within SCR2 and -3. Admittedly, the single-domain mutants possess very weak cofactor activities and other domains too contribute to the optimal activity; the cofactor activities of SCR2 for C3b and C4b were 781- and 212-fold lower than that for sCCPH (Fig. ​(Fig.3).3). It should be mentioned here that earlier observations on mapping of the human RCA proteins (factor H, C4b-binding protein, membrane cofactor protein, and complement receptor 1) (3, 11-13, 21), Kaposica (30), and vaccinia virus CCP (VCP) (27) indicated that a minimum of two (in Kaposica) or three (in all other RCA proteins) successive SCR domains are necessary for factor I cofactor activities. Thus, sCCPH is the first complement regulator in which a single SCR domain has been shown to display the factor I cofactor function.Open in a separate windowFIG. 2.Analysis of factor I cofactor activity of sCCPH and its deletion mutants for human complement proteins C3b and C4b. Cofactor activity was assessed by incubating 3.0 μg of human C3b (upper panels) or C4b (lower panels) with sCCPH/SCR1-3/SCR2-4 (4.0 μM) or SCR1-2/2-3/3-4 (24 μM) in the presence or absence of factor I (100 ng) for the indicated time periods at 37°C in 10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.4, containing 145 mM NaCl. The reactions were stopped by addition of sample buffer containing dithiothreitol, and the amount of C3b or C4b cleaved was visualized by subjecting the samples to SDS-PAGE analysis on 10% or 11.5% gel, respectively, and staining with Coomassie blue. During C3b cleavage, the α′-chain is cleaved into N-terminal 68-kDa and C-terminal 46-kDa fragments. The 46-kDa fragment is then cleaved into a 43-kDa fragment. These cleavages indicate inactivation of C3b. In the case of C4b, the α′-chain is cleaved into N-terminal 27-kDa, C-terminal 16-kDa (not visible in the gel), and central C4d fragments. These cleavages indicate the inactivation of C4b.Open in a separate windowFIG. 3.Analysis of factor I cofactor activity (CFA) of single SCR mutants of sCCPH for human complement proteins C3b and C4b. (Upper panels) Cofactor activity was assessed by incubating 3.0 μg of human C3b or C4b with the single SCR mutants (44 μM) in the presence or absence of factor I (100 ng) for 4 h at 37°C in PBS (10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.4, containing 145 mM NaCl). The reactions were stopped by addition of sample buffer containing dithiothreitol, and the amount of C3b or C4b cleaved was visualized by subjecting the samples to 13% SDS-PAGE and stained with Coomassie blue. Cleavage of the α′-chain of C3b and C4b and generation of cleavage products indicate the inactivation of these proteins. (Middle panels) Human C3b (3.0 μg) or C4b (3.0 μg) and factor I (100 ng) were incubated in PBS with increasing concentrations of sCCPH or the SCR2 mutant at 37°C for 1 h, and the cleavage products were analyzed as described above. (Lower panels) The intensity of the α′-chains of C3b and C4b in the middle panels was determined densitometrically and is represented graphically. The closed and open circles represent sCCPH and the SCR2 mutant, respectively.As discussed above, in addition to the inactivation of subunits of C3 convertases (C3b and C4b), sCCPH also regulates C3 convertases by accelerating their decay. It possesses considerable DAA for the CP/lectin pathway C3 convertase (C4b,2a) and a poor decay activity for the AP C3 convertase (C3b,Bb). Thus, we next examined the DAAs of the various sCCPH mutants to map the domains required for this function. To measure the CP C3 convertase decay activity, the C4b,2a enzyme was formed on sheep erythrocytes and allowed to decay in the presence of various mutants. The remaining enzyme activity was then measured by incubating the reaction mixture with EDTA sera (a source of C3 to C9) and measuring hemolysis. Apart from sCCPH, mutants SCR1-3, -1-2, and -2-3 showed substantial DAA for the CP C3 convertase (Fig. ​(Fig.4).4). These data suggested that SCR1-3 is primarily responsible for this activity. On a molar basis, SCR1-3 was 1.6-fold less efficient than sCCPH. Because both SCR1-2 and SCR2-3 possessed the decay activity, it was likely that similar to the cofactor activities, a single SCR domain of sCCPH might also possess the DAA for the CP C3 convertase. Hence, we also assessed the DAAs of the single-domain mutants. Interestingly again, SCR2 was the only single domain that distinctly displayed CP DAA (Fig. ​(Fig.4);4); however, on a molar basis, it was 26-fold less active than sCCPH. Previous data on the involvement of SCR domains in decay acceleration of CP C3 convertase in human RCA proteins (decay-accelerating factor, complement receptor 1, and C4b-binding protein) (3, 5, 20) and viral RCA homologs (Kaposica and VCP) (27, 30) have shown that a minimum of two or three consecutive domains are necessary for the activity. Thus, sCCPH is the only prototype to date in which a single SCR is adequate to impart the CP DAA.Open in a separate windowFIG. 4.Analysis of CP and AP C3 convertase DAAs of sCCPH and its mutants. (Upper panel) The CP C3 convertase C4b,2a was formed on antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes (EA) by sequentially incubating them with human C1, C4, and C2 (Calbiochem). The C3 convertase on the cells was then allowed to decay by incubating EA-C4b,2a with various concentrations of sCCPH or its mutants for 5 min at 22°C, and the activity of the remaining enzyme was assessed by measuring the cell lysis following incubation for 30 min at 37°C with Guinea pig sera containing 40 mM EDTA (27, 32). (Lower panel) The AP C3 convertase C3b,Bb was formed on sheep erythrocytes (ES) by incubating them with human C3 (Calbiochem) and factors B and D in the presence of NiCl₂. The C3 convertase on the cells was then allowed to decay by incubating ES-C3b,Bb with various concentrations of sCCPH or its mutants for 10 min at 37°C, and the activity of the remaining enzyme was assessed by measuring the cell lysis following incubation with EDTA-sera for 30 min at 37°C (35, 37). The data obtained were normalized by considering the lysis that occurred in the absence of an inhibitor as 100% lysis.Although sCCPH is known to possess limited AP C3 convertase DAA, we sought to determine whether this limited activity is localized in a specific region or the full-length protein. To measure the AP DAA, the C3 convertase C3b,Bb was formed on the sheep erythrocytes and incubated with sCCPH or with each of its deletion mutants. The decay of the AP C3 convertase was assessed by adding EDTA sera and measuring hemolysis. Although the full-length protein displayed a limited AP C3 convertase, none of the deletion mutants exhibited any activity (Fig. ​(Fig.44).Inactivation of C3 convertases by the RCA proteins, owing to their cofactor and decay activities, requires interaction of these proteins with C3b and C4b. The ligand binding activity of the RCA proteins, however, does not always correlate with their cofactor and decay activities (12, 34), as apart from ligand binding, cofactor activity involves interaction of the RCA protein with factor I (40), and decay activity involves interaction of the RCA protein with C2a or Bb (22, 25). In order to determine whether cofactor and decay activity data of sCCPH and the various mutants correlate with the ligand binding data, we measured binding of these proteins to C3b and C4b by using a surface plasmon resonance-based assay (38). As observed earlier (38), sCCPH displayed higher affinity for C4b than for C3b (Fig. ​(Fig.55 and Table ​Table1).1). When we measured binding of various deletion mutants to C3b and C4b, only SCR2-4 showed binding to C3b, and SCR1-3 showed binding to C4b (Fig. ​(Fig.5).5). However, there were reductions of about 16- and 14-fold in the affinities of these deletion mutants for C3b and C4b, respectively, compared to that for sCCPH (Table ​(Table1),1), suggesting that all the four domains contribute to binding to C3b and C4b. Because most of the deletion mutants that displayed complement regulatory activities possessed negligible binding to C3b and C4b, it is clear that binding of the mutants does not correlate with their cofactor and decay activities. It is likely that during cofactor activity, interaction of the mutants with C3b and C4b is stabilized by the interaction of factor I with C3b/C4b and the mutants. Similarly, during DAAs, the mutants may possess better affinity for the convertases than their subunits C3b and C4b. Consistent with this argument, decay-accelerating factor has previously been shown to bind to CP C3 convertase with 1,000-fold higher affinity than to C4b (33).Open in a separate windowFIG. 5.Binding of sCCPH and its mutants to C3b and C4b. Binding was determined by a surface plasmon resonance-based assay (38). Sensograms were generated by immobilizing biotinylated C3b (1,200 response units [RUs]) and C4b (940 RUs) on streptavidin chips (Sensor Chip SA; Biacore AB; additional RUs of C3b [∼6,000 RUs] were deposited by forming AP C3 convertase on the chip and flowing native C3 [14]) and injecting sCCPH or its mutants in PBS-T (10 mM sodium phosphate and 145 mM NaCl, pH 7.4, containing 0.05% Tween 20) over the chip. Flow cells immobilized with bovine serum albumin-biotin (Sigma) served as control flow cells. (Left panels) Binding of sCCPH and its various mutants to C3b (top) and C4b (bottom). The sensograms were generated by injecting 500 nM and 2 μM of sCCPH and its various mutants over C3b and C4b chips, respectively. (Middle panels) Sensogram overlay for the interaction between sCCPH and C3b (top) or sCCPH and C4b (bottom). (Right panels) Sensogram overlay for the interaction between SCR2-4 and C3b (top) and SCR1-3 and C4b (bottom). The concentrations of proteins injected are indicated at the right of the sensograms. The solid lines in the top middle and top right panels represent the global fitting of the data to a 1:1 Langmuir binding model with a drifting baseline (A + B ↔ AB; Biaevaluation 4.1). The small arrows in the bottom middle and right panels indicate the time points used for evaluating the steady-state affinity data.

TABLE 1.

Kinetic and affinity data for the interactions of sCCPH and the deletion mutants with human complement proteins C3b and C4b^a

Decay-accelerating factor must bind both components of the complement alternative pathway C3 convertase to mediate efficient decay

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF; CD55) inhibits the complement (C) cascade by dissociating the multimolecular C3 convertase enzymes central to amplification. We have previously demonstrated using surface plasmon resonance (Biacore International) that DAF mediates decay of the alternative pathway C3 convertase, C3bBb, but not of the inactive proenzyme, C3bB, and have shown that the major site of interaction is with the larger cleavage subunit factor B (Bb) subunit. In this study, we dissect these interactions and demonstrate that the second short consensus repeat (SCR) domain of DAF (SCR2) interacts only with Bb, whereas SCR4 interacts with C3b. Despite earlier studies that found SCR3 to be critical to DAF activity, we find that SCR3 does not directly interact with either subunit. Furthermore, we demonstrate that properdin, a positive regulator of the alternative pathway, does not directly interact with DAF. Extending from studies of binding to decay-accelerating activity, we show that truncated forms of DAF consisting of SCRs 2 and 3 bind the convertase stably via SCR2-Bb interactions but have little functional activity. In contrast, an SCR34 construct mediates decay acceleration, presumably due to SCR4-C3b interactions demonstrated above, because SCR3 alone has no binding or functional effect. We propose that DAF interacts with C3bBb through major sites in SCR2 and SCR4. Binding to Bb via SCR2 increases avidity of binding, concentrating DAF on the active convertase, whereas more transient interactions through SCR4 with C3b directly mediate decay acceleration. These data provide new insights into the mechanisms involved in C3 convertase decay by DAF.     

Effect of hybrid complement regulatory proteins on xenogeneic cells

To suppress C3 fragment deposition in the classical pathway complement activation on xenogeneic membranes, decay accelerating factor (DAF) was the most effective molecule among the complement regulatory proteins (CRPs) used in the present study. C3 fragment deposition was closely related to subsequent xenogeneic cell lysis. However, other molecules were also very effective in different ways and include phosphatidylinositol (PI)-anchored short consensus repeat (SCR) 2-4 of membrane cofactor protein (MCP-PI), PI-anchored C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH-PI), and PI-anchored SCR8-11 of complement receptor type 1 (CR1-PI). On the other hand, regarding a strategy for downregulating C4 fragment deposition, the use of only C1-INH-PI and PI-anchored SCR1-3 of the C4b-binding protein (C4bp-PI) was found to be effective.     

Characterization of the active sites in decay-accelerating factor

Decay-accelerating factor (DAF) is a complement regulator that dissociates autologous C3 convertases, which assemble on self cell surfaces. Its activity resides in the last three of its four complement control protein repeats (CCP2-4). Previous modeling on the nuclear magnetic resonance structure of CCP15-16 in the serum C3 convertase regulator factor H proposed a positively charged surface area on CCP2 extending into CCP3, and hydrophobic moieties between CCPs 2 and 3 as being primary convertase-interactive sites. To map the residues providing for the activity of DAF, we analyzed the functions of 31 primarily alanine substitution mutants based in part on this model. Replacing R69, R96, R100, and K127 in the positively charged CCP2-3 groove or hydrophobic F148 and L171 in CCP3 markedly impaired the function of DAF in both activation pathways. Significantly, mutations of K126 and F169 and of R206 and R212 in downstream CCP4 selectively reduced alternative pathway activity without affecting classical pathway activity. Rhesus macaque DAF has all the above human critical residues except for F169, which is an L, and its CCPs exhibited full activity against the human classical pathway C3 convertase. The recombinants whose function was preferentially impaired against the alternative pathway C3bBb compared with the classical pathway C4b2a were tested in classical pathway C5 convertase (C4b2a3b) assays. The effects on C4b2a and C4b2a3b were comparable, indicating that DAF functions similarly on the two enzymes. When CCP2-3 of DAF were oriented according to the crystal structure of CCP1-2 of membrane cofactor protein, the essential residues formed a contiguous region, suggesting a similar spatial relationship.     

Pig complement regulator factor H: molecular cloning and functional characterization

Complement is an efficient defense mechanism of innate immunity. Factor H is the central complement regulator of the alternative pathway, acting in the fluid-phase and on self surfaces. Pigs are considered a suitable source for xenotransplantation and thus several membrane-bound pig complement regulators with importance for the acute rejection phase have been investigated. However, pig fluid-phase regulators have not been described so far. We report the cloning, expression and functional characterization of pig factor H. After constructing a pig liver cDNA library, a full-length factor H cDNA was isolated and sequenced. The predicted protein is organized in 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains and has an overall identity of 62% to the human protein. For functional characterization, three deletion constructs of pig factor H were expressed in insect cells. Pig factor H construct SCR 1–4 has cofactor activity for factor I-mediated cleavage of human C3b, which is similar to the human regulator. In addition, this N-terminal construct binds to human C3b, while a construct consisting of SCR 15–20 showed a weaker binding to human C3b/C3d. Pig factor H has two major binding sites for heparin, as the two constructs representing SCR 1–7 and SCR 15–20 proteins, but not the SCR 1–4 protein, bind heparin. The C-terminal construct is able to bind to human endothelial cells, as assayed by FACS. We show that pig and human factor H share functional characteristics in complement regulation and cell surface binding. Possible consequences of using pig livers for xenotransplantation are discussed.The nucleotide sequence data reported are available in the EMBL database (accession number AJ278470)