支原体肺炎患儿血清中相关炎性因子的表达变化情况及其临床意义探讨

目的：探讨支原体肺炎（Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia,MPP）患儿血清中细胞因子IL-8,IL-12的表达水平及hs-CRP、IgG和血清补体（C）的变化及其临床意义。方法：收集MPP患儿50例,分为重症组、轻症组。健康儿童42例作为对照组;用ELISA法测定MPP患儿急性期、恢复期及对照组儿童血清IL-8、IL-12的水平,用血浆蛋白分析仪速率散射比浊法测定hs-CRP,Ig和C含量。结果：在急性期和恢复期MPP患儿血清IL-12含量明显低于正常对照组（P〈0.05）;而血清IL-8含量在急性期明显高于正常对照组（P〈0.01）。重症组患儿血清中IL-12明显低于轻症组,而血清中IL-8较轻症组高（P均〈0.01）。急性期MPP患儿血清IgM,IgG与对照组相比明显升高（P均〈0.01）;而IgA明显降低（P〈0.05）。急性期MPP患儿hs-CRP、C3、C4与对照组比较显著升高（分别为P〈0.01、P〈0.01、P〈0.05）。重症组患儿血清中IgM,IgG与轻症组相比明显升高（P均〈0.01）;IgA与轻症组相比明显降低（P〈0.05）;重症组患儿血清中hs-CRP、C3、C4与轻症组相比明显升高（P均〈0.01）。结论：检测相关血清炎性细胞因子对判定MPP患儿的病情和预后有较高的临床应用价值。     

过敏性紫癜并肺炎支原体感染患儿免疫球蛋白和补体的研究

【摘 要】 目的 检测过敏性紫癜（HSP）合并肺炎支原体(MP) 感染的患儿血清免疫球蛋白及补体的水平,探讨MP感染与HSP的体液免疫学关系。方法 研究对象为55例HSP患儿,检测MP-IgM抗体,分为MP-IgM阳性组20例、MP-IgM阴性组35例,并以20名正常儿童作为对照组。采用全自动生化分析仪检测血清免疫球蛋白IgA、IgM、IgG、IgE及补体C3、C4。结果 HSP患儿MP感染阳性率达36.36%,合并MP感染的患儿临床症状更严重。与正常对照组相比,MP-IgM阴性组IgA、IgE明显增高（P<0.01）,C3水平降低（P<0.05）,同时IgE明显高于MP-IgM阳性组（P<0.01）,IgG、IgM、C4无明显变化。MP-IgM阳性组与正常对照组相比,IgA增高,IgM、C3、C4水平降低,且其中IgM、C3低于MP-IgM阴性组,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）,而IgG、IgE水平无明显改变。结论 在HSP儿童中有较高MP感染率,所有HSP患儿存在血清IgA增高及C3水平降低,说明体液免疫参与HSP的发病。伴MP感染的HSP患儿体液免疫功能更加紊乱,表现在C4水平下降,IgM、C3明显低于MP-IgM阴性组,IgE增高仅见于MP-IgM阴性组,提示MP感染的HSP患儿可能更多伴有低补体血症的自身免疫紊乱参与,说明MP感染引起的免疫紊乱可能在HSP发生、发展中具有重要作用。     

免疫复合物参与冻伤大鼠冻结-融化损伤的研究

目的：了解体液免疫在冻结性冻伤损伤病理生理过程中的作用,为冻结性冻伤的预防和治疗提供依据。方法：实验采用Wistar大鼠冻结性冻伤模型,在冻伤前及冻伤后4h、1d、3d和5d测量三种免疫球蛋白（IgG、IgA和IgM）、两种补体（C3和C4）和血清循环免疫复合物的含量;用免疫荧光标记技术检测骨骼肌中的组织免疫复合物含量;用免疫粘附法观察红细胞表面免疫复合物含量变化。结果：大鼠冻伤后血清IgG急剧下降,冻后4h下降至最低值。IgA在冻伤后1d达到最低。血清IgM浓度在冻伤后逐渐增高,冻后5d继续上升。血清循环免疫复合物浓度在冻后逐渐增高,冻后1d达峰值,为冻前的28、8倍（P〈0.01）。冻伤后1d大鼠骨骼肌开始出现免疫复合物沉积。红细胞表面免疫复合物含量明显高于冻前,冻后3d达到高峰（P〈0．01）。结论：研究结果表明,冻结性冻伤是一种免疫复合物相关性疾病,对此国内、外尚未见报道。     

百草枯中毒患者血清补体及免疫球蛋白含量的变化及意义

目的:比较分析百草枯中毒患者血清补体水平及免疫球蛋白含量的改变及临床意义.方法:免疫球透射比浊法检测32例百草枯中毒患者(中毒组)与40例健康者(对照组)血清中补体C3,C5的水平及血清IgG、IgM、IgA含量.结果:百草枯中毒组患者血清IgM、C3、C5含量与对照组相比增高,且具有显著性差异(P<0.05或P<0.01),而IgG、IgA含量与对照组相比无明显变(P>0.05).结论:血清补体C3,C5水平与百草枯中毒患者的发病机制密切相关,抑制补体系统的激活,可能是治疗百草枯中毒患者的一种途径.     

HIV-2gag-gp105嵌合基因DNA疫苗对小鼠的免疫原性研究

利用真核表达载体pVAX1构建HIV-2 gag-gp105嵌合基因的重组质粒pVAX1gag-gp105,将其转入BHK21细胞中,利用间接免疫荧光方法检测其表达情况.进一步分别将核酸疫苗质粒pVAX1gag-gp105、对照组质粒pVAX1和PBS溶液经肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠脾CD4+、CD8+T细胞亚群的数量,脾特异性CTL杀伤活性和血清抗体滴度.结果显示,重组核酸疫苗质粒pVAX1gag-gp105疫组小鼠脾CD4+、CD8+T细胞亚群的数值均比对照组高(P＜0.01),脾特异性CTL杀伤活性与对照组相比差异极显著(P＜0.01),血清抗体滴度显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).以上结果表明,HIV-2 gag-gp105嵌合基因DNA疫苗对BALB/c小鼠具有良好的体液和细胞免疫原性.     

反复呼吸道感染患儿血清微量元素及体液免疫水平测定及临床意义

目的:探讨反复呼吸道感染患儿血清微量元素及体液免疫水平测定及其临床意义。方法:选取2016年1月至2017年1月在我院接受治疗的反复呼吸道感染患儿64例作为观察组,另外选取同期来我院体检的健康儿童60例作为对照组,比较两组儿童血清微量元素钙(Ca)、铁(Fe)、铜(Cu)、锌(Zn)、镁(Mg)等的水平、体液免疫因子免疫球蛋白A(IgA)、免疫球蛋白M(IgM)、免疫球蛋白G(IgG)水平及血清补体C3、C4、C5水平,并分析其相关性。结果:观察组患儿血清Ca、Fe、Zn水平显著低于对照组儿童(P0.05),两组儿童血清Cu、Mg水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组患儿血清IgA、IgM、IgG水平低于对照组儿童(P0.05)。两组儿童血清补体C3、C4、C5水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。经Pearson相关性分析可得:反复呼吸道感染患儿血清Ca、Fe、Zn与血清IgA、IgM、IgG水平呈正相关(P0.05)。结论:反复呼吸道感染患儿存在血清Ca、Fe、Zn微量元素缺乏及血清IgA、IgM、IgG水平降低现象,且它们之间具有正相关关系,可能共同促进反复呼吸道感染的发生。     

支原体肺炎患儿血清中相关炎性因子的表达变化情况及其临床意义探讨(英文)

目的:探讨支原体肺炎(Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia,MPP)患儿血清中细胞因子IL-8,IL-12的表达水平及hs-CRP、IgG和血清补体(C)的变化及其临床意义。方法:收集MPP患儿50例,分为重症组、轻症组。健康儿童42例作为对照组;用ELISA法测定MPP患儿急性期、恢复期及对照组儿童血清IL-8、IL-12的水平,用血浆蛋白分析仪速率散射比浊法测定hs-CRP,Ig和C含量。结果:在急性期和恢复期MPP患儿血清IL-12含量明显低于正常对照组(P0.05);而血清IL-8含量在急性期明显高于正常对照组(P0.01)。重症组患儿血清中IL-12明显低于轻症组,而血清中IL-8较轻症组高(P均0.01)。急性期MPP患儿血清IgM,IgG与对照组相比明显升高(P均0.01);而IgA明显降低(P0.05)。急性期MPP患儿hs-CRP、C3、C4与对照组比较显著升高(分别为P0.01、P0.01、P0.05)。重症组患儿血清中IgM,IgG与轻症组相比明显升高(P均0.01);IgA与轻症组相比明显降低(P0.05);重症组患儿血清中hs-CRP、C3、C4与轻症组相比明显升高(P均0.01)。结论:检测相关血清炎性细胞因子对判定MPP患儿的病情和预后有较高的临床应用价值。     

TKI治疗晚期tPd,细胞肺癌患者免疫功能的变化及意义

目的：通过观察晚期非小细胞肺癌患者TKI治疗前后外周血IgG、[gM、IgA、C3、c4、C-反应蛋白及CD3＋、CD4＋、CD8＋、CD4＋／CD8＋细胞的表达变化,探讨TKI治疗对晚期非小细胞肺癌患者免疫功能的影响及意义。方法：检测TKI组30例非小细胞肺癌患者TKI治疗前、治疗一个月后外周血IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白及CD3＋、CD4＋,CD8＋、CD4＋／CD8＋细胞表达水平,分析表达变化及与疗效的关系。30例非小细胞肺癌患者作为对照组。结果：治疗前,TKI组与对照组IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、c＋反应蛋白水平基本正常,但CD4＋细胞数量减低、CD4＋／CD8＋比值较低、CD8＋细胞数量增高,两组相比IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白、CD3＋、CD4＋．CD8＋、CD4＋／CD8‘差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;TKI治疗一个月后,TKI组与对照组IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、C-反应蛋白水平无明显变化,而CD4＋细胞数量增多、CD4＋／CD8＋较前增高,CD8＋细胞数量较前减低,两组相比CD3＋、IgG、IgM、IgA、C3、C4、c-反应蛋白差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,而CD4＋．CD4＋／CD8＋、CD8＋差异有统计学意义（P〈O．01）。结论：TKI治疗后,晚期非小细胞肺癌患者细胞免疫功能得到改善,体现在CD4＋,CD8＋细胞数量的变化上,且TKI治疗的疗效可通过比较外周血CD4＋、CD4＋／CD8＋、cD8＋细胞表达变化体现。     

水痘-带状疱疹病毒对系统性红斑狼疮患者体液免疫功能的影响

目的:观察水痘患者、系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)患者和系统性红斑狼疮合并水痘患者体液免疫指标的变化,探讨水痘-带状疱疹病毒对系统性红斑狼疮患者体液免疫功能的影响。方法:选择在我院诊断治疗的水痘患者、系统性红斑狼疮患者和系统性红斑狼疮合并水痘患者共66例,同时设21例正常对照组;利用血液细胞分析仪检测各组血液中白细胞计数(WBC)、血小板计数(PLT)以及血红蛋白含量(HGB);采用免疫比浊法检测各组血清中免疫球蛋白G(IgG)、免疫球蛋白A(IgA)和免疫球蛋白M(IgM)以及补体C3、C4的水平。结果:与正常对照组比较,水痘组、SLE组以及SLE合并水痘组WBC、PLT和HGB含量下降,其中SLE组和SLE合并水痘组WBC、PLT降低,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);水痘组血清中IgG、IgA和IgM含量下降,SLE组和SLE合并水痘组血清中IgG、IgA和IgM含量上升,其中水痘组血清中IgA含量减少有统计学意义(P<0.05),SLE组和SLE合并水痘组血清中IgG、IgA含量增加有统计学意义(P<0.05或P<0.01);水痘组血清中补体C3、C4含量增加,SLE组和SLE合并水痘组血清中补体C3、C4含量减少,其中SLE合并水痘组减少且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。与SLE组比较,SLE合并水痘组WBC明显增加(P<0.05),血清中IgG、IgA和补体C3、C4降低且差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:水痘-带状疱疹病毒可引起系统性红斑狼疮患者免疫系统相关指标的改变并对其产生影响。     

过敏性紫癜患儿急性期免疫学指标的变化及意义

目的:探讨过敏性紫癜(HSP)患儿急性期淋巴细胞亚群和免疫球蛋白的变化及其临床意义.方法:采用流式细胞仪(FCM)和全自动生化分析仪检测46例HSP患儿和30例健康儿童外周血淋巴细胞亚群CD3、CD4、CD8、CD4/CD8、CD19、CD16+56和免疫球蛋白IgA、IgM、IgG及补体C3、CA.结果:与健康儿童组比较,HSP患儿外周血CD4、CD4/CD8、CD16+56细胞水平明显降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);CD8、CD19水平明显升高(P＜0.05).36/46(78.3%)HSP患儿出现血清IgA、IgG或IgM水平异常.免疫球蛋白异常的HSP患儿有16/36(44.4%)出现肾脏或者消化道并发症,而免疫球蛋白正常的HSP患儿有2/10(20.0%)出现肾或者消化道并发症(P＜0.05).32/46(69.6%)HSP患儿血清IgA水平升高,其中10/32(31.3%)例HSP患儿出现紫癜性肾炎(HSPN);而血清IgA水平正常HSP患儿有1/14(7.1%)出现HSPN(P＜0.01).结论:HSP患儿急性期存在细胞和体液免疫功能紊乱.IgA升高患儿易出现肾脏或者消化道并发症.     

Reduction of the Gal-alpha1,3-Gal epitope of mouse endothelial cells by transfection with the N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III gene

In order to prevent hyperacute rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation, it would be very useful to be able to down-regulate the Gal alpha1-3 Galbeta 1-4 GlcNAc-R (alpha-Gal epitope) in mouse and swine tissues. When the beta-D-mannoside beta-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase III (GnT-III) gene was introduced into mouse aorta endothelial cells (MEC) their susceptibility to complement-mediated cell lysis by normal human serum (NHS) was reduced. Expression of GnT-III also suppressed the antigenicity of MEC to human natural antibodies as shown by binding of Griffonia simplicifolia 1 isolectin (GS1B4 lectin) to the alpha-Gal epitope. Western blot analysis indicated that the reactivity of the glycoproteins of the transfectants to NHS and GSIB4 lectin was reduced to approximately the same extent. Thus GnT-III, a key enzyme involved in the formation of branched N-linked sugars, reduces the expression of xenoantigens, suggesting that this approach may be of value in clinical xenotransplantation.     

Activation of human complement by IgG antisperm antibody and the demonstration of C3 and C5b-9-mediated immune injury to human sperm

To investigate the role of C in the pathogenesis of antisperm antibody (ASA)-mediated infertility, we evaluated the binding and biologic effects of antisperm IgG and autologous C on human sperm. A flow cytometric assay using motile sperm as a target for IgG ASA+ (n = 30) and ASA- (n = 5) sera was developed for the concomitant detection of sperm-bound IgG and the initial (C3d) and terminal (C5b-9) C components on the surface of human sperm. Of the 30 IgG ASA+ sera evaluated by flow cytometry, 15 (50%) and 22 (73.3%) sera were also positive for sperm-bound C3d and C5b-9, respectively. Monomeric IgG purified from C-fixing ASA+ serum was able to bind to sperm and induced deposition of C3 on the sperm surface in the presence of human C. Incubation of motile sperm with C-fixing immune sera resulted in a significant loss (43 to 87%) of motility associated with characteristic C5b-9-induced alterations in sperm morphology leading ultimately to sperm lysis. When motile sperm were cocultured with purified polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the presence of C-fixing immune sera, the binding of sperm heads to the PMN resulted in the formation of sperm rosettes, whereas non C-fixing or control sera had no such effect. Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections of the rosettes revealed ingestion of the sperm by the human PMN. These data suggested that 1) antibody bound to sperm is capable of activating autologous C by the classical pathway; 2) binding of both IgG and C proteins initiates C3-mediated sperm binding to PMN and sperm inactivation by deposition of membrane attack complex (MC5b-9) of C; and 3) concomitant detection of sperm-bound IgG, C3d, and C5b-9 may serve as an indicator of C-fixing cytotoxic ASA in the sera of infertile couples.     

The possibility of reducing xenoantigen levels with a novel gal 3'-sulfotransferase (GP3ST)

Glycoprotein-3-sulfotransferase (GP3ST) is a key enzyme in downregulating the expression of Galalpha1,3Galbeta1,4GlcNAc-R (the alpha-Gal epitope), via enzymatic competition with an alpha1,3 galactosyltransferase (alpha1,3GT), such as alpha2,6 sialyltransferase (alpha2,6ST). In this study, we report the dominance of GP3ST over alpha1,3GT using transfected pig endothelial cell (PEC) lines. The introduction of the GP3ST gene into PEC suppresses its antigenicity with respect to normal human pooled serum (NHS), including the alpha-Gal epitope and the Hanganutziu-Deicher (H-D) antigen, and, in addition, reduces the susceptibility to NHS in complement-mediated cell lysis. Western and lectin blot analyses of the products of parental PEC and its transfectants indicated that proteins smaller than 66 kDa have a diminished reactivity with NHS and the IB4 lectin. The levels of the alpha-Gal epitope in neutral glycosphingolipids were also decreased in the GP3ST transfectants as detected in thin layer chromatography by immunostaining. These data indicate that GP3ST is very effective in reducing xenoepitope levels.     

Binding of C-reactive protein to nucleated cells leads to complement activation without cytolysis

C-reactive protein (CRP) is an acute-phase reactant that is found bound to cells at sites of inflammation. We have passively sensitized HEp-2 cells for CRP binding and examined the effect of this treatment on complement activation and cell lysis. When cells were treated with protamine sulfate and CRP and were incubated with normal human serum in a 4-hr 51Cr-release assay, no significant lysis was noted. In contrast, HEp-2 cells treated with antibody and normal human serum were lysed. The consumption of complement components in normal human serum after incubation with cells treated with protamine and CRP was measured by hemolytic assays. CRP-treated cells consumed over 80% of C1, C4, and C2 and about 40% of C3 present. No significant consumption of C5 through C9 components was observed. Cells treated with antibody and complement showed consumption of C1 through C9. Cells were also sensitized for CRP binding by using diazophenylphosphocholine. This treatment also led to CRP binding and activation of the early classical pathway (C1, C4, C2, and to a lesser extent C3). The components of the membrane attack complex (C5 through C9) were not activated. Both a mouse monoclonal IgM and a human IgG antibody to phosphocholine activated the entire classical pathway. These results indicate that CRP activation of the classical complement pathway is restricted to the early part of the pathway. In the absence of activation of the membrane attack complex, complement-mediated cell lysis cannot occur.     

Activation of complement by pathogenic and nonpathogenic Entamoeba histolytica

Previous studies had demonstrated that strains of Entamoeba histolytica isolated from patients with colitis or amebic liver abscess were resistant to complement-mediated killing, whereas strains from asymptomatic patients were readily lysed by non-immune serum. Both serum-sensitive and serum-resistant strains of E. histolytica depleted complement rapidly as assessed by CH50, C3, and C7, and C5-9 hemolytic activities. Activation of the alternative pathway was important in lysis of nonpathogenic strains, as demonstrated by lysis by NHS (60.9 +/- 15.6%) and NHS + 5 mM EGTA (59.3 +/- 4.5%) as well as by C4-deficient guinea pig serum (72.8 +/- 7.1%) and C2-deficient human serum (64.4 +/- 11.1%), but not by NHS + 5 mM EDTA. Classical pathway activation also occurs as both pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains deplete greater than 98% of C4 activity, although it is not necessary for lysis. Pathogenic strains are not lysed by either the classical or the alternative pathway. These results suggest that pathogenic strains of E. histolytica activate complement but are able to evade an important host defense, complement-mediated lysis.     

Protective role of unconjugated bilirubin on complement-mediated hepatocytolysis

Hyperbilirubinemia and complement-mediated immune attack on hepatocyte membrane are common features of certain hepatic diseases. To assess whether unconjugated bilirubin (UB) counteracts complement-mediated hepatocytolysis, we first generated a rabbit polyclonal antibody (Ab) against rat hepatocyte plasma membrane (RHPM). An assay performed with isolated rat hepatocytes in the presence of the polyclonal Ab and rat serum as complement donor demonstrated that UB inhibits cell lysis, as lactate dehydrogenase release into the medium was inhibited by the pigment in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies showed that UB significantly attenuates the binding of C3 to the hepatocyte-Ab complex. Further enzyme immunoassay studies showed that UB interferes the binding of C1q to purified anti-RHPM IgG, also in a dose-dependent manner. A dot-blot assay showed that [14C]-UB binds to C1q and human serum albumin (HSA) to a similar extent. A differential spectrum analysis of UB in the presence of C1q further confirmed that the pigment interacts with this protein. In conclusion, we demonstrated an inhibitory action of UB on complement-mediated Ab-induced hepatocytolysis, this action being evidenced at pathophysiological pigment concentrations (171 microM and higher). A direct binding of the pigment to C1q is likely involved.     

Mechanism of resistance to lysis by the alternative complement pathway in Trypanosoma cruzi trypomastigotes: effect of specific monoclonal antibody

Trypanosoma cruzi G strain epimastigotes were lysed by normal human serum (NHS) through activation of the alternative complement pathway (ACP), whereas metacyclic trypomastigotes were resistant to lysis. Epimastigotes and metacyclics with equivalent amounts of C3b deposited on their surface bound factor B with similar affinities. In contrast, factor H bound with higher affinity to metacyclics than to epimastigotes. Both T. cruzi forms with bound C3b were extensively (60 to 80%) lysed after formation of surface C3-convertase and the addition of a C3-C9 complement source. In the presence of factors H and I, or incubation with NHS with EDTA, the percentage of lysis of metacyclics decreased faster than that of epimastigotes with increasing incubation times. These data suggest, as a possible mechanism of resistance to lysis in metacyclic trypomastigotes, the higher binding affinity of factor H to C3b and the inactivation of the latter by serum regulatory proteins. Metacyclics were lysed by NHS, through ACP, in the presence of human immune serum to T. cruzi or anti-T. cruzi monoclonal antibody, but not with the Fab fragment of the latter, which recognizes a 90,000 m.w. antigen from T. cruzi metacyclics. Protection of parasite-bound C3b from serum control proteins was observed when parasites were incubated, before C3 deposition, with the lytic monoclonal antibody but not with its Fab fragment or a nonrelated IgG control. When C3b was deposited on metacyclics before antibody binding, C3b inactivation occurred. In the lysis of metacyclics, through ACP activation, binding of antibody apparently creates new acceptor sites which prevent the activity of serum regulatory proteins.     

Neonatal porcine Sertoli cells inhibit human natural antibody-mediated lysis

Sertoli cells protect cotransplanted cells from allogeneic and xenogeneic rejection. Additionally, neonatal porcine Sertoli cells (NPSCs) survive long-term as xenografts in nonimmunosuppressed rodents. This has led to the hypothesis that NPSCs could be used to prevent cellular rejection in clinical transplantation, thereby eliminating the need for chronic immunosuppression. Prior to transplantation of NPSCs in humans it is necessary to determine whether they are also protected from humoral-mediated xenograft rejection. The presence of Gal alpha(1,3)Gal beta(1,4)GlcNAc-R (alphaGal epitope) as well as binding of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM to NPSCs was examined by immunocytochemical and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. alphaGal was detected on 88.5% +/- 3.0% of NPSCs. Consistent with this, 71.7% +/- 1.0% and 65.4% +/- 5.2% of NPSCs were bound by IgG and IgM, respectively. When cultured NPSCs underwent an in vitro cytotoxicity assay by incubation with human AB serum plus complement, no increase in cellular lysis was observed, while controls--porcine aorta endothelial cells--were shown to contain > 60% dead cells. Finally, activation of the complement cascade was examined by immunohistochemistry. C3 and C4 were deposited on the surface of the NPSC membrane, indicating activation of complement. Although the complement cascade was activated, the membrane attack complex (MAC) was not formed. These data demonstrate that despite expression of alphaGal, binding of xenoreactive antibodies, and the activation of complement, NPSCs survive human antibody and complement-mediated lysis by preventing MAC formation. This suggests that NPSCs may be able to survive humoral-mediated rejection in a clinical situation.     

Complement activation induces the expression of decay-accelerating factor on human mesangial cells.

In the present study we evaluated the effect of complement activation by immune complexes (IC) on the expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF) on human mesangial cells (MC). MC in culture were incubated with an Ag (DNP-Gelatin) that binds to fibronectin present in the MC matrix. Subsequently, MC were incubated with anti-DNP antibodies in the presence of human serum. By immunoperoxidase staining we showed that these incubations resulted in IC formation and deposition of human C3 and terminal complement components (C5b-9) on the mesangial matrix and on the surface of MC. By immunoperoxidase staining and by RIA we showed that IC formation and complement activation significantly increased DAF expression on the MC plasma membrane. The induction of DAF expression was a consequence of deposition of terminal complement components on the MC because, zymosan-activated serum and IC formation in the presence of C5- or C8-deficient serum failed to increase MC DAF expression. Furthermore, the observed increased DAF expression was the consequence of increased DAF synthesis by MC. Thus, both cycloheximide and actinomycin D blocked the increase on MC DAF observed after incubation with IC and serum. MC DAF had biophysical and functional characteristics similar to DAF in other cells. Thus, 1) MC DAF was resistant to trypsin but was removed from the MC membrane by pronase; 2) phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C removed 48 +/- 4% of MC DAF indicating that MC DAF is anchored in the cell membrane by phosphatidylinositol groups; 3) DAF isolated from MC-inhibited complement-mediated hemolysis and demonstrated a molecular mass of 83 kDa. In conclusion, deposition of terminal complement components on human MC trigger new synthesis and membrane expression of DAF. Because DAF protects cells against complement-mediated lysis, we postulate that DAF may protect glomerular cells during IC and complement-mediated glomerulonephritis.     

Anticomplementary, Anticoagulatory, and Serum-Protein Precipitating Activity of Sodium Polyanetholsulfonate

Sodium polyanetholsulfonate (SPS) at 7.8 mug/ml completely abolished complement-mediated hemolysis of 1:10 diluted fresh guinea pig and human serum; at least twice as much SPS was required to reduce complement activity in 1:2 diluted human serum. The coagulation of 90 and 20% human blood was inhibited by 250 and 125 mug of SPS per ml, respectively. When added to fresh human serum, SPS precipitated beta 1C-globulin (C3), C4, beta lipoproteins, immunoglobulin IgG, IgM, and IgA, though incompletely.