Molecular cloning of the cDNA coding for proline-rich protein (PRP): identity of PRP as C4b-binding protein

Proline-rich protein (PRP) is a plasma protein with a high proportion of proline residues and possessing lipid-binding properties. In order to clarify its structure, a human liver cDNA library was screened using anti-PRP antiserum. Several overlapping phage cDNA clones were isolated and the total nucleotide sequence of the cDNA, 2178 bp in length, was analyzed. The amino acid composition of PRP deduced from the cDNA was essentially the same as that reported for PRP. In a homology search, the cDNA sequence was almost completely the same as the previously reported cDNA sequence of C4b-binding protein. Furthermore, the reported molecular weights of the two proteins under both reduced and unreduced conditions were quite alike. These findings indicate that PRP is identical with C4bp.     

Evaluation of Fucosylated Haptoglobin and Mac-2 Binding Protein as Serum Biomarkers to Estimate Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Fucosylated haptoglobin (Fuc-Hpt) and Mac-2 binding protein (Mac-2 bp) are identified as cancer biomarkers, based on the results from a glyco-proteomic analysis. Recently, we reported that these glyco-biomarkers were associated with liver fibrosis and/or ballooning hepatocytes in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated the ability of these glycoproteins to estimate liver fibrosis in 317 patients with chronic hepatitis C. We measured the serum Fuc-Hpt and Mac-2 bp levels using a lectin-antibody ELISA and ELISA, respectively. The serum levels of both Fuc-Hpt and Mac-2 bp increased with the progression of liver fibrosis. The multivariate analysis revealed that Mac-2 bp was an independent factor associated with moderate liver fibrosis (F ≥ 2). In contrast, Fuc-Hpt was an independent factor associated with advanced liver fibrosis (F ≥ 3). In terms of evaluating liver fibrosis, the serum levels of these glycomarkers were correlated with well-known liver fibrosis indexes, such as the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 (FIB4) index. An assay that combined the APRI or FIB4 index and the Fuc-Hpt or Mac-2 bp levels increased the AUC value for diagnosing hepatic fibrosis. Interestingly, the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was significantly higher in the patients with elevated serum levels of Fuc-Hpt and Mac-2 bp. In conclusion, both Fuc-Hpt and Mac-2 bp could be useful glyco-biomarkers of liver fibrosis and predictors of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis C.     

A dataset of human liver proteins identified by protein profiling via isotope-coded affinity tag (ICAT) and tandem mass spectrometry

Proteins from human liver carcinoma Huh7 cells, representing transformed liver cells, and cultured primary human fetal hepatocytes (HFH) and human HH4 hepatocytes, representing nontransformed liver cells, were extracted and processed for proteome analysis. Proteins from stimulated cells (interferon-alpha treatment for the Huh7 and HFH cells and induction of hepatitis C virus [HCV] proteins for the HH4 cells) and corresponding control cells were labeled with light and heavy cleavable ICAT reagents, respectively. The labeled samples were combined, trypsinized, and subject to cation-exchange and avidin-affinity chromatographies. The resulting cysteine-containing peptides were analyzed by microcapillary LC-MS/MS. The MS/MS spectra were initially analyzed by searching the human International Protein Index database using the SEQUEST software (1). Subsequently, new statistical algorithms were applied to the collective SEQUEST search results of each experiment. First, the PeptideProphet software (2) was applied to discriminate true assignments of MS/MS spectra to peptide sequences from false assignments, to assign a probability value for each identified peptide, and to compute the sensitivity and error rate for the assignment of spectra to sequences in each experiment. Second, the ProteinProphet software (3) was used to infer the protein identifications and to compute probabilities that a protein had been correctly identified, based on the available peptide sequence evidence. The resulting protein lists were filtered by a ProteinProphet probability score p > or = 0.5, which corresponded to an error rate of less than 5%. A total of 1,296, 1,430, and 1,476 proteins or related protein groups were identified in three subdatasets from the Huh7, HFH, and HH4 cells, respectively. In total, these subdatasets contained 2,486 unique protein identifications from human liver cells. An increase of the threshold to p > or = 0.9 (corresponding to an error rate of less than 1%) resulted in 2,159 unique protein identifications (1,146, 1,235, and 1,318 for the Huh7, HFH, and HH4 cells, respectively).     

C4b-binding protein and a 60,000-Dalton plasma protein share antigenic determinants with membrane cofactor protein of complement.

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP) of the C system is a widely distributed regulatory molecule with C3b/C4b binding and factor I-dependent cofactor activity. A rabbit polyclonal antibody was raised against purified human MCP, and it was found to also immunoprecipitate C4b-binding protein (C4bp). Other related complement regulatory proteins, factor H, C3b/C4b receptor, and decay-accelerating factor, were not recognized by this polyclonal antibody to MCP. The cross-reactive epitope was sensitive to reduction with 2-ME and about 3% of the anti-MCP antibody reacted with C4bp. The amino-terminal 48,000-Da, chymotryptic fragment of C4bp was recognized by the antibody to MCP. This fragment of C4bp contains a seven-amino acid peptide that is identical, in its sequence and its location in the third short consensus repeat, to one found in MCP. Two polyclonal antibodies to C4bp, one raised to native and the other to reduced C4bp, did not cross-react with MCP. In addition to this one-way cross-reaction with C4bp, a protein with a m.w. of approximately 60,000 (p60) was found in two of three C4bp preparations that also cross-reacted with antiserum to MCP. p60 was present in trace quantities in the C4bp preparation and was successfully isolated from plasma by C3b affinity chromatography. Its Mr was distinct from that of MCP and other known C3b/C4b binding proteins. Furthermore, p60 was isolated by two different procedures and such material possessed no detectable cofactor activity. Based on these results, p60 is a plasma C3b-binding protein that shares epitopes with C4bp and MCP, and is probably not a soluble form of MCP.     

A novel interaction of outer membrane protein A with C4b binding protein mediates serum resistance of Escherichia coli K1

Escherichia coli is an important pathogen that causes meningitis in neonates. The development of bacteremia preceding the traversal across the blood-brain barrier is a prerequisite for this pathogen that obviously must survive the bactericidal activity of serum. Here we report that outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Escherichia coli contributes to serum resistance by binding to C4b binding protein (C4bp), a complement fluid phase regulator. C4bp contains seven identical alpha-chains and one beta-chain linked together with disulfide bridges. We found that OmpA binds the alpha-chain of C4bp, which is composed of eight homologous complement control protein (CCP) modules. Binding studies using mutants of recombinant C4bp that lack one CCP at a time suggest that CCP3 is the major site of interaction with OmpA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the N terminus of OmpA interacts with C4bp. Binding of C4bp to OmpA is not significantly inhibited in the presence of either C4b or heparin and is not salt sensitive, implying that it is hydrophobic in nature, suggesting a novel interaction between OmpA and C4bp. A compelling observation in this study is that synthetic peptides corresponding to CCP3 sequences block the binding of C4bp to OmpA and also significantly enhance serum bactericidal activity.     

Phosphorylation of the 27-kDa gap junction protein by protein kinase C in vitro and in rat hepatocytes

We previously demonstrated that the 27-kDa major component protein in rat liver gap junctions was phosphorylated by protein kinase C in vitro (Takeda, A. et al. (1987) FEBS Lett. 210, 169-172). In this study, we examined this further and examined the phosphorylation of the 27-kDa gap junction protein in rat hepatocytes by metabolically labeling cells with [32P]orthophosphate and using a monoclonal antibody to immunoprecipitate the protein. The in vitro phosphorylation was inhibited by monoclonal antibodies recognizing the carboxyl- (C-)terminal domain of the 27-kDa protein. Protease digestion analysis revealed that phosphorylation occurred at the C-terminal domain. In rat hepatocytes, the phorbol esters, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate, stimulated the 27-kDa protein phosphorylation, whereas 4 alpha-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate did not. 1-Oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol also stimulated the 27-kDa protein phosphorylation. In addition, norepinephrine stimulated the phosphorylation and pretreatment of hepatocytes with staurosporine, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C, inhibited this stimulatory effect of norepinephrine. Both in vitro and in hepatocytes, analysis of chemical cleavage of the 27-kDa phosphoprotein revealed that phosphorylation occurred mainly at a 10-kDa fragment which the antibodies recognized. These results indicate that protein kinase C phosphorylates the 27-kDa gap junction protein, not only in vitro but also in hepatocytes, at the C-terminal domain of the protein.     

Selective inhibition of long-chain fatty acid uptake in short-term cultured rat hepatocytes by an antibody to the rat liver plasma membrane fatty acid-binding protein

Uptake of long-chain fatty acids by short-term cultured hepatocytes was studied. Rat hepatocytes, which were cultured for 16 h on plastic dishes (3.6 X 10(6) cells/dish), were incubated with [3H]oleate in the presence of various concentrations of bovine serum albumin as a function of the concentration of unbound [3H]oleate in the medium. At 37 degrees C initial uptake velocity (V0) was saturable (Km = 9 X 10(-8) M; Vmax = 835 pmol/min per mg protein). V0 was temperature dependent with an optimum at 37 degrees C and markedly reduced at 4 degrees C and 70 degrees C. To evaluate the biologic significance of a previously isolated rat liver plasma membrane fatty acid-binding protein as putative carrier protein in the hepatocellular uptake of fatty acids, cultured hepatocytes were treated with a monospecific rabbit antibody (IgG-fraction) to this membrane protein or the IgG-fraction of the pre-immune serum as controls. Uptake kinetics of [3H]oleate in antibody pretreated short-term cultured hepatocytes revealed a depression of Vmax by 70%, while Km was only reduced by 16% compared to controls, indicating a predominant non-competitive type of inhibition. V0 of a variety of long-chain fatty acids (oleic acid, arachidonic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid) was reduced by 56-69%, while V0 of [35S]sulfobromophthalein, [3H]cholic acid and [14C]taurocholic acid remained unaltered. These data support the concept that in the system of cultured hepatocytes, uptake of long-chain fatty acids is mediated by the rat liver plasma membrane fatty acid-binding protein.     

Kallikrein-binding protein is induced by growth hormone in the dwarf rat.

Rat kallikrein-binding protein (KBP), a member of the serpin family, is a tissue kallikrein inhibitor. It has been shown to be a potential pathogenic factor of diabetic retinopathy and may play a role in animal development and growth. To determine whether reduced KBP expression is involved in retarded animal growth, we examined the in vivo effect of growth hormone (GH) deficiency on the expression of KBP in the Lewis dwarf (dw/dw). We found that serum levels of functionally active KBP were reduced in the dwarf rat (P < 0.05) as determined by complex formation assay between serum KBP and (125)I-labeled rat tissue kallikrein. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that KBP levels were significantly reduced in the serum of the dwarf rat compared to the Lewis rat (213.8 ng/ml vs. 413.8 ng/ml, n = 4, P < 0.01). The decreased KBP levels were confirmed by Western blot analysis. Moreover, treatment of the dwarf rat with recombinant human GH for 4 wk resulted in a significant increase in KBP activity (P < 0.01) and serum KBP levels compared with the untreated dwarf rat (549.8 ng/ml, n = 5, vs. 213.8 ng/ml, n = 4, P < 0.02). Northern blot analysis and densitometry showed that liver KBP mRNA levels were reduced by fivefold in the dwarf rat compared to the Lewis rat and the decrease was reversed by the GH treatment. These results indicate that the KBP levels are regulated at the RNA level. Furthermore, in vitro studies using cultured rat hepatocytes showed that GH may have a direct regulatory effect on KBP expression since KBP levels increased in the conditioned media of cells treated with GH. These results demonstrated that KBP is reduced in the genetic dwarf rat and is restored to normal by GH; therefore, KBP is a GH-dependent protein and may be a new target for studying the mechanism of pathological animal growth.     

Human salivary proline-rich protein genes on chromosome 12.

A DNA probe (PRP1) for the proline-rich protein (PRP) genes was used to analyze the segregation of human PRP genes in human X mouse somatic cell hybrids. Endonuclease restriction analysis of 22 independent hybrid clones segregating human chromosomes demonstrated that PRP genes segregate with human chromosome 12 only and were therefore assigned to that chromosome. The PRP1 probe should prove useful for further mapping studies of human chromosome 12.     

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.     

脐带间充质干细胞对内毒素血症诱发的大鼠急性肝功能损伤的影响

目的评价脐带间充质干细胞（hUC-MSCs）对内毒素血症诱发的大鼠急性肝功能损伤的影响及其与凋亡机制的关系。 方法6周龄雄性SD大鼠18只,随机分为3组,分别是对照组（C组）、内毒素血症组（M组）和内毒素血症+hUC-MSCs治疗组（M+cells组）,每组6只。大鼠腹腔注射5 mg/kg脂多糖（LPS）诱导内毒素血症模型,并经尾静脉注射含20×10⁶个hUC- MSCs。4 h时检测血清谷草转氨酶（AST）和谷丙转氨酶（ALT）,ELISA方法检测肿瘤坏死因子（TNF-α）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）,HE常规染色鉴定肝脏组织病理,Western Blot法检测肝脏组织抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2、促凋亡蛋白Bax、凋亡信号调节激酶1（ASK1）、应激活化蛋白激酶即JUN氨基末端激酶（JNK）蛋白的表达。多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,相关分析选用pearson。 结果（1）C组AST、ALT、TNF-α和IL-6浓度分别为（74.66±6.39）U/ L、（40.07±6.07）U/ L、（37.74±3.08）ng/L和（0.42±0.07）ng/L;与M组比较（310.75±9.13）U/L、（107.04±10.04）U/ L、（160.32±4.88）ng/L和（0.90±0.09）ng/L,差异具有统计学意义（P均 < 0.05）,M组AST、ALT、TNF-α、IL-6浓度分别为（310.75±9.13）U/L、（107.04±10.04）U/ L、（160.32±4.88）ng/ L和（0.90±0.09）ng/L,与M+cells组比较（204.49±15.36）U/L、（71.24± 7.34）U/ L、（117.61±9.37）ng/ L和（0.60±0.10）ng/L,差异具有统计学意义（P均 < 0.05）。（2）C组大鼠肝细胞形态正常,可见肝小叶结构清晰,肝汇管区无炎性细胞浸润,M组大鼠肝小叶散在点状坏死肝细胞伴炎性浸润,肝细胞间隙散布增生的Kuffer细胞,M+cells组大鼠肝小叶炎性细胞浸润及肝细胞间隙Kuffer细胞浸润改善。（3）与C组比较,M组大鼠肝脏组织JUN、ASK1和Bax蛋白表达均增高（P均 < 0.05）,Bcl-2蛋白表达降低（P < 0.05）;与M组比较,M+cells组大鼠肝脏组织JUN、ASK1和Bax蛋白表达降低（P均 < 0.05）,Bcl-2蛋白增加（P < 0.05）。（4）单因素相关分析显示大鼠血清ALT、AST与TNF-a指数呈正相关（r值分别为0.9580、0.9865,P均< 0.05）,大鼠血清ALT、AST与IL-6指数呈正相关（r值分别为0.9892、0.9630,P均 < 0.05）,大鼠血清ALT、AST分别与BAX、ASK1、JNK指数均呈正相关（r值分别为0.9993、0.9851、0.7901、0.9864、0.9557、0.7128,P均 < 0.05）,大鼠血清ALT、AST分别与BCL-2指数均呈负相关（r值分别为-0.8824、-0.9338,P均 < 0.05）,大鼠血清TNF-α分别与BAX、ASK1、JNK指数均呈正相关（r值分别为0.9466、0.8958、0.6025,P均< 0.05）,大鼠血清TNF-α与BCL-2指数呈负相关（r = -0.6025,P均 < 0.05）,大鼠血清IL-6分别与BAX、ASK1、JNK指数均呈正相关（r值分别为0.9941、0.9997、0.8679,P均< 0.05）,大鼠血清IL-6与BCL-2指数呈负相关（r = -0.8078,P均 < 0.05）。 结论hUC-MSCs具有减轻内毒素血症大鼠急性肝功能损伤的作用,其机制与抑制肝脏细胞凋亡相关。     

Anti-oxidative effect of a protein from Cajanus indicus L against acetaminophen-induced hepato-nephro toxicity

Overdoses of acetaminophen cause hepato-renal oxidative stress. The present study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of a 43 kDa protein isolated from the herb Cajanus indicus, against acetaminophen-induced hepatic and renal toxicity. Male albino mice were treated with the protein for 4 days (intraperitoneally, 2 mg/kg body wt) prior or post to oral administration of acetaminophen (300 mg/kg body wt) for 2 days. Levels of different marker enzymes (namely, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were measured in the experimental sera. Intracellular reactive oxygen species production and total antioxidant activity were also determined from acetaminophen and protein treated hepatocytes. Indices of different antioxidant enzymes (namely, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase) as well as lipid peroxidation end-products and glutathione were determined in both liver and kidney homogenates. In addition, Cytochrome P450 activity was also measured from liver microsomes. Finally, histopathological studies were performed from liver sections of control, acetaminophen-treated and protein pre- and post-treated (along with acetaminophen) mice. Administration of acetaminophen increased all the serum markers and creatinine levels in mice sera along with the enhancement of hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation. Besides, application of acetaminophen to hepatocytes increased reactive oxygen species production and reduced the total antioxidant activity of the treated hepatocytes. It also reduced the levels of antioxidant enzymes and cellular reserves of glutathione in liver and kidney. In addition, acetaminophen enhanced the cytochrome P450 activity of liver microsomes. Treatment with the protein significantly reversed these changes to almost normal. Apart from these, histopathological changes also revealed the protective nature of the protein against acetaminophen induced necrotic damage of the liver tissues. Results suggest that the protein protects hepatic and renal tissues against oxidative damages and could be used as an effective protector against acetaminophen induced hepato-nephrotoxicity.     

Structures of two HaeIII-type genes in the human salivary proline-rich protein multigene family

Two members of the human salivary proline-rich protein (PRP) multigene family have been isolated and completely sequenced. These PRP genes, PRH1 and PRH2, are of the HaeIII-type subfamily and code for acidic PRP proteins. Both genes are approximately 3.5 kilobase pairs (kb) in length and contain four exons. Exon 3 encodes the proline-rich part of the protein and includes five 63-base pair (bp) repeats. CAT and ATA boxes and several possible enhancer sequences occur in a 1-kb region 5' to exon 1. Two sets of repeats occur in the sequenced region in addition to the 63-bp repeats: one pair of about 140 bp flanks 500 bp of DNA in the first intervening sequence, and the other pair of 72 bp is tandemly repeated 1.4 kb 5' to the PRH1 gene. The 4-kb region of sequenced DNA from PRH1 differs by an average of 8.7% from the same region in PRH2, but the nucleotide sequences of the exon 3 of the two genes differ by only 0.2%. This result suggests the occurrence of a recent gene conversion event. The regions containing the 5-fold repeated sequences of 63 bp are identical in the two genes, PRH1 and PRH2. A comparison of the human HaeIII and BstNI subfamily repeats and a comparison of the human, mouse, and rat repeats suggest that the individual repeats have evolved in a concerted fashion within each gene and within the PRP gene family as a whole.     

Isolation and characterization of a cytochrome P450 of the IIA subfamily from human liver microsomes

Antibodies raised against cytochrome P450, which is overexpressed in mouse hepatic tumors, (P450tu) crossreact with two human liver microsomal proteins (49 kDa and 52 kDa). We have quantified these proteins in 60 human liver samples and found great interindividual variability in both of them. The concentration of the 49-kDa protein varies up to 144 fold in the various samples and represents typically 10% of the total mincrosomal P450 content. Its immunologically determined concentration correlates well (R = 0.78) with the microsomal coumarin-7-hydroylase (COH) activity. This activity is strongly and completely inhibited by anti-P450tu antibody (IC50 = 0.13 mg IgG/mg microsomal protein). The crossreacting 49-kDa protein shows an unusually high substrate specificity towards coumarin; it presents all human COH and part of 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase (ECOD). Besides these two activities, we did not find any activity with other typical P450 substrates. In primary cultures of human hepatocytes, it is inducible by phenobarbital and dexamethasone, but not by pyrazole and beta-naphthoflavone. We isolated this protein from human liver microsomes and purified it to homogeneity by a combination of aminooctyl-amino-Sepharose chromatography and immunoaffinity chromatography. The protein was identified as a cytochrome P450 of the IIA subfamily. Its N-terminal amino-acid sequence was identical with the first 20 residues deduced from the nucleotide sequence of P450IIA6.     

A rapid effect of thyroxine on accumulation of diacylglycerols and on activation of protein kinase C in liver cells

L-Thyroxine rapidly stimulated the accumulation of diacylglycerols in isolated hepatocytes and in liver when lipids were prelabeled with [14C]oleic acid or with [14C]CH3COONa. Perfusion of the liver of hypothyroid animals with L-thyroxine-containing solution or incubation of liver fragments with the hormone increased the content of diacylglycerols in the liver cells. The increase in [14C]diacylglycerol level in the liver cells was accompanied by a decrease in the level of [14C]phosphatidylcholine, whereas contents of other 14C-labeled phospholipids, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin, lysophosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns), phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PtdIns4P), and phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bis-phosphate (PtdIns(4,5)P2), and of 14C-labeled fatty acids were the same as in the control. The L-thyroxine-induced accumulation of diacylglycerols in hepatocytes was not affected by neomycin but was inhibited by propranolol. Incubation of hepatocytes prelabeled with [14C]oleic acid with L-thyroxine and ethanol (300 mM) was accompanied by generation and accumulation of [14C]phosphatidylethanol that was partially suppressed by 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine (H7). L-Thyroxine was responsible for the translocation of protein kinase C from the cytosol into the membrane fraction and for a many-fold activation of the membrane-bound enzyme. D-Thyroxine failed to affect the generation of diacylglycerols in hepatocytes and the activity of protein kinase C.     

C3a and C3b activation products of the third component of complement (C3) are critical for normal liver recovery after toxic injury

Although the complement system has been implicated in liver regeneration after toxic injury and partial hepatectomy, the mechanism or mechanisms through which it participates in these processes remains ill-defined. In this study, we demonstrate that complement activation products (C3a, C3b/iC3b) are generated in the serum of experimental mice after CCl(4) injection and that complement activation is required for normal liver regeneration. Decomplementation by cobra venom factor resulted in impaired entry of hepatocytes into S phase of the cell cycle. In addition, livers from C3-deficient (C3(-/-)) mice showed similarly impaired proliferation of hepatocytes, along with delayed kinetics of both hepatocyte hyperplasia and removal of injured liver parenchyma. Restoration of hepatocyte proliferative capabilities of C3(-/-) mice through C3a reconstitution, as well as the impaired regeneration of C3a receptor-deficient mice, demonstrated that C3a promotes liver cell proliferation via the C3a receptor. These findings, together with data showing two waves of complement activation, indicate that C3 activation is a pivotal mechanism for liver regeneration after CCl(4) injury, which fulfills multiple roles; C3a generated early after toxin injection is relevant during the priming of hepatocytes, whereas C3 activation at later times after CCl(4) treatment contributes to the clearance of injured tissue.     

Yersinia enterocolitica serum resistance proteins YadA and ail bind the complement regulator C4b-binding protein

Many pathogens are equipped with factors providing resistance against the bactericidal action of complement. Yersinia enterocolitica, a Gram-negative enteric pathogen with invasive properties, efficiently resists the deleterious action of human complement. The major Y. enterocolitica serum resistance determinants include outer membrane proteins YadA and Ail. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen (O-ag) and outer core (OC) do not contribute directly to complement resistance. The aim of this study was to analyze a possible mechanism whereby Y. enterocolitica could inhibit the antibody-mediated classical pathway of complement activation. We show that Y. enterocolitica serotypes O:3, O:8, and O:9 bind C4b-binding protein (C4bp), an inhibitor of both the classical and lectin pathways of complement. To identify the C4bp receptors on Y. enterocolitica serotype O:3 surface, a set of mutants expressing YadA, Ail, O-ag, and OC in different combinations was tested for the ability to bind C4bp. The studies showed that both YadA and Ail acted as C4bp receptors. Ail-mediated C4bp binding, however, was blocked by the O-ag and OC, and could be observed only with mutants lacking these LPS structures. C4bp bound to Y. enterocolitica was functionally active and participated in the factor I-mediated degradation of C4b. These findings show that Y. enterocolitica uses two proteins, YadA and Ail, to bind C4bp. Binding of C4bp could help Y. enterocolitica to evade complement-mediated clearance in the human host.     

Lipopolysaccharide signaling induces serum amyloid A (SAA) synthesis in human hepatocytes in vitro

To investigate the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in hepatocyte activation, we examined the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), the putative receptor for LPS in human hepatocytes. TLR4 mRNA and protein expression was confirmed in human hepatocytes. Stimulation of human hepatocytes with LPS results in rapid degradation of IkappaB-alpha and mitogen activated protein kinase activation. Human hepatocytes stimulated by LPS produced serum amyloid A protein. Our data suggest that human hepatocytes utilize components of TLR4 signal transduction pathways in response to LPS and these direct LPS-mediated effects on hepatocytes may contribute to liver inflammation and injury.     

Phylogeny of C4b-C3b cleaving activity: similar fragmentation patterns of human C4b and C3b produced by lower animals

Functional and structural studies of the activated proteins of the complement system C4b and C3b have led to the identification of cleavage products resulting from the effect of the regulatory proteins, factor I, H, and C4b binding protein (bp). In this paper we report the results of studies that investigated the capacity of plasma or serum from a wide range of phylogenetic species to yield similar cleavage products. Sera and plasma from mammals, reptiles, amphibia, and fishes are capable of cleaving fluid phase human C4b and C3b, generating apparently the same fragments as observed using normal human serum: alpha 2, alpha 3, alpha 4 from the alpha' chain of C4b: and alpha-68, alpha-46, alpha-43, and alpha-30 from the alpha' chain of C3b. When C3b bound to a cell membrane is used C3c and C3dg are generated. The generation of these fragments from C3bi is a dose-dependent reaction. There is no correlation between the evolution of the species and the quantitative capability to degrade the substrates. Birds possess only a limited capability to degrade the alpha' chain of C4b and have no cleaving activity for C3b, whereas sera from more primitive vertebrate species (chondrichthyes and agnatha) fail to participate in the reaction. Contrary to other species, the proteins in fish serum or plasma responsible for the degradation of C4b and C3b show a unique requirement for Ca2+ ions. Magnesium and barium are less effective, and in their presence a 65,000 dalton intermediate product is observed. These results demonstrate that protein(s) displaying proteolytic activity for products of complement activation, probably related to I, H, and C4bp, are present in plasma of species whose evolution have preceded humans by 300 million years. Moreover, the recognition of human substrates and the generation of fragments identical to those produced by human serum suggests that human C4b and C3b share structural characteristics with their evolutionary ancestors in the serum or plasma of the species studied.