Structure and function of recombinant cobra venom factor

Cobra venom factor (CVF) is the complement-activating protein from cobra venom. It is a structural and functional analog of complement component C3. CVF functionally resembles C3b, the activated form of C3. Like C3b, CVF binds factor B, which is subsequently cleaved by factor D to form the bimolecular complex CVF,Bb. CVF,Bb is a C3/C5 convertase that cleaves both complement components C3 and C5. CVF is a three-chain protein that structurally resembles the C3b degradation product C3c, which is unable to form a C3/C5 convertase. Both C3 and CVF are synthesized as single-chain prepro-proteins. This study reports the recombinant expression of pro-CVF in two insect cell expression systems (baculovirus-infected Sf9 Spodoptera frugiperda cells and stably transfected S2 Drosophila melanogaster cells). In both expression systems pro-CVF is synthesized initially as a single-chain pro-CVF molecule that is subsequently proteolytically processed into a two-chain form of pro-CVF that structurally resembles C3. The C3-like form of pro-CVF can be further proteolytically processed into another two-chain form of pro-CVF that structurally resembles C3b. Unexpectedly, all three forms of pro-CVF exhibit functional activity of mature, natural CVF. Recombinant pro-CVF supports the activation of factor B in the presence of factor D and Mg2+ and depletes serum complement activity like natural CVF. The bimolecular convertase pro-CVF,Bb exhibits both C3 cleaving and C5 cleaving activity. The activity of pro-CVF and the resulting C3/C5 convertase is indistinguishable from CVF and the CVF,Bb convertase. The ability to produce active forms of pro-CVF recombinantly ensures the continued availability of an important research reagent for complement depletion because cobra venom as the source for natural CVF will be increasingly difficult to obtain as the Indian cobra is on the list of endangered species. Experimental systems to express pro-CVF recombinantly will also be invaluable for studies to delineate the structure and function relationship of CVF and its differences from C3 as well as to generate human C3 derivatives with CVF-like function for therapeutic complement depletion ("humanized CVF").     

Antigenic relationships between human and cobra complement factors C3 and cobra venom factor (CVF) from the Indian cobra (Naja naja)

The presence of a factor immunologically related to cobra venom factor (CVF) was demonstrated in serum and plasma from the Indian cobra (Naja naja kaoutia). The factor was purified from cobra plasma by affinity chromatography on an anti-CVF gel and was found to consist of a protein composed of two polypeptide chains similar in size to those of human C3. With use of immunoblotting technique, common antigenic determinants were found in the smaller chain of the prepared material and the beta-chain of human C3; the larger chain may display antigenic determinants present in the alpha-chain of human C3. These findings suggest that this molecule represents the C3 of the cobra complement system. Common antigenic determinants were also demonstrated in the alpha-chain of CVF and the beta-chains of human and cobra C3. No reactions were observed between the beta- and gamma-chains of CVF and any antiserum against human C3 or its subunits. Upon immunodiffusion analysis, cobra serum was found to contain a factor besides C3 sharing antigens specific for CVF, while cobra C3 was antigenically deficient compared to CVF. This suggests that cobra C3 physiologically is degraded to a molecule very similar to or identical with CVF.     

中华眼镜蛇蛇毒因子(CVF)对补体系统的作用及与人补作C_3和其他蛇毒抗原性关系

中华眼镜蛇蛇毒经DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B。HPLC等多次柱层析分离出有抗补体及溶血活性的眼镜蛇蛇毒因子(Cobra venom factor,CVF),纯化后的CVF在聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳图谱上呈单一区带,分子量为225000—230000,等电点为6.20。用二硫苏糖醇还原经SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳得三类亚基,其分子量总和为237,000。 体外抗补体及溶血试验表明,CVF的作用是通过补体旁路途经使总补体活力下降。双向免疫电泳鉴定,发现CVF与人血清作用后,其中补体成分C_3分子的抗原性发生改变,则表明CVF的作用是通过激活补体成分C_3而发挥的。给豚鼠腹腔注射CVF(0.15ug/g体重)后,其血清总补体水平下降到正常值的3％以下,7天后回升,13天后恢复到正常水平。 单相免疫电泳表明,CVF与人补体C_3抗血清间无任何交叉免疫反应,但人血清与CVF抗血清间有微弱的免疫沉淀反应。另外,CVF的氨基酸组成与人补体C_3也较为相似。鉴定还表明眼镜蛇科中四种蛇毒与CVF抗血清有强烈的免疫沉淀反应,蝰蛇毒及海蛇毒也有免疫沉淀反应,但只有眼镜蛇毒具有抗补体活性。     

N-linked oligosaccharides of cobra venom factor contain novel alpha(1-3)galactosylated Le(x) structures

Cobra venom factor (CVF), a nontoxic, complement-activating glycoprotein in cobra venom, is a functional analog of mammalian complement component C3b. The carbohydrate moiety of CVF consists exclusively of N-linked oligosaccharides with terminal alpha1-3-linked galactosyl residues, which are antigenic in human. CVF has potential for several medical applications, including targeted cell killing and complement depletion. Here, we report a detailed structural analysis of the oligosaccharides of CVF. The structures of the oligosaccharides were determined by lectin affinity chromatography, antibody affinity blotting, compositional and methylation analyses, and high-resolution (1)H-NMR spectroscopy. Approximately 80% of the oligosaccharides are diantennary complex-type, approximately 12% are tri- and tetra-antennary complex-type, and approximately 8% are oligomannose type structures. The majority of the complex-type oligosaccharides terminate in Galalpha1-3Galbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-3)GlcNAcbeta1, a unique carbohydrate structural feature abundantly present in the glycoproteins of cobra venom.     

Purification of native and recombinant cobra venom factor using thiophilic adsorption chromatography

The complement activating venom component Cobra Venom Factor (CVF) forms a stable CVF-dependent C3 convertase complex, which initiates continuous activation of the complement system, consumes all downstream complement components and obliterates functional complement. Therefore, native CVF is routinely used as decomplementing agent in vivo and in vitro. However, in most countries, CVF and even unfractionated cobra venom are now becoming unavailable due to the CITES agreement. Although CVF is a complex molecule with three disulfide linked polypeptide chains and pronounced glycosylation, recombinant expression of the active molecule in eukaryotic host cells may provide an alternative source. In this study we describe a strategy for the production and efficient isolation of recombinant CVF from supernatant of mammalian cells. Thiophilic adsorption chromatography (TAC), an efficient procedure for purification of the human homologue C3, was evaluated for its suitability regarding purification of both native as well as recombinant CVF. Native CVF could be purified by TAC in a one-step procedure from cobra venom with yields of 92% compared to 35% by conventional approaches. After establishment of stably transfected mammalian cells recombinant CVF could be obtained and enriched from CHO supernatants by TAC to a purity of 73%, and up to 90% if an additional affinity chromatography step was included. Subsequent characterization revealed comparable hemolytic and bystander lysis activity and of rCVF and nCVF. These data demonstrate that the functional expression in mammalian cells in combination with TAC for purification renders rCVF a highly attractive substitute for its native counterpart.     

Cobra venom factor: structural homology with the third component of human complement

The functional analogy between cobra venom factor (CVF), the complement-activating protein in cobra venom, and C3b, the activated form of the third complement component, prompted us to conduct a comparative analysis of structural properties of the two proteins derived from two phylogenetically distant species. We subjected CVF and human C3 and its physiologic cleavage products, C3b and C3c, to a variety of biochemical analyses. We report here structural similarities of these proteins, which include similarities in amino acid composition, far and near UV circular dichroism spectra, secondary structure, band patterns and pI values from isoelectric focusing, immunochemical cross-reactivity, ultrastructural morphology, and amino-terminal amino acid sequences. Analysis of these data reveals that, structurally, CVF resembles C3c more than C3b. We conclude that CVF is not the product of a convergent evolution, but is, in all likelihood, derived from a common C3 ancestor protein.     

The role of complement activation in tumour necrosis factor-induced lethal hepatitis.

Injection of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in animals causes severe liver cell toxicity, especially when D-(+)-galactosamine (GalN) is co-administered. After challenge with TNF/GalN, serum complement activity (CH50 and APCH50) decreased dramatically, suggesting strong activation of both the classical and the alternative pathways. TNF or GalN alone had no such effect. A cleavage product of complement protein C3 [C3(b)] was deposited on the surface of hepatocytes of TNF/GalN-treated mice. Intravenous administration of cobra venom factor (CVF), which depletes complement, inhibited the development of hepatitis. However, CVF pretreatment also protected C3-deficient mice. Pretreatment of mice with a C1q-depleting antibody did not prevent TNF/GalN lethality, although the anti-C1q antibody had depleted plasma C1q. Factor B-deficient and C3-deficient mice, generated by gene targeting, proved to be as sensitive to TNF/GalN as control mice. Furthermore, induction of lethal shock by platelet-activating factor, an important mediator in TNF-induced hepatic failure, was not reduced in C3-deficient mice. These data indicate that complement, although activated, plays no major role in the generation of acute lethal hepatic failure in this model and that CVF-induced protection is independent of complement depletion.     

Effect of cobra venom factor on the in vivo immune response in Galleria mellonella to Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Wax moth larvae receiving 0.2 or 0.4 units of cobra venom factor (CVF) per insect, 6 hr after vaccination, have a significantly reduced resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa when compared with the normal immune response. Curiously, lower doses of CVF (0.1 units per insect) had a tendency to enhance the resistance of the vaccinated larvae to the pathogen. The CVF had no observable effect on the LD₅₀ in unvaccinated larvae. The in vitro bactericidal capacity of immune hemolymph, with respect to P. aeruginosa, was lowered significantly by prior incubation of the hemolymph with CVF. The involvement of an invertebrate analog to the vertebrate complement system is discussed.     

Complement-dependent immune complex-induced bronchial inflammation and hyperreactivity

Bronchoconstriction responses in the airway are caused by multiple insults and are the hallmark symptom in asthma. In an acute lung injury model in mice, IgG immune complex deposition elicited severe airway hyperreactivity that peaked by 1 h, was maintained at 4 h, and was resolved by 24 h. The depletion of complement with cobra venom factor (CVF) markedly reduced the hyperreactive airway responses, suggesting that complement played an important role in the response. Blockade of C5a with specific antisera also significantly reduced airway hyperreactivity in this acute lung model. Complement depletion by CVF treatment significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor and histamine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids, correlating with reductions in airway hyperreactivity. To further examine the role of specific complement requirement, we initiated the immune complex response in C5-sufficient and C5-deficient congenic animals. The airway hyperreactivity response was partially reduced in the C5-deficient mice. Complement depletion with CVF attenuated airway hyperreactivity in the C5-sufficient mice but had a lesser effect on the airway hyperreactive response and histamine release in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in C5-deficient mice. These data indicate that acute lung injury in mice after deposition of IgG immune complexes induced airway hyperreactivity that is C5 and C5a dependent.     

Insights into complement convertase formation based on the structure of the factor B‐cobra venom factor complex

Immune protection by the complement system critically depends on assembly of C3 convertases on the surface of pathogens and altered host cells. These short‐lived protease complexes are formed through pro‐convertases, which for the alternative pathway consist of the complement component C3b and the pro‐enzyme factor B (FB). Here, we present the crystal structure at 2.2‐Å resolution, small‐angle X‐ray scattering and electron microscopy (EM) data of the pro‐convertase formed by human FB and cobra venom factor (CVF), a potent homologue of C3b that generates more stable convertases. FB is loaded onto CVF through its pro‐peptide Ba segment by specific contacts, which explain the specificity for the homologous C3b over the native C3 and inactive products iC3b and C3c. The protease segment Bb binds the carboxy terminus of CVF through the metal‐ion dependent adhesion site of the Von Willebrand factor A‐type domain. A possible dynamic equilibrium between a ‘loading’ and ‘activation’ state of the pro‐convertase may explain the observed difference between the crystal structure of CVFB and the EM structure of C3bB. These insights into formation of convertases provide a basis for further development of complement therapeutics.     

Cobra venom factor and human C3 share carbohydrate antigenic determinants

As tools to study structural relationships of cobra venom factor (CVF) and human complement component C3, murine monoclonal antibodies to CVF were produced. In this paper we describe two of these monoclonal anti-CVF antibodies designated GV1.8 and GV1.10, both of which bind to carbohydrate epitopes. On immunoblotting, antibody GV1.8 binds to both the alpha- and beta-chains of CVF, whereas antibody GV1.10 binds only to the alpha-chain of CVF. After enzymatic deglycosylation of CVF with N-glycanase (peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminyl) asparagine amidase), both antibodies lose their ability to bind to the deglycosylated protein. Additionally, the free oligosaccharide chains of CVF are able to inhibit the binding of antibodies GV1.8 and GV1.10 to CVF on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, further demonstrating their carbohydrate specificity. Both monoclonal antibodies to CVF cross-react with human C3. Antibody GV1.8 binds to both chains of human C3 indicating that the shared antigenic epitope present on the two glycosylated chains of CVF is also present on the two chains of human C3. Antibody GV1.10 cross-reacts only with the beta-chain of human C3 which is the homologous chain to the alpha-chain of CVF. After enzymatic deglycosylation of human C3 by N-glycanase, both antibodies lose their ability to bind to the deglycosylated protein consistent with the carbohydrate nature of the recognized epitopes. These results indicate that CVF and human C3 share carbohydrate epitopes on their homologous and nonhomologous chains.     

Studies on the mechanism of haemopoietic stem cell (CFUs) mobilization. A role of the complement system.

A variety of substances can mobilize haemopoietic stem cells (CFUs) into the peripheral blood. In this study the involvement of the complement system in the mobilization process was investigated. Pretreatment of mice with the complement-activating factor of cobra venom (CoF), which lowered the serum C3 levels to 10-25% of the normal value, could completely prevent CFUs mobilization induced by high doses of CoF, endotoxin (ET) from Salmonella typhosa, inulin, zymosan and the proteolytic enzymes proteinase and trypsin. On the other hand, mobilization induced by the polyanions dextran sulphate and the copolymer of polymethacrylic acid and styrene could not be prevented, or at least affected only slightly. There appears to be a relationship between the extent of decomplementation by CoF and the extent of CFUs mobilization induced by ET. The results indicate that certain agents mobilize CFUs via the complement system, whereas other agents induce CFUs mobilization independent of the availability of complement components.     

Complement and myoblast transfer therapy: donor myoblast survival is enhanced following depletion of host complement C3 using cobra venom factor, but not in the absence of C5

Myoblast transfer therapy (MTT) is a potential cell therapy for myopathies such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and involves the injection of cultured muscle precursor cells ('myoblasts') isolated from normal donor skeletal muscles into dystrophic host muscle. The failure of donor myoblast survival following MTT is widely accepted as being due to the immune response of the host. The role of complement as one possible mechanism for the initial, very rapid death of myoblasts following MTT was investigated. Donor male myoblasts were injected into the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of female host mice that were: (i) untreated; (ii) depleted of C3 complement (24 h prior to MTT) using cobra venom factor (CVF); and/or (iii) deficient in C5 complement. Quantification of surviving male donor myoblast DNA was performed using the Y-chromosome specific (Y1) probe on slot blots for samples taken at 0 h, 1 h, 24 h, 1 week and 3 weeks after MTT. Peripheral depletion of C3 was confirmed using double immunodiffusion, and local depletion of C3 in host TA muscles was confirmed by immunostaining of muscle samples. Cobra venom factor treatment significantly increased the initial survival of donor myoblasts, but there was a marked decline in myoblast numbers after 1 h and little long-term benefit by 3 weeks. Strain specific variation in the immediate survival of donor male myoblasts following MTT in untreated C57BL/10Sn, DBA-1 and DBA-2 (C5-deficient) female hosts was observed. Cobra venom factor depletion of C3 increased initial donor male myoblast survival (approximately twofold at 0 h) in C57BL/10Sn and DBA-1 host mice and approximately threefold in DBA-2 hosts at 0 h and 1 h after MTT. The rapid and extensive number (approximately 90%) of donor male myoblasts in untreated DBA-2 mice (that lack C5) indicates that activation of the membrane attack complex (MAC) plays no role in this massive initial cell death. The observation that myoblast survival was increased in all mice treated with CVF suggests that CVF may indirectly enhance donor myoblast survival by a mechanism possibly involving activated C3 fragments.     

Complement dependence of antibody-induced mesangial cell injury in the rat

Intravenous administration of rabbit anti-rat thymocyte serum (ATS) reactive with Thy-1-like antigens present on rat mesangial cells induces almost immediate (1-hr) mesangial cell injury in rats followed by sequential mesangiolytic and mesangial-proliferative/infiltrative lesions. To determine the role of complement in these ATS-induced glomerular lesions, ATS was given to Lewis rats that had been depleted of C3 by cobra venom factor (CVF). CVF treatment prevented the degenerative changes in mesangial cells and accumulation of even the few polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) seen in the glomeruli (2.67 PMN/glomerulus) 1 hr after ATS-treatment in rats not given CVF. In addition, CVF prevented the mesangiolysis and mesangial hypercellularity seen at day 4. Rat C3 and late complement components identified in the mesangial of ATS-treated rats in close association with the deposition of rabbit immunoglobulin G was also absent as a result of CVF treatment. CVF treatment did not affect binding of ATS to glomeruli as studied by immunofluorescence or paired label radioisotope techniques. The depletion of leukocytes and/or PMN by irradiation or treatment with anti-I-MN serum had no effect on the induction of the acute mesangial cell damage or the mesangiolytic lesion. Irradiation did diminish the 4-day proliferative/infiltrative lesion. Complement depletion normalized the ATS-induced increase in mesangial uptake of heat-aggregated human gamma-globulin (655.0 +/- 35.2 micrograms in ATS-treated vs 20.3 +/- 2.9 micrograms/5 X 10(4) glomeruli in ATS plus CVF-treated rats; mean +/- SEM). Small immune deposits present in the mesangial areas of kidneys 4 to 5 days after CVF treatment represented CVF-anti-CVF antibody-C3 complexes. The model of mesangial cell damage induced by ATS in the rat is complement-dependent and may relate, at least in part, to complement-mediated mesangial cell lysis.     

Effect of complement depletion by cobra venom factor on fowlpox virus infection in chickens and chicken embryos

The course of infection with an attenuated strain of fowlpox virus (FPV), which is known to induce antibody-independent activation of complement via the alternative pathway, was investigated in 1- to 3-day-old chickens and 14-day-old chicken embryos by treatment with cobra venom factor (CVF). CVF was found to inhibit complement activity transiently via the alternative pathway but not via the classical pathway. In chickens treated with CVF, virus growth in the skin was enhanced, and pock lesions tended to disseminate, leading to fatal infection in some birds. Histologically, an acute inflammation at an early stage of infection (within 3 days) was inhibited, and virus content in the pock lesion was increased. In chicken embryos with immature immune capacities, CVF treatment caused changes in pock morphology from clear pocks to diffuse ones, an increase in virus content in the pock, and inhibition of cell infiltration. Thus, FPV infection was aggravated in both CVF-treated chickens and chicken embryos. These results are discussed in relation to roles of complement in the elimination of virus at an early stage of FPV infection.     

Macrophage migration inhibition by complement activators,migration inhibitory factor,and Lotus fucolectin: Evidence for common involvement of cell-associated esterase activity

Activators of the complement pathway were compared with migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Lotus fucolectin, which mimics MIF, for their macrophage migration inhibitory (MMI) activity. Endotoxin (LPS), cobra venom factor (CVF), and zymosan, known complement (C3) activators, were found to produce dose-dependent MMI activity, similar to MIF, independent of requirements for nonadherent lymphocytes and serum complement. Comparable activity was observed by all migration inhibitors in the presence of freshly harvested unheated or heat-inactivated guinea pig serum as well as zymosan-adsorbed (C3-depleted) serum. Iscove's serum-free medium also promoted migration inhibition confirming a lack of requirement for serum complement in the reaction. Polymyxin B reversed MMI by LPS, but had no effect on the other inhibitors, indicating that the MMI activity of CVF, zymosan, MIF, and Lotus fucolectin was not primarily due to LPS contamination. Peritoneal macrophages (PM), depleted of nonadherent lymphocytes, responded as well as unpurified PM to the complement activators and MIF. ?-Amino-n-caproic acid (EACA), l-lysine, and tranexamic acid (TA), known inhibitors of the fibrinolytic activity of plasminogen activator (PA), were found to reverse migration inhibition of C3 activators, MIF, and Lotus fucolectin. In contrast bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) and soybean trypsin inhibitor (STI) had no effect on MMI activity. These results suggest a common mechanism for mediation of migration inhibition by complement activators and MIF which may involve activation of cell-associated complement to produce esterolytic end products capable of triggering the activation process.     

STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF HAEMOPOIETIC STEM CELL (CFUs) MOBILIZATION

A variety of substances can mobilize haemopoietic stem cells (CFUs) into the peripheral blood. In this study the involvement of the complement system in the mobilization process was investigated. Pretreatment of mice with the complement-activating factor of cobra venom (CoF), which lowered the serum C3 levels to 10–25% of the normal value, could completely prevent CFUs mobilization induced by high doses of CoF, endotoxin (ET) from Salmonella typhosa, inulin, zymosan and the proteolytic enzymes proteinase and trypsin. On the other hand, mobilization induced by the polyanions dextran sulphate and the copolymer of polymethacrylic acid and styrene could not be prevented, or at least affected only slightly. There appears to be a relationship between the extent of decomplementation by CoF and the extent of CFUs mobilization induced by ET. The results indicate that certain agents mobilize CFUs via the complement system, whereas other agents induce CFUs mobilization independent of the availability of complement components.     

Systemic complement activation and acute lung injury

Experimental studies of rats have provided significant evidence that intravascular complement activation after i.v. injection of cobra venom factor (CVF) or thermal injury of skin can result in acute lung injury. This has been determined by morphological changes in lung and increases in lung vascular permeability. Systemic complement activation is associated with an early appearance of C5-derived chemotactic activity in the circulation coincident with the development of transient neutropenia, followed by extensive granulocytosis and sequestration of neutrophils in lung interstitial capillaries. The acute pulmonary injury depends on availability of complement and neutrophils. Depletion of either complement or blood neutrophils before CVF injection or thermal injury will prevent development of lung injury. Interventional studies with catalase, scavengers of hydroxyl radical OH., and iron chelators have revealed that the acute pulmonary injury is related to production of oxygen-derived free radicals by activated neutrophils. OH. appears to be the key mediator involved in the acute lung microvascular injury.     

The biologic activity of mast cell granules. IV. The effect of complement depletion on rat cutaneous late phase reactions

Cutaneous late phase reactions (LPR) in rats can be induced by the intradermal injection of anti-IgE antibody or isolated rat peritoneal mast cell granules. Rat LPR are characterized by neutrophil-rich infiltrates at 2 to 8 hr followed by mononuclear cell-rich infiltrates thereafter. Rat Arthus reactions are histologically similar and are complement (C) dependent. To determine the importance of C in the pathogenesis of rat LPR compared with its role in Arthus reactions, rats were treated with cobra venom factor (CVF) (250 U/kg i.v.), and the effects of this treatment on total hemolytic complement (CH50), C3 titers, LPR, and Arthus reactions were assessed. CVF treatment produced profound decreases in both CH50 (from 197 +/- 20 to less than 1.0 U/ml) and C3 (from 44,240 +/- 2840 to less than 5 U/ml) titers after 6 hr, which persisted through at least 30 hr. The inflammatory intensity of heterologous reverse passive Arthus reactions was significantly decreased in CVF-treated animals. In contrast, the intensity of LPR was unaffected by CVF treatment. Therefore, although LPR and Arthus reactions share certain histologic characteristics, these similarities are not due to a mutual requirement for the presence of C.     

LPS-activated complement, not LPS per se, triggers the early release of PGE2 by Kupffer cells

The intravenous injection of LPS rapidly evokes fever. We have hypothesized that its onset is mediated by prostaglandin (PG)E(2) quickly released by Kupffer cells (Kc). LPS, however, does not stimulate PGE(2) production by Kc as rapidly as it induces fever; but complement (C) activated by LPS could be the exciting agent. To test this hypothesis, we injected LPS (2 or 8 microg/kg) or cobra venom factor (CVF, an immediate activator of the C cascade that depletes its substrate, ultimately causing hypocomplementemia; 25 U/animal) into the portal vein of anesthetized guinea pigs and measured the appearance of PGE(2), TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 in the inferior vena cava (IVC) over the following 60 min. LPS (at both doses) and CVF induced similar rises in PGE(2) within the first 5 min after treatment; the rises in PGE(2) due to CVF returned to control in 15 min, whereas PGE(2) rises due to LPS increased further, then stabilized. LPS given 3 h after CVF to the same animals also elevated PGE(2), but after a 30- to 45-min delay. CVF per se did not alter basal PGE(2) and cytokine levels and their responses to LPS. These in vivo effects were substantiated by the in vitro responses of primary Kc from guinea pigs to C (0.116 U/ml) and LPS (200 ng/ml). These results indicate that LPS-activated C rather than LPS itself triggers the early release of PGE(2) by Kc.