Eicosanoids and histamine mediate C5a-induced electrolyte secretion in guinea pig ileal mucosa

Complement inhibition in cancer therapy

For decades, complement has been recognized as an effector arm of the immune system that contributes to the destruction of tumor cells. In fact, many therapeutic strategies have been proposed that are based on the intensification of complement-mediated responses against tumors. However, recent studies have challenged this paradigm by demonstrating a tumor-promoting role for complement. Cancer cells seem to be able to establish a convenient balance between complement activation and inhibition, taking advantage of complement initiation without suffering its deleterious effects. Complement activation may support chronic inflammation, promote an immunosuppressive microenvironment, induce angiogenesis, and activate cancer-related signaling pathways. In this context, inhibition of complement activation would be a therapeutic option for treating cancer. This concept is relatively new and deserves closer attention. In this article, we summarize the mechanisms of complement activation on cancer cells, the cancer-promoting effect of complement initiation, and the rationale behind the use of complement inhibition as a therapeutic strategy against cancer.

Hydrogen peroxide inhibits Ca2+-dependent chloride secretion across colonic epithelial cells via distinct kinase signaling pathways and ion transport proteins

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are key mediators in a number of inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ROS, including hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), modulate intestinal epithelial ion transport and are believed to contribute to IBD-associated diarrhea. Intestinal crypt fluid secretion, driven by electrogenic Cl(-) secretion, hydrates and sterilizes the crypt, thus reducing bacterial adherence. Here, we show that pathophysiological concentrations of H(2)O(2) inhibit Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion across T(84) colonic epithelial cells by elevating cytosolic Ca(2+), which contributes to activation of two distinct signaling pathways. One involves recruitment of the Ca(2+)-responsive kinases, Src and Pyk-2, as well as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). A separate pathway recruits p38 MAP kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) signaling. The ion transport response to Ca(2+)-dependent stimuli is mediated in part by K(+) efflux through basolateral K(+) channels and Cl(-) uptake by the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) cotransporter, NKCC1. We demonstrate that H(2)O(2) inhibits Ca(2+)-dependent basolateral K(+) efflux and also inhibits NKCC1 activity independently of inhibitory effects on apical Cl(-) conductance. Thus, we have demonstrated that H(2)O(2) inhibits Ca(2+)-dependent Cl(-) secretion through multiple negative regulatory signaling pathways and inhibition of specific ion transporters. These findings increase our understanding of mechanisms by which inflammation disturbs intestinal epithelial function and contributes to intestinal pathophysiology.

Role and significance of the complement system in mucosal immunity: particular reference to the human breast milk complement

The complement system plays an important role in a host's defence mechanisms, such as in immune bacteriolysis, neutralization of viruses, immune adherence, immunoconglutination and in enhancement of phagocytosis. The possible role of this important biological system in biological fluids on the mucosal surfaces, including breast milk, has however been largely neglected. Its contribution to the 'common' mucosal immunity is still enigmatic and largely speculative. Assessment of the complement system in human breast milk, which has so far largely been limited to different assays of the individual component proteins, is reviewed. A brief review of the classical and the alternative pathways of complement activation is presented. The potential physiological roles of various complement components and their activation fragments in human milk in particular, and other mucosal surfaces in general, are also presented. It was concluded that the complement system might play a complementary role to other immunological and non-immunological protective mechanisms on the mucosal surfaces.

Complement activation of electrogenic ion transport in isolated rat colon

The complement cascade is an important component in many immune and inflammatory reactions and may contribute to both the diarrhoea and inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Isolated rat colonic mucosae were voltage clamped in Ussing chambers. Basolateral addition of zymosan-activated whole human serum (ZAS) induced a rapid onset, transient inward short circuit current (SCC). This response was concentration dependent and was significantly attenuated by pre-heating ZAS at 60 degrees C for 30 min. Depletion of complement from normal human serum with cobra venom factor (CVF) significantly lowered SCC responses. Chloride was the primary charge carrying ion as responses to ZAS were abolished in the presence of the loop diuretic bumetanide. The complement component C3a stimulated ion transport but not to the same extent as whole serum. Exogenous C5 was without effect. The cyclooxygenase inhibitor piroxicam significantly attenuated the response to ZAS. These findings support the possibility that complement activation may contribute to the pathophysiology of secretory diarrhoea since activation of electrogenic chloride secretion converts intestinal epithelia to a state of net fluid secretion.