Dysfunctional C8 beta chain in patients with C8 deficiency

Comprehensive Proteoform Characterization of Plasma Complement Component C8αβγ by Hybrid Mass Spectrometry Approaches

The human complement hetero-trimeric C8αβγ (C8) protein assembly (~ 150 kDa) is an important component of the membrane attack complex (MAC). C8 initiates membrane penetration and coordinates MAC pore formation. Here, we charted in detail the structural micro-heterogeneity within C8, purified from human plasma, combining high-resolution native mass spectrometry and (glyco)peptide-centric proteomics. The intact C8 proteoform profile revealed at least ~ 20 co-occurring MS signals. Additionally, we employed ion exchange chromatography to separate purified C8 into four distinct fractions. Their native MS analysis revealed even more detailed structural micro-heterogeneity on C8. Subsequent peptide-centric analysis, by proteolytic digestion of C8 and LC-MS/MS, provided site-specific quantitative profiles of different types of C8 glycosylation. Combining all this data provides a detailed specification of co-occurring C8 proteoforms, including experimental evidence on N-glycosylation, C-mannosylation, and O-glycosylation. In addition to the known N-glycosylation sites, two more N-glycosylation sites were detected on C8. Additionally, we elucidated the stoichiometry of all C-mannosylation sites in all the thrombospondin-like (TSP) domains of C8α and C8β. Lastly, our data contain the first experimental evidence of O-linked glycans located on C8γ. Albeit low abundant, these O-glycans are the first PTMs ever detected on this subunit. By placing the observed PTMs in structural models of free C8 and C8 embedded in the MAC, it may be speculated that some of the newly identified modifications may play a role in the MAC formation. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Expression and Characterization of Recombinant Subunits of Human Complement Component C8: Further Analysis of the Function of C8α and C8γ

Human C8 is composed of three nonidentical subunits (C8α, C8β, and C8γ) that are encoded in separate genes. In C8 isolated from serum, these are arranged as a disulfide-linked C8α-γ dimer that is noncovalently associated with C8β. In this study, a recombinant form of C8α-γ was expressed independently of C8β in insect cells and COS-7 cells and was shown to be equivalent to serum-derived C8α-γ with respect to its ability to combine with C8β and form functional C8. Also expressed separately were mutant (mut) forms of C8α and C8γ in which the single interchain disulfide bond was eliminated. MutC8α exhibited the ability to combine with C8β and express hemolytic activity, although at a lower level than human C8. Addition of purified mutC8γ increased this activity, presumably by binding to mutC8α. A possible role for C8γ as a retinol binding protein was also investigated. Absorbance spectroscopy and fluorescence emission and quenching revealed no specific binding of retinol to mutC8γ. Together, these results indicate that 1) the biosynthesis and secretion of C8α-γ is not dependent on C8β, which is consistent with in vivo observations in C8β-deficient humans; 2) C8α can be synthesized independently of C8γ; therefore, protection of C8α from premature membrane interactions during biosynthetic processing is not a likely function of C8γ; 3) C8γ enhances but is not required for expression of C8 activity; and 4) C8γ does not bind retinol; therefore, it cannot function as a retinol transport protein.

Molecular, genetic, and functional analysis of homozygous C8 beta-chain deficiency in two siblings

C8 deficiency is associated with an increased susceptibility to neisserial infections. We present a case of an 11 year old boy who suffered from infection with Neisseria meningitidis. Medical history of the patient and his family (n = 5) did not indicate any previous immunodeficiency symptoms. Results from the analysis of phagocyte and lymphocyte functions were within the normal range. No hemolytic activities of the classical (CH50) and the alternative (APH50) pathways of complement were measurable, and SC5b-9 protein complexes could not be detected in the patient's plasma. Further analysis by highly sensitive ELISA and functional assays revealed a complete deficiency of C8. Upon the reconstitution with purified C8 total hemolytic activity could be restored. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis established a deficiency of the C8 beta chain. Genetic analysis at the genomic DNA level demonstrated the common C-T mutation in exon 9 of the C8B gene. Family analysis presented the older sister with non-detectable function of C8 in serum, both parents with about half-normal C8 titres, and the younger sister with normal C8 function. The parents and both sisters were asymptomatic, although the older of the sisters presented with the same complete C8 beta-chain deficiency as the patient described.

IN CONCLUSION

the common C-T mutation in the C8B genes is the genetic basis of C8 beta-chain deficiency in two members of this Bosnian family.

In vitro expression of the beta subunit of human complement component C8

Human C8 is one of five components of the cytolytic C5b-9 complex of complement. It is an oligomeric protein composed of three subunits (alpha, beta, gamma) encoded in separate genes. These are arranged as a disulfide-linked alpha-gamma dimer and a noncovalently associated beta chain. Biosynthesis studies and analyses of humans with hereditary C8 deficiencies suggest that C8 alpha-gamma synthesis and secretion can occur independently of C8 beta, but that serum levels of C8 beta are dependent on C8 alpha-gamma. One aim of the present study was to determine if functional human C8 beta could be synthesized in the absence of C8 alpha-gamma. Human C8 beta expression constructs were prepared and used to produce recombinant C8 beta (rC8 beta) in insect and COS-7 cells. Both cell types secreted rC8 beta that was similar in size to human C8 beta and exhibited similar ability to associate with human C8 alpha-gamma and form functional C8. A mutant form of C8 beta in which N-glycosylation sites were eliminated was also expressed and found to be functionally similar to rC8 beta and human C8 beta. These results indicate that C8 alpha-gamma is not required for intracellular processing and secretion of C8 beta. Furthermore, N-linked carbohydrate on C8 beta is not necessary for association with C8 alpha-gamma or for C8 activity.

Infectious diseases associated with complement deficiencies

The complement system consists of both plasma and membrane proteins. The former influence the inflammatory response, immune modulation, and host defense. The latter are complement receptors, which mediate the cellular effects of complement activation, and regulatory proteins, which protect host cells from complement-mediated injury. Complement activation occurs via either the classical or the alternative pathway, which converge at the level of C3 and share a sequence of terminal components. Four aspects of the complement cascade are critical to its function and regulation: (i) activation of the classical pathway, (ii) activation of the alternative pathway, (iii) C3 convertase formation and C3 deposition, and (iv) membrane attack complex assembly and insertion. In general, mechanisms evolved by pathogenic microbes to resist the effects of complement are targeted to these four steps. Because individual complement proteins subserve unique functional activities and are activated in a sequential manner, complement deficiency states are associated with predictable defects in complement-dependent functions. These deficiency states can be grouped by which of the above four mechanisms they disrupt. They are distinguished by unique epidemiologic, clinical, and microbiologic features and are most prevalent in patients with certain rheumatologic and infectious diseases. Ethnic background and the incidence of infection are important cofactors determining this prevalence. Although complement undoubtedly plays a role in host defense against many microbial pathogens, it appears most important in protection against encapsulated bacteria, especially Neisseria meningitidis but also Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and, to a lesser extent, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The availability of effective polysaccharide vaccines and antibiotics provides an immunologic and chemotherapeutic rationale for preventing and treating infection in patients with these deficiencies.

Structural and functional characterization of complement C8 gamma, a member of the lipocalin protein family

Human complement component C8 exhibits an unusual structure in that it contains three chains, two of which, alpha and beta, display high sequence homology to other complement and CTL pore-forming proteins. The third chain, C8 gamma, is covalently linked to C8 alpha by a disulfide linkage; it is demonstrated that Cys40 of C8 gamma is linked to Cys164 of C8 alpha, a unique cysteine located in a loop located between the cysteine-rich LDL-receptor class A module and the membrane-inserting region of C8 alpha. C8 gamma was recently identified as a member of the lipocalin protein family, in which all proteins were either shown to, or are believed to bind small hydrophobic ligands. The present results now demonstrate that C8 gamma incorporates retinol and retinoic acid in the presence of 2 M NaCl. Molecular modeling of C8 gamma, based on the crystal structure of the homologous beta-lactoglobulin, reveals a structure of eight antiparallel beta-strands, bearing a highly hydrophobic binding pocket. The residues participating in the pocket formation are highly conserved when compared with the structures of beta-lactoglobulin and retinol-binding protein, both of which are known to interact with retinol. It is therefore proposed that C8 gamma may act as a retinol transporting protein in plasma.

Two distinct abnormalities in patients with C8 alpha-gamma deficiency. Low level of C8 beta chain and presence of dysfunctional C8 alpha-gamma subunit

The sera from three C8 alpha-gamma deficient patients previously reported to have a selective C8 alpha-gamma defect were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot using two polyclonal antisera to C8 alpha-gamma and a monoclonal antibody to C8 alpha. All three sera exhibited C8 alpha-gamma bands that dissociated into alpha and gamma chains under reducing conditions. Quantitation of the alpha-gamma subunit in these sera by a sensitive ELISA revealed an amount approximately 1% of that found in normal human serum. A similar assay performed with a specific antiserum to C8 beta showed unexpectedly low levels of C8 beta in these sera, which were confirmed by hemolytic titration of C8 beta. The remarkable differences between C8 alpha-gamma and C8 beta in the C8 alpha-gamma deficient sera was that in spite of their comparable immunochemical levels, C8 beta still exhibited functional activity whereas C8 alpha-gamma was totally inactive. That the residual C8 alpha-gamma was inactive was also proved by its inability to show lytic bands in an overlay system after SDS-PAGE and subsequent removal of SDS. The implications of these findings for a novel concept of C8 deficiency are discussed.

Genetic aspects of complement component C8 in Norwegian meningococcal disease patients

Sera from 85 consecutive systemic meningococcal disease patients and 203 matched control individuals were C8 typed. In the patient group, one C8B deficient individual was discovered; none in the control group. No case of C8A deficiency was encountered. The material was collected during a period of epidemic meningococcal disease in Norway, mainly due to group B organisms. C8A and C8B phenotype distributions were not significantly different in the two groups. This indicates that no particular C8 type (apart from deficiency) predisposes for meningococcal disease. Neither is there any evidence of over-representation of heterozygous deficiency among meningitis patients. The C8B deficient individual and his family were studied. Tests for haemolytic complement were normal in all members except for the proband. Electrophoretic C8 patterns seemed to be slightly weaker in the heterozygously C8B deficient individuals than in persons with 2 normal C8B genes. DNA from the family members were studied with regard to a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for the C8B gene. All exhibited the same pattern, indicating that the C8B deficiency is not due to a major deletion in the C8B gene.

Chromosomal assignment of genes encoding the alpha, beta, and gamma subunits of human complement protein C8: identification of a close physical linkage between the alpha and the beta loci

The eighth component of human complement (C8) is a serum protein containing three nonidentical subunits (alpha, beta, gamma) that are arranged as a disulfide-linked alpha-gamma dimer and a noncovalently associated beta chain. In earlier genetic studies, electrophoretic analysis of C8 protein polymorphisms revealed several allelic variants of alpha-gamma and beta. These were governed by separate loci designated C8A and C8B for alpha-gamma and beta, respectively. Genetic linkage analyses indicated that these loci were linked to each other and to chromosome 1 marker loci PGM1 and Rh, but it was unclear at the time if C8A was a single locus coding for a single-chain precursor form of alpha-gamma or if separate loci existed for alpha and gamma. Since evidence now indicates that alpha, beta, and gamma are encoded by separate genes, cDNA probes corresponding to each subunit were used to make direct assignments of the individual loci. Analysis of somatic cell hybrids revealed that only the alpha and beta loci are located on chromosome 1. Parallel analysis of genomic DNA digests using 5' and 3'-specific cDNA probes showed they are physically linked (less than 2.5 kb) and oriented 5' alpha-beta 3'. Further probing of the hybrid panel revealed that gamma is located on chromosome 9q. Thus, the observed genetic linkage of alpha-gamma to beta must be determined solely by alpha. In accordance with these findings, the C8 loci should now be designated C8A, C8B, and C8G for alpha, beta and gamma, respectively.

Complement deficiencies in selected groups of patients with meningococcal disease

We have examined 125 individuals who have earlier had meningococcal (mgc) disease. They belonged to one or more of the following groups: (1) 2 or more cases of mgc disease in the same family; (2) individuals with 2 episodes of mgc disease or with 1 episode of mgc disease and 1 or more episodes of purulent meningitis of another aetiology; and (3) infections with Neisseria meningitidis belonging to serogroups that are uncommon as causes of disease and presumably low-virulent (W-135, 29E, X, Y). Among these we found 15 complement (C)-deficient individuals (12%). The prevalence of C deficiency in the groups above was 7%, 41% and 19%, respectively. The first group (family cases), is very heterogeneous and may be further subdivided into 2 groups: families whose members fell ill within an interval of 30 days (in these the prevalence of C deficiency was 2%), and families in which the interval between mgc disease cases exceeded 30 days (in those the prevalence of C deficiency was 14%). We found a predominance of defects of the initiation pathways, with properdin deficiency being the most common.

Immunoblot analysis of the eighth component of human complement. Demonstration of subunits and detection of C8 alpha-gamma double and triple bands

Using SDS-PAGE/immunoblot analysis of the eighth component of human complement, C8, we have been able to demonstrate an 85 kDa C8 alpha-gamma and a 62 kDa C8 beta subunit in normal human serum. Serum from an undiagnosed patient who presented undetectable hemolytic C8 activity possessed only the 85 kDa subunit, suggesting a defect in the C8 beta subunit. Serum of a patient with known C8 alpha-gamma deficiency possessed only the complementary 62 kDa subunit. Both sera used together were able to lyse antibody-sensitized sheep erythrocytes, whereas individual sera could not. Optimum conditions for C8 immunoblotting were determined using small amounts of serum or plasma, during low voltage electrophoresis and a sensitive staining technique (nitrobluetetrazolium/bromochloroindoxylphosphate). Using these conditions, the C8 alpha-gamma subunit was found to be composed of up to three bands, termed C8 alpha-gamma 1, -2 and -3. All three bands were found in pooled normal sera. Individual sera had at least the C8 alpha-gamma 2 and C8 alpha-gamma 3 bands. Two C8 beta-deficient sera from two unrelated patients exhibited only the C8 alpha-gamma 2 and C8 alpha-gamma 3 bands. We conclude that immunoblotting of C8 permits a detailed analysis of the molecular composition of this component and helps to establish a precise diagnosis in inherited C8 deficiencies.

Structural homology of human complement component C8 gamma and plasma protein HC: identity of the cysteine bond pattern

Anti-C8 alpha-gamma specific antibodies were used to isolate cDNA clones from a human liver expression library. Antibodies affinity-purified on the expressed hybrid protein of one clone bound exclusively to the gamma-chain of reduced C8 alpha-gamma. This clone, as well as a second full length cDNA clone obtained by hybridization screening, were sequenced and the complete primary structure for C8 gamma was established. Cyanogen bromide cleavage of C8 alpha-gamma released a 12 kDa carboxy-terminal C8 gamma fragment under both reducing and nonreducing conditions which was identified by fragment-specific, affinity-purified antibodies. Our data clearly show that C8 gamma has one internal disulfide bridge between cys-76 and cys-168 within the carboxy-terminal 12 kDa fragment, whereas the remaining cysteine residue 40 forms the disulfide bridge with C8 alpha. The overall sequence homology to plasma protein HC (23% amino acid identities) and the conservation of one internal cysteine bond and one free, surface-located cysteine residue suggests a highly conserved three-dimensional structure of C8 gamma and protein HC and also a possible functional relationship between these proteins.