Endotoxin-induced pulmonary dysfunction is prevented by C1-esterase inhibitor

Complement as driver of systemic inflammation and organ failure in trauma, burn, and sepsis

Complement is one of the most ancient defense systems. It gets strongly activated immediately after acute injuries like trauma, burn, or sepsis and helps to initiate regeneration. However, uncontrolled complement activation contributes to disease progression instead of supporting healing. Such effects are perceptible not only at the site of injury but also systemically, leading to systemic activation of other intravascular cascade systems eventually causing dysfunction of several vital organs. Understanding the complement pathomechanism and its interplay with other systems is a strict requirement for exploring novel therapeutic intervention routes. Ex vivo models exploring the cross-talk with other systems are rather limited, which complicates the determination of the exact pathophysiological roles that complement has in trauma, burn, and sepsis. Literature reporting on these three conditions is often controversial regarding the importance, distribution, and temporal occurrence of complement activation products further hampering the deduction of defined pathophysiological pathways driven by complement. Nevertheless, many in vitro experiments and animal models have shown beneficial effects of complement inhibition at different levels of the cascade. In the future, not only inhibition but also a complement reconstitution therapy should be considered in prospective studies to expedite how meaningful complement-targeted interventions need to be tailored to prevent complement augmented multi-organ failure after trauma, burn, and sepsis.

This review summarizes clinically relevant studies investigating the role of complement in the acute diseases trauma, burn, and sepsis with important implications for clinical translation.

Therapeutic Strategies for Treatment of Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia is a common hematologic disorder in dogs. Disease management involves immunosuppression using glucocorticoids, potentially in combination with other medications such as azathioprine, cyclosporine, or mycophenolate mofetil. Therapeutic drug monitoring may enhance the utility and maximize the safety of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil. The disease is proinflammatory and prothrombotic. Antithrombotic drug administration is therefore essential, and anticoagulant therapy should be initiated at the time of diagnosis. Additional therapies include red blood cell transfusion to support blood oxygen content. Future therapies may include therapeutic plasma exchange, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, and complement inhibitors.

C1 inhibitor in canine intravascular hemolysis (C1INCH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a common disease that affects all breeds of dogs and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Intravascular hemolysis of erythrocytes in IMHA is caused by complement activation and is often fatal. No current treatments target complement activation in canine IMHA. Human C₁ esterase (C₁-INH) reduces canine complement-mediated hemolysis in vitro, and a recent pharmacokinetic analysis of an FDA licensed formulation of C₁-INH in dogs confirmed that a 50 IU/kg dose of C₁-INH is safe to administer to dogs, and effectively inhibits canine complement mediated hemolysis ex-vivo. The C₁INCH randomized controlled trial will evaluate the efficacy of this drug in dogs with intravascular hemolysis.

METHODS

We will conduct a multicenter, placebo-controlled double-blind randomized clinical trial of C₁-INH in dogs with intravascular hemolysis due to IMHA. We will randomize 18 dogs to receive three doses of intravenous C₁-INH or saline in 24 h. Immunosuppressive and antithrombotic therapies will be standardized. Primary outcome measures will be changes in plasma free hemoglobin, serum concentrations of LDH, bilirubin, and haptoglobin. Using patient samples, we will evaluate complement activation in canine IMHA using a novel C5b-9 ELISA assay, flow cytometric detection of C3b on RBC, and by measurement of residual plasma complement activity. Secondary outcome measures will be survival to hospital discharge, duration of hospitalization, number and volume of red blood cell transfusions, and rescue therapy requirements. We will monitor dogs for adverse drug reactions. Sample size was estimated from pilot data on LDH and hemolysis index (HI) in dogs with IMHA. To detect 2-way differences between the upper and lower 50% of the LDH and HI values of equivalent size with 80% power at P < 0.05 will require 9 dogs in each arm.

DISCUSSION

We anticipate that IV administration of C1-INH will significantly inhibit complement mediated hemolysis in dogs with intravascular IMHA, as determined by blood biomarker measurements (decreased plasma hemoglobin, LDH and bilirubin, increased haptoglobin). We expect this will translate into significant reductions in transfusion requirements and duration of hospitalization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial has been prospectively registered with the AVMA registry (AAHSD005025).

Knockdown of circulating C1 inhibitor induces neurovascular impairment, glial cell activation, neuroinflammation, and behavioral deficits

The cross-talk between blood proteins, immune cells, and brain function involves complex mechanisms. Plasma protein C1 inhibitor (C1INH) is an inhibitor of vascular inflammation that is induced by activation of the kallikrein-kinin system (KKS) and the complement system. Knockout of C1INH was previously correlated with peripheral vascular permeability via the bradykinin pathway, yet there was no evidence of its correlation with blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and brain function. In order to understand the effect of plasma C1INH on brain pathology via the vascular system, we knocked down circulating C1INH in wild-type (WT) mice using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), without affecting C1INH expression in peripheral immune cells or the brain, and examined brain pathology. Long-term elimination of endogenous C1INH in the plasma induced the activation of the KKS and peritoneal macrophages but did not activate the complement system. Bradykinin pathway proteins were elevated in the periphery and the brain, resulting in hypotension. BBB permeability, extravasation of plasma proteins into the brain parenchyma, activation of glial cells, and elevation of pro-inflammatory response mediators were detected. Furthermore, infiltrating innate immune cells were observed entering the brain through the lateral ventricle walls and the neurovascular unit. Mice showed normal locomotion function, yet cognition was impaired and depressive-like behavior was evident. In conclusion, our results highlight the important role of regulated plasma C1INH as it acts as a gatekeeper to the brain via the neurovascular system. Thus, manipulation of C1INH in neurovascular disorders might be therapeutically beneficial.

In vitro Inhibition of Canine Complement-Mediated Hemolysis

BACKGROUND

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is the most common hematologic immune-mediated disease in dogs. Complement fixation on erythrocytes causes hemolysis. Complement inhibition decreases hemolysis in people with the hemolytic disease and also may prove effective in treating IMHA in dogs.

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES

Evaluate the in vitro efficacy of 2 complement inhibitors used in humans against canine complement.

METHODS

The inhibitory activity of the C3-inhibitor compstatin and recombinant human C1-esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) was evaluated using an in vitro hemolytic assay and spectrophotometric measurement of released hemoglobin. Dose-response curves for each inhibitor were generated.

RESULTS

Compstatin decreased approximately 50% of canine complement-mediated hemolysis in initial experiments. This inhibition largely was lost when a new lot of drug was purchased. C1-INH showed a dose-dependent inhibition. The highest concentration of C1-INH tested (500 μg/mL) decreased >80% of canine complement-mediated hemolysis, and the lowest concentration tested (31.25 μg/mL) decreased hemolysis >60%.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Human C1-INH is a robust inhibitor of canine complement-mediated hemolysis, whereas compstatin was minimally and variably effective. Human C1-INH may substantially decrease complement-mediated hemolysis in dogs with IMHA and warrants further investigation.

Effects of anabolic steroids on acute phase responses in intra-abdominal sepsis

The acute phase response is an important adaptive response to sepsis and injury. As anabolic steroids increase protein synthesis we postulated that these agents might also increase hepatic acute phase protein synthesis. Male Wistar rats were pretreated with testosterone or danazol for 48 h prior to caecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Thirty-six h following surgery the animals were killed and blood taken for full blood count, total protein, albumin, alpha, beta and gamma globulin fractions on serum electrophoresis, complement C(3) and transferrin levels. Danazol increased the alpha1, alpha2 and beta1 globulin serum protein fractions in comparison with no surgery and CLP alone groups. These results indicate that danazol increases plasma acute phase proteins, as measured by electrophoresis, in this model of intra-abdominal sepsis.

Bench-to-bedside review: the role of C1-esterase inhibitor in sepsis and other critical illnesses

The purpose of this bench-to-bedside review is to summarize the literature relating to complement activation in sepsis and other critical illnesses and the role of C1-esterase inhibitor (C1 INH) as a potential therapy.

C1 inhibitor: just a serine protease inhibitor? New and old considerations on therapeutic applications of C1 inhibitor

C1 inhibitor is a potent anti-inflammatory protein as it is the major inhibitor of proteases of the contact and the complement systems. C1-inhibitor administration is an effective therapy in the treatment of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE) who are genetically deficient in C1 inhibitor. Owing to its ability to modulate the contact and complement systems and the convincing safety profile, plasma-derived C1 inhibitor is an attractive therapeutic protein to treat inflammatory diseases other than HAE. In the present review we give an overview of the biology of C1 inhibitor and its use in HAE. Furthermore, we discuss C1 inhibitor as an experimental therapy in diseases such as sepsis and myocardial infarction.

Biological activities of C1 inhibitor

Broadly speaking, C1 inhibitor plays important roles in the regulation of vascular permeability and in the suppression of inflammation. Vascular permeability control is exerted largely through inhibition of two of the proteases involved in the generation of bradykinin, factor XIIa and plasma kallikrein (the plasma kallikrein-kinin system). Anti-inflammatory functions, however, are exerted via several activities including inhibition of complement system proteases (C1r, C1s, MASP2) and the plasma kallikrein-kinin system proteases, in addition to interactions with a number of different proteins, cells and infectious agents. These more recently described, as yet incompletely characterized, activities serve several potential functions, including concentration of C1 inhibitor at sites of inflammation, inhibition of alternative complement pathway activation, inhibition of the biologic activities of gram negative endotoxin, enhancement of bacterial phagocytosis and killing, and suppression of the influx of leukocytes into a site of inflammation. C1 inhibitor has been shown to be therapeutically useful in a variety of animal models of inflammatory diseases, including gram negative bacterial sepsis and endotoxin shock, suppression of hyperacute transplant rejection, and treatment of a variety of ischemia-reperfusion injuries (heart, intestine, skeletal muscle, liver, brain). In humans, early data appear particularly promising in myocardial reperfusion injury. The mechanism (or mechanisms) of the effect of C1 inhibitor in these conditions is (are) not completely clear, but involve inhibition of complement and contact system activation, in addition to variable contributions from other C1 inhibitor activities that do not involve protease inhibition.

C1 Inhibitor-Mediated Protection from Sepsis

C1 inhibitor (C1INH) protects mice from lethal Gram-negative bacterial LPS-induced endotoxin shock and blocks the binding of LPS to the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, via an interaction with lipid A. Using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model for sepsis in mice, treatment with C1INH improved survival in comparison with untreated controls. The effect was not solely the result of inhibition of complement and contact system activation because reactive center-cleaved, inactive C1INH (iC1INH) also was effective. In vivo, C1INH and iC1INH both reduced the number of viable bacteria in the blood and peritoneal fluid and accelerated killing of bacteria by blood neutrophils and peritoneal macrophages. In vitro, C1INH bound to bacteria cultured from blood or peritoneal fluid of mice with CLP-induced sepsis, but had no direct effect on bacterial growth. However, both C1INH and iC1INH enhanced the bactericidal activity of blood neutrophils and peritoneal exudate leukocytes. C1INH-deficient mice (C1INH-/- mice) subjected to CLP had a higher mortality than did wild-type littermate mice. Survival of C1INH-/- mice was significantly increased with two doses of C1INH, one given immediately following CLP, and the second at 6 h post-CLP. C1INH may be important in protection from sepsis through enhancement of bacterial uptake by, and/or bactericidal capacity of, phagocytes. Treatment with C1INH may provide a useful additional therapeutic approach in some patients with peritonitis and/or sepsis.

C1 inhibitor: biologic activities that are independent of protease inhibition

C1 inhibitor therapy improves outcome in several animal models of inflammatory disease. These include sepsis and Gram negative endotoxin shock, vascular leak syndromes, hyperacute transplant rejection, and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Furthermore, some data suggest a beneficial effect in human inflammatory disease. In many inflammatory conditions, complement system activation plays a role in pathogenesis. The contact system also very likely is involved in mediation of damage in inflammatory disease. Therefore, the beneficial effect of C1 inhibitor has been assumed to result from inhibition of one or both of these systems. Over the past several years, several other potential anti-inflammatory effects of C1 inhibitor have been described. These effects do not appear to require protease inhibition and depend on non-covalent interactions with other proteins, cell surfaces or lipids. In the first, C1 inhibitor binds to a variety of extracellular matrix components including type IV collagen, laminin, entactin and fibrinogen. The biologic role of these reactions is unclear, but they may serve to concentrate C1 inhibitor at extravascular inflammatory sites. The second is a non-covalent interaction with C3b that results in inhibition of formation of the alternative pathway C3 convertase, a function analogous to that of factor H. The third is an interaction with E and P selectins on endothelial cells that is mediated by the Lewis(x) tetrasaccharides that are expressed on C1 inhibitor. These interactions result in suppression of leukocyte rolling and transmigration. The fourth interaction is the binding of C1 inhibitor to Gram negative bacterial endotoxin that results in suppression of endotoxin shock by interference with the interaction of endotoxin with its receptor complex on macrophages. Lastly, C1 inhibitor binds directly to Gram negative bacteria, which leads to suppression of the development of sepsis, as demonstrated in the cecal ligation and puncture model. These observations suggest that C1 inhibitor is a multi-faceted anti-inflammatory protein that exerts its effects through a variety of mechanisms including both protease inhibition and several different non-covalent interactions that are unrelated to protease inhibition.

C1 inhibitor prevents Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced vascular permeability

Gram-negative bacterial endotoxemia may lead to the pathological increase of vascular permeability with systemic vascular collapse, a vascular leak syndrome, multiple organ failure (MOF), and/or shock. Previous studies demonstrated that C1 inhibitor (C1INH) protects mice from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lethal septic shock via a direct interaction with LPS. Here, we report that C1INH blocked the LPS-induced increase in transendothelial flux through an endothelial monolayer. In addition, LPS-mediated detachment of cultured endothelial cells was prevented with C1INH. C1INH also inhibited LPS-induced endothelial cell apoptosis as demonstrated by suppression of DNA fragmentation and annexin V expression. As illustrated by laser scanning confocal microscopy, C1INH completely blocked the binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-LPS to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). C1INH protected from localized LPS-induced increased plasma leakage in C57BL/6J mice and in C1INH-deficient mice. Local vascular permeability in response to LPS was increased to a greater extent in C1INH-deficient mice compared with wild-type littermate controls and was reversed by treatment with C1INH. Systemic administration of LPS to mice resulted in increased vascular permeability, which was reduced by C1INH. Therefore, these studies demonstrate that C1INH, in addition to its role in suppression of LPS-mediated macrophage activation, may play an important role in the prevention of LPS-mediated increased vascular permeability, endothelial cell injury, and multiple organ failure.

Effects of C1 esterase inhibitor administration on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) administration on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence, and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study in the experimental laboratory of a university.

SUBJECTS

42 male Wistar rats.

INTERVENTIONS

The animals were divided into three groups. One half of the animals of each group underwent studies of intestinal functional capillary density and leukocyte adherence on venular endothelium by intravital fluorescence microscopy. In the other half of the animals mesenteric plasma extravasation (FITC albumin) was determined by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Treatment groups received endotoxin infusion of 2.5 mg/kg per hour (group 2 and 3) and 100 U/kg b.w. C1-INH (group 3) during the 2 h of endotoxemia.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Endotoxemia resulted in a significant decrease in mucosal functional capillary density (18.5% vs. controls), which was reduced by C1-INH administration (9.5%). Treatment with C1-INH also significantly attenuated intestinal leukocyte adherence in submucosal venules (35% vs. endotoxin group) and mesenteric plasma extravasation (44% vs. endotoxin group).

CONCLUSIONS

C1-INH administration diminishes endotoxin-induced changes in the intestinal microcirculation during experimental endotoxemia.

C1 inhibitor prevents endotoxin shock via a direct interaction with lipopolysaccharide

C1 inhibitor (C1INH) is beneficial in animal models of endotoxemia and sepsis. However, the mechanism(s) of C1INH protection remain(s) ill-defined. In this study, we demonstrated that both active C1INH and reactive center-cleaved, inactive C1INH protected mice from lethal Gram-negative endotoxemia. Both forms of C1INH blocked the LPS-binding protein-dependent binding of Salmonella typhimurium LPS to the murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, and suppressed LPS-induced TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Inhibition of LPS binding to RAW 264.7 cells was reversed with anti-C1INH Ab and was more efficient when C1INH was incubated first with LPS rather than with the cells. C1INH also suppressed LPS-induced up-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA in whole human blood. The interaction of C1INH with LPS was directly demonstrated both by ELISA and by nondenaturing PAGE, but deletion of the amino-terminal 97-aa residues abrogated this binding. Therefore, C1INH, in addition to its function as a serine protease inhibitor, has a novel anti-inflammatory function mediated via its heavily glycosylated amino-terminal non-serpin domain.

The potentiation of human C1-inhibitor by dextran sulphate is transient in vivo: studies in a rat model

C1-inhibitor (C1-Inh) is an important regulator of inflammatory reactions because it is a potent inhibitor of the contact and complement system. C1-Inh application in inflammatory disease is, however, restricted because of the high doses required. The glycosaminoglycan-like molecule dextran sulphate (DXS) enhances C1-Inh function in vitro. Hence, we investigated whether co-administration with dextran sulphate reduces the amount of C1-Inh required, through enhancement in vivo. C1-Inh potentiation was measured in a newly developed C1s-inactivation assay that is based on activation of C4 by purified C1s. Activated C4 in rat plasma was quantified with a newly developed ELISA. Human C1-Inh (2.5 microM) inhibited C1s in rat plasma 55-fold faster in the presence of dextran sulphate (15 kDa, 5 microM). To study the stability of the complex in vivo, rats were given a mixture of C1-Inh (10 mg/kg) and dextran sulphate (3 mg/kg). C1-Inh activity during 5 h was analyzed ex vivo with the C1s inactivation assay. The noncovalent C1-Inh-dextran sulphate complex resulted in a transient enhancement of the inhibitory capacity of C1-Inh, lasting for 60-90 min. Dextran sulphate did not affect plasma clearance of C1-Inh. We conclude that the enhanced inhibitory capacity of C1-Inh complexed to dextran sulphate is transient in vivo. Hence, co-administration of these compounds seems a feasible approach to achieve short-term inhibition of complement in vivo.

C1-inhibitor: an anti-inflammatory reagent with therapeutic potential

Excessive activation of the protein cascade systems often leads to severe inflammatory tissue destruction with potential life-threatening outcome. These include clinical disorders, such as capillary leak syndrome, septic shock, myocardial infarction and other ischaemia/reperfusion injuries, trauma, burns, multiple organ failure, as well as graft rejection. A therapeutic substitution of appropriate regulators appears to be a reasonable approach to reduce undesirable inflammatory reactions. C1-inhibitor, a multifunctional regulator of the various kinin-generating cascade systems, is frequently reduced in patients suffering from severe inflammation. C1-inhibitor concentrate has been used for decades as a substitution therapy to treat acute attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema. Studies including pathophysiologically relevant animal models now provide sufficient evidence that C1-inhibitor may also serve as an effective means to protect against inflammatory tissue injury. Promising clinical results are emerging which support C1-inhibitor as a candidate for therapy in severe inflammatory disorders. Although treatment with C1-inhibitor is regarded as safe, recent reports on possible side effects in certain clinical situations emphasise the importance of controlled clinical studies. The following review will focus on the impact of C1-inhibitor treatment on diseases, where complement contributes to the pathogenesis.

Influence of amrinone on tissue oxygenation of jejunal mucosa during endotoxemia

BACKGROUND

The intestinal mucosa is the portion of the gut most susceptible to impaired perfusion and oxygen delivery. The phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor amrinone has been proposed to improve oxygen delivery and tissue perfusion during sepsis. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of amrinone on arterial oxygenation (Pao(2)) and tissue oxygenation (Ptio(2)) of jejunal mucosa during endotoxemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty anesthetized and ventilated rats were laparotomized and a jejunal portion was exteriorized and fixed on a plexiglass stage. The jejunum was punctured and a Clark-type microcatheter Po(2) probe and a microthermocouple were placed on the mucosa to measure Ptio(2). The animals were randomly assigned to receive one of the four treatments: infusion of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS, 2 mg/kg/h) without amrinone pretreatment (LPS group); infusion of LPS with amrinone pretreatment (40 microg/kg/min, start 30 min before LPS infusion, amrinone + LPS group); no treatment with either amrinone or LPS (control group); treatment with amrinone without LPS infusion (amrinone group). Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), Pao(2), and Ptio(2) were measured 30 min before and 0, 60, and 120 min after induction of endotoxemia.

RESULTS

MAP remained stable in the control and LPS groups. In the amrinone + LPS group MAP decreased within the first 30 min of amrinone infusion and decreased further during endotoxemia. Pao(2) remained stable in the control group and decreased in the LPS group. This endotoxin-induced decrease in Pao(2) was attenuated in the amrinone + LPS group. The mucosal Ptio(2) decreased in the LPS group but remained stable in both the control and amrinone + LPS groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pretreatment with amrinone was able to diminish a decrease in Pao(2) during endotoxemia, indicating that pulmonary dysfunction was attenuated. Endotoxin-induced tissue hypoxia of the intestinal mucosa, however, could be fully prevented, indicating that an additional improvement in compromised tissue perfusion had occurred.

Does hypertension confer a hypercoagulable state in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats?

OBJECTIVE

To verify whether hypertension confers a hypercoagulable state in a hypertensive animal model.

DESIGN

The parameters of blood coagulation were compared between stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Each rat group consisted of a younger subgroup at 8-12 weeks old (n = 12) and an older subgroup at 16-20 weeks old (n = 12).

METHODS

Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fluorogenic PT, fibrinogen, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), thrombin-anti-thrombin III complex (TAT), factor Xa activity, anti-thrombin III (AT-III), tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), protein C and C1 inhibitor were measured in both rat groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in FDP and TAT levels between SHR-SP and WKY rats even at 16-20 weeks when SHR-SP developed severe hypertensive vascular lesions. Contrary to expectations, fluorogenic PT and factor Xa activity were significantly lower in SHR-SP than in WKY rats. While there was no significant difference in AT-III, TFPI and protein C activities between SHR-SP and WKY rats, C1 inhibitor activity was significantly higher in SHR-SP than in WKY rats. The elevated C1 inhibitor activity was inversely correlated with the reduced factor Xa activity. Gel-filtered fractionated plasma with C1 inhibitor activity had an inhibitory effect on the purified rat factor Xa, and immunodepletion of C1 inhibitor from the fractionated plasma attenuated the inhibitory effect

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that SHR-SP get into a hypocoagulable state rather than a hypercoagulable state, and that the reduction of factor Xa activity in SHR-SP may be related to the elevation of C1 inhibitor activity.

Effect of C1 Inhibitor on Inflammatory and Physiologic Response Patterns in Primates Suffering from Lethal Septic Shock

We evaluated the effect of C1 inhibitor (C1-inh), an inhibitor of the classical pathway of complement and the contact system, on the physiologic and inflammatory response in baboons suffering from lethal Escherichia coli sepsis. Five animals pretreated with 500 U/kg C1-inh (treatment group; n = 5), followed by a 9-h continuous infusion of 200 U/kg C1-inh subsequent to bacterial challenge, were compared with five controls receiving E. coli alone. Of the treatment group, one animal survived and another lived beyond 48 h, whereas all control animals died within 27 h. In four of five treated animals, less severe pathology was observed in various target organs. C1-inh administration did not prevent the hemodynamic or hematologic changes observed upon E. coli infusion. The activation of fibrinolysis and the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation were essentially unaffected by C1-inh. However, C1-inh supplementation significantly reduced decreases in plasma levels of factor XII and prekallikrein and abrogated the systemic appearance of C4b/c, indicating substantial inhibition of activation of the contact system and the classical complement pathway, respectively. Furthermore, treated animals displayed a reduced elaboration of various cytokines including TNF, IL-10, IL-6, and IL-8. Thus, the administration of C1-inh may have a beneficial but modest effect on the clinical course and outcome of severe sepsis in nonhuman primates. We suggest that activated complement and/or contact system proteases may, at least in part, contribute to the attendant manifestations of septic shock through an augmentation of the cytokine response.

Controlling the complement system in inflammation

Inappropriate or excessive activation of the complement system can lead to harmful, potentially life-threatening consequences due to severe inflammatory tissue destruction. These consequences are clinically manifested in various disorders, including septic shock, multiple organ failure and hyperacute graft rejection. Genetic complement deficiencies or complement depletion have been proven to be beneficial in reducing tissue injury in a number of animal models of severe complement-dependent inflammation. It is therefore believed that therapeutic inhibition of complement is likely to arrest the process of certain diseases. Attempts to efficiently inhibit complement include the application of endogenous soluble complement inhibitors (C1-inhibitor, recombinant soluble complement receptor 1- rsCR1), the administration of antibodies, either blocking key proteins of the cascade reaction (e.g. C3, C5), neutralizing the action of the complement-derived anaphylatoxin C5a, or interfering with complement receptor 3 (CR3, CD18/11b)-mediated adhesion of inflammatory cells to the vascular endothelium. In addition, incorporation of membrane-bound complement regulators (DAF-CD55, MCP-CD46, CD59) has become possible by transfection of the correspondent cDNA into xenogeneic cells. Thereby, protection against complement-mediated inflammatory tissue damage could be achieved in various animal models of sepsis, myocardial as well as intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury, adult respiratory distress syndrome, nephritis and graft rejection. Supported by results from first clinical trials, complement inhibition appears to be a suitable therapeutic approach to control inflammation. Current strategies to specifically inhibit complement in inflammation have been discussed at a recent meeting on the 'Immune Consequences of Trauma, Shock and Sepsis', held from March 4-8, 1997, in Munich, Germany. The Congress (chairman: E. Faist, Munich, Germany), which was held in close cooperation with various national and international shock and trauma societies, was attended by about 2000 delegates from 40 countries. The major objective of the meeting was to provide an overview on the most state-of-the-art methods to prevent multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)/multiple organ failure (MOF) following the systemic inflammatory response (SIRS) to severe trauma. One of the largest symposia held within the Congress was devoted to current aspects of controlling complement in inflammation (for abstracts see: Shock 1997, 7 Suppl., 71-75). After providing the audience with information on the scientific background by addressing the clinical relevance of complement activation (G.O. Till, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) and discussing recent developments in modern complement diagnosis (J. Köhl, Hannover, Germany), B.P. Morgan (Cardiff, UK) introduced the symposium's special issue by giving an overview on complement regulatory molecules. Selected topics included overviews on the application of C1 inhibitor (C.E. Hack, Amsterdam, NL), sCR1 (U.S. Ryan, Needham, MA, USA), antibodies to C5 (Y. Wang, New Haven CT, USA) and to the anaphylatoxin C5a (M. Oppermann, Göttingen, Germany), and a report on complement inhibition in cardiopulmonary bypass (T.E. Mollnes, Bodø, Norway). The growing interest of clinicians in complement-directed anti-inflammatory therapy, and the fact that only some of the various aspects of therapeutic complement inhibition could be addressed on the meeting, has motivated the author to expand a Congress report into a short comprehensive review on recent strategies to control complement in inflammation.

Degradation of C1-inhibitor by plasmin: implications for the control of inflammatory processes

BACKGROUND

A correct balance between protease and inhibitor activity is critical in the maintenance of homoeostasis; excessive activation of enzyme pathways is frequently associated with inflammatory disorders. Plasmin is an enzyme ubiquitously activated in inflammatory disorder, and C1-inhibitor (C1-Inh) is a pivotal inhibitor of protease activity, which is particularly important in the regulation of enzyme cascades generated in plasma. The nature of the interaction between plasmin and C1-Inh is poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

C1-Inh was immunoadsorbed from the plasma of normal individuals (n = 21), from that of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 18) or adult respiratory distress syndrome (n = 9), and from the plasma and synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 18). As plasmin is a putative enzyme responsible for C1-Inh was examined using SDS-PAGE. In addition, peptides cleaved from C1-Inh by plasmin were isolated and sequenced and the precise cleavage sites determined from the known primary sequence of C1-Inh. Homology models of C1-Inh were then constructed.

RESULTS

Increased levels of cleaved and inactivated C1-Inh were found in each of the inflammatory disorders examined. Through SDS-PAGE analysis it was shown that plasmin rapidly degraded C1-Inh in vitro. The pattern of C1-Inh cleavage seen in vivo in patients with inflammatory disorders and that produced in vitro following incubation with plasmin were very similar. Homology models of C1-Inh indicate that the majority of the plasmin cleavage sites are adjacent to the reactive site of the inhibitor.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that local C1-Inh degradation by plasmin may be a central and critical event in the loss of protease inhibition during inflammation. These findings have important implications for our understanding of pathogenic mechanisms in inflammation and for the development of more effectively targeted therapeutic regimes. These findings may also explain the efficacy of anti-plasmin agents in the treatment of C1-Inh deficiency states, as they may diminish plasmin-mediated C1-Inh degradation.

Hemostatic-endothelial interactions: a potential anticoagulant role of the endothelium in the pulmonary circulation during cardiac surgery

The use of extracorporeal circulation during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Exposure of blood to the foreign surface of the extracorporeal circuit results in activation of complement, kinin, fibrinolytic and coagulation systems as well as cellular mediators of inflammation. Without the use of anticoagulants, the extracorporeal circuit would clot; high-dose heparin prevents coagulation, but activation of the coagulation system and consequent thrombin generation still occur. During CPB, the lungs are effectively removed from the circulation, and, hence, heparinized blood remains static within the pulmonary vasculature for this period. It was postulated that under these conditions, the hemostatic system may become activated and could contribute to pulmonary dysfunction in some patients after CPB. However, it appears that during CPB interactions among heparin, the hemostatic system, and the endothelium may exert a protective effect, at least against activation of the tissue factor coagulation pathway. In this article, the effect of CPB on the coagulation system, with particular reference to changes in coagulation proteins occurring in the pulmonary vasculature, are reviewed.

The third component of complement protects against Escherichia coli endotoxin-induced shock and multiple organ failure

We investigated whether the third component of complement (C3) is involved in the pathophysiology of endotoxic shock, and if it is involved, whether it plays a protective role or whether it mediates shock and multiple organ failure. In a prospective, controlled investigation, six Brittany spaniels that were homozygous for a genetically determined deficiency of C3 (C3 deficient, < 0.003% of normal serum C3 levels) and six heterozygous littermates (controls, approximately 50% of mean normal serum C3 level) were given 2 mg/kg of reconstituted Escherichia coli 026:B6 acetone powder as a source of endotoxin, intravenously. All animals were given similar fluid and prophylactic antibiotic therapy, and had serial hemodynamic variables obtained. After E. coli endotoxin infusion, C3-deficient animals had higher peak levels of endotoxin and less of a rise in temperature than controls (P < 0.05). During the first 4 h after E. coli endotoxin infusion, C3-deficient animals had significantly greater decreases in mean central venous pressure and mean pulmonary artery pressure than controls (P < 0.02). During the first 48 h after E. coli endotoxin infusion, C3-deficient animals had significantly greater decreases in mean arterial pH, left ventricular ejection fraction, and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and greater increases in mean arterial lactate, arterial-alveolar O2 gradient, and transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) than controls, (all P < 0.05). After E. coli endotoxin infusion, C3-deficient animals compared to controls had significantly less of a decrease in mean C5 levels (P < 0.01), but similar (P = NS) increases in circulating tumor necrosis factor levels, bronchoalveolar lavage neutrophils, and protein, and similar (P = NS) decreases in blood leukocytes and platelets. Two of six C3-deficient animals and two of six controls died. In summary, after intravenous infusion of E. coli endotoxin, canines with C3 deficiency have decreased endotoxin clearance and worse E. coli endotoxin-induced shock and organ damage. Thus, the third component of the complement system plays a beneficial role in the host defense against E. coli endotoxic shock.