Liver factor B silencing to cure C3 glomerulopathy: Evidence from a mouse model of complement dysregulation

Uncontrolled activation of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement, due to genetic and/or acquired defects, plays a primary pathogenetic role in C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a rare and heterogeneous disease characterised by predominant C3 fragment deposition within the glomerulus, as well as glomerular damage. There are currently no approved disease-specific treatments for C3G, but new drugs that directly counteract AP dysregulation, targeting components of the pathway, have opened promising new perspectives for managing the disease. Complement factor B (FB), which is primarily synthesised by hepatocytes, is a key component of the AP, as it drives the central amplification loop of the complement system. In this study we used a GalNAc (N-Acetylgalactosamine)-conjugated siRNA to selectively target and suppress liver FB expression in two mouse models characterised by the complete (Cfh-/- mice) or partial (Cfh+/-) loss of function of complement factor H (FH). Homozygous deletion of FH induced a severe C3G phenotype, with strong dysregulation of the AP of complement, glomerular C3 deposition and almost complete C3 consumption. Mice with a heterozygous deletion of FH had intermediate C3 levels and exhibited slower disease progression, resembling human C3G more closely. Here we showed that FB siRNA treatment did not improve serum C3 levels, nor limit glomerular C3 deposition in Cfh-/- mice, while it did normalise circulating C3 levels, reduce glomerular C3 deposits, and limit mesangial electron-dense deposits in Cfh+/- mice. The present data provide important insights into the potential benefits and limitations of FB-targeted inhibition strategies and suggest RNA interference-mediated FB silencing in the liver as a possible therapeutic approach for treating C3G patients with FH haploinsufficiency.

Complement factor B regulates cellular senescence and is associated with poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

The interplay between cancer cells and stromal components, including soluble mediators released from cancer cells, contributes to the progression of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here, we set out to identify key secreted proteins involved in PDAC progression.

METHODS

We performed secretome analyses of culture media of mouse pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) and PDAC cells using Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acid in Cell culture (SILAC) with click chemistry and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results obtained were verified in primary PDAC tissue samples and cell line models.

RESULTS

Complement factor B (CFB) was identified as one of the robustly upregulated proteins, and found to exhibit elevated expression in PDAC cells compared to PanIN cells. Endogenous CFB knockdown by a specific siRNA dramatically decreased the proliferation of PDAC cells, PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-II. CFB knockdown induced increases in the number of senescence-associated-β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) positive cells exhibiting p21 expression upregulation, which promotes cellular senescence with cyclinD1 accumulation. Furthermore, CFB knockdown facilitated downregulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and led to cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase in PDAC cells. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that high stromal CFB expression was associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes with hematogenous dissemination after surgery in human PDAC patients. Despite the presence of enriched CD8+ tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in the PDAC tumor microenvironments, patients with a high stromal CFB expression exhibited a significantly poorer prognosis compared to those with a low stromal CFB expression. Immunofluorescence staining revealed a correlation between stromal CFB expression in the tumor microenvironment and an enrichment of immunosuppressive regulatory T-cells (Tregs), myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). We also found that high stromal CFB expression showed a positive correlation with high CD8+/Foxp3+ Tregs populations in PDAC tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicate that CFB, a key secreted protein, promotes proliferation by preventing cellular senescence and is associated with immunological tumor promotion in PDAC. These findings suggest that CFB may be a potential target for the treatment of PDAC.

Complement component factor B has thrombin-like activity

Serine proteases are fundamental components of biology, including innate immunity, which is systematically orchestrated in an orderly, balanced fashion in the healthy host. Such serine proteases are found in two well-recognized pathways of an innate immune network, coagulation and complement. Both pathways, if uncontrolled due to a variety of causes, are pathogenic in numerous diseases, including coagulation disorders and infectious diseases. Previous studies have reported sequence homologies, functional similarities and interplay between these two pathways with some implications in health and disease. The current study newly reveals that complement component factor B (Bf), the second component of the alternative complement pathway, has thrombin-like activity, which is supported by a characteristic homology of the trypsin-like domain of Bf to that of thrombin. Moreover, we newly report that the trypsin-like domain of Bf is closely related to Limulus clotting factor C, the LPS sensitive clotting factor of the innate immune system. We will also discuss potential implications of our findings in diseases.

The effect of complement factor B gene variation on age-related macular degeneration in Iranian patients

Purpose

To determine the possible association of rs4151667 (L9H) complement factor B (CFB) gene with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The L9H is one of the functional variations of the CFB. CFB gene encodes the most important protein of the complement system.

Methods

Two hundred sixty-six patients with AMD and 194 unrelated age/sex-matched controls were genotyped for CFB gene (rs4151667) using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. All research subjects were selected from three regions of Iran (Tehran, Tabriz, and Gonabad).

Results

The results showed a significant difference between the frequency of non-TT genotype in total patients and controls [odds ratio (OR) = 0.424, P = 0.038]. The analysis for each studied region showed that in patients originating from the Gonabad population, the frequency of TT and non-TT genotypes between patients and the control group were significantly different (OR = 2.894, P = 0.046 for TT genotype and OR = 0.346, P = 0.026 for non-TT genotype). In patients originating from Tabriz population, TT and non-TT genotypes and A allele revealed considerably different frequencies between the patient and control groups (OR = 3.043, P = 0.017; OR = 0.329, P = 0.013 and OR = 0.347, P = 0.048, respectively). Analysis of patients from Tehran also showed that there was a significant difference in the frequency of TT genotype between patients and controls (OR = 2.168, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

The results of the current study indicated a possible protective role for non-TT genotype in L9H variation CFB gene against AMD in a sample of the Iranian population. The region segregation results showed that TT genotype might be a risk factor for susceptibility to AMD.

Adipose tissue complement factor B promotes adipocyte maturation

OBJECTIVES

It is well-known that the complement system plays an essential role in host immunity. Observational studies have indicated that complement system-related molecules such as complement factor B (CfB) and other components are correlated with obesity and/or insulin resistance parameters. In this study, we investigated the role of adipocyte-derived CfB in adipose tissue metabolism.

METHODS

We investigated the expression level of complement system-related genes in adipocytes. To understand the role of CfB in adipocyte, we performed Cfb overexpression in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and generated adipocyte-specific Cfb transgenic mice.

RESULTS

Cfb expression was markedly enhanced in 3T3-L1 adipocytes co-cultured with macrophages following endotoxin stimulation. In Cfb-overexpressing cells, the expression of adipocyte differentiation/maturation-related genes encoding peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Pparγ), adipocyte Protein 2 and perilipin was significantly enhanced. Cfb transgenic mice showed a marked increase in the expression of genes encoding Pparγ, perilipin, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 c, and Cd36 in the subcutaneous adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

CfB plays a crucial role in late-phase of adipocyte differentiation and subsequent lipid droplet formation.

A teleost complement factor Ba possesses antimicrobial activity and inhibits bacterial infection in fish

Complement factor B (Bf) is a component of the complement system. Following activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system, factor B is cleaved into Ba and Bb fragments. In fish, the Bf of rainbow trout is known to act as a C3 convertase, but the function of the Ba fragment is essentially unknown. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis Bf (named CsBf) and the biological activity of the Ba fragment of CsBf (named CsBa). CsBf possesses the conserved domains of Bf and shares 39.9%-56.4% sequence identities with other fish Bf. CsBf expression was high in liver, muscle, and heart, and low in intestine, blood, and kidney. Bacterial infection significantly induced CsBf expression in kidney, spleen, and liver in a time-dependent manner. Recombinant CsBa (rCsBa) exhibited apparent binding capacities to bacteria and tongue sole peripheral blood leukocytes, and binding of rCsBa to bacteria inhibited bacterial growth. When overexpressed in tongue sole, CsBa significantly reduced bacterial dissemination in fish tissues. Together these results indicate for the first time that a fish Ba possesses antibacterial effect as well as immune cell-binding capacity, and thus probably plays a role in host immune defense against bacterial infection.

Rare genetic variant in the CFB gene presenting as atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome and immune complex diffuse membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, with crescents, successfully treated with eculizumab

BACKGROUND

Complement factor B gene (CFB) is an important component of the alternate pathway of complement activation that provides an active subunit that associates with C3b to form the C3 convertase, which is an essential element in complement activation. Among the complement-associated disorders, mutations and pathogenic variants in the CFB gene are relatively rare phenomena. Moreover, mutated CFB affiliation with immune-complex diffuse membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) are considered a highly rare occurrence.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the clinical presentation, course, and pathological findings in a 7-year-old boy who has confirmed CFB heterozygous variants with pathological features compatible with IC-MPGN. Mutational analysis revealed a heterozygous variant p.Glu566Arg in exon 13 of the CFB gene. The patient did not respond to steroids and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) therapy but responded clinically and biochemically to eculizumab treatment. This is the first case report of CFB alteration associated with IC-MPGN and aHUS that was successfully treated with eculizumab.

CONCLUSIONS

Heterozygous variants in the CFB gene can be pathogenic and associated with IC-MPGN and aHUS. Early diagnosis and prompt management can be essential in preventing end-stage renal disease. Eculizumab may provide an effective modality of treatment.

Inhibition of the alternative complement pathway by antisense oligonucleotides targeting complement factor B improves lupus nephritis in mice

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease that manifests in widespread complement activation and deposition of complement fragments in the kidney. The complement pathway is believed to play a significant role in the pathogenesis and in the development of lupus nephritis. Complement factor B is an important activator of the alternative complement pathway and increasing evidence supports reducing factor B as a potential novel therapy to lupus nephritis. Here we investigated whether pharmacological reduction of factor B expression using antisense oligonucleotides could be an effective approach for the treatment of lupus nephritis. We identified potent and well tolerated factor B antisense oligonucleotides that resulted in significant reductions in hepatic and plasma factor B levels when administered to normal mice. To test the effects of factor B antisense oligonucleotides on lupus nephritis, we used two different mouse models, NZB/W F1 and MRL/lpr mice, that exhibit lupus nephritis like renal pathology. Antisense oligonucleotides mediated reductions in circulating factor B levels were associated with significant improvements in renal pathology, reduced glomerular C3 deposition and proteinuria, and improved survival. These data support the strategy of using factor B antisense oligonucleotides for treatment of lupus nephritis in humans.

Evolution of the complement system in protostomes revealed by de novo transcriptome analysis of six species of Arthropoda

To elucidate the evolutionary history of the complement system in Arthropoda, de novo transcriptome analysis was performed with six species among the Chelicerata, Myriapoda, and Crustacea, and complement genes were identified based on their characteristic domain structures. Complement C3 and factor B (FB) were identified from a sea spider, a jumping spider, and a centipede, but not from a sea firefly or two millipede species. No additional complement components identifiable by their characteristic domain structures were found from any of these six species. These results together with genome sequence information for several species of the Hexapoda suggest that the common ancestor of the Arthropoda possessed a simple complement system comprising C3 and FB, and thus resembled the alternative pathway of the mammalian complement system. It was lost at least twice independently during the evolution of Arthropoda in the millipede lineage and in the common ancestor of Crustacea and Hexapoda.