scholarly journals Playing ‘hide-and-seek’ with factor H: game-theoretical analysis of a single nucleotide polymorphism

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (142) ◽  
pp. 20170963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Hummert ◽  
Christina Glock ◽  
Stefan N. Lang ◽  
Christian Hummert ◽  
Christine Skerka ◽  
...  

As a part of the complement system, factor H regulates phagocytosis and helps differentiate between a body's own and foreign cells. Owing to mimicry efforts, some pathogenic microorganisms such as Candida albicans are able to bind factor H on their cell surfaces and, thus, become similar to host cells. This implies that the decision between self and foreign is not clear-cut, which leads to a classification problem for the immune system. Here, two different alleles determining the binding affinity of factor H are relevant. Those alleles differ in the SNP Y402H; they are known to be associated with susceptibility to certain diseases. Interestingly, the fraction of both alleles differs in ethnic groups. The game-theoretical model proposed in this article explains the coexistence of both alleles by a battle of the sexes game and investigates the trade-off between pathogen detection and protection of host cells. Further, we discuss the ethnicity-dependent frequencies of the alleles. Moreover, the model elucidates the mimicry efforts by pathogenic microorganisms.

2021 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
A.G. Rumyantsev ◽  
◽  
A.G. Rumyantsev ◽  
O.M. Demina ◽  
◽  
...  

It has been shown that the inflammatory response in acne develops at the early subclinical stages of the disease, sometimes before the formation of comedones. It is known that an important component of the innate immune system is the complement system, which includes more than 60 components, including 9 basic proteins (C1-C9), a variety of activation products (C3a, C3b, iC3b, C3d and C3dg), regulatory and inhibitory molecules [factor H, fH-like protein 1 (FHL1), CR1 (CD35), C4b-binding protein (C4BP), C1inh and vitronectin], proteases and secreted enzymes (factor B, factor D, C3bBb and C4bC2b), as well as receptors for effector molecules [C3aR, C5aR, C5L2 and C1q receptor (C1qR)]. The compliment is the central part of innate immunity, which is the first line of protection against alien and altered host cells. The objectives of this study were to determine and analyze the variants of the nucleotide sequence of the genes of the complement system C1QA, C1S, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8A, C8B, C8G, C9 in patients with severe acne. Materials and methods of research: To achieve the target a prospective open non-randomized one-center study was carried out in 2017–2020. Under our supervision in the clinical setting at the Department of Skin Diseases and Cosmetology of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, there were 50 patients in the main group and 20 participants in the comparison group (70 people in total) (42/60% men and 28/40% women) aged 15 to 46 years (median – 22,1 years). Molecular genetic diagnostics was performed in all 70 patients of the main and control groups by the method of high-throughput DNA sequencing – next-generation sequencing (NGS). Results: when analyzing the nucleotide sequence variants of the complement system genes identified in our study, it is shown that the severe form of acne probably has an association (4 SNPs of the C8A gene, 1 SNPs of the C8B gene, 2 SNPs of the C1S gene, 3 SNPs of the C3 gene, 2 SNPs of the C9 gene, 1 SNPs of the C7 gene, 1 SNPs of the C6 gene, 1 SNPs of the C2 gene, 2 SNPs of the C5 gene, 2 SNPs of the C8G gene), 13 SNPs of the complement system genes in introns (1 SNPs of the C8A gene, 1 SNPs of the C8B gene, 2 SNPs of the C1S gene, 1 SNPs of the C3 gene, 1 SNPs of the C7 gene, 2 SNPs of the C6 gene, 4 SNPs of the C5 gene, 1 SNPs of C8G gene), 6 SNPs of the complement system genes (2 SNPs of the C8B gene: one SNPs each in the 3'UTR and 5'UTR zones; 3 SNPs of the C3 gene in the 5'UTR zone, 1 SNPs of the C7 gene in the 3'UTR zone). Two mutations of the frame shift of the C2 gene (frameshift deletion) and the C9 gene (rs748464075, frameshift insertion) seem to have a protective effect in the development of acne. Conclusion: the obtained variants of the nucleotide sequence of the genes of the complement system C1QA, C1S, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8A, C8B, C8G, C9, apparently, are associated with the formation of severe acne and cause an imbalance of the components of the complement system. It can cause a defect in chemotactic and phagocytic reactions, and as a result a disturbance of the regulation of the inflammatory reaction with chronization of the skin process occures. Thus, results of studies carried out, revealed – for the first time – polymorphic loci of genes of components of the complement system, the imbalance of which is the pathophysiological mechanism of acne.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara R. Moore ◽  
Smrithi S. Menon ◽  
Claudio Cortes ◽  
Viviana P. Ferreira

The complement system is an essential player in innate and adaptive immunity. It consists of three pathways (alternative, classical, and lectin) that initiate either spontaneously (alternative) or in response to danger (all pathways). Complement leads to numerous outcomes detrimental to invaders, including direct killing by formation of the pore-forming membrane attack complex, recruitment of immune cells to sites of invasion, facilitation of phagocytosis, and enhancement of cellular immune responses. Pathogens must overcome the complement system to survive in the host. A common strategy used by pathogens to evade complement is hijacking host complement regulators. Complement regulators prevent attack of host cells and include a collection of membrane-bound and fluid phase proteins. Factor H (FH), a fluid phase complement regulatory protein, controls the alternative pathway (AP) both in the fluid phase of the human body and on cell surfaces. In order to prevent complement activation and amplification on host cells and tissues, FH recognizes host cell-specific polyanionic markers in combination with complement C3 fragments. FH suppresses AP complement-mediated attack by accelerating decay of convertases and by helping to inactivate C3 fragments on host cells. Pathogens, most of which do not have polyanionic markers, are not recognized by FH. Numerous pathogens, including certain bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, and fungi, can recruit FH to protect themselves against host-mediated complement attack, using either specific receptors and/or molecular mimicry to appear more like a host cell. This review will explore pathogen complement evasion mechanisms involving FH recruitment with an emphasis on: (a) characterizing the structural properties and expression patterns of pathogen FH binding proteins, as well as other strategies used by pathogens to capture FH; (b) classifying domains of FH important in pathogen interaction; and (c) discussing existing and potential treatment strategies that target FH interactions with pathogens. Overall, many pathogens use FH to avoid complement attack and appreciating the commonalities across these diverse microorganisms deepens the understanding of complement in microbiology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2600
Author(s):  
Enrique García-Gen ◽  
Mariola Penadés ◽  
Salvador Mérida ◽  
Carmen Desco ◽  
Rafael Araujo-Miranda ◽  
...  

High myopia (HM) is both a medical problem and refractive error of the eye owing to excessive eyeball length, which progressively makes eye tissue atrophic, and is one of the main causes for diminishing visual acuity in developed countries. Despite its high prevalence and many genetic and proteomic studies, no molecular pattern exists that explain the degenerative process underlying HM, which predisposes patients to other diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, retinal detachment and chorioretinal atrophy that affect the macular area. To determine the relation between complement Factors H (CFH) and D (CFD) and the maculopathy of patients with degenerative myopia, we studied aqueous humor samples that were collected by aspiration from 122 patients during cataract surgery. Eyes were classified according to eyeball axial length as high myopia (axial length > 26 mm), low myopia (axial length 23.5–25.9 mm) and control (axial length ˂ 23.4 mm). The degree of maculopathy was classified according to fundus oculi findings following IMI’s classification. Subfoveal choroid thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography. CFH and CFD measurements were taken by ELISA. CFH levels were significantly high in the high myopia group vs. the low myopia and control groups (p ˂ 0.05). Significantly high CFH values were found in those eyes with choroid atrophy and neovascularization (p ˂ 0.05). In parallel, the CFH concentration correlated inversely with choroid thickness (R = −0.624). CFD levels did not correlate with maculopathy. All the obtained data seem to suggest that CFH plays a key role in myopic pathology.


2009 ◽  
Vol 101 (02) ◽  
pp. 227-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihály Józsi ◽  
Peter Zipfel ◽  
Marie-Agnes Dragon-Durey ◽  
Veronique Fremeaux-Bacchi ◽  
Christine Skerka

SummaryHaemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a severe disease with renal failure, microangiopathic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Several mechanisms leading to HUS have been identified, like infections with enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli, as well as genetic mutations of complement genes, which result in defective complement control on the surface of host cells. The complement system forms the first defense line of innate immunity and mediates the attack against foreign microorganisms. Defective regulation of this cascade results in attack of self cells and in autoimmune disease. Apparently, the alternative pathway convertase C3bBb is central for the pathophysiology of HUS as gene mutations of the components (C3 and Factor B) or of regulators (Factor H, Factor I and MCP/CD46) are observed in the genetic form of HUS. Recently, a novel mechanism leading to atypical HUS (aHUS) was identified, in form of autoantibodies that bind the complement inhibitor Factor H. Here we summarize the current concept of HUS and focus in particular on the novel subgroup of aHUS patients with IgG autoantibodies to Factor H which develop on the genetic background of CFHR1/CFHR3 deficiency, and which define a new subform termed DEAP-HUS (deficient for CFHR proteins and Factor H autoantibody positive).


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4015
Author(s):  
Kyoung Ok Jang ◽  
Youn Woo Lee ◽  
Hangeun Kim ◽  
Dae Kyun Chung

Staphylococcus aureus is a species of Gram-positive staphylococcus. It can cause sinusitis, respiratory infections, skin infections, and food poisoning. Recently, it was discovered that S. aureus infects epithelial cells, but the interaction between S. aureus and the host is not well known. In this study, we confirmed S. aureus to be internalized by HaCaT cells using the ESAT-6-like protein EsxB and amplified within the host over time by escaping host immunity. S. aureus increases the expression of decay-accelerating factor (CD55) on the surfaces of host cells, which inhibits the activation of the complement system. This mechanism makes it possible for S. aureus to survive in host cells. S. aureus, sufficiently amplified within the host, is released through the initiation of cell death. On the other hand, the infected host cells increase their surface expression of UL16 binding protein 1 to inform immune cells that they are infected and try to be eliminated. These host defense systems seem to involve the alteration of tight junctions and the induction of ligand expression to activate immune cells. Taken together, our study elucidates a novel aspect of the mechanisms of infection and immune system evasion for S. aureus.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zihao Li ◽  
Mian Wang ◽  
Hua Zhong ◽  
Xin Huang ◽  
Xinyin Wu ◽  
...  

AbstractMannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) has been reported to play an important role as a key enzyme in the lectin pathway of the complement system. The objectives of our study were to determine whether the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) of MASP2 and the gene-tea drinking interaction were associated with the susceptibility to TB. In total, 503 patients and 494 healthy controls were contained. Three SNPs (rs12142107, rs12711521, and rs7548659) were genotyped. The association between the SNPs and susceptibility to TB were investigated by conducting multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis. The gene-tea drinking interactions were analyzed by the additive model of marginal structural linear odds models. Both genotype AC + AA at rs12711521 of MASP2 genes and genotype GT + GG at rs7548659 of MASP2 genes were more prevalent in the TB patient group than the healthy control group (OR: 1.423 and 1.439, respectively, P < 0.05). In addition, The relative excess risk of interaction (RERI) between tea drinking and rs12142107, rs12711521, and rs7548659 of MASP2 genes was found to suggest negative interactions, which reached − 0.2311 (95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.4736, − 0.0113), − 0.7080 (95% CI − 1.3998, − 0.0163), and − 0.5140 (95% CI − 0.8988, − 0.1291), respectively (P < 0.05). Our finding indicated that the SNPs (rs12711521 and rs7548659) of MASP2 were associated with the susceptibility to TB. Furthermore, there were negative interactions between tea drinking and rs12142107, rs12711521, and rs75548659 of MASP2 gene, respectively. Our research provides a basis for studying the pathogenesis and prevention of tuberculosis.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1259
Author(s):  
Alex van Belkum ◽  
Carina Almeida ◽  
Benjamin Bardiaux ◽  
Sarah V. Barrass ◽  
Sarah J. Butcher ◽  
...  

Infectious diseases are an existential health threat, potentiated by emerging and re-emerging viruses and increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance. Targeted treatment of infectious diseases requires precision diagnostics, especially in cases where broad-range therapeutics such as antibiotics fail. There is thus an increasing need for new approaches to develop sensitive and specific in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests. Basic science and translational research are needed to identify key microbial molecules as diagnostic targets, to identify relevant host counterparts, and to use this knowledge in developing or improving IVD. In this regard, an overlooked feature is the capacity of pathogens to adhere specifically to host cells and tissues. The molecular entities relevant for pathogen–surface interaction are the so-called adhesins. Adhesins vary from protein compounds to (poly-)saccharides or lipid structures that interact with eukaryotic host cell matrix molecules and receptors. Such interactions co-define the specificity and sensitivity of a diagnostic test. Currently, adhesin-receptor binding is typically used in the pre-analytical phase of IVD tests, focusing on pathogen enrichment. Further exploration of adhesin–ligand interaction, supported by present high-throughput “omics” technologies, might stimulate a new generation of broadly applicable pathogen detection and characterization tools. This review describes recent results of novel structure-defining technologies allowing for detailed molecular analysis of adhesins, their receptors and complexes. Since the host ligands evolve slowly, the corresponding adhesin interaction is under selective pressure to maintain a constant receptor binding domain. IVD should exploit such conserved binding sites and, in particular, use the human ligand to enrich the pathogen. We provide an inventory of methods based on adhesion factors and pathogen attachment mechanisms, which can also be of relevance to currently emerging pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.


2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-220
Author(s):  
Marlene Pereira de Carvalho Florido ◽  
Patrícia Ferreira de Paula ◽  
Lourdes Isaac

ABSTRACT Due to the increasing numbers of reported clinical cases of complement deficiency in medical centers, clinicians are now more aware of the role of the complement system in the protection against infections caused by microorganisms. Therefore, clinical laboratories are now prepared to perform a number of diagnostic tests of the complement system other than the standard 50% hemolytic component assay. Deficiencies of alternative complement pathway proteins are related to severe and recurrent infections; and the application of easy, reliable, and low-cost methods for their detection and distinction are always welcome, notably in developing countries. When activation of the alternative complement pathway is evaluated in hemolytic agarose plates, some but not all human sera cross-react to form a late linear lysis. Since the formation of this linear lysis is dependent on C3 and factor B, it is possible to use late linear lysis to routinely screen for the presence of deficiencies of alternative human complement pathway proteins such as factor B. Furthermore, since linear lysis is observed between normal human serum and primary C3-deficient serum but not between normal human serum and secondary C3-deficient serum caused by the lack of factor H or factor I, this assay may also be used to discriminate between primary and secondary C3 deficiencies.


mBio ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Codemo ◽  
Sandra Muschiol ◽  
Federico Iovino ◽  
Priyanka Nannapaneni ◽  
Laura Plant ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTGram-positive bacteria, including the major respiratory pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniae, were recently shown to produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) that likely originate from the plasma membrane and are released into the extracellular environment. EVs may function as cargo for many bacterial proteins, however, their involvement in cellular processes and their interactions with the innate immune system are poorly understood. Here, EVs from pneumococci were characterized and their immunomodulatory effects investigated. Pneumococcal EVs were protruding from the bacterial surface and released into the medium as 25 to 250 nm lipid stained vesicles containing a large number of cytosolic, membrane, and surface-associated proteins. The cytosolic pore-forming toxin pneumolysin was significantly enriched in EVs compared to a total bacterial lysate but was not required for EV formation. Pneumococcal EVs were internalized into A549 lung epithelial cells and human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and induced proinflammatory cytokine responses irrespective of pneumolysin content. EVs from encapsulated pneumococci were recognized by serum proteins, resulting in C3b deposition and formation of C5b-9 membrane attack complexes as well as factor H recruitment, depending on the presence of the choline binding protein PspC. Addition of EVs to human serum decreased opsonophagocytic killing of encapsulated pneumococci. Our data suggest that EVs may act in an immunomodulatory manner by allowing delivery of vesicle-associated proteins and other macromolecules into host cells. In addition, EVs expose targets for complement factors in serum, promoting pneumococcal evasion of humoral host defense.IMPORTANCEStreptococcus pneumoniaeis a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide, being the major cause of milder respiratory tract infections such as otitis and sinusitis and of severe infections such as community-acquired pneumonia, with or without septicemia, and meningitis. More knowledge is needed on how pneumococci interact with the host, deliver virulence factors, and activate immune defenses. Here we show that pneumococci form extracellular vesicles that emanate from the plasma membrane and contain virulence properties, including enrichment of pneumolysin. We found that pneumococcal vesicles can be internalized into epithelial and dendritic cells and bind complement proteins, thereby promoting pneumococcal evasion of complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis. They also induce pneumolysin-independent proinflammatory responses. We suggest that these vesicles can function as a mechanism for delivery of pneumococcal proteins and other immunomodulatory components into host cells and help pneumococci to avoid complement deposition and phagocytosis-mediated killing, thereby possibly contributing to the symptoms found in pneumococcal infections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Dopler ◽  
Selina Stibitzky ◽  
Rachel Hevey ◽  
Marco Mannes ◽  
Mara Guariento ◽  
...  

To discriminate between self and non-self surfaces and facilitate immune surveillance, the complement system relies on the interplay between surface-directed activators and regulators. The dimeric modulator FHR-1 is hypothesized to competitively remove the complement regulator FH from surfaces that strongly fix opsonic C3b molecules—a process known as “deregulation.” The C-terminal regions of FH and FHR-1 provide the basis of this competition. They contain binding sites for C3b and host surface markers and are identical except for two substitutions: S1191L and V1197A (i.e., FH “SV”; FHR-1 “LA”). Intriguingly, an FHR-1 variant featuring the “SV” combination of FH predisposes to atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). The functional impact of these mutations on complement (de)regulation, and their pathophysiological consequences, have largely remained elusive. We have addressed these questions using recombinantly expressed wildtype, mutated, and truncated versions of FHR-1 and FH. The “SV” to “LA” substitutions did not affect glycosaminoglycan recognition and had only a small effect on C3b binding. In contrast, the two amino acids substantially affected the binding of FH and FHR-1 to α2,3-linked sialic acids as host surfaces markers, with the S-to-L substitution causing an almost complete loss of recognition. Even with sialic acid-binding constructs, notable deregulation was only detected on host and not foreign cells. The aHUS-associated “SV” mutation converts FHR-1 into a sialic acid binder which, supported by its dimeric nature, enables excessive FH deregulation and, thus, complement activation on host surfaces. While we also observed inhibitory activities of FHR-1 on C3 and C5 convertases, the high concentrations required render the physiological impact uncertain. In conclusion, the SV-to-LA substitution in the C-terminal regions of FH and FHR-1 diminishes its sialic acid-binding ability and results in an FHR-1 molecule that only moderately deregulates FH. Such FH deregulation by FHR-1 only occurs on host/host-like surfaces that recruit FH. Conversion of FHR-1 into a sialic acid binder potentiates the deregulatory capacity of FHR-1 and thus explains the pathophysiology of the aHUS-associated FHR-1 “SV” variant.


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