Complement Factor H Is a Serum-binding Protein for Adrenomedullin, and the Resulting Complex Modulates the Bioactivities of Both Partners

Adrenomedullin (AM) is an important regulatory peptide involved in both physiological and pathological states. We have previously demonstrated the existence of a specific AM-binding protein (AMBP-1) in human plasma. In the present study, we developed a nonradioactive ligand blotting assay, which, together with high pressure liquid chromatography/SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis purification techniques, allowed us to isolate AMBP-1 to homogeneity. The purified protein was identified as human complement factor H. We show that AM/factor H interaction interferes with the established methodology for quantification of circulating AM. Our data suggest that this routine procedure does not take into account the AM bound to its binding protein. In addition, we show that factor H affects AMin vitrofunctions. It enhances AM-mediated induction of cAMP in fibroblasts, augments the AM-mediated growth of a cancer cell line, and suppresses the bactericidal capability of AM onEscherichia coli. Reciprocally, AM influences the complement regulatory function of factor H by enhancing the cleavage of C3b via factor I. In summary, we report on a potentially new regulatory mechanism of AM biology, the influence of factor H on radioimmunoassay quantification of AM, and the possible involvement of AM as a regulator of the complement cascade.

Lipopolysaccharide enhances CD11b/CD18 function but inhibits neutrophil aggregation

Human neutrophils are primed in the presence of complexes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with its serum binding protein (LBP) in a manner dependent on CD14. Cellular consequences of priming include increased responsiveness, the upregulation of surface proteins including the adhesive integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), the increased binding of certain ligands to CD11b/CD18, and the concurrent shedding of the L-selectin homing receptor. Because expression of both CD11b/CD18 and L-selectin is obligatory for formyl peptide-stimulated neutrophil aggregation in vitro (Simon et al, Blood 82:1097, 1993), we have examined the consequences of bacterial endotoxin on the expression of neutrophil adhesive molecules. We observed that the exposure of neutrophils to LPS/LBP, while enhancing the surface numbers and adhesive function of CD11b/CD18 for latex particles, did not induce aggregation. In contrast, as the LPS/LBP concentration increased (ED50 = 30 ng/mL LPS/LBP), the ability of neutrophils to aggregate decreased in parallel with the shedding of L-selectin. Moreover, when L-selectin adhesive activity was blocked by treatment with Fab fragments of Dreg- 200, aggregation was inhibited to an extent roughly proportional to the available L-selection. Blocking of LPS/LBP with CD14-specific monoclonal antibodies suppressed L-selectin shedding and preserved formyl peptide-stimulated aggregation. Taken together, the data suggest that inhibition of neutrophil aggregation by LPS/LBP is related to the expression of L-selectin via CD14 rather than LPS inhibition of CD11b/CD18 function during cellular stimulation.

Lipopolysaccharide enhances CD11b/CD18 function but inhibits neutrophil aggregation

Human neutrophils are primed in the presence of complexes of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with its serum binding protein (LBP) in a manner dependent on CD14. Cellular consequences of priming include increased responsiveness, the upregulation of surface proteins including the adhesive integrin CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), the increased binding of certain ligands to CD11b/CD18, and the concurrent shedding of the L-selectin homing receptor. Because expression of both CD11b/CD18 and L-selectin is obligatory for formyl peptide-stimulated neutrophil aggregation in vitro (Simon et al, Blood 82:1097, 1993), we have examined the consequences of bacterial endotoxin on the expression of neutrophil adhesive molecules. We observed that the exposure of neutrophils to LPS/LBP, while enhancing the surface numbers and adhesive function of CD11b/CD18 for latex particles, did not induce aggregation. In contrast, as the LPS/LBP concentration increased (ED50 = 30 ng/mL LPS/LBP), the ability of neutrophils to aggregate decreased in parallel with the shedding of L-selectin. Moreover, when L-selectin adhesive activity was blocked by treatment with Fab fragments of Dreg- 200, aggregation was inhibited to an extent roughly proportional to the available L-selection. Blocking of LPS/LBP with CD14-specific monoclonal antibodies suppressed L-selectin shedding and preserved formyl peptide-stimulated aggregation. Taken together, the data suggest that inhibition of neutrophil aggregation by LPS/LBP is related to the expression of L-selectin via CD14 rather than LPS inhibition of CD11b/CD18 function during cellular stimulation.

Immunological quantitation of rat and mouse thyroxine-binding globulins. Ontogenesis and sex-dependence of the circulating levels of the thyroxine-binding globulins

We describe the preparation of monospecific antisera against a thyroxine-binding globulin partially purified from immature rat sera by affinity chromatography on thyroxine-Sepharose. The antisera are used for the rocket immunoelectrophoresis assay of rat thyroxinebinding globulin and also, owing to their partial crossreactivity with mouse thyroxine-binding globulin, for the quantitation of this serum binding protein in the mouse. The thyroxine-binding globulin is measured in developing rats and in sexually mature male and female rats and mice. The results of the ontogenetic study confirm the postnatal surge of serum thyroxine-binding globulin levels, formerly demonstrated with binding techniques. They allow further to define the correlations, dependent on age, of the immunoquantitated thyroxine-binding globulin and transthyretin levels with the abilities of the sera to bind thyroxine. In sexually mature rats and mice we demonstrate an opposite sexdependence of thyroxine-binding globulin levels, characterized by increased levels of the protein in the female rats versus increased levels of the protein in the male mice. This is the first report of immunological quantitation of rat and mouse thyroxine-binding globulins.

Monoclonal antibodies to the pituitary growth-hormone receptor by the anti-idiotypic approach. Production and initial characterization

We obtained 10/192 and 3/384 antibody-secreting hybrids after immunization of Balb/c mice with either human growth hormone or affinity-purified rabbit anti-(human growth hormone) respectively. Radiolabelled rabbit anti-(human growth hormone) antibodies, but not human growth hormone, were specifically bound by supernatants from the 13 hybrids. The binding was completely inhibited by human-growth-hormone serum binding protein. However, anti-(human growth hormone antibodies) were detected in the sera of all the mice immunized with human growth hormone. In an independent fusion, which was carried out after immunization with fewer doses of human growth hormone, anti-(human growth hormone) antibodies were also obtained. Five hybrids, where the starting antigen was human growth hormone, were selected for ascites production, and the corresponding monoclonal antibodies were partially purified and characterized with respect to their immunoglobulin isotype and their interaction with human-growth-hormone receptors. These antibodies were found to enhance the binding of radioiodinated human growth hormone to human-growth-hormone serum binding protein from human and rabbit plasma by 40%. Scatchard analysis of the effect of one of the monoclonal antibodies showed that this enhancement was due to an increased number of binding sites. All of the partially purified antibodies but one (F12) inhibited the binding of human growth hormone to rat but not rabbit, liver microsomes to various extents, as well as to H-4-II-E rat hepatoma cells. Monoclonal antibody F12 enhanced the binding of radiolabelled human growth hormone to rat liver microsomes and H-4-II-E hepatoma cells. This enhancement was found to be due to an increase in the number of binding sites.