Synthetic conjugate peptide Fba-Met6 (MP12) induces complement-mediated resistance against disseminated Candida albicans

The fungal genus Candida includes common commensals of the human mucosal membranes, and the most prevalently isolated species, C. albicans, poses a threat of candidemia and disseminated infection associated with an unacceptably high mortality rate and an immense $4 billion burden (US) yearly. Nevertheless, the demand for a vaccine remains wholly unfulfilled and increasingly pressing. We developed a double-peptide construct that is feasible for use in humans with the intention of preventing morbid infection by targeting epitopes derived from fructose bisphosphate aldolase (Fba) and methionine synthase (Met6) which are expressed on the C. albicans cell surface. To test the applicability of the design, we vaccinated mice via the intramuscular (IM) route with the conjugate denoted Fba-Met6 MP12 and showed that the vaccine enhanced survival against a lethal challenge. Because overall endpoint IgG1 and IgG2a antibody titers were robust and these mouse subclasses are associated with protective functionality, we investigated the potential of Fba and Met6 specific antibodies to facilitate the well-defined anti-Candida response by complement, which opsonizes fungi for degradation by primary effectors. Notably, reductions in the fungal burdens and enhanced survival were both abrogated in MP12-vaccinated mice that were pre-challenge dosed with cobra venom factor (CVF), a complement depleting factor. Altogether, we demonstrated that complement is relevant to MP12-based protection against disseminated C. albicans, delineating that a novel, multivalent targeted vaccine against proteins on the surface of C. albicans can enhance the natural response to infection.     

静脉预注H1,H2受体阻滞药对减轻鱼精蛋白副作用的研究

将３０例ＡＳＤ、ＶＳＤ患者随机分为对照与预防用药两组，对比观察Ｈ１、Ｈ２受体阻滞药苯海拉明、西米替丁对减轻鱼精蛋白副作用的效果和应用鱼精蛋白后补体Ｃ３、Ｃ４、ＣＨ５０浓度变化。结果发现预防用药组血液动力学变化明显小于对照组，两组之间差异显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。应用鱼精蛋白后Ｃ３、Ｃ４、ＣＨ５０均下降，与用药前相比差异显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）。提示鱼精蛋白中和肝素可引起补体激活、组胺释放，Ｈ１、Ｈ２受体阻滞药能够减轻鱼精蛋白引起的血压下降。     

Changes in Neutrophil Oxidative Potential in Patients Undergoing Cardiopulmonary Bypass with Polypropylene Hollow Fiber Oxygenators

Neutrophil oxidative metabolism, C3d and beta 2 microglobulin levels, were assessed in nine consecutive patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery with polypropylene hollow fiber oxygenators for open cardiac operations. Generation of oxygen free radicals by neutrophils was measured as luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence after stimulation with opsonized Zymosan and phorbol myristate acetate. A significant increase in light emission was detected by using both of the chemiluminescence stimulators. Moreover, a remarkable and significant increase in C3d levels was found already at 10 min. Conversely minimal changes in levels of beta 2 microglobulin were detected during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. These data suggest that the impact of the patient blood with the foreign surface of cardiopulmonary bypass results in activation of phagocyte cells with increased potential in oxygen consumption. These effects could be partially complement-mediated.     

Neutrophil Oxygen Radical Production by Dialysis Membranes

The ability of different dialysis membranes to activate polymorphonuclearneutrophil oxygen radical production was investigated with chemiluminescence.All the six membranes, namely cuprophan, cellulose acetate,polycarbonate, polysulphone, polyacrilonitrile and polymethylmethacrylatewere able to interact with neutrophils and stimulate their oxygenradical production, the highest responses being seen with polyacrilonitrile,polymethylmethacrylate and polycarbonate. To analyse the roleof complement in this interaction, fresh plasma, heat inactivatedand zymosan-activated plasma were added: with fresh plasma oxygenradical production was stimulated on cuprophan, cellulose acetateand polysulphone, not modified on polycarbonate, and decreasedon polyacrilonitrile and polymethylmethacrylate. With heat-inactivatedplasma, the responses were decreased or abrogated on all themembranes except polycarbonate and polymethylmethacrylate, whereaswith zymosanactivated plasma similar responses to fresh plasmawere observed. In addition, when plasma was used to precoatthe membrane, cuprophan, cellulose acetate and polysulphonedisclosed an enhanced neutrophil oxidative burst, while precoatedpolyacrilonitrile and polymethylmethacrylate were less stimulatorythan uncoated membranes. In contrast the precoating of polycarbonatedid not modify oxygen radical production. These data suggestthat neutrophil activation occurs by direct membrane neutrophilinteraction. Plasmatic factors modulate this interaction butcomplement seems involved on cellulosic and polysulphone membranesonly. Therefore, it appears that oxygen radicals produced fromcontact of neutrophils with the dialysis membrane might playan initial and/or additional role in the events occurring atthe initiation of haemodialysis.     

血清补体系统在流行性出血热患者中的变化及其意义

应用单向免疫扩散法测定了流行性出血热(EHF)患者的7种补体成份和血浆素原(Pg).结果表明,CT脂酶抑制剂在少尿期、多尿期和恢复期均高于正常(P<0.01);补体C_1q在多尿期高于正常(P<0.01);补体C_4在发热期和少尿期低于正常(P<0.01),以后逐渐恢复正常;补体C_3,C_5和C_9的变化与C_4相似;B因子在少尿期低于正常(P<0.01),在多尿期高于正常(P<0.05);Pg始终高于正常水平但在少尿期有回降.说明EHF患者不仅有补体经典途径的识别阶段、活化阶段和膜攻击阶段的变化,而且亦有旁路激活,其活化程度与病情有关.     

Increased in vitro uptake of the complement C3b in the serum of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, myasthenia gravis and dermatomyositis

To examine the role of complement in certain autoimmune neuromuscular diseases, we used an in-vitro quantitative complement uptake assay that allows measurement of the capacity of patients' sera to deposit fragments of the third complement component onto sensitized targets. C3 uptake was significantly higher in patients with active dermatomyositis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis, compared to inclusion body myositis and controls. The in-vitro C3 uptake assay supports the role of C3b neoantigen and Membranolytic Attack Complex deposition in the target tissues and may be a useful tool to monitor disease activity in patients with complement-mediated neurological disorders.     

Heparin–coated circuit during cardiopulmonary bypass

A prospective randomized study was performed to investigate the effect of surface coating with covalently endpoint–attached heparin (Carmeda Bio Active Surface) and reduced general heparinization on haematological indices and complement C5 activation. Care was taken to optimize the rheological design of the system using centrifugal pump and a closed system without venting or machine suction. Twenty patients scheduled for aortocoronary bypass grafting (EF > 0.5) participated in the study. Ten patients were randomized to be treated with heparin–coated equipment (CBAS) and reduced i.v. heparin (1.5 mg kg^-1) while 10 patients treated with identical but noncoated equipment and full heparinization (3 mg–kg^-1) served in a Control group. A vacuum suction was used to collect the blood from the operating field and it was autotransfused at weaning from extracorporeal circulation (ECC). Blood samples were obtained from the venous (precircuit) and arterial (postcircuit) side. We used a new and very specific method for detection of C5a based on monoclonal antibodies. The concentration of C5a was low in both groups during the operation but a significant increase was seen on days 1 and 2. In the Control group there was an increase from 10.2 ngml^-1±1.2 to 27.5 ng ml^-1 ± 4.8 on day 2 and in the CBAS group from 10.7 ng ml^-1 ± 1.2 to 35.6 ng ml^-1 ± 11.6 on day 2 (NS between groups). The granulocytes and total leukocyte count increased at the end of ECC and was maintained at the elevated level throughout the study period. The amount of free haemoglobin was high in the autotransfused blood in both groups. The present results confirm the feasibility of reducing general heparin when using heparin–coated systems but the study does not support the superiority of such coating with regard to biocompatibility in short procedures with a Theologically optimized circuit. The potential benefit from reduced heparin and protamine has not been fully evaluated.     

重组跨膜型人CD55分子在小鼠NIH3T3细胞上的表达及其补体溶破保护功能的研究

目的 :在小鼠NIH3T3细胞转染表达人天然GPI锚固型CD5 5和重组跨膜型CD5 5 TM分子 ,观察比较它们对人补体溶破异源细胞的抑制功能。方法 :将带有CD5 5cDNA、CD5 5 TMcDNA的重组逆病毒表达质粒CD5 5 pLXSN、CD5 5TM pLXSN经脂质体法转染PA317细胞 ,用病毒上清感染小鼠成纤维母细胞NIH3T3。经G418加压筛选 ,利用FACS检测获得表达CD5 5和CD5 5 TM分子的阳性细胞克隆 ,通过MTT比色法比较两种分子对人血清补体溶破细胞的抑制功能有无差别。结果 :细胞转染筛选获得多个表达跨膜型人CD5 5分子的NIH3T3细胞克隆 ,补体杀伤试验证实其具有抑制人补体溶破的功能 ,且两种分子的补体抑制功能无明显差异。结论 :成功地建立了稳定表达天然CD5 5、跨膜型CD5 5分子的小鼠NIH3T3细胞 ,证实其表达的GPI型CD5 5分子和CD5 5TM分子均具有抑制人补体溶破细胞的功能 ,为进一步探讨应用跨膜型的CD5 5分子对PNH进行基因治疗奠定了基础。