Proof of concept of a new plasma complement Factor H from waste plasma fraction.

Introduction: Complement factor H (FH) is a major regulator of the complement alternative pathway, its mutations predispose to an uncontrolled activation in the kidney and on blood cells and to secondary C3 deficiency. Plasma exchange has been used to correct for FH deficiency and although the therapeutic potential of purified FH has been suggested by in vivo experiments in animal models, a clinical approved FH concentrate is not yet available. We aimed to develop a purification process of FH from a waste fraction rather than whole plasma allowing a more efficient and ethical use of blood and plasma donations. Methods: Waste fractions from industrial plasma fractionation (pooled human plasma) were analyzed for FH content by ELISA. FH was purified from unused fraction III and its decay acceleration, cofactor, and C3 binding capacity were characterized in vitro. Biodistribution was assessed by high-resolution dynamic PET imaging. Finally, the efficacy of the purified FH preparation was tested in the mouse model of C3 glomerulopathy (Cfh-/- mice). Results: Our purification method resulted in a high yield of highly purified (92,07%), pathogen-safe FH. FH concentrate is intact and fully functional as demonstrated by in vitro functional assays. The biodistribution revealed lower renal and liver clearance of human FH in Cfh-/- mice than in wt mice. Treatment of Cfh-/- mice documented its efficacy in limiting C3 activation and promoting the clearance of C3 glomerular deposits. Conclusion: We developed an efficient and economical system for purifying intact and functional FH, starting from waste material of industrial plasma fractionation. The FH concentrate could therefore constitute possible treatments options of patients with C3 glomerulopathy, particularly for those with FH deficiency, but also for patients with other diseases associated with alternative pathway activation.

Anti-CFH-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome: do we still need plasma exchange?

BACKGROUND: Between 5 and 50% of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) cases in children are caused by autoantibodies against complement factor H (CFH). Given the acquired autoimmune nature of the disease, plasma exchange (PE) and various immunosuppressive treatments have been used. More recently, eculizumab has been proposed. METHODS: In this multicenter, retrospective study, we report outcomes of 12 children with anti-FH antibody-associated HUS treated with eculizumab associated with various immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: Patients were treated with eculizumab for 15.5 [9.5;23.0] months and 3 received PE or IgG adsorption. Three patients received mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) alone, 1 patient received MMF and steroids, 1 patient received MMF and rituximab, 3 patients received MMF/steroids and rituximab, and 4 patients did not receive any immunosuppression. Anti-FH antibody levels significantly decreased but no difference was observed based on the immunosuppressive regimen. Eculizumab was discontinued in 7/10 patients after 11 [7.5;15.5] months and MMF in 6/8 patients after 36 [35;40] months. Anti-FH titers at MMF discontinuation ranged from 257 to 3425 UI/L. None of these patients relapsed and eGFR at last follow-up was above 70 mL/min/1.73 m2 in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Eculizumab is effective and safe in inducing and maintaining remission in aHUS secondary to anti-FH antibodies and renders reduction of anti-FH titers less urgent. Anti-FH antibody titers decreased in most patients irrespective of the immunosuppressive treatment chosen, so that a strategy consisting of combining eculizumab with MMF monotherapy seems sufficient at least in non-Indian or less severe forms of anti-FH antibody-associated HUS.

HUS and TTP: traversing the disease and the age spectrum.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) are rare diseases sharing a common pathological feature, thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). TMA is characterized by microvascular thrombosis with consequent thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and/or multiorgan dysfunction. In the past, the distinction between HUS and TTP was predominantly based on clinical grounds. However, clinical presentation of the two syndromes often overlaps and, the differential diagnosis is broad. Identification of underlying pathogenic mechanisms has enabled the classification of these syndromes on a molecular basis: typical HUS caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC-HUS); atypical HUS or complement-mediated TMA (aHUS/CM-TMA) associated with genetic or acquired defects leading to dysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement; and TTP that results from a severe deficiency of the von Willebrand Factor (VWF)-cleaving protease, ADAMTS13. The etiology of TMA differs between pediatric and adult patients. Childhood TMA is chiefly caused by STEC-HUS, followed by CM-TMA and pneumococcal HUS (Sp-HUS). Rare conditions such as congenital TTP (cTTP), vitamin B12 metabolism defects, and coagulation disorders (diacylglycerol epsilon mutation) present as TMA chiefly in children under 2 years of age. In contrast secondary causes and acquired ADAMT13 deficiency are more common in adults. In adults, compared to children, diagnostic delays are more frequent due to the wide range of differential diagnoses. In this review we focus on the three major forms of TMA, STEC-HUS, aHUS and TTP, outlining the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of the affected patients, to help highlight the salient features and the differences between adult and pediatric patients which are relevant for management.

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.

Mutation Analysis of PKD1 and PKD2 Genes in a Large Italian Cohort Reveals Novel Pathogenic Variants Including A Novel Complex Rearrangement.

BACKGROUND: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common inherited disease of the kidney. It occurs in adulthood but is also rarely diagnosed in early childhood. The majority of the disease-causing variants observed in ADPKD patients are in two genes: PKD1 and PKD2. METHODS: 237 patients from 198 families with a clinical diagnosis of ADPKD were screened for PKD1 and PKD2 genetic variants using Sanger sequencing and Multiple Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) analysis. RESULTS: Disease-causing (diagnostic) variants were identified in 173 families (211 patients), 156 on PKD1 and 17 on PKD2. Variants of unknown significance (VUS) were detected in 6 additional families, while no mutations were found in the remaining 19 families. Among the diagnostic variants detected, 51 were novel. In ten families, seven large rearrangements were found and the molecular breakpoints of 3 rearrangements were identified. Renal survival was significantly worse for PKD1 mutated patients, particularly those carrying truncating mutations. In patients with PKD1 truncating ( PKD1-T) mutations, disease onset was significantly earlier than in patients with PKD1 non-truncating (PKD1-NT) variants or PKD2 mutated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive genetic testing confirms its utility in diagnosing patients with ADPKD and contributes to explaining the clinical heterogeneity observed in this disease. Moreover, the genotype-phenotype correlation can allow a more accurate disease prognosis.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection Associated with Anti-Factor H Autoantibodies in Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare disease characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal impairment mostly triggered by strains of Shiga-like toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC-HUS). A rarer form of HUS, defined as atypical HUS (aHUS), is associated with genetic or acquired dysregulation of the alternative pathway of the complement system and presents a poorer prognosis than STEC-HUS. Factor H autoantibodies (anti-FHs) have been reported in aHUS in 5-11% of cases and are strongly associated with the homozygous deletion of CFHR3-CFHR1 genes. In the large majority of patients, anti-FH-associated aHUS is commonly preceded by gastrointestinal or respiratory tract infections. Here, we described the clinical case of a 3-year-old boy who was hospitalized for aHUS preceded by Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection. He resulted positive for anti-FHs and carried the homozygous deletion of CFHR3-CFHR1. Of relevance, he also showed a variant of unknown significance in the C5 gene. The patient was successfully treated with eculizumab and achieved hematological and renal remission. The anti-FH titer decreased, became negative after 6 months of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) treatment, and remained negative for 21-month follow-up indicating that immunosuppression was effective and could prevent the reappearance of anti-FHs. We hypothesized that MP, likely through an evasion strategy of immunosurveillance based on binding of pathogen to FH, triggers anti-FH antibody generation and aHUS in a subject genetically predisposed. In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, here, we reported the first case of anti-FH-mediated aHUS after an MP infection who benefited from eculizumab and immunosuppressive therapy based on MMF. Hence, monitoring of anti-FHs in patients with post-MP infection glomerulonephritis could be recommended, especially in those with low C3 plasma levels.

Therapeutic Small Interfering RNA Targeting Complement C3 in a Mouse Model of C3 Glomerulopathy.

Alternative pathway complement dysregulation with abnormal glomerular C3 deposits and glomerular damage is a key mechanism of pathology in C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). No disease-specific treatments are currently available for C3G. Therapeutics inhibiting complement are emerging as a potential strategy for the treatment of C3G. In this study, we investigated the effects of N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-conjugated small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting the C3 component of complement that inhibits liver C3 expression in the C3G model of mice with heterozygous deficiency of factor H (Cfh +/- mice). We showed a duration of action for GalNAc-conjugated C3 siRNA in reducing the liver C3 gene expression in Cfh +/- mice that were dosed s.c. once a month for up to 7 mo. C3 siRNA limited fluid-phase alternative pathway activation, reducing circulating C3 fragmentation and activation of factor B. Treatment with GalNAc-conjugated C3 siRNA reduced glomerular C3d deposits in Cfh +/- mice to levels similar to those of wild-type mice. Ultrastructural analysis further revealed the efficacy of the C3 siRNA in slowing the formation of mesangial and subendothelial electron-dense deposits. The present data indicate that RNA interference-mediated C3 silencing in the liver may be a relevant therapeutic strategy for treating patients with C3G associated with the haploinsufficiency of complement factor H.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein 1 Activates Microvascular Endothelial Cells and Complement System Leading to Platelet Aggregation.

Microvascular thrombosis is associated with multiorgan failure and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although thrombotic complications may be ascribed to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect and replicate in endothelial cells, it has been poorly investigated whether, in the complexity of viral infection in the human host, specific viral elements alone can induce endothelial damage. Detection of circulating spike protein in the sera of severe COVID-19 patients was evaluated by ELISA. In vitro experiments were performed on human microvascular endothelial cells from the derma and lung exposed to SARS-CoV-2-derived spike protein 1 (S1). The expression of adhesive molecules was studied by immunofluorescence and leukocyte adhesion and platelet aggregation were assessed under flow conditions. Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and AMPK expression were investigated by Western Blot analysis. In addition, S1-treated endothelial cells were incubated with anti-ACE2 blocking antibody, AMPK agonist, or complement inhibitors. Our results show that significant levels of spike protein were found in the 30.4% of severe COVID-19 patients. In vitro, the activation of endothelial cells with S1 protein, via ACE2, impaired AMPK signalling, leading to robust leukocyte recruitment due to increased adhesive molecule expression and thrombomodulin loss. This S1-induced pro-inflammatory phenotype led to exuberant C3 and C5b-9 deposition on endothelial cells, along with C3a and C5a generation that further amplified S1-induced complement activation. Functional blockade of ACE2 or complement inhibition halted S1-induced platelet aggregates by limiting von Willebrand factor and P-selectin exocytosis and expression on endothelial cells. Overall, we demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2-derived S1 is sufficient in itself to propagate inflammatory and thrombogenic processes in the microvasculature, amplified by the complement system, recapitulating the thromboembolic complications of COVID-19.

CFH and CFHR structural variants in atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: Prevalence, genomic characterization and impact on outcome.

Introduction: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease that manifests with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure, and is associated with dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway. The chromosomal region including CFH and CFHR1-5 is rich in repeated sequences, favoring genomic rearrangements that have been reported in several patients with aHUS. However, there are limited data on the prevalence of uncommon CFH-CFHR genomic rearrangements in aHUS and their impact on disease onset and outcomes. Methods: In this study, we report the results of CFH-CFHR Copy Number Variation (CNV) analysis and the characterization of resulting structural variants (SVs) in a large cohort of patients, including 258 patients with primary aHUS and 92 with secondary forms. Results: We found uncommon SVs in 8% of patients with primary aHUS: 70% carried rearrangements involving CFH alone or CFH and CFHR (group A; n=14), while 30% exhibited rearrangements including only CFHRs (group B; n=6). In group A, 6 patients presented CFH::CFHR1 hybrid genes, 7 patients carried duplications in the CFH-CFHR region that resulted either in the substitution of the last CFHR1 exon(s) with those of CFH (CFHR1::CFH reverse hybrid gene) or in an internal CFH duplication. In group A, the large majority of aHUS acute episodes not treated with eculizumab (12/13) resulted in chronic ESRD; in contrast, anti-complement therapy induced remission in 4/4 acute episodes. aHUS relapse occurred in 6/7 grafts without eculizumab prophylaxis and in 0/3 grafts with eculizumab prophylaxis. In group B, 5 subjects had the CFHR31-5::CFHR410 hybrid gene and one had 4 copies of CFHR1 and CFHR4. Compared with group A, patients in group B exhibited a higher prevalence of additional complement abnormalities and earlier disease onset. However, 4/6 patients in this group underwent complete remission without eculizumab treatment. In secondary forms we identified uncommon SVs in 2 out of 92 patients: the CFHR31-5::CFHR410 hybrid and a new internal duplication of CFH. Discussion: In conclusion, these data highlight that uncommon CFH-CFHR SVs are frequent in primary aHUS and quite rare in secondary forms. Notably, genomic rearrangements involving the CFH are associated with a poor prognosis but carriers respond to anti-complement therapy.

Eculizumab in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) requiring continuous positive airway pressure ventilator support: Retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Complement activation contributes to lung dysfunction in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed whether C5 blockade with eculizumab could improve disease outcome. METHODS: In this single-centre, academic, unblinded study two 900 mg eculizumab doses were added-on standard therapy in ten COVID-19 patients admitted from February 2020 to April 2020 and receiving Continuous-Positive-Airway-Pressure (CPAP) ventilator support from ≤24 hours. We compared their outcomes with those of 65 contemporary similar controls. Primary outcome was respiratory rate at one week of ventilator support. Secondary outcomes included the combined endpoint of mortality and discharge with chronic complications. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of eculizumab-treated patients and controls were similar. At baseline, sC5b-9 levels, ex vivo C5b-9 and thrombi deposition were increased. Ex vivo tests normalised in eculizumab-treated patients, but not in controls. In eculizumab-treated patients respiratory rate decreased from 26.8±7.3 breaths/min at baseline to 20.3±3.8 and 18.0±4.8 breaths/min at one and two weeks, respectively (p<0.05 for both), but did not change in controls. Between-group changes differed significantly at both time-points (p<0.01). Changes in respiratory rate correlated with concomitant changes in ex vivo C5b-9 deposits at one (rs = 0.706, p = 0.010) and two (rs = 0.751, p = 0.032) weeks. Over a median (IQR) period of 47.0 (14.0-121.0) days, four eculizumab-treated patients died or had chronic complications versus 52 controls [HRCrude (95% CI): 0.26 (0.09-0.72), p = 0.010]. Between-group difference was significant even after adjustment for age, sex and baseline serum creatinine [HRAdjusted (95% CI): 0.30 (0.10-0.84), p = 0.023]. Six patients and 13 controls were discharged without complications [HRCrude (95% CI): 2.88 (1.08-7.70), p = 0.035]. Eculizumab was tolerated well. The main study limitations were the relatively small sample size and the non-randomised design. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with severe COVID-19, eculizumab safely improved respiratory dysfunction and decreased the combined endpoint of mortality and discharge with chronic complications. Findings need confirmation in randomised controlled trials.

CFH and CFHR Copy Number Variations in C3 Glomerulopathy and Immune Complex-Mediated Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis.

C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G) and Immune Complex-Mediated Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) are rare diseases characterized by glomerular deposition of C3 caused by dysregulation of the alternative pathway (AP) of complement. In approximately 20% of affected patients, dysregulation is driven by pathogenic variants in the two components of the AP C3 convertase, complement C3 (C3) and Factor B (CFB), or in complement Factor H (CFH) and Factor I (CFI), two genes that encode complement regulators. Copy number variations (CNVs) involving the CFH-related genes (CFHRs) that give rise to hybrid FHR proteins also have been described in a few C3G patients but not in IC-MPGN patients. In this study, we used multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) to study the genomic architecture of the CFH-CFHR region and characterize CNVs in a large cohort of patients with C3G (n = 103) and IC-MPGN (n = 96) compared to healthy controls (n = 100). We identified new/rare CNVs resulting in structural variants (SVs) in 5 C3G and 2 IC-MPGN patients. Using long-read single molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT), we detected the breakpoints of three SVs. The identified SVs included: 1) a deletion of the entire CFH in one patient with IC-MPGN; 2) an increased number of CFHR4 copies in one IC-MPGN and three C3G patients; 3) a deletion from CFHR3-intron 3 to CFHR3-3'UTR (CFHR34 - 6 Δ) that results in a FHR3-FHR1 hybrid protein in a C3G patient; and 4) a CFHR31 - 5-CFHR410 hybrid gene in a C3G patient. This work highlights the contribution of CFH-CFHR CNVs to the pathogenesis of both C3G and IC-MPGN.

Amnion epithelial cells are an effective source of factor H and prevent kidney complement deposition in factor H-deficient mice.

Complement factor H (FH) is the main plasma regulator of the alternative pathway of complement. Genetic and acquired abnormalities in FH cause uncontrolled complement activation amplifying, with the consequent accumulation of complement components on the renal glomeruli. This leads to conditions such as C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). There is no effective therapy for these diseases. Half of the patients progress to end-stage renal disease and the condition recurs frequently in transplanted kidneys. Combined liver/kidney transplantation is a valid option for these patients, but the risks of the procedure and donor organ shortages hamper its clinical application. Therefore, there is an urgent need for alternative strategies for providing a normal FH supply. Human amnion epithelial cells (hAEC) have stem cell characteristics, including the capability to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in vivo.Here, we administered hAEC into the livers of newborn Cfh-/- mice, which spontaneously developed glomerular complement deposition and renal lesions resembling human C3G. hAEC engrafted at low levels in the livers of Cfh-/- mice and produced sufficient human FH to prevent complement activation and glomerular C3 and C9 deposition. However, long-term engraftment was not achieved, and eventually hAEC elicited a humoral immune response in immunocompetent Cfh-/- mice.hAEC cell therapy could be a valuable therapeutic option for patients undergoing kidney transplantation in whom post-transplant immunosuppression may protect allogeneic hAEC from rejection, while allogeneic cells provide normal FH to prevent disease recurrence.

Rare Functional Variants in Complement Genes and Anti-FH Autoantibodies-Associated aHUS.

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and renal failure. It is caused by genetic or acquired defects of the complement alternative pathway. Factor H autoantibodies (anti-FHs) have been reported in 10% of aHUS patients and are associated with the deficiency of factor H-related 1 (FHR1). However, FHR1 deficiency is not enough to cause aHUS, since it is also present in about 5% of Caucasian healthy subjects. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of genetic variants in CFH, CD46, CFI, CFB, C3, and THBD in aHUS patients with anti-FHs, using healthy subjects with FHR1 deficiency, here defined "supercontrols," as a reference group. "Supercontrols" are more informative than general population because they share at least one risk factor (FHR1 deficiency) with aHUS patients. We analyzed anti-FHs in 305 patients and 30 were positive. The large majority were children (median age: 7.7 [IQR, 6.6-9.9] years) and 83% lacked FHR1 (n = 25, cases) due to the homozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion (n = 20), or the compound heterozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 and CFHR1-CFHR4 deletions (n = 4), or the heterozygous CFHR3-CFHR1 deletion combined with a frameshift mutation in CFHR1 that generates a premature stop codon (n = 1). Of the 960 healthy adult subjects 48 had the FHR1 deficiency ("supercontrols"). Rare likely pathogenetic variants in CFH, THBD, and C3 were found in 24% of cases (n = 6) compared to 2.1% of the "supercontrols" (P-value = 0.005). We also found that the CFH H3 and the CD46GGAAC haplotypes are not associated with anti-FHs aHUS, whereas these haplotypes are enriched in aHUS patients without anti-FHs, which highlights the differences in the genetic basis of the two forms of the disease. Finally, we confirm that common infections are environmental factors that contribute to the development of anti-FHs aHUS in genetically predisposed individuals, which fits with the sharp peak of incidence during scholar-age. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the complex genetic and environmental factors underlying anti-FHs aHUS and to establish whether the combination of anti-FHs with likely pathogenetic variants or other risk factors influences disease outcome and response to therapies.

An Ex Vivo Test of Complement Activation on Endothelium for Individualized Eculizumab Therapy in Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome.

RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Although primary atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is associated with abnormalities in complement genes and antibodies to complement factor H, the role of complement in secondary aHUS remains debatable. We evaluated the usefulness of an ex vivo test to: (1) detect complement activation within the endothelium in primary and secondary aHUS, (2) differentiate active disease from remission, (3) monitor the effectiveness of eculizumab therapy, and (4) identify relapses during eculizumab dosage tapering and after discontinuation of treatment. STUDY DESIGN: Case series. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 121 patients with primary aHUS and 28 with secondary aHUS. Serum samples were collected during acute episodes, following remission, and during eculizumab treatment and were assessed using a serum-induced ex vivo C5b-9 endothelial deposition test. RESULTS: Serum-induced C5b-9 deposition on cultured microvascular endothelium was quantified by calculating the endothelial area covered by C5b-9 staining; values were expressed as percentage of C5b-9 deposits induced by a serum pool from healthy controls. Testing with adenosine diphosphate-activated endothelium demonstrated elevated C5b-9 deposits for all untreated patients with aHUS independent of disease activity, while testing with unstimulated endothelium demonstrated deposits only in active disease. Similar findings were observed in secondary aHUS. Serum-induced C5b-9 deposits on activated and unstimulated endothelium normalized during eculizumab treatment. 96% (22/23) of patients receiving eculizumab at extended 3- or 4-week dosing intervals demonstrated normal C5b-9 deposits on activated endothelium, despite most patients having CH50Eq (serum complement activity) > 20 UEq/mL, indicating that adequate complement control was achieved even with incomplete blockade of circulating C5. During eculizumab dosage tapering or after treatment discontinuation, all patients experiencing relapses versus only 6% (1/17) of those in stable remission had elevated C5b-9 deposits on unstimulated endothelium. LIMITATIONS: The C5b-9 endothelial deposition test can be performed in only specialized laboratories. Findings on eculizumab dosage tapering need to be confirmed with longitudinal monitoring of C5b-9 deposition. CONCLUSIONS: The C5b-9 endothelial deposition assay may represent an advance in our ability to monitor aHUS activity and individualize therapy.

Autoimmune abnormalities of the alternative complement pathway in membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and C3 glomerulopathy.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) is a rare chronic kidney disease associated with complement activation. Recent immunofluorescence-based classification distinguishes between immune complex (IC)-mediated MPGN, with glomerular IgG and C3 deposits, and C3 glomerulopathies (C3G), with predominant C3 deposits. Genetic and autoimmune abnormalities causing hyperactivation of the complement alternative pathway have been found as frequently in patients with immune complex-associated MPGN (IC-MPGN) as in those with C3G. In the last decade, there have been great advances in research into the autoimmune causes of IC-MPGN and C3G. The complement-activating autoantibodies called C3-nephritic factors (C3NeFs), which are present in 40-80% of patients, form a heterogeneous group of autoantibodies that stabilise the C3 convertase or the C5 convertase of the alternative pathway or both. A few patients, mainly with IC-MPGN, carry autoantibodies directed against the two components of the alternative pathway C3 convertase, factors B and C3b. Finally, autoantibodies against factor H, the main regulator of the alternative pathway, have been reported in a small proportion of patients with IC-MPGN or C3G. The identification of distinct pathogenetic patterns leading to kidney injury and of targets in the complement cascade may pave the way for tailored therapies for IC-MPGN and C3G, with specific complement inhibitors in the development pipeline.

Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Complement Dysregulation by Nephritic Factors in C3G and IC-MPGN.

Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) was recently classified as C3 glomerulopathies (C3G), and immune-complex (IC) mediated MPGN. Dysregulation of the complement alternative pathway, driven by acquired and/or genetic defects, plays a pathogenetic role in C3G. However, alternative pathway abnormalities were also found in IC-MPGN. The most common acquired drivers are the C3 nephritic factors (C3NeFs), heterogeneous autoantibodies that stabilize the C3 convertase, C3bBb. C3NeFs are traditionally detected by hemolytic assays based on sheep erythrocyte lysis, which however do not provide a direct molecular estimation of C3bBb formation and decay. We set up a microplate/western blot assay that specifically detects and quantifies C3bBb, and its precursor, the C3 proconvertase C3bB, to investigate the complex mechanistic effects of C3NeFs from patients with primary IC-MPGN (n = 13) and C3G (n = 13). In the absence of properdin, 9/26 patients had C3NeF IgGs stabilizing C3bBb against spontaneous and FH-accelerated decay. In the presence of properdin the IgGs of all but one patient had C3bBb-stabilizing activity. Properdin-independent C3NeFs were identified mostly in DDD patients, while properdin-dependent C3NeFs associated with either C3GN or IC-MPGN and with higher incidence of nephrotic syndrome. When we grouped patients based on our recent cluster analysis, patients in cluster 3, with highly electron-dense intramembranous deposits, low C3, and mostly normal sC5b-9 levels, had a higher prevalence of properdin-independent C3NeFs than patients in clusters 1 and 2. Conversely, about 70% of cluster 1 and 2 patients, with subendothelial, subepithelial, and mesangial deposits, low C3 levels and high sC5b-9 levels, had properdin-dependent C3NeFs. The flexibility of the assay allowed us to get deep insights into C3NeF mechanisms of action, showing that: (1) most C3NeFs bind strongly and irreversibly to C3 convertase; (2) C3NeFs and FH recognize different epitopes in C3 convertase; (3) C3NeFs bind rapidly to C3 convertase and antagonize the decay accelerating activity of FH on newly formed complexes; (4) C3NeFs do not affect formation and stability of the C3 proconvertase. Thus, our study provides a molecular approach to detecting and characterizing C3NeFs. The results highlight different mechanisms of complement dysregulation resulting in different complement profiles and patterns of glomerular injury, and this may have therapeutic implications.

Interaction between Multimeric von Willebrand Factor and Complement: A Fresh Look to the Pathophysiology of Microvascular Thrombosis.

von Willebrand factor (VWF), a multimeric protein with a central role in hemostasis, has been shown to interact with complement components. However, results are contrasting and inconclusive. By studying 20 patients with congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (cTTP) who cannot cleave VWF multimers because of genetic ADAMTS13 deficiency, we investigated the mechanism through which VWF modulates complement and its pathophysiological implications for human diseases. Using assays of ex vivo serum-induced C3 and C5b-9 deposits on endothelial cells, we documented that in cTTP, complement is activated via the alternative pathway (AP) on the cell surface. This abnormality was corrected by restoring ADAMTS13 activity in cTTP serum, which prevented VWF multimer accumulation on endothelial cells, or by an anti-VWF Ab. In mechanistic studies we found that VWF interacts with C3b through its three type A domains and initiates AP activation, although assembly of active C5 convertase and formation of the terminal complement products C5a and C5b-9 occur only on the VWF-A2 domain. Finally, we documented that in the condition of ADAMTS13 deficiency, VWF-mediated formation of terminal complement products, particularly C5a, alters the endothelial antithrombogenic properties and induces microvascular thrombosis in a perfusion system. Altogether, the results demonstrated that VWF provides a platform for the activation of the AP of complement, which profoundly alters the phenotype of microvascular endothelial cells. These findings link hemostasis-thrombosis with the AP of complement and open new therapeutic perspectives in cTTP and in general in thrombotic and inflammatory disorders associated with endothelium perturbation, VWF release, and complement activation.

Withdrawals/Retractions: Insights into the effects of complement factor H on the assembly and decay of the alternative pathway C3 proconvertase and C3 convertase.

VOLUME 291 (2016) PAGES 8214­8230 This article has been withdrawn by the authors. Lanes 1 and 7 of Fig. 4B were duplicated.

Insights into the Effects of Complement Factor H on the Assembly and Decay of the Alternative Pathway C3 Proconvertase and C3 Convertase.

The activated fragment of C3 (C3b) and factor B form the C3 proconvertase (C3bB), which is cleaved by factor D to C3 convertase (C3bBb). Older studies (Conrad, D. H., Carlo, J. R., and Ruddy, S. (1978)J. Exp. Med.147, 1792-1805; Pangburn, M. K., and Müller-Eberhard, H. J. (1978)Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.75, 2416-2420; Kazatchkine, M. D., Fearon, D. T., and Austen, K. F. (1979)J. Immunol.122, 75-81) indicated that the complement alternative pathway regulator factor H (FH) competes with factor B for C3b binding; however, the capability of FH to prevent C3bB assembly has not been formally investigated. Moreover, in the few published studies FH did not favor C3bB dissociation. Whether FH may affect C3bBb formation from C3bB is unknown. We set up user-friendly assays based on combined microplate/Western blotting techniques that specifically detect either C3bB or C3bBb, with the aim of investigating the effect of FH on C3bB assembly and decay and C3bBb formation and decay. We document that FH does not affect C3bB assembly, indicating that FH does not efficiently compete with factor B for C3b binding. We also found that FH does not dissociate C3bB. FH showed a strong C3bBb decay-accelerating activity, as reported previously, and also exerted an apparent inhibitory effect on C3bBb formation. The latter effect was not fully attributable to a rapid FH-mediated dissociation of C3bBb complexes, because blocking decay with properdin and C3 nephritic factor did not restore C3bBb formation. FH almost completely prevented release of the smaller cleavage subunit of FB (Ba), without modifying the amount of C3bB complexes, suggesting that FH inhibits the conversion of C3bB to C3bBb. Thus, the inhibitory effect of FH on C3bBb formation is likely the sum of inhibition of C3bB conversion to C3bBb and of C3bBb decay acceleration. Further studies are required to confirm these findings in physiological cell-based settings.