Properdin anc C3 proactivator: alternate pathway components in human glomerulonephritis.

Serological and immunopathological studies of human glomerulonephritis have suggested that alternate pathways of activation of the third component of complement may be important in some forms of glomerulonephritis. We have investigated the role of two alternate pathway proteins, properdin and C3 proactivator, in 22 patients with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 20 patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, and 19 patients with other forms of renal disease. C3 (measured at beta(1)A), properdin, and C3 proactivator were assayed by single radial immunodiffusion. In sera with low beta(1)A (< 2 SD), mean properdin was most significantly decreased in patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis but was also significantly decreased in chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and in untreated systemic lupus erythematosus. Properdin levels in other renal disease, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis with normal beta(1)A levels were not significantly different from normal. A positive correlation between beta(1)A and properdin levels in individual sera was present in all diseases except systemic lupus erythematosus. Serum C3 proactivator was markedly decreased in active systemic lupus erythematosus and there was a positive correlation between beta(1)A and C3 proactivator levels in systemic lupus erythematosus and other renal diseases but not acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis. Properdin in fresh sera from four patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and five with chronic membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis showed increased migration toward the cathode on immunoelectrophoresis, suggesting in vivo change of the properdin molecule. The observation of reduced serum levels of properdin and C3 proactivator and altered electrophoretic migration of properdin in some patients with glomerulonephritis provide new evidence for participation of these alternate pathway proteins in glomerulonephritis.

[Complex laboratory-morphologic study of allergic joint inflammation in rabbits]. / Kompleksnoe laboratorno-morfologicheskoe issledovanie allergicheskogo vospaleniia v sustave u krolikov.

During the period of sensitization and in the dynamics of the development of the articular allergic inflammation in rabbits there occured regular slowing down of the properdin activity, decrease in the compliment titres and increase in the blood plasma magnesium content. An increased liability of the basophilic leukocytes to damage and an elevated activity of acid phosphotase in lymphocytes of the peripheral blood were also noted. In the acute period of inflammation the synovial sheaths were found to be diffusibly infiltrated by the lymphoid-histocytic and plasma cells. Proliferation of synoviocytes and the appearance therein of the PAS-positive granules were observed. Weakening of the myocardial staining with Schiff's reagent was established. The processes of disorganization of the connective tissue in a joint and in the heart were closely conjugated and manifested themselves in mucoid and fibrinoid swelling, and changes in the PAS-reaction. Dissociation of the natural resistance of the organism was revealed: mobilization of the processes of immunogenesis and inhibition of the nonspecific link of protection. Decrease in the immunological reactivity was associated with formation of hypersensitivity of delayed type. Cosequently, arthritis developed in rabbits on the immune basis.