Abstract

The plasma protein properdin was discovered more than a half-century ago in connection with the alternative pathway (AP) of complement activation. Although it was initially regarded as an initiator of the AP complement, the currently held view of properdin function is that it acts as a stabilizer of the AP C3 convertase C3bBb, playing a facilitating but not essential role in AP complement activation. We have generated preliminary data to show that properdin is critical for AP complement activation on autologous tissues, thus challenging the present view on properdin function and identifying it as a potential therapeutic target in complement injury. In this proposal, we will define the role of properdin in AP complement activation and tissue injury and explore the strategy of anti-properdin therapy in murine models of complement-dependent disease.
Our specific aims are: 1. To generate tissue-specific properdin knockout mice and anti-mouse properdin antibodies and determine the source and turnover of properdin in vivo. 2. To test the role of properdin in murine models of arthritis and evaluate the efficacy of anti-properdin therapy in arthritis;3.To test the role of properdin in the pathogenesis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) and evaluate the efficacy of anti-properdin therapy in aHUS. These studies will shed new light on the role and mechanism action of properdin and facilitate the development of novel anti-complement therapies for arthritis, aHUS and other AP complement-mediated pathologies.

Public Health Relevance

This project studies the role of a protein called properdin in two immune-mediated diseases affecting the joints (arthritis) and the kidney (aHUS, for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome). We will use the mouse as a model to test the hypothesis that properdin is involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis and aHUS and will develop monoclonal antibodies against properdin to treat these two diseases. These pre-clinical studies may lead to the development of anti-properdin agents as therapeutic drugs for human patients suffering from these conditions.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI085596-02
Application #
8035262
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-IMM-H (02))
Program Officer
Davidson, Wendy F
Project Start
2010-04-01
Project End
2014-03-31
Budget Start
2011-04-01
Budget End
2012-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$388,658
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pennsylvania
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
042250712
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104

  Publications

Gullipalli, Damodar; Zhang, Fengkui; Sato, Sayaka et al. (2018) Antibody Inhibition of Properdin Prevents Complement-Mediated Intravascular and Extravascular Hemolysis. J Immunol 201:1021-1029
Wang, Xiaoxu; Van Lookeren Campagne, Menno; Katschke Jr, Kenneth J et al. (2018) Prevention of Fatal C3 Glomerulopathy by Recombinant Complement Receptor of the Ig Superfamily. J Am Soc Nephrol 29:2053-2059
Williams, Allison Lesher; Gullipalli, Damodar; Ueda, Yoshiyasu et al. (2017) C5 inhibition prevents renal failure in a mouse model of lethal C3 glomerulopathy. Kidney Int 91:1386-1397
Ueda, Yoshiyasu; Mohammed, Imran; Song, Delu et al. (2017) Murine systemic thrombophilia and hemolytic uremic syndrome from a factor H point mutation. Blood 129:1184-1196
Zhang, Congcong; Wang, Chunxiao; Li, Yulin et al. (2017) Complement C3a signaling facilitates skeletal muscle regeneration by regulating monocyte function and trafficking. Nat Commun 8:2078
Wang, Yuan; Miwa, Takashi; Ducka-Kokalari, Blerina et al. (2015) Properdin Contributes to Allergic Airway Inflammation through Local C3a Generation. J Immunol 195:1171-81
Miao, Jing; Lesher, Allison M; Miwa, Takashi et al. (2014) Tissue-specific deletion of Crry from mouse proximal tubular epithelial cells increases susceptibility to renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Kidney Int 86:726-37
Zhang, Congcong; Li, Yulin; Wang, Chunxiao et al. (2014) Complement 5a receptor mediates angiotensin II-induced cardiac inflammation and remodeling. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 34:1240-8
Lesher, Allison M; Zhou, Lin; Kimura, Yuko et al. (2013) Combination of factor H mutation and properdin deficiency causes severe C3 glomerulonephritis. J Am Soc Nephrol 24:53-65
Lesher, Allison M; Nilsson, Bo; Song, Wen-Chao (2013) Properdin in complement activation and tissue injury. Mol Immunol 56:191-8

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