Complement regulation at necrotic cell lesions is impaired by the age-related macular degeneration-associated factor-H His402 risk

Variant Nadine Lauer, Michael Mihlan, Andrea Hartmann, Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt, Claudia Keilhauer, Hendrik P.N. Scholl, Peter Charbel Issa, Frank Holz, Bernhard H.F. Weber, Christine Skerka, Peter F. Zipfel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Age-related macular degeneration is a leading form of blindness in Western countries and is associated with a common SNP (rs 1061170/Y402H) in the Factor H gene, which encodes the two complement inhibitors Factor H and FHL1. However, the functional consequences of this Tyr402 His exchange in domain 7 are not precisely defined. In this study, we show that the Tyr402 His sequence variation affects Factor H surface recruitment by monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP) to specific patches on the surface of necrotic retinal pigment epithelial cells. Enhanced attachment of the protective Tyr402 variants of both Factor H and FHL1 by mCRP results in more efficient complement control and further provides an anti-inflammatory environment. In addition, we demonstrate that mCRP is generated on the surface of necrotic retinal pigment epithelial cells and that this newly formed mCRP colocalizes with the cell damage marker annexin V. Bound to the cell surface, Factor H-mCRP complexes allow complement inactivation and reduce the release of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-α. This mCRP-mediated complement inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activity at necrotic membrane lesions is affected by residue 402 of Factor H and defines a new role for mCRP, for Factor H, and also for the mCRP-Factor H complex. The increased protective capacity of the Tyr 402 Factor H variant allows better and more efficient clearance and removal of cellular debris and reduces inflammation and pathology.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4374-4383
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Immunology
Volume187
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 15 2011
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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