Complement components C3, C4, and C5 are members of the thioester-containing alpha-macroglobulin protein superfamily. Within this superfamily, a unique feature of the complement proteins is a 150-residue-long C-terminal extension of their alpha-subunits that harbors three internal disulfide bonds. Previous reports have suggested that this is an independent structural module, homologous to modul...

We report that photo-excitation of one-electron-oxidized adenine [A(-H)*] in dAdo and its 2'-deoxyribonucleotides leads to formation of deoxyribose sugar radicals in remarkably high yields. Illumination of A(-H)* in dAdo, 3'-dAMP and 5'-dAMP in aqueous glasses at 143 K leads to 80-100% conversion to sugar radicals at C5' and C3'. The position of the phosphate in 5'- and 3'-dAMP is observed to d...

There is increasing evidence that complement may play a role in bone development. Our previous studies demonstrated that the key complement receptor C5aR was strongly expressed in the fracture callus not only by immune cells but also by bone cells and chondroblasts, indicating a function in bone repair. To further elucidate the role of complement in bone healing, this study investigated fractur...

Induction of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and cytosolic translocation of cytochrome C are considered essential components of the apoptotic pathway. Hence, there is the realization that mitochondrial-specific drugs could have potential for use as chemotherapeutic agents to trigger apoptosis in tumor cells. Recently, we showed that photoproducts of merocyanine 540 (pMC540) induced ...

The complement system is a potent effector of innate immunity. To elucidate the pathophysiological role of the complement system in inflammatory bowel disease, we evaluated the effects of anti-C5 antibodies on the development of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice. Dextran sulfate sodium-colitis was induced in BALB/c mice with intraperitoneal administrations of anti-C5 antibodies (1 ...

Addition reactions of the C4'-C5' double bond of griseolic acid were investigated. C4'-C5' Dihydrogriseolic acid was obtained by reduction of the adduct having halogen at the 4'-position. The ring juncture of the two five-membered rings of the C4'-C5' dihydro derivatives was of all-"cis" configuration. Acetolysis of the protected dihydrogriseolic acid gave the corresponding 1 '-acetoxy sugar de...

Kyriakides, Constantinos, William Austen, Jr., Yong Wang, Joanne Favuzza, Lester Kobzik, Francis D. Moore, Jr., and Herbert B. Hechtman. Skeletal muscle reperfusion injury is mediated by neutrophils and the complement membrane attack complex. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Cell Physiol. 46): C1263–C1268, 1999.—The relative inflammatory roles of neutrophils, selectins, and terminal complement components a...

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal insufficiency. It is caused mainly by infections with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). Recently, Shiga toxin 2, the best-studied virulence factor of EHEC, was reported to interact with complement, implying that complement may be involved in the pathogenesis of ...

When immunocompetent mice are inoculated with Borrelia burgdorferi, they develop acute arthritis and carditis that undergo spontaneous regression despite the persistence of infection. Specific T- and/or B-cell immunity appears to be necessary for resolution of disease manifestations. Humoral immune responses to B. burgdorferi are also important in prevention of B. burgdorferi infection, in that...

Vegetation phenology is considered a sensitive indicator of climate change, which controls carbon, nitrogen, and water cycles within terrestrial ecosystems. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is an important moderate resolution remote sensing data for monitoring vegetation phenology. However, Terra MODIS Collection 5 (C5) vege...