Human astrocytes express membrane cofactor protein (CD46), a regulator of complement activation.
Expression of membrane cofactor protein (CD46) on cultured human astrocytes was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry following staining with a monoclonal antibody specific for CD46. Western transfer and immunoblotting detected a doublet of Mr 66,000 and 56,000. Analysis of astrocyte mRNA revealed the presence of multiple alternatively spliced transcripts encoding different extracellular regions or cytoplasmic tails of CD46. Astrocytes were also shown to express decay accelerating factor, but not the type 1 complement receptor. Upregulation of astrocyte CD46 occurred following cytomegalovirus infection. These results indicate that astrocytes express proteins involved in regulation of complement activation and protection against autologous complement.
Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Flinders Medical Center, Bedford Park, South Australia.
D L
DL
Gordon
T A
TA
Sadlon
S L
SL
Wesselingh
S M
SM
Russell
R W
RW
Johnstone
D F
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Purcell
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D018958:CD55 Antigens; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003167:Complement Activation; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000032:analysis; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D051916:Membrane Cofactor Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015703:Antigens, CD; C497857:CD46 protein, human; D018958:CD55 Antigens; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D051916:Membrane Cofactor Protein; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger