Complement depletion affects demyelination and inflammation in experimental allergic neuritis.
The effect of systemic complement depletion by cobra venom factor (CVF) on experimental allergic neuritis (EAN) was studied in rats immunized with variable amounts of bovine peripheral nerve myelin. Low-dose myelin EAN rats treated with CVF i.p. (n = 10) had lower clinical scores (0.3 +/- 0.7 vs. 1.1 +/- 1.1), less demyelination (0.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 1.9 +/- 1.1) and inflammation (0.6 +/- 1.2 vs. 2 +/- 1) than EAN animals treated with i.p. saline (n = 10). Endoneurial infiltrates had fewer ED1-positive (phagocytic) macrophages (0.4 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.6 +/- 1.1) and CD11bc-positive (expressing iC3b receptor or CR3) cells (1 +/- 0.8 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.8) (mean +/- S.D.) detected by immunocytochemistry. This effect was partially abrogated by immunizing animals with a higher dose of myelin. Our studies suggest that complement may play a role in the recruitment of macrophages into the endoneurium and in opsonizing myelin for phagocytosis.
Vriesendorp
F J
FJ
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Flynn
R E
RE
Pappolla
M A
MA
Koski
C L
CL
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000276:immunology; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000172:deficiency*; D004546:Elapid Venoms / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D009185:Myelin Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D009444:Neuritis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D003176:Complement C3; D004546:Elapid Venoms; D009185:Myelin Proteins; D017463:Receptors, Complement 3b; C016310:cobra venom factor; D003165:Complement System Proteins