title: CD59 expression and complement susceptibility of human neuronal cell line (NTera2).
abstract: The present study analysed the susceptibility of neuronal cells to human complement. A human neuronal precursor cell line (NTera2) which can be induced to differentiate into post-mitotic neuronal cells was employed. Using immunocytochemistry, NTera2 neurones, but not their precursors (stem cells), were shown to activate complement in the absence of antibody and to lack CD59, an inhibitor of the terminal stages of the complement cascade. Following exposure to human serum, neurones but not stem cells were lysed by complement, as demonstrated by a cell viability assay and consistent rise in intracellular calcium. This response was abrogated when cells were treated with complement-depleted serum by heat inactivation or cobra venom factor. Protection from lysis was observed following incorporation of CD59 with its glycolipid anchor in the neuronal cell membrane.
authors.affiliation: Molecular immunopathology Unit, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agoropoulou
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Wing
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D018957:CD59 Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003179:Complement C3b / Q000378:metabolism; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008938:Mitosis / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018957:CD59 Antigens; D003179:Complement C3b; D003165:Complement System Proteins