Spores of Mucor ramosissimus, Mucor plumbeus and Mucor circinelloides and their ability to activate human complement system in vitro.
Complement activation by spores of Mucor ramosissimus, Mucor plumbeus and Mucor circinelloides was studied using absorbed human serum in the presence or absence of chelators (EGTA or EDTA). We found that the spore caused full complement activation when incubated with EGTA-Mg2+ or without chelators, indicating that the alternative pathway is mainly responsible for this response. In order to compare activation profiles from each species, ELISAs for C3 and C4 fragments, mannan binding lectin (MBL), C-reactive protein (CRP) and IgG studies were carried out. All proteins were present on the species tested. Immunofluorescence tests demonstrated the presence of C3 fragments on the surface of all samples, which were confluent throughout fungal surfaces. The same profile of C3, C4, MBL, CRP and IgG deposition, observed in all species, suggests a similar activation behavior for these species.
Departamento de Imunologia, Sala I2-065, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo deGoes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho373, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP: 21941-902, Brazil. lfzmetek@gmail.com
Luiz Fernando Zmetek
LF
Granja
Lysianne
L
Pinto
Cátia Amancio
CA
Almeida
Daniela Sales
DS
Alviano
Maria Helena
MH
Da Silva
Regina
R
Ejzemberg
Celuta Sales
CS
Alviano
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000378:metabolism; D004492:Edetic Acid; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000378:metabolism; D009089:Mucor / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D004492:Edetic Acid