Biomaterial Database

In vitro alternative and classical activation of complement by extracts of cotton mill dust: a possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of byssinosis. 1983

T G Mundie, and R J Boackle, and S K Ainsworth

Extracts of cotton mill dust (CDE) were shown to activate complement by the classical and alternative pathways. Activation of the classical pathway, presented in this study for the first time, was verified by C1 consumption, C2 destruction, and C4 conversion tests. The component of cotton dust that causes complement activation precipitated in the presence of 20% saturated ammonium sulfate. The data presented suggest that endotoxin is not the principal complement-activating component, as complement activation could not be correlated to endotoxin concentrations of extracts of various parts of the cotton plant. Proteolytic enzymes were also eliminated as possible causative agents of complement cleavage since CDE did not cleave purified C3 in the absence of other complement components. Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone failed to remove the complement-activating component in CDE demonstrating that polyphenolic tannins are not the causative agents. Involvement of complement activation in the pathogenesis of byssinosis could explain in part the mechanism and symptoms of the acute byssinotic reaction.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D002095	Byssinosis	A condition of BRONCHOCONSTRICTION resulting from hypersensitive reaction to inhaled dust during the initial processing of cotton, flax, or hemp in the textile industry. Symptoms include wheezing and tightness in the chest.	Brown Lung,Brown Lung Disease,Brown Lung Diseases,Brown Lungs,Byssinoses
D003167	Complement Activation	The sequential activation of serum COMPLEMENT PROTEINS to create the COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX. Factors initiating complement activation include ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY COMPLEXES, microbial ANTIGENS, or cell surface POLYSACCHARIDES.	Activation, Complement,Activations, Complement,Complement Activations
D003170	Complement Pathway, Alternative	Complement activation initiated by the interaction of microbial ANTIGENS with COMPLEMENT C3B. When COMPLEMENT FACTOR B binds to the membrane-bound C3b, COMPLEMENT FACTOR D cleaves it to form alternative C3 CONVERTASE (C3BBB) which, stabilized by COMPLEMENT FACTOR P, is able to cleave multiple COMPLEMENT C3 to form alternative C5 CONVERTASE (C3BBB3B) leading to cleavage of COMPLEMENT C5 and the assembly of COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX.	Alternative Complement Pathway,Properdin Pathway,Alternative Complement Activation Pathway,Complement Activation Pathway, Alternative
D003171	Complement Pathway, Classical	Complement activation initiated by the binding of COMPLEMENT C1 to ANTIGEN-ANTIBODY COMPLEXES at the COMPLEMENT C1Q subunit. This leads to the sequential activation of COMPLEMENT C1R and COMPLEMENT C1S subunits. Activated C1s cleaves COMPLEMENT C4 and COMPLEMENT C2 forming the membrane-bound classical C3 CONVERTASE (C4B2A) and the subsequent C5 CONVERTASE (C4B2A3B) leading to cleavage of COMPLEMENT C5 and the assembly of COMPLEMENT MEMBRANE ATTACK COMPLEX.	Classical Complement Pathway,Classical Complement Activation Pathway,Complement Activation Pathway, Classical
D003172	Complement C1	The first complement component to act in the activation of CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY. It is a calcium-dependent trimolecular complex made up of three subcomponents: COMPLEMENT C1Q; COMPLEMENT C1R; and COMPLEMENT C1S at 1:2:2 ratios. When the intact C1 binds to at least two antibodies (involving C1q), C1r and C1s are sequentially activated, leading to subsequent steps in the cascade of COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION.	C1 Complement,Complement 1,Complement Component 1,C1, Complement,Complement, C1,Component 1, Complement
D003175	Complement C2	A component of the CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY. C2 is cleaved by activated COMPLEMENT C1S into COMPLEMENT C2B and COMPLEMENT C2A. C2a, the COOH-terminal fragment containing a SERINE PROTEASE, combines with COMPLEMENT C4B to form C4b2a (CLASSICAL PATHWAY C3 CONVERTASE) and subsequent C4b2a3b (CLASSICAL PATHWAY C5 CONVERTASE).	C2 Complement,Complement 2,Complement Component 2,C2, Complement,Complement, C2,Component 2, Complement
D003181	Complement C4	A glycoprotein that is important in the activation of CLASSICAL COMPLEMENT PATHWAY. C4 is cleaved by the activated COMPLEMENT C1S into COMPLEMENT C4A and COMPLEMENT C4B.	C4 Complement,C4 Complement Component,Complement 4,Complement C4, Precursor,Complement Component 4,Pro-C4,Pro-complement 4,C4, Complement,Complement Component, C4,Complement, C4,Component 4, Complement,Component, C4 Complement,Pro C4,Pro complement 4
D003368	Gossypium	A plant genus of the family MALVACEAE. It is the source of COTTON FIBER; COTTONSEED OIL, which is used for cooking, and GOSSYPOL. The economically important cotton crop is a major user of agricultural PESTICIDES.	Cotton Plant,Cotton Plants,Gossypiums,Plant, Cotton,Plants, Cotton
D004391	Dust	Earth or other matter in fine, dry particles. (Random House Unabridged Dictionary, 2d ed)	House Dust,Housedust,Dust, House
D004731	Endotoxins	Toxins closely associated with the living cytoplasm or cell wall of certain microorganisms, which do not readily diffuse into the culture medium, but are released upon lysis of the cells.	Endotoxin