@article {10577, title = {Alternative functions of the complement protein C1q at embryo implantation site.}, journal = {J Reprod Immunol}, volume = {119}, year = {2017}, month = {2017 02}, pages = {74-80}, abstract = {

Complement component C1q is one of the recognition molecules of the complement system which can serve several functions unrelated to complement activation. This molecule is produced at foeto-maternal interface by macrophages as wells as by decidual endothelial cells and invading trophoblast. Foetal trophoblast cells migrating through the decidua in the early stages of pregnancy synthesize and express C1q on their surface, which is actively involved in promoting trophoblast endovascular and interstitial invasion of the decidua. These functions are mediated by two cell surface receptors, gC1qR and α4β1 integrin, which promote trophoblast adhesion and migration through the activation of ERK1/2 MAPKs. C1q mice manifest increased frequency of foetal resorption, reduced foetal weight, and smaller litter size when compared to their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that defective local production of C1q may be involved in pregnancy disorders, such as pre-eclampsia. C1q acts also as a strong angiogenic factor and promotes neovascularization. These studies suggest novel and unexpected roles of this complement component in physiological and pathological pregnancies.

}, keywords = {Animals, Complement C1q, Decidua, Embryo Implantation, Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases, Female, Humans, Integrin alpha4beta1, Mice, Mice, Knockout, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Pre-Eclampsia, Pregnancy, Trophoblasts, Vascular Remodeling}, issn = {1872-7603}, doi = {10.1016/j.jri.2016.09.001}, author = {Agostinis, Chiara and Tedesco, Francesco and Bulla, Roberta} } @article {10591, title = {Complement Protein C1q Binds to Hyaluronic Acid in the Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Microenvironment and Promotes Tumor Growth.}, journal = {Front Immunol}, volume = {8}, year = {2017}, month = {2017}, pages = {1559}, abstract = {

C1q is the first recognition subcomponent of the complement classical pathway, which acts toward the clearance of pathogens and apoptotic cells. C1q is also known to modulate a range of functions of immune and non-immune cells, and has been shown to be involved in placental development and sensorial synaptic pruning. We have recently shown that C1q can promote tumor by encouraging their adhesion, migration, and proliferation in addition to angiogenesis and metastasis. In this study, we have examined the role of human C1q in the microenvironment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), a rare form of cancer commonly associated with exposure to asbestos. We found that C1q was highly expressed in all MPM histotypes, particularly in epithelioid rather than in sarcomatoid histotype. C1q avidly bound high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) its globular domain. C1q bound to HA was able to induce adhesion and proliferation of mesothelioma cells (MES) enhancement of ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, and p38 phosphorylation; however, it did not activate the complement cascade. Consistent with the modular organization of the globular domain, we demonstrated that C1q may bind to HA through ghA module, whereas it may interact with human MES through the ghC. In conclusion, C1q highly expressed in MPM binds to HA and enhances the tumor growth promoting cell adhesion and proliferation. These data can help develop novel diagnostic markers and molecular targets for MPM.

}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2017.01559}, author = {Agostinis, Chiara and Vidergar, Romana and Belmonte, Beatrice and Mangogna, Alessandro and Amadio, Leonardo and Geri, Pietro and Borelli, Violetta and Zanconati, Fabrizio and Tedesco, Francesco and Confalonieri, Marco and Tripodo, Claudio and Kishore, Uday and Bulla, Roberta} } @article {8302, title = {C1q acts in the tumour microenvironment as a cancer-promoting factor independently of complement activation.}, journal = {Nat Commun}, volume = {7}, year = {2016}, month = {2016}, pages = {10346}, abstract = {

Complement C1q is the activator of the classical pathway. However, it is now recognized that C1q can exert functions unrelated to complement activation. Here we show that C1q, but not C4, is expressed in the stroma and vascular endothelium of several human malignant tumours. Compared with wild-type (WT) or C3- or C5-deficient mice, C1q-deficient (C1qa(-/-)) mice bearing a syngeneic B16 melanoma exhibit a slower tumour growth and prolonged survival. This effect is not attributable to differences in the tumour-infiltrating immune cells. Tumours developing in WT mice display early deposition of C1q, higher vascular density and an increase in the number of lung metastases compared with C1qa(-/-) mice. Bone marrow (BM) chimeras between C1qa(-/-) and WT mice identify non-BM-derived cells as the main local source of C1q that can promote cancer cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. Together these findings support a role for locally synthesized C1q in promoting tumour growth.

}, keywords = {Animals, Apoptosis, Cell Line, Tumor, Cell Movement, Cell Proliferation, Complement Activation, Complement C1q, Complement C3, Complement C5, Humans, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Neoplasms}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/ncomms10346}, author = {Bulla, Roberta and Tripodo, Claudio and Rami, Damiano and Ling, Guang Sheng and Agostinis, Chiara and Guarnotta, Carla and Zorzet, Sonia and Durigutto, Paolo and Botto, Marina and Tedesco, Francesco} } @article {3561, title = {C1q as a unique player in angiogenesis with therapeutic implication in wound healing.}, journal = {Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A}, volume = {111}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 Mar 18}, pages = {4209-14}, abstract = {

We have previously shown that C1q is expressed on endothelial cells (ECs) of newly formed decidual tissue. Here we demonstrate that C1q is deposited in wound-healing skin in the absence of C4 and C3 and that C1q mRNA is locally expressed as revealed by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. C1q was found to induce permeability of the EC monolayer, to stimulate EC proliferation and migration, and to promote tube formation and sprouting of new vessels in a rat aortic ring assay. Using a murine model of wound healing we observed that vessel formation was defective in C1qa(-/-) mice and was restored to normal after local application of C1q. The mean vessel density of wound-healing tissue and the healed wound area were significantly increased in C1q-treated rats. On the basis of these results we suggest that C1q may represent a valuable therapeutic agent that can be used to treat chronic ulcers or other pathological conditions in which angiogenesis is impaired, such as myocardial ischemia.

}, keywords = {Animals, Cell Proliferation, Complement C1q, DNA Primers, Endothelial Cells, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, Humans, Immunoblotting, Immunohistochemistry, In Situ Hybridization, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction, Wound Healing}, issn = {1091-6490}, doi = {10.1073/pnas.1311968111}, author = {Bossi, Fleur and Tripodo, Claudio and Rizzi, Lucia and Bulla, Roberta and Agostinis, Chiara and Guarnotta, Carla and Munaut, Carine and Baldassarre, Gustavo and Papa, Giovanni and Zorzet, Sonia and Ghebrehiwet, Berhane and Ling, Guang Sheng and Botto, Marina and Tedesco, Francesco} } @article {3559, title = {A non-complement-fixing antibody to β2 glycoprotein I as a novel therapy for antiphospholipid syndrome.}, journal = {Blood}, volume = {123}, year = {2014}, month = {2014 May 29}, pages = {3478-87}, abstract = {

A single-chain fragment variable (scFv) recognizing β2-glycoprotein 1 (β2GPI) from humans and other species was isolated from a human phage display library and engineered to contain an IgG1 hinge-CH2-CH3 domain. The scFv-Fc directed against β2GPI domain I-induced thrombosis and fetal loss, thus mimicking the effect of antibodies from patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Complement is involved in the biological effect of anti-β2GPI scFv-Fc, as demonstrated by its ability to promote in vitro and in vivo complement deposition and the failure to induce vascular thrombosis in C6-deficient rats and fetal loss in C5-depleted mice. A critical role for complement was also supported by the inability of the CH2-deleted scFv-Fc to cause vessel occlusion and pregnancy failure. This antibody prevented the pathological effects of anti-β2GPI antibodies from APS patients and displaced β2GPI-bound patient antibodies. The CH2-deleted antibody represents an innovative approach potentially useful to treat APS patients refractory to standard therapy.

}, keywords = {Abortion, Spontaneous, Animals, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Autoantigens, beta 2-Glycoprotein I, Complement Activation, Complement System Proteins, Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells, Humans, Immunoglobulin G, Male, Mice, Protein Binding, Rats, Recombinant Proteins, Single-Chain Antibodies, Thrombosis, Trophoblasts}, issn = {1528-0020}, doi = {10.1182/blood-2013-11-537704}, author = {Agostinis, Chiara and Durigutto, Paolo and Sblattero, Daniele and Borghi, Maria O and Grossi, Claudia and Guida, Filomena and Bulla, Roberta and Macor, Paolo and Pregnolato, Francesca and Meroni, Pier Luigi and Tedesco, Francesco} } @article {1948, title = {Chemerin regulates NK cell accumulation and endothelial cell morphogenesis in the decidua during early pregnancy.}, journal = {J Clin Endocrinol Metab}, volume = {97}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Oct}, pages = {3603-12}, abstract = {

CONTEXT: Although decidual natural killer (NK) cell accumulation and vascular remodeling are critical steps to ensure successful pregnancy, the molecular mechanisms controlling these events are poorly defined.

OBJECTIVE: Herein we analyzed whether chemerin, a recently identified chemoattractant involved in many pathophysiological processes, could be expressed in the uterine compartment and could regulate events relevant for the good outcome of pregnancy.

DESIGN: Chemerin expression in human primary culture of stromal (ST) cells, extravillous trophoblast cells, and decidual endothelial cells (DEC) was analyzed by RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Migration through ST or DEC of peripheral blood and decidual (d) NK cells from pregnant women was performed using a transwell assay. A DEC capillary-like tube formation assay was used to evaluate endothelial morphogenesis.

RESULTS: Chemerin is differentially expressed by decidual cells during early pregnancy being present at high levels in ST and extravillous trophoblast cells but not in DEC. Notably, ST cells from pregnant women exhibit and release higher levels of chemerin as compared with ST cells from menopausal or fertile nonpregnant women. Chemerin can support peripheral blood NK cell migration through both DEC and ST cells. Although dNK cells exhibit lower chemerin receptor (CMKLR1) expression than their blood counterpart, CMKLR1 engagement on dNK cells resulted in both ERK activation and migration through decidual ST cells. Interestingly, DEC also express CMKLR1 and undergo ERK activation and capillary-like tube structure formation upon exposure to chemerin.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that chemerin is up-regulated during decidualization and might contribute to NK cell accumulation and vascular remodeling during early pregnancy.

}, keywords = {Capillaries, Cell Movement, Chemokines, Decidua, Endothelial Cells, Female, Humans, Killer Cells, Natural, MAP Kinase Signaling System, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, First, Receptors, Chemokine, RNA, Messenger, Stromal Cells, Trophoblasts}, issn = {1945-7197}, doi = {10.1210/jc.2012-1102}, author = {Carlino, Claudia and Trotta, Eleonora and Stabile, Helena and Morrone, Stefania and Bulla, Roberta and Soriani, Alessandra and Iannitto, Maria Luisa and Agostinis, Chiara and Mocci, Carlo and Minozzi, Massimo and Aragona, Cesare and Perniola, Giorgia and Tedesco, Francesco and Sozzani, Silvano and Santoni, Angela and Gismondi, Angela} } @article {1846, title = {MBL interferes with endovascular trophoblast invasion in pre-eclampsia.}, journal = {Clin Dev Immunol}, volume = {2012}, year = {2012}, month = {2012}, pages = {484321}, abstract = {

The spiral arteries undergo physiologic changes during pregnancy, and the failure of this process may lead to a spectrum of pregnancy disorders, including pre-eclampsia. Our recent data indicate that decidual endothelial cells (DECs), covering the inner side of the spiral arteries, acquire the ability to synthesize C1q, which acts as a link between endovascular trophoblast and DECs favouring the process of vascular remodelling. In this study, we have shown that sera obtained from pre-eclamptic patients strongly inhibit the interaction between extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and DECs, preventing endovascular invasion of trophoblast cells. We further demonstrated that mannose-binding lectin (MBL), one of the factor increased in pre-eclamptic patient sera, strongly inhibits the interaction of EVT with C1q interfering with the process of EVT adhesion to and migration through DECs. These data suggest that the increased level of MBL in pre-eclampsia may contribute to the failure of the endovascular invasion of trophoblast cells.

}, keywords = {Cell Communication, Decidua, Endothelial Cells, Female, Humans, Mannose-Binding Lectin, Pre-Eclampsia, Pregnancy, Transendothelial and Transepithelial Migration, Trophoblasts}, issn = {1740-2530}, doi = {10.1155/2012/484321}, author = {Agostinis, Chiara and Bossi, Fleur and Masat, Elisa and Radillo, Oriano and Tonon, Maddalena and De Seta, Francesco and Tedesco, Francesco and Bulla, Roberta} } @article {1781, title = {In vivo distribution of β2 glycoprotein I under various pathophysiologic conditions.}, journal = {Blood}, volume = {118}, year = {2011}, month = {2011 Oct 13}, pages = {4231-8}, abstract = {

In vitro studies have documented β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI) binding to endothelial cells (ECs) and trophoblast using antiphospholipid antibodies. The in vivo binding of β2GPI to these cells and the conditions that favor their interaction have not been investigated. We analyzed the in vivo distribution of cyanine 5.5-labeled β2GPI in mice and evaluated the effect of pregnancy and circulating antibodies on its tissue localization. The signal was detected in the liver by whole body scan and ex vivo analysis. The β2GPI failed to bind to the vascular endothelium and reacted only with the ECs of uterine vessels. In pregnant mice the protein was localized on ECs and trophoblast at the embryo implantation sites. Immunized mice showed a similar β2GPI biodistribution to naive mice but the immunized pregnant animals exhibited a significant increase in fetal loss associated with C3 and C9 deposition at the implantation sites. Treatment of mice with LPS after β2GPI-Cy5.5 injection promoted protein localization on gut and brain ECs associated with IgG, C1q, and C9 deposition in immunized mice. These findings indicate that β2GPI binding to EC requires priming with pro-inflammatory factors which is not needed for uterine and placental localization probably dependent on hormonal changes.

}, keywords = {Animals, beta 2-Glycoprotein I, Complement C1q, Complement C3, Complement C9, Endothelial Cells, Endothelium, Vascular, Female, Fetal Death, Humans, Mice, Mice, Inbred BALB C, Pregnancy, Trophoblasts, Uterus}, issn = {1528-0020}, doi = {10.1182/blood-2011-01-333617}, author = {Agostinis, Chiara and Biffi, Stefania and Garrovo, Chiara and Durigutto, Paolo and Lorenzon, Andrea and Bek, Alpan and Bulla, Roberta and Grossi, Claudia and Borghi, Maria O and Meroni, Pierluigi and Tedesco, Francesco} } @article {1615, title = {An alternative role of C1q in cell migration and tissue remodeling: contribution to trophoblast invasion and placental development.}, journal = {J Immunol}, volume = {185}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Oct 1}, pages = {4420-9}, abstract = {

Fetal trophoblast cells invading the decidua in the early phase of pregnancy establish complex interaction with the maternal extracellular matrix. We discovered that C1q was widely distributed in human decidual stroma in the absence of C4 and C3 and was actively synthesized by migrating extravillous trophoblasts. The cells expressed the messages for the three chains of C1q and secreted this complement component that interacted with the proteins of the decidual extracellular matrix. Solid phase-bound C1q promoted trophoblast adhesion and migration, and cell binding to C1q resulted in activation of ERK1/2 MAPKs. Ab inhibition experiments showed that the receptors for the globular head of C1q/p33 and α(4)β(1) integrin were both involved in this process and were colocalized on the cell surface following binding of C1q to trophoblasts. We also found that C1q(-/-) mice manifested increased frequency of fetal resorption, reduced fetal weight, and smaller litter sizes compared with wild-type mice. C1q deficiency was associated with impaired labyrinth development and decidual vessel remodeling. Collectively, these data suggest that C1q plays an important role in promoting trophoblast invasion of decidua and that defective local production of C1q may be involved in pregnancy disorders, such as pre-eclampsia, characterized by poor trophoblast invasion.

}, keywords = {Animals, Cell Adhesion, Chemotaxis, Leukocyte, Complement C1q, Female, Humans, Immunoblotting, Immunohistochemistry, Immunoprecipitation, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Microscopy, Confocal, Placentation, Pre-Eclampsia, Pregnancy, Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction, Trophoblasts}, issn = {1550-6606}, doi = {10.4049/jimmunol.0903215}, author = {Agostinis, Chiara and Bulla, Roberta and Tripodo, Claudio and Gismondi, Angela and Stabile, Helena and Bossi, Fleur and Guarnotta, Carla and Garlanda, Cecilia and De Seta, Francesco and Spessotto, Paola and Santoni, Angela and Ghebrehiwet, Berhane and Girardi, Guillermina and Tedesco, Francesco} }