Specifically binding of L-ficolin to N-glycans of HCV envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 leads to complement activation

Cell Mol Immunol. 2009 Aug;6(4):235-44. doi: 10.1038/cmi.2009.32.

Abstract

L-ficolin, one of lectin families, is a recently identified complement factor that initiates lectin pathway of complement. Little is known about its role in viral hepatitis. In the present study, we found that L-ficolin in serum from 103 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV), were significantly higher than that in 150 healthy controls. We further found that L-ficolin expressions were significantly increased in vitro study by HCV JFH-1 infected human hepatocyte cell line Huh7.5.1. Investigation of the mechanisms of the L-ficolin action on HCV demonstrated that L-ficolin protein could recognize and bind to envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 of HCV, activating the lectin complement pathway-mediated cytolytic activity in HCV-infected hepatocyte. This interaction between L-ficolin and HCV E1 and E2 glycoproteins was attributed to the N-glycans of E1 and E2. These findings provide new insights into the biological functions of L-ficolin in clinically important hepatic viral diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Complement Activation / immunology
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Female
  • Ficolins
  • Hepacivirus / immunology*
  • Hepacivirus / pathogenicity
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / blood
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / genetics
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / immunology
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / metabolism*
  • Hepatocytes / immunology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism*
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Hepatocytes / virology
  • Humans
  • Lectins / biosynthesis*
  • Lectins / blood
  • Lectins / genetics
  • Lectins / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism
  • Protein Binding / immunology
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • E1 protein, Hepatitis C virus
  • Lectins
  • Polysaccharides
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • glycoprotein E2, Hepatitis C virus