Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy

IntroductionDysregulation of the alternative pathway of complement underlies the pathogenesis of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Because Factor H (FH) prevents excessive alternative pathway activity while Factor H-related protein 1 (FHR-1) is believed to enhance this response, we investigated the balance b...

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Main Authors: Amanda K. Slagle, Nicolo Ghiringhelli Borsa, Kai Wang, Amanda O. Taylor, Nicole C. Meyer, Michael B. Jones, William D. Walls, Angela F. M. Nelson, Sarah M. Roberts, Mingyao Sun, Elena Goicoechea de Jorge, Santiago Rodriguez de Cordoba, Diana I. Jalal, Carla M. Nester, Yuzhou Zhang, Richard J. H. Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1589674/full
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author Amanda K. Slagle
Amanda K. Slagle
Nicolo Ghiringhelli Borsa
Kai Wang
Amanda O. Taylor
Nicole C. Meyer
Michael B. Jones
William D. Walls
Angela F. M. Nelson
Sarah M. Roberts
Mingyao Sun
Elena Goicoechea de Jorge
Santiago Rodriguez de Cordoba
Diana I. Jalal
Diana I. Jalal
Carla M. Nester
Yuzhou Zhang
Richard J. H. Smith
Richard J. H. Smith
author_facet Amanda K. Slagle
Amanda K. Slagle
Nicolo Ghiringhelli Borsa
Kai Wang
Amanda O. Taylor
Nicole C. Meyer
Michael B. Jones
William D. Walls
Angela F. M. Nelson
Sarah M. Roberts
Mingyao Sun
Elena Goicoechea de Jorge
Santiago Rodriguez de Cordoba
Diana I. Jalal
Diana I. Jalal
Carla M. Nester
Yuzhou Zhang
Richard J. H. Smith
Richard J. H. Smith
author_sort Amanda K. Slagle
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionDysregulation of the alternative pathway of complement underlies the pathogenesis of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Because Factor H (FH) prevents excessive alternative pathway activity while Factor H-related protein 1 (FHR-1) is believed to enhance this response, we investigated the balance between FH and FHR-1 in C3G.MethodsTo assess the role of FHR-1 in C3G pathogenicity, we used a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification to detect copy number variants in CFHR3-CFHR1 and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays to measure circulating protein levels in C3G patients compared to controls. Additionally, an in vitro C3b deposition assay was used to characterize the functional impact of FHR-1 on local complement activity.ResultsIn this study, we confirm that CFHR3-CFHR1 copy number impacts C3G risk. In C3G patients with two copies of CFHR3-CFHR1, the FHR-1:FH protein ratios are increased compared to controls; however, this increase is not disease specific. Rather, it is reflective of deteriorating renal function and was also observed in a second cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease from a variety of other causes. Functional studies showed that FHR-1 competes with FH to increase C3b deposition on mouse mesangial cell surfaces, an effect enhanced by heparan sulfate cleavage.DiscussionAltogether, we show that as renal function declines, a change in the FHR-1:FH ratio combined with changes in heparan sulfate architecture increase complement activity. These findings suggest that complement activity may contribute to the chronic inflammation and progression of renal damage associated with chronic kidney disease.
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spelling doaj-art-ba7f6a8b0a7b47f6aa4a56a69bf4397a2025-08-20T03:09:44ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15896741589674Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathyAmanda K. Slagle0Amanda K. Slagle1Nicolo Ghiringhelli Borsa2Kai Wang3Amanda O. Taylor4Nicole C. Meyer5Michael B. Jones6William D. Walls7Angela F. M. Nelson8Sarah M. Roberts9Mingyao Sun10Elena Goicoechea de Jorge11Santiago Rodriguez de Cordoba12Diana I. Jalal13Diana I. Jalal14Carla M. Nester15Yuzhou Zhang16Richard J. H. Smith17Richard J. H. Smith18Molecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesGraduate PhD Program in Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesDepartment of Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesDepartment of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesCentro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, SpainCentro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Madrid, SpainDepartment of Internal Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesCenter for Comprehensive Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesMolecular Otolaryngology and Renal Research Laboratories, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesGraduate PhD Program in Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa, IA, United StatesIntroductionDysregulation of the alternative pathway of complement underlies the pathogenesis of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G). Because Factor H (FH) prevents excessive alternative pathway activity while Factor H-related protein 1 (FHR-1) is believed to enhance this response, we investigated the balance between FH and FHR-1 in C3G.MethodsTo assess the role of FHR-1 in C3G pathogenicity, we used a multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification to detect copy number variants in CFHR3-CFHR1 and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays to measure circulating protein levels in C3G patients compared to controls. Additionally, an in vitro C3b deposition assay was used to characterize the functional impact of FHR-1 on local complement activity.ResultsIn this study, we confirm that CFHR3-CFHR1 copy number impacts C3G risk. In C3G patients with two copies of CFHR3-CFHR1, the FHR-1:FH protein ratios are increased compared to controls; however, this increase is not disease specific. Rather, it is reflective of deteriorating renal function and was also observed in a second cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease from a variety of other causes. Functional studies showed that FHR-1 competes with FH to increase C3b deposition on mouse mesangial cell surfaces, an effect enhanced by heparan sulfate cleavage.DiscussionAltogether, we show that as renal function declines, a change in the FHR-1:FH ratio combined with changes in heparan sulfate architecture increase complement activity. These findings suggest that complement activity may contribute to the chronic inflammation and progression of renal damage associated with chronic kidney disease.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1589674/fullFactor HFHR-1complement regulationC3 glomerulopathychronic kidney disease
spellingShingle Amanda K. Slagle
Amanda K. Slagle
Nicolo Ghiringhelli Borsa
Kai Wang
Amanda O. Taylor
Nicole C. Meyer
Michael B. Jones
William D. Walls
Angela F. M. Nelson
Sarah M. Roberts
Mingyao Sun
Elena Goicoechea de Jorge
Santiago Rodriguez de Cordoba
Diana I. Jalal
Diana I. Jalal
Carla M. Nester
Yuzhou Zhang
Richard J. H. Smith
Richard J. H. Smith
Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
Frontiers in Immunology
Factor H
FHR-1
complement regulation
C3 glomerulopathy
chronic kidney disease
title Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
title_full Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
title_fullStr Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
title_full_unstemmed Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
title_short Factor H-related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in C3 glomerulopathy
title_sort factor h related 1 and heparan sulfate architecture contribute to complement dysregulation in c3 glomerulopathy
topic Factor H
FHR-1
complement regulation
C3 glomerulopathy
chronic kidney disease
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1589674/full
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