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Legionella pneumophila lipopolysaccharide activates the classical complement pathway.

C S Mintz1, D R Schultz, P I Arnold

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33101.

Infection and Immunity
|July 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Legionella pneumophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates the classical complement pathway, primarily via natural IgM antibodies targeting the LPS carbohydrate portion. This interaction is crucial for bacterial uptake by immune cells.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial Pathogenesis

Background:

  • Legionella pneumophila, a Gram-negative bacterium, invades and replicates within human alveolar macrophages and monocytes.
  • Complement system activation and complement receptors are critical for the phagocytosis of L. pneumophila by mononuclear phagocytes.
  • The specific surface molecules of L. pneumophila responsible for initiating complement system activation remain unidentified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the surface molecules of L. pneumophila that activate the complement system.
  • To investigate the role of L. pneumophila lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in activating the classical and alternative complement pathways.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of complement activation by L. pneumophila LPS.

Main Methods:

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  • Functional hemolytic assays were employed to assess complement activation by L. pneumophila LPS in normal human serum.
  • The classical and alternative complement pathways were analyzed.
  • Immunoglobulin-deficient serum was used to determine the role of natural antibodies.

    • Main Results:

    • L. pneumophila LPS activated both the classical and alternative complement pathways in normal human serum.
    • Complement activation by LPS predominantly occurred through the classical pathway.
    • Activation of the classical pathway was dependent on natural immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, which recognize antigenic sites on the carbohydrate portion of LPS.
    • These antibodies were absent in serum from an agammaglobulinemic patient.

    Conclusions:

    • L. pneumophila LPS is a potent activator of the classical complement pathway.
    • Natural IgM antibodies, recognizing the carbohydrate moiety of LPS, mediate complement activation.
    • The interaction between LPS and the complement system likely contributes to the uptake of L. pneumophila by mononuclear phagocytes.