Complement Factor B Deficiency Is Dispensable for Female Fertility but Affects Microbiome Diversity and Complement...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Microbiology
• Reproductive Biology

Background:

• Complement factor B (CFB) is key to the alternative complement pathway, forming C3 convertase.
• The role of the alternative complement pathway in reproduction is not well understood.
• CFB expression occurs in immune and reproductive tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the physiological role of the alternative complement pathway in reproduction.
• To analyze the reproductive and microbiome phenotypes of CFB-knockout mice.

Main Methods:

• Generation and phenotypic analysis of CFB-knockout mice.
• Assessment of sperm function, oocyte numbers, and litter size.
• Microbiome diversity analysis of gut and vaginal tracts.
• Measurement of serum serine protease and alternative complement pathway activity.

Main Results:

• CFB-knockout mice exhibited normal fertility parameters (sperm function, oocyte numbers, litter size).
• A significant increase in gut and vaginal microbiome diversity was observed in CFB-knockout mice.
• Serum from CFB-knockout mice showed reduced alternative complement pathway activity, confirming CFB's essential role.

Conclusions:

• The alternative complement pathway, mediated by CFB, is dispensable for normal fertility and development.
• CFB plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of gut and vaginal microbiomes by controlling their diversity.