Downregulation of Complement Activity Via the Mannan-Binding Lectin (MBL) Pathway by Dietary Restriction and Fasting
Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
Meeting: 2013 American Transplant Congress
Abstract number: D1563
Background
Seventy-two hours of preoperative fasting (F) or 2 weeks of 30% dietary restriction (DR) offers robust protection against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in mice. However, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. We hypothesize that immunomodulation plays a pivotal role. Innate immunity, especially the complement system, is crucial in the pathophysiology of IRI. Therefore, we investigated the impact of F and DR on complement activation pathways.
Materials and Methods
Male C57Bl/6 mice were fed ad libitum (AL) or underwent 72 hours F or 30% DR for 2 weeks (n=8/group), after which blood was drawn and serum was stored at -80oC. Functional activity of the complement activation pathways (classical (CP), lectin (LP) and alternative pathway (AP)) was assessed by ELISA using immobilized ligands. Deposition of C3 and C9 as a measure of complement activity along with concentration of upstream complement proteins (MBL-A and –C, and C1q) was determined. Messenger RNA studies were also performed on both kidney and liver tissues of the experimental mice for all the important upstream and downstream complement proteins.
Results
A significant downregulation in CP and LP activity by DR and in CP, LP and AP activity by F was observed compared to AL group. The activation of both C3 and C9 in the DR and F group was significantly downregulated (p≤0.002) in CP, LP and AP (except for C3 activation in the AP of the dietary restriction group).
Both MBL-A and –C concentrations were significantly lower (p≤0.001) after DR and F when compared to AL. C1q concentration was only significantly lower in the F group (p≤0.0001). The mRNA studies showed that there was a significant downregulation in the liver MBL expression in both DR and F (p≤0.004) groups. However, C3 mRNA levels (both in kidney and liver) were found to be elevated in both DR (p≤0.03) and F (p≤0.05) groups.
Conclusion
Dietary interventions downregulate complement activation pathways. The most prominent effect of DR and F was observed on the MBL pathway. To our knowledge, our data for the first time show that DR and F cause downregulation of complement activation pathways. We conclude that complement downregulation via the MBL pathway may be one of the mechanisms by which dietary interventions protect against renal IRI.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Shushimita S, Pol Pvander, Bruin Rde, IJzermans J, Kooten Cvan, Dor F. Downregulation of Complement Activity Via the Mannan-Binding Lectin (MBL) Pathway by Dietary Restriction and Fasting [abstract]. Am J Transplant. 2013; 13 (suppl 5). https://atcmeetingabstracts.com/abstract/downregulation-of-complement-activity-via-the-mannan-binding-lectin-mbl-pathway-by-dietary-restriction-and-fasting/. Accessed May 14, 2025.« Back to 2013 American Transplant Congress