In vitro alternative and classical activation of complement by extracts of cotton mill dust: A possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of byssinosis

Extracts of cotton mill dust (CDE) were shown to activate complement by the classical and alternative pathways. Activation of the classical pathway, presented in this study for the first time, was verified by C1 consumption, C2 destruction, and C4 conversion tests. The component of cotton dust that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental research 1983-10, Vol.32 (1), p.47-56
Main Authors: Mundie, Thomas G., Boackle, Robert J., Ainsworth, Sterling K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Byssinosis - etiology
Byssinosis - immunology
Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases
Complement Activation
Complement C1 - analysis
Complement C2 - analysis
Complement C4 - analysis
Complement Pathway, Alternative
Complement Pathway, Classical
Dust
Endotoxins - analysis
Gossypium - analysis
Humans
Inorganic dusts (pneumoconiosises) and organic dusts (byssinosis etc.)
Medical sciences
Toxicology
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Summary:Extracts of cotton mill dust (CDE) were shown to activate complement by the classical and alternative pathways. Activation of the classical pathway, presented in this study for the first time, was verified by C1 consumption, C2 destruction, and C4 conversion tests. The component of cotton dust that causes complement activation precipitated in the presence of 20% saturated ammonium sulfate. The data presented suggest that endotoxin is not the principal complement-activating component, as complement activation could not be correlated to endotoxin concentrations of extracts of various parts of the cotton plant. Proteolytic enzymes were also eliminated as possible causative agents of complement cleavage since CDE did not cleave purified C3 in the absence of other complement components. Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone failed to remove the complement-activating component in CDE demonstrating that polyphenolic tannins are not the causative agents. Involvement of complement activation in the pathogenesis of byssinosis could explain in part the mechanism and symptoms of the acute byssinotic reaction.
ISSN:0013-9351
1096-0953
DOI:10.1016/0013-9351(83)90190-1