Uday Kishore
Brunel University, UK
Title: Role of complement classical pathway protein C1q in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
Biography
Biography: Uday Kishore
Abstract
C1q is the first subcomponent of the complement classical pathway. Classically, it is known to bind to immune complexes containing IgG and IgM and trigger the complement cascade leading up to the generation of membrane attack complex and C3a and C5a fragments that cause cellular infiltration. In addition, C1q is also known as a charge pattern recognition molecule which is involved in the clearance of non-self and altered self. It has become increasingly evident that C1q (and other complement proteins) can be made locally by microglia, neurons and atrocytes within the central nervous system. Thus, C1q can bind beta amyloid aggregates and precipitate neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) via classical pathway as well as microglia activation. It turns out that developmental expression of C1q is essential for synaptic prunning and C1q deficiency can have aberrant neuropathogical consequences. Therefore, under pathological conditions, regulating C1q expression and its target binding can have therapeutic benefits. We have identified two recombinant inhibitors of the classical pathway that interfere at the C1q function level. We have also immunologically characterised a natural model of AD, a Chilean rodent called Octodon degus, and found a direct link between complement activation (via C1q upregulation) and burrowing behaviour.