INDUCTION OF MATRIX PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS IN HUMAN GLOMERULAR MESANGIAL CELLS BY THE TERMINAL COMPLEMENT COMPLEX

Exposure of human glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) in culture to subly tic doses of the terminal complement proteins C5b-8 and C5b-9 caused a transient increase in abundance of mRNA specific for collagen type IV and fibronectin; mRNA of laminin was not affected. Since C5b-9 is fou nd deposited in inflamed or sclerotic areas we propose that stimulatio n of matrix protein synthesis by C5b-9 might contribute to the develop ment of glomerular sclerosis.