Abstract
The defence collagens C1q and mannose-binding lectin (MBL) are immune recognition proteins that associate with the serine proteinases C1r/C1s and MBL-associated serine proteases (MASPs) to trigger activation of complement, a major innate immune system. Bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1)/tolloid-like proteinases (BTPs) are metalloproteinases with major roles in extracellular matrix assembly and growth factor signalling. Despite their different functions, C1r/C1s/MASPs and BTPs share structural similarities, including a specific CUB-EGF-CUB domain arrangement found only in these enzymes that mediates interactions with collagen-like proteins, suggesting a possible functional relationship. Here we investigated the potential interactions between the defence collagens C1q and MBL and the BTPs BMP-1 and mammalian tolloid-like-1 (mTLL-1). C1q and MBL bound to immobilized BMP-1 and mTLL-1 with nanomolar affinities. These interactions involved the collagen-like regions of the defence collagens and were inhibited by pre-incubation of C1q or MBL with their cognate complement proteinases. Soluble BMP-1 and mTLL-1 did not inhibit complement activation and the defence collagens were neither substrates nor inhibitors of BMP-1. Finally, C1q co-localized with BMP-1 in skin biopsies following melanoma excision and from patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. The observed interactions provide support for a functional link between complement and BTPs during inflammation and tissue repair.