# The Roles of Complement Activation vs. Shiga Toxin Binding to Endothelium in eHUS.

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $424,924

## Abstract

Summary/Abstract
Epidemic hemolytic uremic syndrome (eHUS) is a leading cause of acute renal injury and failure in children
(65% of cases of eHUS), who may also suffer seizures, neurocognitive deficits from cerebral ischemic events,
and other organ system failure. This project will examine the mechanisms whereby Shiga toxin (Stx)-induced
complement activation and Stx interaction with the endothelium generate procoagulant tissue factor (TF)
activity and platelet adhesion molecules in this thrombotic microangiopathy. We hypothesize that Stx activates
the mannose binding lectin-2 (MBL-2) pathway of complement, leading to the binding of the complement
effectors C3b, C5, C5b-9, and MBL2 on or near endothelial cell (EC) Gb3, the inducible receptor on ECs for
Stx, and on or near toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Activation of endothelium via cytokines and Stx follows, with
subsequent upregulation of platelet adhesion molecules and expression of EC pro-coagulant tissue factor (TF)
activity, leading to the development of eHUS and further thrombin and factor Xa-mediated complement
activation. Specific Aims/Hypotheses:
1: To demonstrate that complement activation by Stx leads to C3d, C5a, and MBL-2 binding to ECs
and the appearance of membrane-bound C5b-9, with expression of procoagulant TF activity and
platelet adhesion molecules (P-selectin, high MW von Willebrand Factor (vWF) multimers). To show
that complement is activated via the MBL-2 lectin pathway, and not the alternative pathway.
2: To demonstrate that Stx, complement activation, and upregulated procoagulant TF and platelet
adhesion molecules contribute to platelet thrombus formation during flow using an in vitro flow model
of eHUS employing monolayers of HUVECs or HGECs. The studies incorporate the effects of shear
rate (convection of complement components, clotting factors) characteristic of glomerular arterioles,
and shear stress, which are in vivo conditions.
3: To identify the molecular mechanisms of complement activation in a novel humanized MBL-2
mouse model of Stx-2-induced renal injury.
This proposal will demonstrate that Stx leads to MBL-2 lectin pathway complement activation, procoagulant EC
TF activity, and platelet-fibrin thrombus formation in flowing blood, in vitro and in vivo, thereby providing novel
therapeutic targets (i.e., MBL-2 and/or TF) for a devastating disease that presently lacks a definitive therapy.
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## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9842481
- **Project number:** 5R01DK117317-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Eric Franklin Grabowski
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $424,924
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-01-01 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9842481

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9842481, The Roles of Complement Activation vs. Shiga Toxin Binding to Endothelium in eHUS. (5R01DK117317-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9842481. Licensed CC0.

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