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Complement component 4

Complement component 4 (C4) is a multifunctional glycoprotein central to the innate immune system's complement cascade, primarily activating through the classical and lectin pathways to facilitate pathogen opsonization, immune complex clearance, and formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC).^[1] Encoded by the C4A and C4B genes located in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on chromosome 6, C4 exists as two isoforms—C4A (acidic, favoring immune complex binding) and C4B (basic, enhancing bacterial defense)—that differ by just four amino acids in their structure.^[1] Upon proteolytic cleavage by C1s or MASP-2, inactive C4 generates the anaphylatoxin C4a, which promotes inflammation, and the opsonin C4b, which covalently attaches to target surfaces to mark them for phagocytosis or further complement amplification.^[1] These processes underscore C4's role in bridging innate and adaptive immunity while maintaining immune homeostasis.^[2] Genetically, the C4 locus exhibits high polymorphism, with over 40 alleles and variable copy numbers (typically 2–6 total copies, ranging from 0–5 for C4A and 0–4 for C4B), influencing individual susceptibility to immune-mediated conditions.^[2] Structural variations, including null alleles, contribute to complete or partial C4 deficiencies, which impair the formation of C3 and C5 convertases essential for downstream complement activation.^[2] In the bloodstream, C4 circulates as a 200 kDa protein at normal concentrations of 16–48 mg/dL, serving as a biomarker for immune function when measured via blood tests often alongside C3 or total hemolytic complement (CH50).^[3] Functionally, C4A preferentially binds to amino group-containing surfaces for efficient removal of apoptotic cells and immune complexes, reducing autoimmunity risk, while C4B targets hydroxyl groups on microbes to bolster antibacterial responses.^[1] Dysregulation of C4, particularly C4A overexpression, has been linked to excessive synaptic pruning in the brain, elevating risk for schizophrenia, with elevated C4A and C4a levels observed in first-episode patients.^[1] Conversely, C4 deficiencies heighten vulnerability to recurrent infections (e.g., by Streptococcus pneumoniae) and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), where low copy numbers correlate with earlier onset and severity, including glomerulonephritis.^[2] Clinically, reduced C4 levels may signal active SLE, chronic hepatitis, or kidney disease, while elevations can indicate response to treatment or post-infection recovery.^[3]

Genetics

Gene Locus and Organization

The complement component 4 (C4) genes, C4A and C4B, are located within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class III region on the short arm of human chromosome 6 at cytogenetic band 6p21.33, positioned between the class I and class II HLA gene clusters.^[4]^[5] This genomic locus spans approximately 320 kb and includes tandemly arrayed genes involved in immune regulation, with C4A at coordinates 6:31,982,057-32,002,681 and C4B at 6:32,014,795-32,035,418 (GRCh38 assembly). The C4 genes exhibit a bipartite structure, consisting of two closely linked loci, C4A and C4B, each encoding distinct but highly homologous proteins. Each gene spans approximately 16-22 kb and comprises 41 exons that encode a precursor polypeptide of about 1,744 amino acids, including a signal peptide.^[6]^[7] The size polymorphism between short (~14-16 kb) and long (~20-22 kb) forms of the C4 genes arises from the presence or absence of a 6.4-6.7 kb endogenous retroviral sequence (HERV-K(C4)) insertion in intron 9, which does not disrupt gene function but contributes to structural diversity within the locus.^[6]^[7] Evolutionarily, the C4 genes are integral to the RCCX gene module—named for its constituent genes RP1 (also known as STK19), C4, CYP21 (steroid 21-hydroxylase), and TNX (tenascin X)—a ~30-40 kb segmental duplication unit in the MHC class III region.^[4] This module originated from ancient duplication events in primate evolution, with the basic C4-CYP21 unit expanding through unequal crossing-over and non-allelic homologous recombination, leading to variable copy numbers (typically 2-6 per diploid genome) and hybrid forms in humans.^[8] The short and long C4 variants within RCCX modules reflect these duplication dynamics, where the retroviral insertion in the long form likely predates human-specific expansions.^[7]^[8] The genomic organization of the C4 genes was first elucidated through cloning efforts by Carroll and Porter in 1983, who isolated six overlapping cosmid clones from a human genomic library using a C4d-specific cDNA probe.^[9] Their analysis revealed the complete C4 gene structure, including exon-intron boundaries, and predicted a single polypeptide precursor that aligns with the known post-translational processing into three disulfide-linked subunits (α, β, and γ chains), providing early insights into its genetic architecture.^[9]

Copy Number Variation and Isoforms

The complement component 4 (C4) genes exhibit significant copy number variation (CNV), with total C4 copies ranging from 2 to 6 per haplotype in the human genome, including 0 to 5 copies of C4A and 0 to 4 copies of C4B.^[10] This variability arises from segmental duplications in the MHC class III region on chromosome 6, contributing to genetic diversity in complement regulation.^[11] Higher copy numbers of C4A, particularly exceeding two copies per haplotype, are associated with increased risk of schizophrenia, likely due to elevated C4A expression in the brain that promotes synaptic pruning during development.^[12]^[13] Beyond CNV, the C4 genes exhibit extensive sequence polymorphism, with over 40 distinct allotypes identified across C4A and C4B through immunofixation and sequencing studies.^[6] The two main isoforms, C4A and C4B, share over 99% sequence identity but display distinct functional properties stemming from polymorphisms, notably at amino acid positions 1101–1106 in the alpha chain. C4A preferentially binds to amino group-containing substrates, such as free amino groups on proteins and immune complexes, while C4B favors hydroxyl group-containing targets, like carbohydrates on cell surfaces.^[14]^[15] These binding preferences influence hemolytic efficiency in the classical complement pathway, where C4B demonstrates 3- to 4-fold greater activity than C4A in assays measuring red blood cell lysis.^[16] Such differences underscore the complementary roles of the isoforms in immune complex clearance and pathogen opsonization. Null alleles of C4, often resulting from gene deletions or hybrid genes involving CYP21A-like pseudogenes, lead to C4 deficiencies that impair complement activation and increase susceptibility to autoimmune conditions like systemic lupus erythematosus. In Caucasian populations, with homozygous C4A deficiency occurring in about 0.5–1% of individuals, though heterozygous low-copy states (one C4A gene) affect around 20%.^[17] These null variants reduce serum C4 protein levels and are more frequent in certain disease cohorts, highlighting their role in complement dysregulation.^[18] Polymorphisms in C4 also manifest as the Rodgers (Rg) and Chido (Ch) blood group antigens, which serve as serological markers for C4A and C4B isoforms, respectively, and were first identified as distinct components of the C4 protein in 1978.^[19] These antigens localize to the C4d fragment released after complement activation and exhibit inheritance patterns linked to C4 gene dosage, aiding in genotyping CNVs and studying population-specific variations.^[20]

Structure

Protein Composition and Domains

Complement component 4 (C4) is synthesized as a single-chain proprotein in hepatocytes and secreted into the plasma, where it undergoes processing to form the mature protein.^[2] The mature C4 is a large glycoprotein with an approximate molecular weight of 200 kDa, composed of three disulfide-linked polypeptide chains: the α-chain (93 kDa), β-chain (75 kDa), and γ-chain (33 kDa).^[21] These chains correspond to specific segments of the precursor: the β-chain spans residues 20–675, the α-chain 680–1449 (with the plasma form ending at 1427), and the γ-chain 1454–1744, resulting in approximately 656 residues for β, 770 for secreted α, and 291 for γ.^[21] The protein features multiple structural domains that contribute to its function in the complement system. The α-chain contains a collagen-like region (CLR), which facilitates interactions with other complement components and surfaces. Central to its reactivity is the thioester domain (TED) within the α-chain, housing an internal thioester bond formed between Cys1010 and Gln1013, enabling covalent attachment to target molecules upon activation. Additionally, the N-terminal portion of the α-chain includes the anaphylatoxin domain, which is released as the C4a fragment during processing. The overall architecture comprises 13 major domains, including eight macroglobulin (MG) domains (MG1–8), the TED, a CUB domain, the anaphylatoxin (ANA), a linker (Link), and a C345C domain, arranged to form a compact structure with dimensions of approximately 156 × 94 × 64 Å.^[22]^[21] Post-translational modifications are essential to C4's stability and activity. It is glycosylated at four N-linked sites— one on the β-chain (Asn226) and three on the α-chain (Asn862, Asn1328, Asn1391)—along with one O-linked site on the α-chain (Thr1244), all of which are fully occupied and contribute to the glycoprotein nature observed in plasma. The pro-C4 form also undergoes limited tyrosine sulfation before maturation. These modifications occur during biosynthesis in hepatocytes, ensuring proper folding and secretion as a functional complement protein.^[21]

Structural Differences Between Isoforms

The primary structural distinction between the C4A and C4B isoforms lies in the thioester domain (TED) of the α-chain, particularly a polymorphism spanning residues 1101–1106 encoded by exon 26. The isotypic residues at positions 1101–1106 are Pro-Cys-Pro-Val-Leu-Asp (PCPVLD) in C4A and Leu-Ser-Pro-Val-Ile-His (LSPVIH) in C4B, differing at 1101 (Pro/Leu), 1102 (Cys/Ser), 1105 (Leu/Ile), and 1106 (Asp/His) and resulting from five nucleotide differences that alter the local microenvironment around the reactive thioester bond. These sequence variations modulate the thioester's nucleophilic specificity, with C4A favoring covalent attachment to free amino (-NH₂) groups on immune complexes and C4B exhibiting greater affinity for hydroxyl (-OH) or carboxyl (-COOH) groups on carbohydrate surfaces. Consequently, C4B demonstrates 2- to 5-fold higher hemolytic efficiency than C4A in assays of classical pathway-mediated red blood cell lysis, reflecting enhanced surface deposition on antibody-coated targets. Post-cleavage structural models derived from early crystallographic and biochemical studies highlight subtle differences in TED exposure and flexibility between the isoforms. Upon activation to C4b, the TED domain in both isoforms unfolds to expose the thioester for nucleophilic attack, but the isotypic residues in C4B promote a more stable conformation conducive to hydroxyl binding, as inferred from 1980s-1990s analyses of peptide fragments and homology modeling.^[23] In contrast, the C4A TED configuration supports amino group reactivity but renders the activated form more prone to fluid-phase hydrolysis or regulator binding, contributing to isoform-specific decay rates.^[24] Isoform expression levels are further influenced by promoter and regulatory variants within the RCCX gene module on chromosome 6p21, where certain MHC haplotypes carry multiple C4A copies associated with elevated C4A protein output relative to C4B. For instance, haplotypes with duplicated short C4A genes (lacking HERV-K insertions) often yield higher transcriptional efficiency for C4A, leading to disproportionate plasma levels that amplify its role in immune complex handling compared to C4B-dominated configurations.^[25]

Function

Activation and Cleavage

Complement component 4 (C4) undergoes proteolytic activation in the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system. In the classical pathway, the serine protease C1s cleaves the α-chain of C4 at the Arg^{77}-Leu^{78} bond, while in the lectin pathway, mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) catalyzes the same cleavage. This scission releases the 9 kDa C4a fragment, a potent anaphylatoxin that promotes inflammation by binding to receptors on immune cells, and generates the larger C4b fragment with an exposed internal thioester bond.^[22]^[26] The thioester in C4b, located within the thioester-containing domain (TED), rapidly forms a highly reactive acyl-imidazole intermediate that enables nucleophilic attack by nearby hydroxyl or amino groups on target surfaces, leading to covalent amide or ester bond formation. If no suitable nucleophile is available, the intermediate hydrolyzes to an inactive carboxylic acid, with a half-life of approximately 0.6–10 seconds depending on the C4 isoform (shorter for C4B than C4A). This transient reactivity confines C4b deposition to surfaces within close proximity to the activation site.^[27]^[28] Activation induces a significant conformational change in C4b, primarily involving the opening of the TED, which repositions the reactive thioester to access substrates within a radius of about 10 nm. This structural shift, including a ~10° rotation in the C345C domain, enhances the molecule's ability to tag pathogens or immune complexes for opsonization. The TED domain, as part of C4's overall protein architecture, plays a central role in this process.^[22]^[29] In human plasma, C4 is present at concentrations of 0.2–0.5 mg/mL, reflecting its role as a key circulating precursor in the complement cascade.^[3]^[30]

Role in Complement Pathways

Complement component 4 (C4) plays a central role in the classical and lectin pathways of the complement system, where its activation product C4b covalently binds to target surfaces and associates with cleaved C2 (C2a) to form the C3 convertase complex C4b2a.^[31] This convertase cleaves C3 into C3a and C3b, initiating a powerful amplification loop by generating multiple C3b molecules for further downstream activation, including the formation of the C5 convertase C4b2a3b.^[32] In the classical pathway, C4 is cleaved by the C1s serine protease within the C1qrs complex following recognition of antibody-antigen complexes, while in the lectin pathway, mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease-2 (MASP-2) performs the cleavage upon binding of mannose-binding lectin or ficolins to pathogen-associated carbohydrates. These mechanisms ensure targeted deposition of C4b on immune complexes or microbial surfaces, bridging innate recognition to effector functions. Although C4 is not directly involved in the alternative pathway, which initiates spontaneously via C3 hydrolysis and factor B/D assembly, it contributes indirectly by stabilizing convertase activity through crossover activation from the lectin pathway.^[32] Lectin pathway-generated C4b can deposit on surfaces and protect alternative pathway C3b from inactivation by factors H and I, thereby enhancing properdin-stabilized amplification loops on pathogens.^[33] This interplay allows C4 to modulate alternative pathway efficiency in certain contexts, such as during mixed-pathway responses to microbial threats. A key effector function of C4 is opsonization, mediated by C4b's covalent attachment to pathogens or host debris, which tags them for phagocytosis by binding complement receptor 1 (CR1, CD35) on macrophages, neutrophils, and other phagocytes.^[32] The stable degradation fragment C4d, generated from C4b by factor I and C4-binding protein, remains bound to surfaces and serves as a reliable biomarker for classical or lectin pathway activation in diagnostic assays.^[32] Beyond complement-mediated immunity, C4 exhibits non-canonical roles in tissue remodeling through interactions of its collagen-like region (CLR) with extracellular matrix components such as collagen and elastin, potentially influencing vascular stiffness and structural homeostasis via covalent thioester bonding.^[34]

Clinical Significance

Deficiencies and Autoimmune Diseases

Complete complement C4 deficiency, resulting from homozygous null alleles in both C4A and C4B genes, is extremely rare, with approximately 30 cases reported worldwide.^[35] This condition impairs the classical complement pathway by preventing opsonization and immune complex clearance, leading to a markedly elevated risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with over 75% of affected individuals developing SLE or a lupus-like disease. The relative risk for SLE in complete C4 deficiency is substantially higher than in the general population, underscoring its role as one of the strongest genetic risk factors for the disease.^[36]^[37]^[38] Partial C4 deficiencies, often involving heterozygous null alleles or reduced gene copy numbers, are more prevalent, affecting up to 1-10% of certain populations depending on ethnicity. These deficiencies are associated with increased susceptibility to autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune complex-mediated glomerulonephritis, where impaired C4 function exacerbates erythrocyte destruction and renal inflammation. Specifically, C4A deficiency correlates strongly with the production of SLE-related autoantibodies, such as anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La, due to diminished clearance of apoptotic cells and immune complexes, thereby promoting B-cell autoreactivity.^[39]^[40]^[41] Acquired reductions in C4 levels commonly occur during active SLE flares or in association with cryoglobulinemia, reflecting consumption of complement proteins in ongoing immune complex formation and deposition. In such cases, serum C4 levels below 10 mg/dL serve as a biomarker of disease activity, correlating with renal involvement and vasculitis. Therapeutic interventions like hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been shown to restore C4 levels in SLE patients; a 2024 retrospective cohort study demonstrated significant improvements in low C4 (and C3) levels upon HCQ initiation, particularly when whole blood HCQ concentrations exceeded 50 ng/mL, highlighting its role in modulating complement dysregulation.^[42]^[43]^[44]

Neuropsychiatric Associations and Recent Research

Complement component 4 (C4), particularly the C4A isoform, has been implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders through its role in excessive synaptic pruning mediated by microglia. High copy number variation (CNV) in C4A increases its expression in the brain, which promotes the tagging and engulfment of synapses by microglia, contributing to synaptic loss observed in schizophrenia.^[45] This mechanism was first detailed in human postmortem brain tissues and extended in recent animal models, where overexpression of human C4A in mice led to pathological synaptic elimination and behavioral deficits reminiscent of schizophrenia symptoms.^[46] Recent studies from 2023 to 2025 have further elucidated C4's associations with brain structure and clinical outcomes in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). Elevated C4A protein levels in serum are inversely correlated with frontal brain volumes in SSD patients, suggesting that heightened C4A activity may underlie cortical thinning in these conditions.^[47] Additionally, while higher C4 CNV appears protective against systemic sclerosis by modulating complement activation, a 2024 analysis suggests higher C4 CNV may be protective against suicide risk in schizophrenia.^[48]^[49] In neuroinflammation, C4 contributes to astrocyte-driven damage in neurodegenerative diseases. A 2025 study demonstrated that C4 amplifies astrocytic inflammatory responses in Parkinson's disease models, promoting α-synuclein pathology, neuronal apoptosis, and synaptic impairment through enhanced complement signaling.^[50] Conversely, in Alzheimer's disease, the protective APOE ε2 allele modulates C4 activity, reducing complement-mediated neuroinflammation, as identified in proteomic analyses linking these pathways to lower disease risk.^[51] Emerging research highlights C4-related genes in broader contexts with neuropsychiatric implications. The C4BPA gene, which regulates C4 activity, influences lipid metabolism in bovine mammary epithelial cells, potentially affecting the blood-milk barrier integrity and inflammation.^[52] These findings underscore the potential for complement-targeted therapies in psychosis, paving the way for inhibitors to mitigate excessive pruning and inflammation.^[53]

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