scholarly journals Endogenous activated protein C limits cancer cell extravasation through sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1–mediated vascular endothelial barrier enhancement

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1968-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geerte L. Van Sluis ◽  
Tatjana M.H. Niers ◽  
Charles T. Esmon ◽  
Wikky Tigchelaar ◽  
Dick J. Richel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Vascular Leakage ◽  
Endothelial Barrier ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate

Activated protein C (APC) has both anticoagulant activity and direct cell-signaling properties. APC has been reported to promote cancer cell migration/invasion and to inhibit apoptosis and therefore may exacerbate metastasis. Opposing these activities, APC signaling protects the vascular endothelial barrier through sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1 (S1P1)activation, which may counteract cancer cell extravasation. Here, we provide evidence that endogenous APC limits cancer cell extravasation, with in vivo use of monoclonal antibodies against APC. The protective effect of endogenous APC depends on its signaling properties. The MAPC1591 antibody that only blocks anticoagulant activity of APC does not affect cancer cell extravasation as opposed to MPC1609 that blocks anticoagulant and signaling properties of APC. Combined administration of anti-APC antibodies and S1P1 agonist (SEW2871) resulted in a similar number of pulmonary foci in mice in presence and absence of APC, indicating that the protective effect of APC depends on the S1P1 pathway. Moreover, endogenous APC prevents cancer cell–induced vascular leakage as assessed by the Evans Blue Dye assay, and SEW2871 treatment reversed MPC1609-dependent vascular leakage. Finally, we show that cancer cells combined with MPC1609 treatment diminished endothelial VE-cadherin expression. In conclusion, endogenous APC limits cancer cell extravasation because of S1P1-mediated VE-cadherin–dependent vascular barrier enhancement.

scholarly journals Activated Protein C (APC) and 3K3A-APC-Induced Regression of Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) Is Accompanied by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Reduction

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 358
Author(s):  
Tami Livnat ◽  
Yehonatan Weinberger ◽  
José A Fernández ◽  
Alaa Bashir ◽  
Gil Ben-David ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Choroidal Neovascularization ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Fluorescein Isothiocyanate ◽  
Vascular Endothelial ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

The activated protein C (APC) ability to inhibit choroidal neovascularization (CNV) growth and leakage was recently shown in a murine model. A modified APC, 3K3A-APC, was designed to reduce anticoagulant activity while maintaining full cytoprotective properties, thus diminishing bleeding risk. We aimed to study the ability of 3K3A-APC to induce regression of CNV and evaluate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) role in APC’s activities in the retina. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation on C57BL/6J mice. APC and 3K3A-APC were injected intravitreally after verification of CNV presence. CNV volume and vascular penetration were evaluated on retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE)-choroid flatmount by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran imaging. VEGF levels were measured using immunofluorescence anti-VEGF staining. We found that 3K3A-APC induced regression of pre-existing CNV. VEGF levels, measured in the CNV lesion sites, significantly decreased upon APC and 3K3A-APC treatment. Reduction in VEGF was sustained 14 days post a single APC injection. As 3K3A-APC retained APCs’ activities, we conclude that the anticoagulant properties of APC are not mandatory for APC activities in the retina and that VEGF reduction may contribute to the protective effects of APC and 3K3A-APC. Our results highlight the potential use of 3K3A-APC as a novel treatment for CNV and other ocular pathologies.

Endothelial barrier protection by activated protein C through PAR1-dependent sphingosine 1–phosphate receptor-1 crossactivation

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 105 (8) ◽  
pp. 3178-3184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clemens Feistritzer ◽  
Matthias Riewald
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Sphingosine Kinase ◽  
Receptor Activation ◽  
Endothelial Barrier ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Barrier Integrity ◽  
Sphingosine 1 Phosphate ◽  
S1p Receptor

AbstractEndothelial cells normally form a dynamically regulated barrier at the blood-tissue interface, and breakdown of this barrier is a key pathogenic factor in inflammatory disorders such as sepsis. Pro-inflammatory signaling by the blood coagulation protease thrombin through protease activated receptor-1 (PAR1) can disrupt endothelial barrier integrity, whereas the bioactive lipid sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) recently has been demonstrated to have potent barrier protective effects. Activated protein C (APC) inhibits thrombin generation and has potent anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we show that APC enhanced endothelial barrier integrity in a dual-chamber system dependent on binding to endothelial protein C receptor, activation of PAR1, and activity of cellular sphingosine kinase. Small interfering RNA that targets sphingosine kinase-1 or S1P receptor-1 blocked this protective signaling by APC. Incubation of cells with PAR1 agonist peptide or low concentrations of thrombin (∼ 40 pM) had a similar barrier-enhancing effect. These results demonstrate that PAR1 activation on endothelial cells can have opposite biologic effects, reveal a role for cross-communication between the prototypical barrier-protective S1P and barrier-disruptive PAR1 pathway, and suggest that S1P receptor-1 mediates protective effects of APC in systemic inflammation.

Dermatan Sulfate and LMW Heparin Enhance the Anticoagulant Action of Activated Protein C

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 1462-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Fernández ◽  
Jari Petäjä ◽  
John Griffin
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Unfractionated Heparin ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Dermatan Sulfate ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Factor V ◽  
Factor Va ◽  
Anticoagulant Action

SummaryUnfractionated heparin potentiates the anticoagulant action of activated protein C (APC) through several mechanisms, including the recently described enhancement of proteolytic inactivation of factor V. Possible anticoagulant synergism between APC and physiologic glycosaminoglycans, pharmacologic low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), and other heparin derivatives was studied. Dermatan sulfate showed potent APC-enhancing effect. Commercial LMWHs showed differing abilities to promote APC activity, and the molecular weight of LMWHs correlated with enhancement of APC activity. Degree of sulfation of the glycosaminoglycans influenced APC enhancement. However, because dextran sulfates did not potentiate APC action, the presence of sulfate groups per se on a polysaccharide is not sufficient for APC enhancement. As previously for unfractionated heparin, APC anticoagulant activity was enhanced by glycosaminoglycans when factor V but not factor Va was the substrate. Thus, dermatan sulfate and LMWHs exhibit APC enhancing activity in vitro that could be of physiologic and pharmacologic significance.

Platelet-mediated proteolytic down regulation of the anticoagulant activity of protein S in individuals with haematological malignancies

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (03) ◽  
pp. 468-476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilze Dienava-Verdoold ◽  
Marina R. Marchetti ◽  
Liane C. J. te Boome ◽  
Laura Russo ◽  
Anna Falanga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Normal Values ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Intact Protein ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Independent Protein

SummaryThe natural anticoagulant protein S contains a so-called thrombin-sensitive region (TSR), which is susceptible to proteolytic cleavage. We have previously shown that a platelet-associated protease is able to cleave protein S under physiological plasma conditions in vitro. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation between platelet-associated protein S cleaving activity and in vivo protein S cleavage, and to evaluate the impact of in vivo protein S cleavage on its anticoagulant activity. Protein S cleavage in healthy subjects and in thrombocytopenic and thrombocythaemic patients was evaluated by immunological techniques. Concentration of cleaved and intact protein S was correlated to levels of activated protein C (APC)-dependent and APC-independent protein S anticoagulant activity. In plasma from healthy volunteers 25% of protein S is cleaved in the TSR. While in plasma there was a clear positive correlation between levels of intact protein S and both APC-dependent and APC-independent protein S anticoagulant activities, these correlations were absent for cleaved protein S. Protein S cleavage was significantly increased in patients with essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and significantly reduced in patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. In ET patients on cytoreductive therapy, both platelet count and protein S cleavage returned to normal values. Accordingly, platelet transfusion restored cleavage of protein S to normal values in patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. In conclusion, proteases from platelets seem to contribute to the presence of cleaved protein S in the circulation and may enhance the coagulation response in vivo by down regulating the anticoagulant activity of protein S.

scholarly journals Activated protein C anticoagulant activity is enhanced by skeletal muscle myosin

Haematologica ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (8) ◽  
pp. e424-e427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary J. Heeb ◽  
José A. Fernández ◽  
Atsuki Yamashita ◽  
Olivia R. McDowell ◽  
Zihan Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Myosin ◽  
Muscle Myosin

Evidence that the Protein C Activation Pathway Amplifies the lnhibition of Thrombin Generation by Recombinant Human Thrombomodulin in Plasma

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (03) ◽  
pp. 423-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rika ohishi ◽  
Naoko watanabe ◽  
Masaharu Aritomi ◽  
Komakazu Gomi ◽  
Takao Kiyota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Inhibitory Action ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Phospholipid Vesicles ◽  
Activation Pathway ◽  
Activated Platelets ◽  
Rapid Generation

SummaryThrombomodulin (TM) is a cofactor for the thrombin-catalyzed activation of anticoagulant protein C. However, we have no evidence that thrombomodulin actually activates protein C during blood coagulation processing, nor do we know whether this activated protein C acts as an anticoagulant. We studied the inhibitory action of recombinant human soluble TM (rhs-TM) on thrombin generation in whole plasma. Human plasma was activated with small amounts of tissue factor using phospholipid vesicles in place of activated platelets. Thrombin generation was observed. The addition of only 2 nM of rhs-TM prevented rapid generation of thrombin and reduced the total amount of thrombin generated. In order to study the influence of the protein C activation pathway on this inhibitory action of rhs-TM, protein C-depleted plasma was used. rhs-TM had little inhibitory effect on protein C-depleted plasma. However, the addition of protein C caused a delay in thrombin generation and a reduction of the maximum thrombin concentration. We concluded that the anticoagulant activity of rhs-TM was amplified by the protein C activation pathway.

Inhibition of Activated Protein C Anticoagulant Activity by Prothrombin

Blood ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 94 (11) ◽  
pp. 3839-3846 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mikhail D. Smirnov ◽  
Omid Safa ◽  
Naomi L. Esmon ◽  
Charles T. Esmon
Keyword(s):  
Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Thrombotic Risk ◽  
Factor Va

Abstract In this study, we test the hypothesis that prothrombin levels may modulate activated protein C (APC) anticoagulant activity. Prothrombin in purified systems or plasma dramatically inhibited the ability of APC to inactivate factor Va and to anticoagulate plasma. This was not due solely to competition for binding to the membrane surface, as prothrombin also inhibited factor Va inactivation by APC in the absence of a membrane surface. Compared with normal factor Va, inactivation of factor Va Leiden by APC was much less sensitive to prothrombin inhibition. This may account for the observation that the Leiden mutation has less of an effect on plasma-based clotting assays than would be predicted from the purified system. Reduction of protein C levels to 20% of normal constitutes a significant risk of thrombosis, yet these levels are observed in neonates and patients on oral anticoagulant therapy. In both situations, the correspondingly low prothrombin levels would result in an increased effectiveness of the remaining functional APC of ≈5-fold. Thus, while the protein C activation system is impaired by the reduction in protein C levels, the APC that is formed is a more effective anticoagulant, allowing protein C levels to be reduced without significant thrombotic risk. In situations where prothrombin is high and protein C levels are low, as in early stages of oral anticoagulant therapy, the reduction in protein C would result only in impaired function of the anticoagulant system, possibly explaining the tendency for warfarin-induced skin necrosis.

Activated protein C prevents LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury by inhibiting cytokine production

1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (2) ◽  
pp. L197-L202 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Murakami ◽  
K. Okajima ◽  
M. Uchiba ◽  
M. Johno ◽  
T. Nakagaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Injury ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Cytokine Production ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Weight Ratio ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Endothelial Damage ◽  
Factor X

We investigated the effect of activated protein C (APC) on pulmonary vascular injury and the increase in tumor necrosis factor (TNF) levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats to determine whether APC reduces LPS-induced endothelial damage by inhibiting cytokine production. Intravenously administered LPS (5 mg/kg) induced pulmonary vascular injury, as indicated by an increase in the lung wet-to-dry weight ratio. LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury was prevented by APC but not by active site-blocked factor Xa [dansyl glutamyl-glycyl-arginyl chloromethyl detone-treated activated factor X (DEGR-Xa)], a selective inhibitor of thrombin generation, or inactivated APC [diisopropyl fluorophosphate-treated APC (DIP-APC)]. APC, but not DEGR-Xa or DIP-APC, significantly inhibited the LPS-induced increase in the plasma level of TNF. APC significantly inhibited the production of TNF by LPS-stimulated monocytes in a dose-dependent fashion in vitro, but DIP-APC did not. APC did not inhibit the functions of activated neutrophils in vitro. These findings suggest that APC prevented LPS-induced pulmonary vascular injury by inhibiting TNF production by monocytes and not via its anticoagulant activity. The serine protease activity of APC appears to be essential for inhibition of TNF production.

scholarly journals Activated protein C protects against ventilator-induced pulmonary capillary leak

2009 ◽  
Vol 296 (6) ◽  
pp. L1002-L1011 ◽  
Author(s):  
James H. Finigan ◽  
Adel Boueiz ◽  
Emily Wilkinson ◽  
Rachel Damico ◽  
Jarrett Skirball ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Injury ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Coagulation System ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Capillary Leakage ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Pulmonary Endothelium ◽  
Pulmonary Capillary

The coagulation system is central to the pathophysiology of acute lung injury. We have previously demonstrated that the anticoagulant activated protein C (APC) prevents increased endothelial permeability in response to edemagenic agonists in endothelial cells and that this protection is dependent on the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR). We currently investigate the effect of APC in a mouse model of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). C57BL/6J mice received spontaneous ventilation (control) or mechanical ventilation (MV) with high (HVT; 20 ml/kg) or low (LVT; 7 ml/kg) tidal volumes for 2 h and were pretreated with APC or vehicle via jugular vein 1 h before MV. In separate experiments, mice were ventilated for 4 h and received APC 30 and 150 min after starting MV. Indices of capillary leakage included bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) total protein and Evans blue dye (EBD) assay. Changes in pulmonary EPCR protein and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) were assessed using SDS-PAGE. Thrombin generation was measured via plasma thrombin-antithrombin complexes. HVT induced pulmonary capillary leakage, as evidenced by significant increases in BAL protein and EBD extravasation, without significantly increasing thrombin production. HVT also caused significant decreases in pulmonary, membrane-bound EPCR protein levels and increases in pulmonary ROCK-1. APC treatment significantly decreased pulmonary leakage induced by MV when given either before or after initiation of MV. Protection from capillary leakage was associated with restoration of EPCR protein expression and attenuation of ROCK-1 expression. In addition, mice overexpressing EPCR on the pulmonary endothelium were protected from HVT-mediated injury. Finally, gene microarray analysis demonstrated that APC significantly altered the expression of genes relevant to vascular permeability at the ontology (e.g., blood vessel development) and specific gene (e.g., MAPK-associated kinase 2 and integrin-β6) levels. These findings indicate that APC is barrier-protective in VILI and that EPCR is a critical participant in APC-mediated protection.

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