Deficiency of Superoxide Dismutase Impairs Generation of Activated Protein C and Enhances Susceptibility to Experimental Thrombosis in Mice

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 535-535
Author(s):  
Sanjana Dayal ◽  
Katina M Wilson ◽  
Ryan Hutchins ◽  
Steven R. Lentz
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Oxidative Modification ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Experimental Thrombosis ◽  
Increased Susceptibility

Abstract Abstract 535 In vitro studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species such as superoxide can produce several potentially prothrombotic effects, including enhanced platelet activation, increased tissue factor (TF) expression, and an oxidative modification in thrombomodulin that impairs its capacity to enhance the generation of activated protein C (APC) by thrombin. It is not known, however, if elevated levels of superoxide accelerate susceptibility to experimental thrombosis in vivo. Using a murine model that is genetically deficient in superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1, an antioxidant enzyme that dismutates superoxide to hydrogen peroxide), we tested the hypothesis that lack of superoxide dismutase enhances susceptibility to thrombosis. Additionally, we investigated the mechanisms of superoxide-enhanced thrombosis. First, we examined the susceptibility to carotid artery thrombosis in a photochemical injury model. We found that Sod1−/− mice formed stable occlusions significantly faster than Sod1+/+ or Sod1+/− mice (P<0.05). Further, using an inferior vena cava (IVC) stasis method we observed that Sod1−/− mice developed significantly larger thrombi 48 hours after IVC ligation (P<0.05 compared with Sod1+/+ or Sod1+/− mice). These findings suggest that deficiency of SOD1 leads to increased susceptibility to both arterial and venous thrombosis in mice. To address the mechanism of accelerated thrombosis, we first examined activation of platelets in response to multiple agonists using flow cytometry. After activation by thrombin (0.5 U/ml) and convulxin (200 ng/ml), no differences in surface expression of P-selectin or binding of fibrinogen to activated platelets were observed between Sod1−/−, Sod1+/+, or Sod1+/− mice, suggesting that increased susceptibility to thrombosis in Sod1−/− mice is not platelet mediated. Next, we measured expression of TF mRNA in lung by real time qPCR. TF mRNA levels in Sod1−/− mice were similar to those in Sod1+/+ mice, suggesting that deficiency of SOD1 does not influence TF expression in mice. Finally, we measured the activation of protein C in vivo in response to infusion of thrombin (40 U/Kg). Generation of activated protein C was significantly lower in Sod1−/− mice compared with Sod1+/+ mice (P<0.05). No differences in mRNA levels for thrombomodulin or endothelial protein C receptor were detected in Sod1−/− mice compared with Sod1+/+ mice (P=0.4 and 0.6 respectively), suggesting that altered generation of activated protein C in Sod1−/− mice may be related to a direct oxidative effect on thrombomodulin rather than to decreased expression of thrombomodulin or EPCR. We conclude that lack of SOD1 in mice accelerates thrombosis and impairs the protein C anticoagulant response to thrombin. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Abstract 34: Endogenous Superoxide Dismutase Protects From Impaired Generation of Activated Protein C and Enhanced Susceptibility to Experimental Thrombosis in Mice

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjana Dayal ◽  
Sean X Gu ◽  
Katinan M Wilson ◽  
Ryan Hutchins ◽  
Steven R Lentz
Keyword(s):  
Superoxide Dismutase ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Oxidative Modification ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Experimental Thrombosis

In vitro studies have suggested that reactive oxygen species such as superoxide can produce prothrombotic effects, including enhanced platelet activation, increased tissue factor (TF) expression, and an oxidative modification in thrombomodulin impairing its capacity to enhance the generation of activated protein C (APC) by thrombin. It is not known, however, if elevated levels of superoxide accelerate susceptibility to experimental thrombosis in vivo . We used mice genetically deficient in superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1, an antioxidant enzyme that dismutates superoxide to hydrogen peroxide), to test the hypothesis that lack of SOD1 enhances susceptibility to thrombosis. Susceptibility to carotid artery thrombosis in a photochemical injury model demonstrated that Sod1-/- mice formed stable occlusions significantly faster than Sod1+/+ mice (P<0.05). In an inferior vena cava (IVC) stasis model Sod1- /- mice developed significantly larger thrombi 48 hours after IVC ligation (P<0.05 vs. Sod1+/+ mice). After activation with thrombin (0.5 U/ml) or convulxin (200 ng/ml), no differences in surface expression of P-selectin or binding of fibrinogen were observed between platelets from Sod1-/- and Sod1+/+ mice. The expression of TF mRNA in lung measured by real time qPCR showed similar levels in Sod1-/- and Sod1 +/+ mice. However, the activation of exogenous protein C by thrombin in lung homogenates was decreased in Sod1 -/- mice (P<0.05 vs. Sod1 +/+ mice). Further, in vivo generation of activated protein C in response to thrombin (40 U/Kg) infusion was significantly lower in Sod1-/- mice (P<0.05 vs. Sod1+/+ mice). No differences in mRNA levels for thrombomodulin or endothelial protein C receptor were detected in Sod1 -/- mice vs. Sod1 +/+ mice, suggesting that altered generation of activated protein C in Sod1-/- mice may be related to a direct oxidative effect on thrombomodulin. In accordance, thrombomodulin treated with xanthine/hypoxanthine showed 40% loss of ability to activate protein C that was overcome by addition of SOD and catalase (P<0.05). We conclude that endogenous SOD1 in mice protects from impaired generation of activated protein C and accelerated thrombosis.

Activated protein C targets immune cells and rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts to prevent inflammatory arthritis in mice

Rheumatology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1850-1860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meilang Xue ◽  
Suat Dervish ◽  
Kelly J McKelvey ◽  
Lyn March ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Synovial Fibroblasts ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Mouse Thymus ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Thymus Cells ◽  
Proliferation And Invasion

Abstract Objectives To investigate whether activated protein C (APC), a physiological anticoagulant can inhibit the inflammatory/invasive properties of immune cells and rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts (RASFs) in vitro and prevent inflammatory arthritis in murine antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) and CIA models. Methods RASFs isolated from synovial tissues of patients with RA, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and mouse thymus cells were treated with APC or TNF-α/IL-17 and the following assays were performed: RASF proliferation and invasion by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell invasion assays, respectively; cytokines and signalling molecules using ELISA or western blot; Th1 and Th17 phenotypes in human PBMCs or mouse thymus cells by flow cytometry. The in vivo effect of APC was evaluated in AIA and CIA models. Results In vitro, APC inhibited IL-1β, IL-17 and TNF-α production, IL-17-stimulated cell proliferation and invasion and p21 and nuclear factor κB activation in RASFs. In mouse thymus cells and human PBMCs, APC suppressed Th1 and Th17 phenotypes. In vivo, APC inhibited pannus formation, cartilage destruction and arthritis incidence/severity in both CIA and AIA models. In CIA, serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α and soluble endothelial protein C receptor were significantly reduced by APC treatment. Blocking endothelial protein C receptor, the specific receptor for APC, abolished the early or preventative effect of APC in AIA. Conclusion APC prevents the onset and development of arthritis in CIA and AIA models via suppressing inflammation, Th1/Th17 phenotypes and RASF invasion, which is likely mediated via endothelial protein C receptor.

Recombinant human activated protein C upregulates cyclooxygenase-2 expression in endothelial cells via binding to endothelial cell protein C receptor and activation of protease-activated receptor-1

2005 ◽  
Vol 93 (04) ◽  
pp. 743-750 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Horn ◽  
Siegfried Lang ◽  
Kenji Fukudome ◽  
Adriane Nahrup ◽  
Ursula Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Cell Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Drotrecogin Alfa Activated ◽  
Cox 2 ◽  
Vitro Effect

SummaryProstacyclin (PGI2) has beneficial cytoprotective properties, is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and has been reported to improve microcirculatory blood flow during sepsis. The formation of PGI2 in response to proinflammatory cytokines is catalysed by the inducible cyclooxygenase (COX) isoform COX-2. Recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC, drotrecogin alfa (activated)) was shown to have multiple biological activities in vitro and to promote resolution of organ dysfunction in septic patients. Whether rhAPC exerts its beneficial effects by modulating prostanoid generation is unknown up to now. It was therefore the aim of the study to examine the in vitro effect of rhAPC on COX-2-mRNA-expression and PGI2 release from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). We found that rhAPC, at supra-therapeutical concentrations (500ng/ml-20μg/ ml), upregulated the amount of COX-2-mRNA in HUVEC at t=3–9h and caused a time- and dose-dependent release of 6-keto PGF1α, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin. RhAPC further increased the stimulating effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and thrombin on COX-2-mRNA-levels. Transcript levels of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and prostagland-in I2 synthase, however, were unaffected by the stimulation with rhAPC or thrombin. The upregulatory effect on COX2-mRNA levels was specific for rhAPC since the zymogen protein C in equimolar concentrations had no effect on COX-2-mRNA-levels or 6keto PGF1α-release. Western Blot analysis revealed an increase of COX-2-protein content in HUVEC after treatment with rhAPC. As shown by experiments using monoclonal antibodies against the thrombin receptor PAR-1 (mAb=ATAP2) and against the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR; mAb=RCR-252), the effect of rhAPC on COX-2-mRNA up-regulation was mediated by binding to the EPCR-receptor and signaling via PAR-1. These results demonstrate that induction of COX-2-expression is an important response of HUVEC to stimulation with rhAPC and may represent a new molecular mechanism, by which rhAPC promotes upregulation of prostanoid production in human endothelium.

Effects of oral anticoagulant therapy and haplotype 1 of the endothelial protein C receptor gene on activated protein C levels

2012 ◽  
Vol 107 (03) ◽  
pp. 448-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Medina ◽  
Elena Bonet ◽  
Silvia Navarro ◽  
Laura Martos ◽  
Amparo Estellés ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant Therapy ◽  
Receptor Gene ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Haplotype 1

SummaryOral anticoagulants (OACs) reduce activated protein C (APC) plasma levels less than those of protein C (PC) in lupus erythematosus and cardiac patients. Carriers of the H1 haplotype of the endothelial PC receptor gene (PROCR) have higher APC levels than non-carriers. We aimed to confirm these results in a large group of patients treated with OACs because of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and to assess whether the effect is influenced by the PROCR H1 haplotype. We evaluated APC, PC, and factor (F)II levels in 502 VTE patients (158 with and 344 without OACs) and in 322 healthy individuals. Mean APC, PC and FII levels were significantly lower in OAC patients than in patients not taking OACs. During anticoagulant therapy, the FII/PC ratios were independent of the PC values, whereas APC/FII and APC/PC ratios significantly increased when FII and PC levels decreased. Of the 22 OAC patients carrying the H1H1genotype, 11 (50%) showed APC/PCag ≥2.0 and 10 (45%) APC/ FIIag ratios ≥2.0, whereas for the 49 OAC patients non-carrying the H1 haplotype these figures were 6 (12%) and 4 (8%), respectively (p<0.001). Barium citrate adsorption of plasma from OAC patients showed that most of the circulating free and complexed APC, but only part of PCag, is fully carboxylated. In conclusion, during anticoagulant therapy VT patients have APC levels disproportionately higher than the corresponding PC levels, mainly due to the presence of the PROCR H1 haplotype. Furthermore, a sufficiently carboxylated PC Gla-domain seems to be essential for PC activation in vivo.

Histones, Like Platelet Factor 4 (PF4), Affect Generation of Activated Protein C: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Severe Sepsis

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 530-530
Author(s):  
M. Anna Kowalska ◽  
Guohua Zhao ◽  
George David ◽  
Mortimer Poncz
Keyword(s):  
Severe Sepsis ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Platelet Factor 4 ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Maximal Increase ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Positively Charged ◽  
Formation Of Complexes

Abstract Abstract 530 Platelet factor 4 (PF4) increases aPC generation by the thrombin (IIa)/thrombomodulin (TM) complex and may impact outcome in sepsis. PF4's effect on aPC generation follows a biphasic curve when tested in solution, on human TM expressing HEK293, and on primary endothelial cells (ECs) with a peak concentration at around 25 μg/ml. Formation of complexes at a specific molar ratio between positively-charged tetramers of PF4 and negatively-charged chondroitin sulfate (CS) on the TM glycosaminoglycan (GAG) is crucial for the increase in aPC generation. Other positively-charged molecules like protamine sulfate (PRT) affect aPC generation in a similar manner, and heparin, which is known to bind PF4 and PRT more avidly than CS, lowers effective PF4 or PRT concentrations. Here we examined whether histones, that are also small positively-charged molecules, affect aPC generation. Histones released from cells in sepsis are cytotoxic toward ECs and lethal when injected into mice, and aPC reverses this lethality. May histones affect aPC generation by the same mechanism as other positively-charged molecules, and how does the presence of PF4 or heparin influence this effect? We have addressed these questions both in solution and with TM-expressing cells, in the absence or presence of endothelial protein C receptor. We found that individual, or mixed histones affect aPC formation following a similar biphasic curve seen with PF4 with a peak effect at around 10 μg/ml but to lesser extent (2-fold maximal increase compared to 6-fold for PF4). Histones and PF4 are additive at low concentrations; however, more importantly, histones only decreased aPC generation when tested in the presence of optimal or higher PF4 concentration (>25 μg/ml). Just as with PF4, added heparin decreased effective histone concentration and shifted the curve for aPC generation to the right, both in the absence or presence of PF4. We hypothesize that normally PF4 released from platelets augments aPC generation and low concentration of histones have similar effect. But when histones are released in sepsis in high concentrations, their interaction with CS on TM blocks formation of complexes between PF4 and TM's CS that are optimal for maximal increase of aPC generation. Further we tested the effect of histones on aPC generation in vivo. Injection of histones in mice increased IIa-induced (2U/kg) aPC generation in plasma. This increase was concentration dependent (at 1 to 20 mg/kg increasing aPC generation up to 10-fold), but injection of higher amount of histones (40 mg/kg) became lethal. Mice that were overexpressing human PF4 had an increased lethality when histones at 40 mg/kg were co-injected with thrombin (2U/kg) over the littermate mice deficient in murine PF4 (60% vs. 0% mortality, respectively, n=5 for each group) suggesting that in vivo histones may also act additively with PF4 on aPC generation. We propose that in severe septic patients, especially those with high levels of released PF4, concurrently available histones suppress aPC generation. By binding to the excess of PF4 and/or histones, heparin may be beneficial in severe sepsis by allowing improved aPC generation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Hyperantithrombotic, noncytoprotective Glu149Ala-activated protein C mutant

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (23) ◽  
pp. 5970-5978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent O. Mosnier ◽  
Antonella Zampolli ◽  
Edward J. Kerschen ◽  
Reto A. Schuepbach ◽  
Yajnavalka Banerjee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Antithrombotic Activity ◽  
Cytoprotective Activity ◽  
Protease Activated Receptor 1

Abstract Activated protein C (APC) reduces mortality in severe sepsis patients. APC exerts anticoagulant activities via inactivation of factors Va and VIIIa and cytoprotective activities via endothelial protein C receptor and protease-activated receptor-1. APC mutants with selectively altered and opposite activity profiles, that is, greatly reduced anticoagulant activity or greatly reduced cytoprotective activities, are compared here. Glu149Ala-APC exhibited enhanced in vitro anticoagulant and in vivo antithrombotic activity, but greatly diminished in vitro cytoprotective effects and in vivo reduction of endotoxin-induced murine mortality. Thus, residue Glu149 and the C-terminal region of APC's light chain are identified as functionally important for expression of multiple APC activities. In contrast to Glu149Ala-APC, 5A-APC (Lys191-193Ala + Arg229/230Ala) with protease domain mutations lacked in vivo antithrombotic activity, although it was potent in reducing endotoxin-induced mortality, as previously shown. These data imply that APC molecular species with potent antithrombotic activity, but without robust cytoprotective activity, are not sufficient to reduce mortality in endotoxemia, emphasizing the need for APC's cytoprotective actions, but not anticoagulant actions, to reduce endotoxin-induced mortality. Protein engineering can provide APC mutants that permit definitive mechanism of action studies for APC's multiple activities, and may also provide safer and more effective second-generation APC mutants with reduced bleeding risk.

Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibodies Inhibit PF4-Dependent Enhancement of Activated Protein C Formation by Binding to Antigenic Complexes Formed with the Chondroitin Sulfate Side-Chain of Thrombomodulin

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 721-721
Author(s):  
M. Anna Kowalska ◽  
Lubica Rauova ◽  
Vincent Hayes ◽  
Douglas B. Cines ◽  
Daniel W. Bougie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chondroitin Sulfate ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Heparin Complexes

Abstract Abstract 721 Previous studies have shown that platelet factor 4 (PF4) increases activated protein C (aPC) generation both in vitro and in vivo. PF4 increase of aPC generation by thrombin (IIa) and thrombomodulin (TM) complex followed a bell-shaped curve when tested in solution, on human TM expressing HEK293 and on endothelial cells. PF4 failed to enhance aPC in the presence of chondroitin sulfate (CS)-free TM. These results were consistent with PF4 binding to the CS on the TM glycosaminoglycan (GAG) domain and forming complexes that are similar to PF4/GAG antigenic complexes seen in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We tested the hypothesis that PF4 forms a HIT-like antigenic complex with the TM-CS using the HIT-like monoclonal antibody KKO. KKO abolished the potentiating effects of PF4 on aPC formation measured with TM in solution or with a TM-expressing cell line. To further address the nature of complexes formed between PF4 and TM, we used a mutant of PF4, PF4T38Q, which forms complexes with GAGs that are not recognized by KKO and a subgroup of HIT antibodies. Similar to PF4, PF4T38Q potentiated TM-dependent aPC generation in a bell-shaped manner, but this potentiation was not blocked by KKO. Moreover, KKO did not have any effect when PF4 was replaced with protamine sulfate (PS), which can also form macromolecular complexes with heparin/GAGs and can also enhance aPC generation. We also tested HIT antibodies isolated from patients that developed HIT with thrombocytopenia and thromboembolism developing >4 days after the last exposure to heparin. Patient IgGs specific for PF4/GAG complex were purified using PF4 bound to heparin columns. Specific binding of antibodies to PF4/heparin complexes was checked by ELISA. Complex-specific antibodies were then tested in an aPC generation assay in the presence IIa and TM and near peak concentration of PF4 and compared to a control human IgG. Three of four patient‘s antibodies significantly inhibited the increase in aPC generation in the presence of PF4. These studies provide evidence that HIT-like PF4/GAG complexes develop naturally in vivo. In this case, the ability of HIT or HIT-like antibodies to specifically inhibit the PF4-dependent increase in aPC formation may contribute to the prothrombotic state in HIT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Protein S Coordinates the Inhibition of Prothrombinase By Tfpiα and Activated Protein C

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 2386-2386
Author(s):  
Xian Li ◽  
Sara J Bidarian ◽  
Martha Sim ◽  
Xiaohong Song ◽  
Jeremy P. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Anticoagulant Activity ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Complement Factor ◽  
Protein Assay ◽  
The Impact

Background: Protein S (PS), a vitamin K-dependent plasma glycoprotein, functions as a cofactor for the anticoagulants activated protein C (APC) and tissue factor (TF) pathway inhibitor alpha (TFPIa), which inhibit factors Va (FVa) and Xa (FXa), respectively. Although it is unclear which of these functions is/are important in vivo, homozygous deficiency of PS is associated with life-threatening thrombosis shortly after birth. FVa and FXa form the prothrombinase complex, which generates thrombin, suggesting that PS has a role in the direct inhibition of thrombin production. However, neither the PS/APC nor PS/TFPIα system alone is effective at inhibiting thrombin generation by prothrombinase. In addition to its role in regulating coagulation, PS also functions as an inhibitor of the complement system. Approximately 60% of plasma PS circulates bound to complement factor C4bp, which blocks its anticoagulant activity. We sought to determine the impact of PS/APC on TFPIα function, and vice versa, using purified protein and plasma-based systems. Methods and Results: To assess the effect of the combined PS/APC and PS/TFPIα systems on thrombin generation, we supplemented plasma with thrombomodulin, which promotes APC activation. In the absence of thrombomodulin, 5nM TFPIα decreased peak thrombin by 55.1% (33.1±1.9 nM in the presence of TFPIα vs. 73.7±39.9 nM in the absence) and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) by 35.4% (475±42 nM*min vs. 735±189nM*min). In the presence of thrombomodulin, TFPIα decreased these parameters by 65.7% (11.4 ± 2.6 nM) and 77.5% (107±22 nM*min), respectively, suggesting that APC makes TFPIα a more potent inhibitor of thrombin generation. We next sought to study each of these PS functions in a purified protein system and in plasma. To study the effect of PS/APC on TFPIα function, we produced a recombinant protein consisting of the first two epidermal growth factor-like domains of PS (EGF1-2), which contain the putative APC binding sites. In a purified protein assay, APC inhibited the rate of thrombin activation by prothrombinase by 19.62±0.01% in the absence of PS and by 34.96±0.02% in the presence of 50nM PS. EGF1-2 dose-dependently reversed the effect of PS, with 75% reversal achieved with the addition of 200nM EGF1-2. Unexpectedly, EGF1-2 had the opposite effect in plasma thrombin generation assays and potently inhibited TF-initiated thrombin generation either in the presence or absence of thrombomodulin. We hypothesize that the EGF1-2 domains also form part of the C4bp binding site, and that addition of EGF1-2 protein resulted in release of PS from C4bp and an increase in the anticoagulant PS pool. In support of this hypothesis, EGF1-2 had no effect on thrombin generation in PS-depleted plasma, which is also depleted of C4bp. When the PS-depleted plasma was supplemented with 150nM PS, EGF1-2 had the expected procoagulant activity (increasing peak thrombin from 50.4±19.9 nM to 90.4±6.0 nM). Notably, even with a saturating concentration of EGF1-2, thrombomodulin and PS significantly decreased thrombin generation, suggesting that PS-TFPIα-mediated FXa inhibition promotes APC-mediated FVa degradation, even if PS cannot directly bind APC. We similarly assessed the impact of the PS-TFPI function, using a protein from the saliva of black flies, "black fly protease inhibitor" (BFPI), which contains the TFPIα domain that inhibits FXa but lacks the domain that binds PS. BFPI inhibits free FXa similarly to TFPIα, but PS does not promote this inhibition. Like TFPIα, BFPI is a poor inhibitor of thrombin generation by prothrombinase containing thrombin-activated FVa (5 nM BFPI had no impact on thrombin generation in the presence or absence of PS). However, in the presence of APC and PS, 5nM BFPI decreased the maximum rate of thrombin generation by 17.3±3.3%. These data suggest that PS/APC-mediated degradation of FVa promotes TFPIα-mediated inhibition of FXa, regardless of whether PS is able to bind TFPIα. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the PS-APC and PS-TFPIα systems cooperatively regulate thrombin generation by prothrombinase. While maximal inhibition requires that PS act as a cofactor for both APC and TFPIα, PS-APC independently promotes TFPIα function, and PS-TFPIα separately promotes APC. Based on these data, we propose a model in which PS-APC-mediated inhibition of FVa renders FXa susceptible to TFPIα and vice versa. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

scholarly journals Cell painting with an engineered EPCR to augment the protein C system

2015 ◽  
Vol 114 (12) ◽  
pp. 1144-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eveline A. M. Bouwens ◽  
Fabian Stavenuiter ◽  
Laurent O. Mosnier
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Gpi Anchor ◽  
Akt Phosphorylation ◽  
Caveolin 1 ◽  
Dose Dependent

SummaryThe protein C (PC) system conveys beneficial anticoagulant and cytoprotective effects in numerous in vivo disease models. The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) plays a central role in these pathways as cofactor for PC activation and by enhancing activated protein C (APC)-mediated protease-activated receptor (PAR) activation. During inflammatory disease, expression of EPCR on cell membranes is often diminished thereby limiting PC activation and APC’s effects on cells. Here a caveolae-targeting glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored EPCR (EPCR-GPI) was engineered to restore EPCR’s bioavailability via “cell painting.” The painting efficiency of EPCR-GPI on EPCR-depleted endothelial cells was time- and dose-dependent. The EPCR-GPI bioavailability after painting was long lasting since EPCR surface levels reached 400 % of wild-type cells after 2 hours and remained > 200 % for 24 hours. EPCR-GPI painting conveyed APC binding to EPCR-depleted endothelial cells where EPCR was lost due to shedding or shRNA. EPCR painting normalised PC activation on EPCR-depleted cells indicating that EPCR-GPI is functional active on painted cells. Caveolin-1 lipid rafts were enriched in EPCR after painting due to the GPI-anchor targeting caveolae. Accordingly, EPCR painting supported PAR1 and PAR3 cleavage by APC and augmented PAR1-dependent Akt phosphorylation by APC. Thus, EPCR-GPI painting achieved physiological relevant surface levels on endothelial cells, restored APC binding to EPCR-depleted cells, supported PC activation, and enhanced APC-mediated PAR cleavage and cytoprotective signalling. Therefore, EPCRGPI provides a novel tool to restore the bioavailability and functionality of EPCR on EPCR- depleted and -deficient cells.

scholarly journals Cytoprotective signaling by activated protein C requires protease-activated receptor-3 in podocytes

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (3) ◽  
pp. 874-883 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thati Madhusudhan ◽  
Hongjie Wang ◽  
Beate K. Straub ◽  
Elisabeth Gröne ◽  
Qianxing Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein C ◽  
Activated Protein C ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Endothelial Protein C Receptor ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
Proteolytic Activation ◽  
Caveolin 1 ◽  
Cell Type Specific ◽  
Protease Activated Receptor 1

Abstract The cytoprotective effects of activated protein C (aPC) are well established. In contrast, the receptors and signaling mechanism through which aPC conveys cytoprotection in various cell types remain incompletely defined. Thus, within the renal glomeruli, aPC preserves endothelial cells via a protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) and endothelial protein C receptor-dependent mechanism. Conversely, the signaling mechanism through which aPC protects podocytes remains unknown. While exploring the latter, we identified a novel aPC/PAR-dependent cytoprotective signaling mechanism. In podocytes, aPC inhibits apoptosis through proteolytic activation of PAR-3 independent of endothelial protein C receptor. PAR-3 is not signaling competent itself as it requires aPCinduced heterodimerization with PAR-2 (human podocytes) or PAR-1 (mouse podocytes). This cytoprotective signaling mechanism depends on caveolin-1 dephosphorylation. In vivo aPC protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced podocyte injury and proteinuria. Genetic deletion of PAR-3 impairs the nephroprotective effect of aPC, demonstrating the crucial role of PAR-3 for aPC-dependent podocyte protection. This novel, aPC-mediated interaction of PARs demonstrates the plasticity and cell-specificity of cytoprotective aPC signaling. The evidence of specific, dynamic signaling complexes underlying aPC-mediated cytoprotection may allow the design of cell type specific targeted therapies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document