Collagen-platelet interaction: Gly-Pro-Hyp is uniquely specific for platelet Gp VI and mediates platelet activation by collagen

OBJECTIVE

Peptides consisting of a repeat Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence are potent platelet agonists. The aim of this study was: (1) to examine the specificity of this sequence for platelet activation; (2) to confirm its recognition by platelet glycoprotein VI; and (3) to assess with suitable peptides the relative importance of glycoprotein VI and integrin alpha 2 beta 1 in platelet activation by collagen.

METHODS

Peptides were synthesized by standard Fmoc chemistry and tested for their ability to support adhesion of human platelets and HT 1080 cells, induce platelet aggregation, bind integrin alpha 2 subunit A-domain and to cause tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet proteins.

RESULTS

(1) Peptides consisting of a repeat Gly-Pro-Pro, Gly-Pro-Ala or Gly-Pro-Arg sequence exhibited little if any platelet-reactivity. (2) The platelet-reactive peptide consisting of a repeating Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence failed to induce tyrosine phosphorylation in glycoprotein VI-deficient platelets. Platelet adhesion to this peptide was inhibited by intact anti-glycoprotein VI antibody and its Fab fragment. The latter inhibited aggregation by the peptide and fibres of both collagens I and III. (3) A peptide containing a 15-mer alpha 2 beta 1-binding sequence in a repeat Gly-Pro-Pro structure supported alpha 2 beta 1-mediated platelet and HT 1080 cell adhesion and bound alpha 2 A-domain, but failed to activate platelets or to induce tyrosine phosphorylation. Conversely, a peptide containing this sequence but with an essential Glu replaced by Ala and inserted in a repeat Gly-Pro-Hyp structure did not recognize alpha 2 beta 1, but was highly platelet activatory.

CONCLUSIONS

Platelet activation by collagen involves the highly-specific recognition of the Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence by platelet glycoprotein VI. Recognition of alpha 2 beta 1 is insufficient to cause activation. Interaction between collagen and glycoprotein VI is unique since Gly-Pro-Hyp is common in collagens but occurs rarely in other proteins, and glycoprotein VI may be expressed solely by platelets. This sequence could provide a basis for a highly-specific anti-thrombotic reagent to control thrombosis associated with plaque rupture.

Identification in collagen type I of an integrin alpha2 beta1-binding site containing an essential GER sequence

The collagen type I-derived fragment alpha1(I)CB3 is known to recognize the platelet collagen receptor integrin alpha2beta1 as effectively as the parent collagen, although it lacks platelet-aggregatory activity. We have synthesized the fragment as seven overlapping peptides that spontaneously assemble into triple helices. On the basis of their capacity to bind purified alpha2 beta1 and the recombinant alpha2 A-domain, and their ability to support alpha2 beta1-mediated cell adhesion, we identified two peptides, CB3(I)-5 and -6, which contain an alpha2 beta1 recognition site. Synthesis of the peptide CB3(I)-5/6, containing the overlap sequence between peptides 5 and 6, allowed us to locate the binding site within the 15-residue sequence, GFP*GERGVEGPP*GPA (where P* represents hydroxyproline), corresponding to residues 502-516 of the collagen type I alpha1 chain. The Glu and Arg residues in the GER triplet were found to be essential for recognition since substitution of either residue with Ala caused a loss of alpha2 A-domain binding. By contrast, substitution of the Glu in GVE did not reduce binding, but rather enhanced it slightly. We were unable to detect significant recognition of alpha2 beta1 by the peptide CB3(I)-2 containing the putative alpha2 beta1 recognition sequence DGEA. Peptides CB3(I)-1 to -6, together with peptide CB3(I)-5/6, exhibited good platelet-aggregatory activity, in some cases better than collagen. However, peptide CB3(I)-7 was inactive, suggesting the presence of an inhibitory element that might account for the lack of aggregatory activity of the parent alpha1(I)CB3 fragment.

TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE) is inhibited by TIMP-3

TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE; ADAM-17) is a membrane-bound disintegrin metalloproteinase that processes the membrane-associated cytokine proTNF-alpha to a soluble form. Because of its putative involvement in inflammatory diseases, TACE represents a significant target for the design of specific synthetic inhibitors as therapeutic agents. In order to study its inhibition by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and synthetic inhibitors of metalloproteinases, the catalytic domain of mouse TACE (rTACE) was overexpressed as a soluble Ig fusion protein from NS0 cells. rTACE was found to be well inhibited by peptide hydroxamate inhibitors as well as by TIMP-3 but not by TIMP-1, -2 and -4. These results suggest that TIMP-3, unlike the other TIMPs, may be important in the modulation of pathological events in which TNF-alpha secretion is involved.

The collagen-platelet interaction

Collagen-platelet interaction, occurring in hemostasis but also a cause of thrombosis, is a two-step process of adhesion and activation involving the sequential recognition of distinct receptors. Adhesion involves first the reversible recognition of collagen-bound von Willebrand factor by the platelet receptor complex Gp Ib/IX/V, followed by direct interaction between collagen and the platelet integrin receptor alpha2beta1, which binds to specific sequences in collagen in which the GER motif appears important. Platelet activation then follows from the recognition by the receptor Gp VI of GPP* sequences in collagen, culminating in signalling events unique to collagen as a platelet agonist: Gp VI leads via the novel platelet Fc receptor gamma-chain to p72syk and phospholipase Cgamma2.

Simple collagen-like peptides support platelet adhesion under static but not under flow conditions: interaction via alpha2 beta1 and von Willebrand factor with specific sequences in native collagen is a requirement to resist shear forces

The aim of this study was to define the need for specific collagen sequences and the role of their conformation in platelet adhesion to collagen under both static and flow conditions. We recently reported that simple triple-helical collagen-related peptides (CRPs), GCP*(GPP*)10GCP*G and GKP*(GPP*)10GKP*G (single-letter amino acid code, P* = hydroxyproline; Morton et al, Biochem J 306:337, 1995) were potent stimulators of platelet activation and were able to support the adhesion of gel-filtered platelets examined under static conditions. The present study investigated whether these same peptides were able to support platelet adhesion under more physiologic conditions by examining static adhesion with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and adhesion under flow conditions. In the static adhesion assay, we observed 20% surface coverage with platelet aggregates. In marked contrast, there was a total lack of adhesion under flow conditions examined at shear rates of 50 and 300 s-1. Thus, the interaction of platelets with the CRPs is a low-affinity interaction unable on its own to withstand shear forces. However, the addition of CRPs to whole blood, in the presence of 200 micromol/L D-arginyl-glycyl-L-aspartyl-L-tryptophan (dRGDW) to prevent platelet aggregation, caused an inhibition of about 50% of platelet adhesion to collagens I and III under flow. These results suggest that the collagen triple helix per se, as defined by these simple collagen sequences, plays an important contributory role in the overall process of adhesion to collagen under flow. The monoclonal antibody (MoAb) 176D7, directed against the alpha2 subunit of the integrin alpha2 beta1, was found to inhibit static platelet adhesion to monomeric but not fibrillar collagens I and III. However, under flow conditions, anti-alpha2 MoAbs (176D7 anf 6F1) inhibited adhesion to both monomeric and fibrillar collagens, indicating that alpha2 beta1 is essential for adhesion to collagen under flow, independent of collagen conformation, whether monomeric or polymeric. To obtain further insight into the nature of the different adhesive properties of CRPs and native collagen, we investigated the relative importance of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and the integrin alpha2 beta1 in platelet adhesion to collagen types I and III, using the same shear rate (300 s-1) as used when testing CRPs under flow conditions. Our results, together with recent data of others, support a two-step mechanism of platelet interaction with collagen under flow conditions. The first step involves adhesion via both the indirect interaction of platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib with collagen mediated by vWF binding to specific vWF-recognition sites in collagen and the direct interaction between platelet alpha2 beta1 and specific alpha2 beta1-recognition sites in collagen. This suffices to hold platelets at the collagen surface. The second step occurs via another collagen receptor (thought to be GPVI) that binds to simple collagen sequences, required essentially to delineate the collagen triple helix. Recognition of the triple helix leads to strengthening of attachment and platelet activation.

Glycoprotein VI is a major collagen receptor for platelet activation: it recognizes the platelet-activating quaternary structure of collagen, whereas CD36, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, and von Willebrand factor do not

Simple collagen-related peptides (CRPs) containing a repeat Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence are highly potent platelet agonists. Like collagen, they must exhibit tertiary (triple-helical) and quaternary (polymeric) structure to activate platelets. Platelet signaling events induced by the peptides are the same as most of those induced by collagen. The peptides do not recognize the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin. To identify the signaling receptor involved, we have evaluated the response to the CRP, Gly-Lys-Hyp(Gly-Pro-Hyp)10-Gly-Lys-Hyp-Gly of platelets with defined functional deficiencies. These studies exclude a primary recognition role for CD36, von Willebrand factor (vWF), or glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa. Thus, both CD36 and vWF-deficient platelets exhibited normal aggregation, normal fibrinogen binding, and normal expression of CD62 and CD63, measured by flow cytometry, in response to the peptide, and there was normal expression of CD62 and CD63 on thrombasthenic platelets. In contrast, GPVI-deficient platelets were totally unresponsive to the peptide, indicating that this receptor recognizes the Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence in collagen. GPVI-deficient platelets showed some fibrinogen binding in response to collagen but failed to aggregate and to express CD62 and CD63. Collagen, but not CRP-XL, contains binding sites for alpha 2 beta 1. Therefore, it is possible that collagen still induces some signaling via alpha 2 beta 1, leading to activation of GPIIb/IIIa. Our findings are consistent with a two-site, two-step model of collagen interaction with platelets involving recognition of specific sequences in collagen by an adhesive receptor such as alpha 2 beta 1 to arrest platelets under flow and subsequent recognition of another specific collagen sequence by an activatory receptor, namely GPVI.

Dual specificity of the interleukin 1- and tumor necrosis factor-activated beta casein kinase

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL1) activate a protein kinase, TIP kinase, which phosphorylates beta casein in vitro. We have now identified its main phosphorylation site on beta casein, Ser124 (Km approximately 28 mu M), and a minor phosphorylation site, Ser142 (Km approximately 0.7 mM). The sequence motif that determined the phosphorylation of Ser124 by the kinase was studied with synthetic peptides bearing deletions or substitutions of the neighboring residues. This allowed synthesis of improved substrates (Km approximately 6 mu M) and showed that efficient phosphorylation of Ser124 was favored by the presence of large hydrophobic residues at positions +1, +9, +11, and +13 (counted relative to the position of the phosphoacceptor amino acid) and of a cysteine at position -2. Peptides in which Ser124 was replaced by tyrosine were also phosphorylated by TIP kinase, showing it to have dual specificity. It is unable to phosphorylate the MAP kinases in vitro and is therefore not directly involved in their activation. Its biochemical characteristics indicate that TIP kinase is a novel dual specificity kinase, perhaps related to the mixed lineage kinases. It copurified with a phosphoprotein of about 95 kDa, which could correspond either to the autophosphorylated kinase or to an associated substrate.

The platelet reactivity of synthetic peptides based on the collagen III fragment alpha1(III)CB4. Evidence for an integrin alpha2beta1 recognition site involving residues 522-528 of the alpha1(III) collagen chain

The platelet-reactive collagen III-derived fragment alpha1(III)CB4 has been synthesized as seven overlapping peptides, each as a homotrimeric triple-helical species covalently linked at the C terminus. Additional Gly-Pro-Hyp triplets were introduced at each end of the peptide sequence to ensure a stable triple-helical conformation at 20 degrees C, the temperature at which cell reactivity was measured. A Cys-containing triplet was included at each end to allow intermolecular cross-linking. All seven peptides in triple-helical, cross-linked form were able to cause platelet aggregation. Peptide 6, the most reactive species, was more aggregatory than collagen fibers. Platelet adhesion occurred to all peptides immobilized on plastic in monomeric form. Adhesion was integrin alpha2beta1-independent except in the case of peptide 6, adhesion to which was partially reduced by anti-integrin alpha2beta1 monoclonal antibodies. The presence of an alpha2beta1 recognition site in peptide 6 was confirmed using HT 1080 cells, which express alpha2beta1 as their major or sole collagen receptor. HT 1080 adhesion to both peptide 6 and collagen was strongly inhibited by anti-integrin alpha2beta1 monoclonal antibodies. These cells did not adhere to any of the other peptides. Comparison of the structure of peptide 6 with that of adjacent peptides indicates that the sequence Gly-Gly-Pro-Hyp-Gly-Pro-Arg, residues 522-528 of the collagen alpha1(III) chain, represents the minimum structure required for the recognition of alpha2beta1. Our findings support the view that the collagen triple helix possesses an intrinsic platelet reactivity that can be expressed independently of integrin alpha2beta1 and the precise level of which is governed by the exact nature of the primary sequence. Sequences such as those recognizing alpha2beta1 may potentiate the activity, whereas others may have the opposite effect.

Characterization of the P2' and P3' specificities of thrombin using fluorescence-quenched substrates and mapping of the subsites by mutagenesis

The importance of substrate residues P2' and P3' on thrombin catalysis has been investigated by comparing the hydrolysis of a series of fluorescence-quenched substrates. Each consisted of a 10-residue peptide, carrying a 2-aminobenzoyl (Abz) group at the N-terminus, and a penultimate 2,4-dinitrophenyl (Dnp) derivatized lysine. Cleavage of such a peptide relieves the intramolecularly-quenched fluorescence, allowing determination of the kinetic parameters. The nature of the P2' residue was found to have a major influence on the rate of cleavage: the Kcat/Km value for the hydrolysis of the Arg-Ser bond in Abz-Val-Gly-Pro-Arg-Ser-Phe-Leu-Leu-Lys(Dnp)-Asp-OH was nearly 3 orders of magnitude higher than that for the hydrolysis of the same substrate with aspartate instead of phenylalanine at the P2' position. Comparatively, the P3' side chain was less important: the kcat/Km value for the substrate with the least effective residue (aspartate) was only 33 times lower than that of the substrate with the most favorable amino acid (lysine). The role of thrombin residues Arg35, Lys36, Glu39 and Lys60f in the putative P2' and P3' binding sites was also examined. Replacement of Lys60f by glutamine improved the rate of cleavage for peptides with P2' lysine or leucine. Compared with thrombin, mutants E39K and E39Q hydrolyzed faster substrates with an acidic residue in P2' or P3', but slightly slower those with a lysine at either position. Mutations R35Q and K36Q only improved the hydrolysis of substrates with an acidic P2' residue. Overall, thrombin prefers bulky hydrophobic side chains in subsite S2' and positively charged residues in S3', whereas acidic residues are markedly antagonistic to both subsites.

The use of collagen-based model peptides to investigate platelet-reactive sequences in collagen

Simple collagen-like peptides comprising a repeat Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence are highly platelet-reactive when presented to platelets in triple-helical and polymeric form. This activity is not mediated by the platelet collagen receptor integrin alpha 2 beta 1. This may imply the existence of an intrinsic platelet reactivity associated with the collagen triple helix as such or perhaps that the Gly-Pro-Hyp sequence in collagen serves as a specific cell-recognition site. In our view this basic alpha 2 beta 1-independent reactivity is modulated by the presence in collagen of sequences that may either enhance or diminish the interaction with platelets. Inhibition studies with short linear peptides have allowed the tentative identification of sequences in collagen such as XPGEP(Q)GPX and D(N)GE(Q)X that may promote the activation of platelets and so enhance collagen-platelet interaction. Sequences serving as integrin alpha 2 beta 1-binding sites may also promote platelet reactivity by permitting interaction with the collagen receptor. Using triple-helical peptides based on the sequence of the platelet-reactive collagen type III fragment alpha 1(III)CB4, we have been able to locate an alpha 2 beta 1-binding site in collagen type III within a 30-mer sequence representing residues 508-537 of the alpha 1(III) constituent alpha-chain. Despite their alpha 2 beta 1-independent platelet reactivity, signalling by the (Gly-Pro-Hyp)n-based peptides shows many features in common with signalling by collagen fibers, including activation of p72SYK and p125FAK the latter of which has until now been considered a specific consequence of ligand binding to alpha 2 beta 1.

Maternal polydrug use including cocaine and postnatal infant sleep architecture: preliminary observations and implications for respiratory control and behavior

Twelve-hour overnight pneumocardiograms were assessed for sleep architecture and sleep efficiency in two groups of healthy term newborn infants: a group exposed prenatally to cocaine alone or in combination with other drugs and a non-exposed group. Sleep was differentiated from wakefulness by an increase in heart rate, an increase in or variation in the duration and amplitude of the respiration and increased artifacts on the heart rate channel. Quiet and active sleep were determined by the regularity or irregularity of heart rate and respiration. In a sub-set of infants, the number of arousals during active sleep was calculated. Overall significance was confirmed by ANOVA followed by paired comparisons using the Student's-test. When compared to non-exposed infants within the first week of life, infants exposed prenatally to cocaine alone or in combination with other drugs demonstrated more wakefulness and less sleep (P < 0.05), more frequent arousals during active sleep (P < 0.01), and the tendency of a higher proportion of active sleep compared to quiet sleep. These findings may have implications to both behavioral and respiratory control findings associated with prenatal cocaine exposure.

Evidence for the importance of weakly bound water for matrix metalloproteinase activity

The effects of organic cosolvents on the kinetic characteristics of two matrix metalloproteinases, gelatinase A and stromelysin 1, were investigated. In each case, addition of the cosolvent resulted in a decrease in the apparent kcat/Km for the catalyzed hydrolysis of fluorogenic peptide substrates. Two factors were identified as being responsible for this decrease in catalytic activity: hydrophobic partitioning of the substrate in favor of the bulk solvent and decrease in the water content of the enzyme. The former reflects the hydrophobic nature of the enzyme-substrate interaction and the effect can be corrected for by using the solvent to water partition coefficient of the substrate in the mixed solvent systems. The catalyzed hydrolysis of substrate, corrected for the effect of hydrophobic partitioning, was demonstrated to be sixth order in water for gelatinase A and third order in water for stromelysin 1. Variation in water concentration did not produce saturation even at concentrations close to 55.5 M. The results indicate that weakly bound water molecules are essential to mediate the interaction between substrate and enzyme. The sensitivity of these enzymes to water concentration could be an important mechanism for regulating catalytic activity in vivo.

Thimet oligopeptidase specificity: evidence of preferential cleavage near the C-terminus and product inhibition from kinetic analysis of peptide hydrolysis

The substrate-size specificity of human thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15) was investigated with oligomers of glycyl-prolyl-leucine (GPL)n where n = 2, 3, 4 and 5. These peptides were cleaved only at Leu-Gly bonds to give GPL as the single final product. Hydrolysis was most rapid with (GPL)3 and slowest with (GPL)5. The more water-soluble oligomers of Gly-Hyp-Leu showed the same trend. (Gly-Hyp-Leu)6 was not hydrolysed, consistent with the previous finding that substrates larger than 17 amino acids are not cleaved by thimet oligopeptidase. The cleavage of (GPL)3 to GPL fitted a sequential first-order model. First-order kinetics were unexpected as the initial substrate concentration was greater than Km. The anomaly was also seen during the cleavage of bradykinin and neurotensin, and in these cases first-order behaviour was due to potent competitive inhibition by the C-terminal product. The sequential mechanism for (GPL)3 breakdown by thimet oligopeptidase does not discriminate between initial cleavages towards the N- or C-terminus. As isoleucine is an unfavourable residue in P1, substrates were made in which selected leucine residues were replaced by isoleucine. GPL--GPI--GPL (where--represents the bond between the tripeptide units) was resistant to hydrolysis and GPI--GPL--GPL was cleaved only at the -Leu-Gly- bond. Experiments with isoleucine-containing analogues of (Gly-Hyp-Leu)4 showed that thimet oligopeptidase preferred to cleave these peptides near the C-terminus.

Assessment of the role of the fibronectin-like domain of gelatinase A by analysis of a deletion mutant

The properties of a deletion mutant delta V191-Q364 of gelatinase A, which represents the removal of the fibronectin-like type II repeats defined by exons 5-7, were compared with those of full-length gelatinase A. Both enzymes underwent self-activation over a similar time course in the presence of 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate. The fully active enzymes had similar kcat/Km values for the cleavage of an octapeptide substrate, but the deletion mutant had 50% of the activity of wild type gelatinase A against beta-casein and 10% of the activity against gelatin. The cleavage pattern for gelatin was similar for both enzymes but differed for type IV collagen. Comparison of the rates of association of the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 and their N-terminal domains to both forms of gelatinase indicated that the fibronectin-like domain plays little role in TIMP binding. The deletion mutant failed to bind to collagen, while the wild type gelatinase bound tightly, indicating that the fibronectin-like domain is the sole site of collagen binding. Both gelatinases could be activated by concanavalin A-activated fibroblasts, suggesting that the fibronectin-like domain is not required for the membrane-mediated activation process.

The two cysteine endopeptidases of legume seeds: purification and characterization by use of specific fluorometric assays

Two endopeptidases are present in the seeds of Vigna aconitifolia (moth bean), and their activities increase during germination. One enzyme, which we term "vignain," can be assayed with benzyloxycarbonyl-phenylalanyl-arginyl-7-(4-methyl)coumarylamide as substrate. The second is legumain (EC 3.4.22.34), which can be assayed with benzyloxycarbonyl-alanyl-alanyl-asparaginyl-7-(4-methyl)-coumarylamide. The enzymes were purified, and their specificities for substrates and inhibitors were examined. Vignain has properties expected of a cysteine endopeptidase of the papain family, with the exception of a remarkably low reactivity with iodoacetate. Legumain is a very atypical cysteine endopeptidase, being insensitive to inhibition by chicken cystatin and E-64 (L-3-carboxy-2,3-trans-epoxypropionyl-leucyl-amido(4-guanidino )butane), and reacting more rapidly with iodoacetamide than with iodoacetate. We discuss our findings in relation to the literature on the proteolytic enzymes of legume seeds.

Characterization of the bacterial metalloendopeptidase pitrilysin by use of a continuous fluorescence assay

Pitrilysin (EC 3.4.99.44) has been purified from an over-expressing strain of Escherichia coli. A 13-residue quenched-fluorescent-peptide substrate for the enzyme has been synthesized, and found also to be cleaved by the homologous enzyme, insulinase (EC 3.4.99.45). The action of pitrilysin on peptides and proteins was studied: insulin B chain was the most rapidly degraded, small peptides down to 10 residues in length were cleaved more slowly, intact insulin was cleaved very slowly but with a very low Km, and there was no action on the larger proteins tested. Since the activity of pitrilysin is confined to substrates smaller than proteins, it can be described as an endopeptidase of the 'oligopeptidase' type, and like other such enzymes, it did not interact with alpha 2-macroglobulin. The metal-dependence of pitrilysin was confirmed, and it was found to be inhibited by bacitracin, especially in the presence of zinc.

CA074 methyl ester: a proinhibitor for intracellular cathepsin B

The specificity of compound CA074 [N-(L-3-trans-propylcarbamoyloxirane-2-carbonyl)-L-isoleucyl-L-pro line] for the inactivation of cathepsin B was quantified in in vitro measurements with cysteine endopeptidases from cattle, it being found that the compound is a very rapid inactivator of cathepsin B (rate constant 112,000 M-1.s-1), with barely detectable action on cathepsins H, L, and S or m-calpain. Conversion of the proline carboxyl group of the inhibitor to the methyl ester virtually abolished the effect on cathepsin B, and a possible explanation for the importance of the carboxyl is presented on the basis of the tertiary structure of cathepsin B. It was found that CA074 methyl ester (1 microM, 3 h) caused selective inactivation of the intracellular cathepsin B of human gingival fibroblasts in culture, in contrast to other available agents, and we suggest that CA074 methyl ester will be of value in the elucidation of the biological functions of cathepsin B.

The use of a chelating derivative of alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone for the clinical imaging of malignant melanoma

A novel chelating derivative of alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone, bis MSH-DTPA, has been used for the diagnostic targeting of malignant melanoma. 15 patients were investigated of whom nine were shown by other means to have active disease at the time of the scan. Tumours were imaged in all of these nine patients. Of a total of 46 lesions over 10 mm encountered, 41 (89%) were imaged. There were no false positives and in two cases bisMSH-DTPA was instrumental in reversing diagnoses made using ultrasound. Derivatives of melanocyte stimulating hormone may be of considerable value in targeting melanomas.

A novel coumarin-labelled peptide for sensitive continuous assays of the matrix metalloproteinases

(7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)Acetyl-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-(3-[2,4-dinitrophenyl]-L- 2,3-diaminopropionyl)-Ala-Arg-NH2 (Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH2) has been synthesised as a fluorogenic substrate for the matrix metalloproteinases. The highly fluorescent 7-methoxycoumarin group is efficiently quenched by energy transfer to the 2,4-dinitrophenyl group. The punctuated metalloproteinase (PUMP, EC 3.4.24.23) cleaves the substrate at the Gly-Leu bond with a 190-fold increase in fluorescence (lambda cx 328 nm, lambda cm 393 nm). In assays of the human matrix metalloproteinases. Mca-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Dpa-Ala-Arg-NH2 is about 50 to 100 times more sensitive than dinitrophenyl-Pro-Leu-Gly-Leu-Trp-Ala-D-Arg-NH2 and continuous assays can be made at enzyme concentrations comparable to those used with macromolecular substrates. Specificity constants (kcat/Km) are reported for both synthetic substrates with PUMP, collagenase, stromelysin and 72 kDa gelatinase.

Structure/function relationships in the inhibition of thimet oligopeptidase by carboxyphenylpropyl-peptides

Some novel N-[1(RS)-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]tripeptide p-aminobenzoates have been synthesised as inhibitors of thimet oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.24.15). These compounds are considered to bind as substrate analogues with the Cpp group in S1 and the peptide portion in the S' sites. The most potent inhibitor is Cpp-Ala-Pro-Phe-pAb, which has a Ki = 7 nM. Substitution of Gly for Ala at P1' leads to weaker binding which can be ascribed to increased rotational freedom. Good substrates often have Pro at P2' and Pro is favoured over Ala at this position in the inhibitors, too. When P2' is Pro, Phe is preferred over Tyr and Trp in P3'. The p-aminobenzoate group makes an important contribution to the binding, probably by forming a salt bridge, and removal of the C-terminal negative charge results in much less potent inhibitors.

A chelating derivative of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone as a potential imaging agent for malignant melanoma

A chelating derivative of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) has been synthesised, in which two molecules of the hormone are cross-linked by diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA). This compound, bisMSH-DTPA, was equipotent with MSH in an in vitro tyrosinase assay with Cloudman S91 melanoma cells. When DBA/2 mice bearing the same tumour were injected with bisMSH-DTPA labelled with the gamma-emitting isotope indium-111 (111In), the radioactivity became rapidly associated with the melanoma tissue. By 24 h post-injection, radioactivity in tumour tissue was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) than in spleen, lung, brain, eye and skin. Uptake of radioactivity by the tumours was inhibited by a 200-fold molar excess of MSH, whereas uptake by liver, kidney, spleen, lung, brain, eye and skin was unaffected. We conclude that bisMSH-DTPA may offer an alternative to antibody targeting in the imaging of malignant melanoma.

An alternative quenched fluorescence substrate for Pz-peptidase

7-Methoxycoumarin-3-carboxylyl-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-D-Lys(2,4-dinitr oph enyl) is introduced as a new quenched fluorescence substrate for assaying Pz-peptidase (also known as soluble metallo-endopeptidase and endo-oligopeptidase). The value of Km for partially purified Pz-peptidase from rat muscle was 8.6 microM. High protein concentrations did not interfere with the assay, so that for the first time continuous assays of Pz-peptidase in crude tissue extracts became possible.

A continuous fluorimetric assay for clostridial collagenase and Pz-peptidase activity

The peptide derivative N alpha-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-L-prolyl-L-leucyl-glycyl-L-prolyl-L-tryptophanyl-D- lysine (Dnp-Pro-Leu-Gly-Pro-Trp-D-Lys) has been found to be a convenient substrate for the assay of clostridial collagenase and Pz-peptidase. The substrate shows a 25-fold enhancement of fluorescence (gamma ex. 283 nm, lambda em. 350 nm) following hydrolysis of the Leu2-Gly3 peptide bond. The value of Km for clostridial collagenase was 17 microM. The substrate for the first time makes possible continuous fluorimetric assays for Pz-peptidase and clostridial collagenase.

Xanthene-dye-labelled phosphatidylethanolamines as probes of interfacial pH. Studies in phospholipid vesicles

We have been developing the use of plasma-membrane-bound fluorescent probes to measure the pH values at the surfaces of living chondrocytes. For this purpose, three lipophilic pH indicators were made by covalently binding the xanthene dyes fluorescein, eosin or dichlorofluorescein to the amino group of phosphatidylethanolamine. The probes were incorporated into phospholipid vesicles and the effect of pH on the fluorescence was characterized. Fluorescence was measured at a single emission wavelength during excitation at two wavelengths, and the ratio of the intensities was calculated. The experimentally observed pKobs. values were determined by fitting the fluorescence ratios to the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation. All three probes acted as pH indicators, and the eosinyl-, dichlorofluoresceinyl- and fluoresceinylphosphatidylethanolamines had pKobs. values of 3.5, 6.3 and 7.5 respectively. At physiological salt concentrations, changes in the composition of the vesicle membrane had little effect on these values. We concluded that these probes were promising candidates for the measurement of pH values at cell surfaces.

Antibodies to a short synthetic peptide cross-react with human recombinant interleukin 1 alpha

An antiserum to human interleukin 1 alpha has been prepared by immunizing a sheep with a short synthetic peptide (Mr 1427) conjugated to keyhole limpet haemocyanin using the heterobifunctional cross-linking agent N-succinimidyl bromoacetate. The peptide was selected from a highly hydrophilic region corresponding to residues 169-179 of the cDNA-derived sequence. Two additional peptides corresponding to residues 194-207 and 224-233 failed to elicit cross-reacting antibodies.

The effect of side chain structure on the biochemical and therapeutic properties of intra-articular dexamethasone 21-esters

The prolonged anti-rheumatic effects produced by some higher 21-esters of intra-articular corticosteroids have been ascribed to their low aqueous solubility or, alternatively, to their slow release of free (21-OH) steroid in the inflamed synovium. Experiments were designed to test this hypothesis. Twelve 21-carboxyl esters of dexamethasone and [3H]dexamethasone were prepared. Their side-chain structures were chosen to provide systematic steric hindrance of the scissile bond. Four dexamethasone/[3H]dexamethasone 21-carbamates were also prepared. When incubated with a 10% (w/v) homogenate of rabbit synovial tissue, esters providing steric hindrance, e.g. t-butylacetate, were more slowly hydrolysed than those which were linear, e.g. n-hexanoate, or cyclic e.g. cyclohexane acetate. Carbamate esters remained unhydrolysed during 24 hours' incubation. The partition coefficients of these compounds, derived using reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography and hydrophobic fragmental constants, were not correlated with their hydrolysis rates. Isomeric 21-substituents had similar partition coefficients. The affinity of the isomers, dexamethasone n-hexanoate and dexamethasone t-butylacetate, for the glucocorticoid receptor of mouse fibroblast cytosol, was determined by a competitive binding assay using [3H]triamcinolone acetonide. Dexamethasone t-butylacetate had 1/10 binding affinity relative to that of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone n-hexanoate was inactive. The therapeutic activities of dexamethasone n-hexanoate and dexamethasone t-butylacetate were compared at a single dose (2 mg), injected into experimentally-arthritic rabbit knee joints. These preparations reduced the swelling and histopathological changes in the treated joints by the same extent, indicating that the local anti-rheumatic activity of corticosteroid 21-esters is unrelated to their hydrolysis rates in vitro.

Cortisol succinate is slowly hydrolysed in organ cultures of porcine articular tissues and is not equivalent to cortisol

The pro-drug cortisol succinate is frequently used as a substitute for cortisol in organ cultures. We found, however, that in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium the time taken for the ester to undergo 50 per cent hydrolysis (t1/2) to cortisol was 75 h. When 15 per cent heat-inactivated normal rabbit serum was present t1/2 decreased to 47 h, but the rate of hydrolysis was not further increased in the presence of porcine articular cartilage or minced synovial tissue. When frozen and thawed synovium was present t1/2 decreased to 33 h, presumably due to the release of carboxyl-esterases from the disrupted cells. The level of tetrahydrocortisol was low in all of the cultures. The slow hydrolysis of cortisol succinate resulted in the exposure of the tissues to undesirable fluctuations in the concentration of active hormone, which decreased to low levels at each medium change. Thus, in co-cultures of porcine synovium and articular cartilage, cortisol had a greater inhibitory effect than cortisol succinate on the breakdown of cartilage matrix caused by synovial tissue.

Effect of the intra-articular injection of lutetium-177 in chelator liposomes on the progress of an experimental arthritis in rabbits

The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by radiosynovectomy has been restricted by the difficulty of preventing leakage of the radioisotope from the joint cavity. We have previously shown that this leakage can be reduced to very low levels by delivering the radioisotope in liposomes containing the lipophilic chelator, 3-cholesteryl 6-[N'-iminobis-(ethylenenitrilo)tetraacetic acid]hexyl ether. The present study investigates the effectiveness of the beta-emitting isotope lutetium-177, delivered in chelator liposomes, in treating an experimental arthritis in rabbits. Chelator liposomes containing 0.35 mCi, 0.175 mCi Or 0.087 mCi of the isotope were injected into the synovial cavities of the knees of rabbits with an established experimental arthritis. The retention of the lutetium and the progress of the arthritis were followed for 47 days, and samples of the joint tissues were taken for histology at the end of the experiment. Results showed that losses of radioactivity averaged less than 1% per day over 47 days and that joints treated with 0.175 mCi showed significant reductions in both diameter and surface temperature compared with controls treated with a non-radioactive preparation. Post-mortem histology revealed that, whereas control joints showed a highly active synovitis, synovia of joints treated with 0.175 or 0.35 mCi lutetium-177 had very little inflammatory activity. Although some joints which had received 0.35 mCi showed signs of damage to the articular cartilage, this damage was not apparent wih either of the two lower doses. We conclude that, in this animal model, chelator liposomes complexed with a suitable radioisotope are capable of effecting an efficient synovectomy.

Dinitrophenyl-pepstatins as active-site-directed localization reagents for cathepsin D

1. N-Pepstatinyl-N'-dinitrophenyl-1,6-diaminohexane, a potential active-site-directed localization reagent for cathepsin D, was found to bind non-specifically to immuno-precipitates containing cathepsin D. 2. Three new water-soluble localization reagents were synthesized, by using NN'-bis-(3-aminopropyl)piperazine, 3-oxa-1,5-diamino-pentane or 3,6-dioxa-1,8-diamino-octane, as spacer arms between the pepstatin and dinitrophenyl moieties. 3. The hydrophilic dinitrophenyl-pepstatins were all tight-binding inhibitors of cathepsin D at pH 3.5, but showed little or no binding to immuno-precipitates containing the inactive enzyme at pH 7.4. 4. Gel-chromatographic experiments showed that, at pH 5.0, all the dinitrophenyl-pepstatins were bifunctional reagents able to bind cathepsin D and anti-dinitrophenyl antibody at the same time. Enzyme-inhibitor-antibody complexes were not formed at pH 7.4, thus confirming that the reagents were active-site-directed. 5. Cultured human synovial cells were fixed and incubated with the dinitrophenyl-pepstatins at pH 5.0 or pH 7.4. After washing briefly, the cells were incubated at the appropriate pH value with anti-dinitrophenyl antibody labelled with fluorescein. When examined by fluorescence microscopy the cells stained at pH 5.0 showed fluorescent perinuclear granules, which were not seen in the cells treated at pH 7.4. The distribution of cathepsin D, determined by indirect immuno-fluorescence at pH 7.4, closely resembled that revealed by the dinitrophenyl-pepstatins at pH 5.0. 7. NN'-(3-Pepstatinylaminopropyl-3'-dinitrophenylaminopropyl)piperazine gave the most intense lysosomal staining and showed no non-specific binding. We conclude that this reagent is suitable for the subcellular localization of the active conformation of cathepsin D.

The retention and distribution in the rabbit knee of a radionuclide complexed with a lipophilic chelator in liposomes

The application of radiosynovectomy to patients with rheumatoid arthritis has been severely restricted by the difficulty of preventing leakage of the radioisotope from the joint cavity. We have synthesised a lipophilic chelator, 3-cholesteryl 6-[N'-iminobis(ethylenenitrilo)-tetraacetic acid]hexyl ether (Chol-DTTA) which can complex with a variety of beta-emitting radionuclides and is incorporated into the lipid phase of liposomes. The retention in the synovial cavities of rabbit knees of liposomes containing Chol-DTTA, complexed with the gamma-emitting tracer 51Cr, has been measured over a period of 21 days and compared with colloidal and water-soluble preparations. The distribution of the radionuclide between the tissues of the joint was also examined. Results show retention of 51Cr delivered in chelator liposomes to be greater than 99% after 24 h. At this time, over 93% of the radioactivity had become associated with the synovium. We conclude that chelator liposomes offer considerable promise as vehicles for radioisotopes in radiosynovectomy.

The hydrolysis of cortisol 21-esters by a homogenate of inflamed rabbit synovium and by rheumatoid synovial fluid

Long chain esters of cortisol have shown prolonged anti-inflammatory activity in both clinical and animal studies. This effect has been ascribed to the decreased water-solubility of the higher esters, but an alternative explanation is that the higher esters are hydrolysed more slowly to free steroid by the synovial tissue enzymes. In order to investigate the influence of chain length on hydrolysis rate we synthesized a series of cortisol 21-esters. When incubated in a 0.1% (w/v) homogenate of inflamed rabbit synovial tissue the esters with chain lengths of 4, 6, 8 and 10 carbon atoms were hydrolysed much faster than those with 2, 12, 14 and 16 carbon atoms. At tissue concentrations of 10% (w/v), however, the breakdown of cortisol acetate was greatly accelerated, whereas cortisol palmitate remained quite stable. Although cortisol esters were hydrolysed in 50% (v/v) rheumatoid synovial fluid, the rates of hydrolysis were relatively slow. The chain length dependence was similar to that seen with the tissue homogenate.

Evidence that extracellular cathepsin D is not responsible for the resorption of cartilage matrix in culture

Cathepsin D, the major lysosomal aspartic proteinase, is responsible for the autolysis of cartilage at slightly acidic pH, and it has been suspected of making a significant contribution to the breakdown of the living tissue, such as in stimulated by retinol. Our finding, however, has been that neither inhibitory antibodies against cathepsin D, nor chemical inhibition with pepstatin, significantly decreases the rate of degradation of proteoglycan in the organ culture system. Most of the other proteinase inhibitors tested were similarly ineffective, although the EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline inhibited the resorption by a cytotoxic effect. We conclude that although cartilage matrix degradation has clear characteristics of proteolytic process, the identity of the enzyme(s) responsible remains obscure.

L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (E-64) and its analogues as inhibitors of cysteine proteinases including cathepsins B, H and L

1. L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(4-guanidino)butane (E-64) at a concentration of 0.5 mM had no effect on the serine proteinases plasma kallikrein and leucocyte elastase or the metalloproteinases thermolysin and clostridial collagenase. In contrast, 10 muM-E-64 rapidly inactivated the cysteine proteinases cathepsins B, H and L and papain (t0.5 = 0.1-17.3s). The streptococcal cysteine proteinase reacted much more slowly, and there was no irreversible inactivation of clostripain. The cysteine-dependent exopeptidase dipeptidyl peptidase I was very slowly inactivated by E-64. 2. the active-site-directed nature of the interaction of cathepsin B and papain with E-64 was established by protection of the enzyme in the presence of the reversible competitive inhibitor leupeptin and by the stereospecificity for inhibition by the L as opposed to the D compound. 3. It was shown that the rapid stoichiometric reaction of the cysteine proteinases related to papain can be used to determine the operational molarity of solutions of the enzymes and thus to calibrate rate assays. 4. The apparent second-order rate constants for the inactivation of human cathepsins B and H and rat cathepsin L by a series of structural analogues of E-64 are reported, and compared with those for some other active-site-directed inhibitors of cysteine proteinases. 5. L-trans-Epoxysuccinyl-leucylamido(3-methyl)butane (Ep-475) was found to inhibit cathepsins B and L more rapidly than E-64. 6. Fumaryl-leucylamido(3-methyl)butane (Dc-11) was 100-fold less reactive than the corresponding epoxide, but was nevertheless about as effective as iodoacetate.

Bimane-labelled pepstatin, a fluorescent probe for the subcellular location of cathepsin D

1. Pepstatinyl-cystamine was synthesized. The disulphide bond was cleaved and the pepstatin-bound thiol was made to react with monobromobimane. The fluorescent N-pepstatinyl-S-bimanyl-2-aminoethanethiol was purified. 2. Human cathepsin D showed tight binding of the bimane-labelled pepstatin at pH 3.5. The titration curves were used to determine the apparent dissociation constant, KD; values of approx. 1 x 10(-10) M were obtained. 3. Gel-chromatographic experiments showed that, like that of pepstatin, the binding of N-pepstatinyl-S-bimanyl-1-aminoethanethiol to cathepsin D was strongly pH-dependent. Binding was seen at pH 5.0, but could not be demonstrated at pH 7.4. 4. Cultured human synovial cells were fixed and incubated with the fluorescent inhibitor at pH 5.0 or pH 7.4. When examined by fluorescence microscopy the cells stained at pH 5.0 showed a punctate perinuclear distribution of bimane fluorescence. By contrast, the cells stained at pH 7.4 showed no fluorescence. 5. The distribution of cathepsin D, determined by indirect immunofluorescence at pH 7.4, closely resembled that of the fluorescent inhibitor seen at pH 5.0. 6. We conclude that N-pepstatinyl-S-bimanyl-2-aminoethanethiol is a fluorescent probe selective for the active conformation of cathepsin D.

Interaction of dinitrophenyl-pepstatins with human cathepsin D and with anti-dinitrophenyl antibody. Development of potential reagents for the localization in vivo of active proteinases at sites of tissue injury

Extracellular cathepsin D has been observed by various cytochemical methods at sites of tissue injury. However, the role of this enzyme in connective tissue matrix degradation is uncertain because there are no histochemical methods for determining whether or not the cathepsin D is active at such sites in living tissues. We considered that the combined use of a labelled tight-binding inhibitor with immunoprecipitation of the enzymes might overcome this problem. We have explored the application of derivatives of the inhibitor pepstatin, as only active cathepsin D binds pepstatin tightly. A series of N-pepstatinyl-N'-dinitrophenyl-alpha, omega-diaminoalkanes were synthesized with alkyl-chain lengths of two, four and six carbon atoms. These compounds were tight-binding inhibitors of human cathepsin D. In fluorescence-quenching titrations the dinitrophenyl groups were also fully available to bind high-affinity anti-dinitrophenyl antibody. It was shown by immunodiffusion in gels and by gel permeation chromatography that N-pepstatinyl-N'-dinitrophenyl-1,6-diaminohexane was a bifunction inhibitor able to bind cathepsin D and anti-dinitrophenyl antibody at the same time.

Human cathepsin B. Application of the substrate N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginyl-L-arginine 2-naphthylamide to a study of the inhibition by leupeptin

1. The kinetic parameters Kcat. and Km were determined for the hydrolysis of some arginine naphthylamides by human cathepsin B. 2. A new and efficient synthesis of Z-Arg-Arg-NNap (benzyloxycarbonyl-L-arginyl-L-arginine 2-naphthylamide) was developed. 3. Z-Arg-Arg-NNap was a specific and sensitive substrate for cathepsin B, and was used for kinetic studies. 4. Values of kcat. were maximal in the pH range 5.4--6.2, and depended on a single ionizing group of pKa 4.4. 5. Leupeptin was a purely competitive inhibitor of human cathepsin B. 6. The effect of pH on the apparent inhibitor constant, Ki (app.), was determined. Ki (app.) was pH-independent in the range pH 4.3--6.0, with the mean value 7 x 10(-9) M.

Liposome-incorporated corticosteroids. II. Therapeutic activity in experimental arthritis

The anti-inflammatory activity of liposomes containing cortisol palmitate was determined in experimental acute arthritis in the rabbit knee by measuring joint temperature and diameter. The therapeutic activity of the liposome preparation was dose-dependent for both these parameters of inflammation. Liposomal corticosteroid therapy was effective also in decreasing the joint temperature of an acute inflammatory 'flare' superimposed on an underlying chronic arthritis. Phosphatidic acid was necessary for expression of full anti-inflammatory activity of the liposome preparation.

Erythema multiforme and urticaria. Eruptions induced by chemically related ophthalmic anticholinergic agents

Erythema multiforme developed in an 80-year-old man following the use of scopolamine hydrobromide ophthalmic drops. The erythema multiforme cleared when the medication was discontinued and recurred on challenge. Later, he was given tropicamide, an anticholinergic ophthalmic preparation that, like scopolamine, has a tropic acid residue. Within 15 minutes an immediate hypersensitivity reaction with generalized urticaria developed in the patient.

Liposome-incorporated corticosteroids: I. The interaction of liposomal cortisol palmitate with inflammatory synovial membrane

Cortisol palmitate-containing liposomes were stable in rheumatoid synovial fluid at 37 degrees. Two hours after the intra-articular injection of such liposomes into experimentally arthritic rabbits relatively high proportions of the steroid and lecithin components were recovered from the synovialis. The level of cortisol in the tissue at this time was inversely related to the chronicity of the inflammation. It was found also that the degree and duration of the anti-inflammatory activity of the liposomes was greatest in the initial acute phases of the inflammation.