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Olgasi C, Assanelli S, Cucci A, Follenzi A. Hemostasis and endothelial functionality: the double face of coagulation factors. Haematologica 2024; 109:2041-2048. [PMID: 38426281 PMCID: PMC11215376 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Hemostasis is a sophisticated sequence of events aimed at repairing vessel injury. This process occurs in combination with angiogenesis, which leads to new blood vessel formation, helping in wound repair and facilitating tissue healing. The fine mechanisms that regulate hemostasis and angiogenesis are well described, but for a long time, coagulation factors (CF) have been considered merely players in the coagulation cascade. However, evidence from several experiments highlights the crucial functions of these CF in regulating endothelial functionality, especially in the angiogenic process. Some of these CF (e.g., thrombin and tissue factor) have been widely investigated and have been described as triggering intracellular signaling related to endothelial cell (EC) functionality. For others (e.g., factor VIII and thrombomodulin), potential receptors and molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated but some data show their potential to induce EC response. This review focuses on the emerging roles of selected CF in regulating EC functions, highlighting in particular their ability to activate signaling pathways involved in angiogenesis, migration, proliferation and endothelial barrier stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Olgasi
- Department of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara
| | - Simone Assanelli
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara
| | - Alessia Cucci
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara
| | - Antonia Follenzi
- Department of Health Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy; Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria SS. Antonio e Biagio e C. Arrigo, Alessandria.
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2
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Mathey CM, Maj C, Eriksson N, Krebs K, Westmeier J, David FS, Koromina M, Scheer AB, Szabo N, Wedi B, Wieczorek D, Amann PM, Löffler H, Koch L, Schöffl C, Dickel H, Ganjuur N, Hornung T, Buhl T, Greve J, Wurpts G, Aygören-Pürsün E, Steffens M, Herms S, Heilmann-Heimbach S, Hoffmann P, Schmidt B, Mavarani L, Andresen T, Sørensen SB, Andersen V, Vogel U, Landén M, Bulik CM, Bygum A, Magnusson PKE, von Buchwald C, Hallberg P, Rye Ostrowski S, Sørensen E, Pedersen OB, Ullum H, Erikstrup C, Bundgaard H, Milani L, Rasmussen ER, Wadelius M, Ghouse J, Sachs B, Nöthen MM, Forstner AJ. Meta-analysis of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema identifies novel risk locus. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:1073-1082. [PMID: 38300190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.11.921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Angioedema is a rare but potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis). Research suggests that susceptibility to ACEi-induced angioedema (ACEi-AE) involves both genetic and nongenetic risk factors. Genome- and exome-wide studies of ACEi-AE have identified the first genetic risk loci. However, understanding of the underlying pathophysiology remains limited. OBJECTIVE We sought to identify further genetic factors of ACEi-AE to eventually gain a deeper understanding of its pathophysiology. METHODS By combining data from 8 cohorts, a genome-wide association study meta-analysis was performed in more than 1000 European patients with ACEi-AE. Secondary bioinformatic analyses were conducted to fine-map associated loci, identify relevant genes and pathways, and assess the genetic overlap between ACEi-AE and other traits. Finally, an exploratory cross-ancestry analysis was performed to assess shared genetic factors in European and African-American patients with ACEi-AE. RESULTS Three genome-wide significant risk loci were identified. One of these, located on chromosome 20q11.22, has not been implicated previously in ACEi-AE. Integrative secondary analyses highlighted previously reported genes (BDKRB2 [bradykinin receptor B2] and F5 [coagulation factor 5]) as well as biologically plausible novel candidate genes (PROCR [protein C receptor] and EDEM2 [endoplasmic reticulum degradation enhancing alpha-mannosidase like protein 2]). Lead variants at the risk loci were found with similar effect sizes and directions in an African-American cohort. CONCLUSIONS The present results contributed to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of ACEi-AE by (1) providing further evidence for the involvement of bradykinin signaling and coagulation pathways and (2) suggesting, for the first time, the involvement of the fibrinolysis pathway in this adverse drug reaction. An exploratory cross-ancestry comparison implicated the relevance of the associated risk loci across diverse ancestries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina M Mathey
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Carlo Maj
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Centre for Human Genetics, University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Niclas Eriksson
- Uppsala Clinical Research Center, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristi Krebs
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Julia Westmeier
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Friederike S David
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Annika B Scheer
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nora Szabo
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bettina Wedi
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dorothea Wieczorek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Comprehensive Allergy Center, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Philipp M Amann
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Danube Private University, Krems, Austria
| | - Harald Löffler
- Department of Dermatology, SLK Hospital Heilbronn, Heilbronn, Germany
| | - Lukas Koch
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Clemens Schöffl
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Heinrich Dickel
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, St Josef Hospital, University Medical Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nomun Ganjuur
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, St Josef Hospital, University Medical Center, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; Institute of Health Care Research in Dermatology and Nursing (IVDP), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Hornung
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Timo Buhl
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jens Greve
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gerda Wurpts
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Aachen Comprehensive Allergy Center, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Emel Aygören-Pürsün
- Department for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael Steffens
- Research Division, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Herms
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Per Hoffmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Börge Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laven Mavarani
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University Hospital of Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Trine Andresen
- Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Signe Bek Sørensen
- Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Vibeke Andersen
- Molecular Diagnostics and Clinical Research Unit, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; OPEN, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ulla Vogel
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikael Landén
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC; Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Anette Bygum
- Department of Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Clinical Genetics, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Patrik K E Magnusson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian von Buchwald
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pär Hallberg
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sisse Rye Ostrowski
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen Hospital Biobank Unit, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Erik Sørensen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen Hospital Biobank Unit, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ole B Pedersen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christian Erikstrup
- Departments of Clinical Immunology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Departments of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Henning Bundgaard
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lili Milani
- Estonian Genome Centre, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Eva Rye Rasmussen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Departments of Private Practice Ølsemaglevej, Køge, Denmark
| | - Mia Wadelius
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Pharmacogenomics and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jonas Ghouse
- Laboratory for Molecular Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; Laboratory for Molecular Cardiology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bernhardt Sachs
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Aachen Comprehensive Allergy Center, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany; Research Division, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Bonn, Germany
| | - Markus M Nöthen
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Andreas J Forstner
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, School of Medicine and University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-1), Research Center Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
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3
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Chi Y, Yu S, Yin J, Liu D, Zhuo M, Li X. Role of Angiopoietin/Tie2 System in Sepsis: A Potential Therapeutic Target. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost 2024; 30:10760296241238010. [PMID: 38449088 PMCID: PMC10921858 DOI: 10.1177/10760296241238010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a disorder of host response caused by severe infection that can lead to life-threatening organ dysfunction. There is no specific treatment for sepsis. Although there are many different pathogens that can cause sepsis, endothelial dysfunction is a frequent mechanism resulting in vascular leakage and coagulation problem. Recent studies on the regulatory pathways of vascular endothelium have shown that the disturbance of angiopoietin (Ang) /Tie2 axis can induce endothelial cell activation, which is the core pathogenesis of sepsis. In this review, we aim to discuss the regulation of Ang/Tie2 axis and the biomarkers involved in the context of sepsis. Also, we attempt to explore the prospective and feasibility of Ang/Tie2 axis as a potential target for sepsis intervention to improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yawen Chi
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Sihan Yu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Jia Yin
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Danyan Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Mengke Zhuo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Xu Li
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China
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4
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Zhao R, Xue M, Lin H, Smith M, Liang H, Weiler H, Griffin JH, Jackson CJ. A recombinant signalling-selective activated protein C that lacks anticoagulant activity is efficacious and safe in cutaneous wound preclinical models. Wound Repair Regen 2024; 32:90-103. [PMID: 38155595 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.13148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Various preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the robust wound healing capacity of the natural anticoagulant activated protein C (APC). A bioengineered APC variant designated 3K3A-APC retains APC's cytoprotective cell signalling actions with <10% anticoagulant activity. This study was aimed to provide preclinical evidence that 3K3A-APC is efficacious and safe as a wound healing agent. 3K3A-APC, like wild-type APC, demonstrated positive effects on proliferation of human skin cells (keratinocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts). Similarly it also increased matrix metollaproteinase-2 activation in keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Topical 3K3A-APC treatment at 10 or 30 μg both accelerated mouse wound healing when culled on Day 11. And at 10 μg, it was superior to APC and had half the dermal wound gape compared to control. Further testing was conducted in excisional porcine wounds due to their congruence to human skin. Here, 3K3A-APC advanced macroscopic healing in a dose-dependent manner (100, 250 and 500 μg) when culled on Day 21. This was histologically corroborated by greater collagen maturity, suggesting more advanced remodelling. A non-interference arm of this study found no evidence that topical 3K3A-APC caused either any significant systemic side-effects or any significant leakage into the circulation. However the female pigs exhibited transient and mild local reactions after treatments in week three, which did not impact healing. Overall these preclinical studies support the hypothesis that 3K3A-APC merits future human wound studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruilong Zhao
- Sutton Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Meilang Xue
- Sutton Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Haiyan Lin
- Sutton Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Margaret Smith
- Raymond Purves Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Helena Liang
- Sutton Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Hartmut Weiler
- Department of Physiology, Blood Research Institute, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - John H Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Christopher J Jackson
- Sutton Laboratory, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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5
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Krug J, Bochenek ML, Gogiraju R, Laubert-Reh D, Lackner KJ, Münzel T, Wild PS, Espinola-Klein C, Schäfer K. Circulating Soluble EPCR Levels Are Reduced in Patients with Ischemic Peripheral Artery Disease and Associated with Markers of Endothelial and Vascular Function. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2459. [PMID: 37760900 PMCID: PMC10526050 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Endothelial dysfunction initiates cardiovascular pathologies, including peripheral artery disease (PAD). The pathophysiology of impaired new vessel formation in the presence of angiogenic stimuli, such as ischemia and inflammation, is unknown. We have recently shown in mice that reduced endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) expression results in defective angiogenesis following experimental hindlimb ischemia. (2) Purpose: To determine soluble (s)EPCR levels in the plasma of patients with PAD and to compare them with the protein C activity and biomarkers of endothelial function, inflammation, and angiogenesis. (3) Methods and Results: Clinical tests of vascular function and immunoassays of plasma from patients with PAD stage II were compared to age- and sex-matched individuals with and without cardiovascular risk factors or PAD stage III/IV patients. sEPCR levels were significantly lower in PAD stage II patients compared to subjects with risk factors, but no PAD, and further decreased in PAD stage III/IV patients. Plasma protein C activity or levels of ADAM17, a mediator of EPCR shedding, did not differ. Significant associations between sEPCR and the ankle-brachial index (p = 0.0359), age (p = 0.0488), body mass index (p = 0.0110), and plasma sE-selectin levels (p = 0.0327) were observed. High-sensitive CRP levels and white blood cell counts were significantly elevated in PAD patients and associated with serum glucose levels, but not sEPCR. In contrast, plasma TNFα or IL1β levels did not differ. Circulating levels of VEGF were significantly elevated in PAD stage II patients (p = 0.0198), but not associated with molecular (sE-selectin) or functional (ankle-brachial index) markers of vascular health. (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that circulating sEPCR levels may be useful as biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, including angiogenesis, in persons older than 35 years and that progressive loss of endothelial protein C receptors might be involved in the development and progression of PAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Krug
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
| | - Magdalena L. Bochenek
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Rajinikanth Gogiraju
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
| | - Dagmar Laubert-Reh
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
| | - Karl J. Lackner
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Thomas Münzel
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
| | - Philipp S. Wild
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
- Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Christine Espinola-Klein
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology III, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany;
| | - Katrin Schäfer
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiology I, University Medical Center Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany (M.L.B.); (R.G.); (D.L.-R.); (T.M.); (P.S.W.)
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6
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Weinberger Y, Budnik I, Nisgav Y, Palevski D, Ben-David G, Fernández JA, Margalit SN, Levy-Mendelovich S, Kenet G, Weinberger D, Griffin JH, Livnat T. 3K3A-Activated Protein C Inhibits Choroidal Neovascularization Growth and Leakage and Reduces NLRP3 Inflammasome, IL-1β, and Inflammatory Cell Accumulation in the Retina. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10642. [PMID: 37445820 PMCID: PMC10341424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
3K3A-Activated Protein C (APC) is a recombinant variant of the physiological anticoagulant APC with cytoprotective properties and reduced bleeding risks. We studied the potential use of 3K3A-APC as a multi-target therapeutic option for choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a common cause of vision loss in age-related macular degeneration. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in a murine model, and 3K3A-APC was intravitreally injected. The impact of 3K3A-APC treatment on myeloid and microglia cell activation and recruitment and on NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β, and VEGF levels was assessed using cryosection, retinal flat-mount immunohistochemistry and vascular imaging. Additionally, we evaluated the use of fluorescein angiography as a surrogate marker for in vivo evaluation of the efficacy of 3K3A-APC treatment against leaking CNV lesions. Our results demonstrated that 3K3A-APC treatment significantly reduced the accumulation and activation of myeloid cells and microglia in the CNV area and decreased the NLRP3 and IL-1β levels at the CNV site and the surrounding retina. Furthermore, 3K3A-APC treatment resulted in leakage regression and CNV growth suppression. These findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory activities of 3K3A-APC contribute to CNV inhibition. Our study suggests the potential use of 3K3A-APC as a novel multi-target treatment for CNV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yehonatan Weinberger
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ivan Budnik
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Yael Nisgav
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
| | - Dahlia Palevski
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Gil Ben-David
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - José A. Fernández
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Shany Nivinsky Margalit
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
| | - Sarina Levy-Mendelovich
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sheba Medical Center, The Amalia Biron Thrombosis and Hemostasis Research Institute, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
| | - Gili Kenet
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sheba Medical Center, The Amalia Biron Thrombosis and Hemostasis Research Institute, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
| | - Dov Weinberger
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - John H. Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Tami Livnat
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 5251108, Israel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sheba Medical Center, The Amalia Biron Thrombosis and Hemostasis Research Institute, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
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7
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Hultström M, Fromell K, Larsson A, Persson B, Nilsson B, Quaggin SE, Betsholtz C, Frithiof R, Lipcsey M, Jeansson M. Angiopoietin-2 Inhibition of Thrombomodulin-Mediated Anticoagulation-A Novel Mechanism That May Contribute to Hypercoagulation in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients. Biomedicines 2022; 10:1333. [PMID: 35740360 PMCID: PMC9220312 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypercoagulation and endothelial dysfunction play central roles in severe forms of COVID-19 infections, but the molecular mechanisms involved are unclear. Increased plasma levels of the inflammatory cytokine and TIE2 receptor antagonist Angiopoietin-2 were reported in severely ill COVID-19 patients. In vitro experiments suggest that Angiopoietin-2 bind and inhibits thrombomodulin. Thrombomodulin is expressed on the luminal surface of endothelial cells where it is an important member of the intrinsic anticoagulant pathway through activation of protein C. Using clinical data, mouse models, and in vitro assays, we tested if Angiopoietin-2 plays a causal role in COVID-19-associated hypercoagulation through direct inhibition of thrombin/thrombomodulin-mediated physiological anticoagulation. Angiopoietin-2 was measured in 61 patients at admission, and after 10 days in the 40 patients remaining in the ICU. We found that Angiopoietin-2 levels were increased in COVID-19 patients in correlation with disease severity, hypercoagulation, and mortality. In support of a direct effect of Angiopoietin-2 on coagulation, we found that injected Angiopoietin-2 in mice associated to thrombomodulin and resulted in a shortened tail bleeding time, decreased circulating levels of activated protein C, and increased plasma thrombin/antithrombin complexes. Conversely, bleeding time was increased in endothelial-specific Angiopoietin-2 knockout mice, while knockout of Tie2 had no effect on tail bleeding. Using in vitro assays, we found that Angiopoietin-2 inhibited thrombomodulin-mediated anticoagulation and protein C activation in human donor plasma. Our data suggest a novel in vivo mechanism for Angiopoietin-2 in COVID-19-associated hypercoagulation, implicating that Angiopoietin-2 inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of hypercoagulation in severe COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hultström
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.H.); (R.F.); (M.L.)
- Integrative Physiology, Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Karin Fromell
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (K.F.); (B.P.); (B.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Anders Larsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Barbro Persson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (K.F.); (B.P.); (B.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Bo Nilsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (K.F.); (B.P.); (B.N.); (C.B.)
| | - Susan E. Quaggin
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Christer Betsholtz
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (K.F.); (B.P.); (B.N.); (C.B.)
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Robert Frithiof
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.H.); (R.F.); (M.L.)
| | - Miklos Lipcsey
- Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (M.H.); (R.F.); (M.L.)
- Hedenstierna Laboratory, CIRRUS, Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Surgical Sciences, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marie Jeansson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden; (K.F.); (B.P.); (B.N.); (C.B.)
- Department of Medicine Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
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8
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Luxen M, van Meurs M, Molema G. Unlocking the Untapped Potential of Endothelial Kinase and Phosphatase Involvement in Sepsis for Drug Treatment Design. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867625. [PMID: 35634305 PMCID: PMC9136877 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a devastating clinical condition that can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Despite advancements in our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying sepsis and sepsis-associated multiple organ failure, no effective therapeutic treatment to directly counteract it has yet been established. The endothelium is considered to play an important role in sepsis. This review highlights a number of signal transduction pathways involved in endothelial inflammatory activation and dysregulated endothelial barrier function in response to sepsis conditions. Within these pathways – NF-κB, Rac1/RhoA GTPases, AP-1, APC/S1P, Angpt/Tie2, and VEGF/VEGFR2 – we focus on the role of kinases and phosphatases as potential druggable targets for therapeutic intervention. Animal studies and clinical trials that have been conducted for this purpose are discussed, highlighting reasons why they might not have resulted in the expected outcomes, and which lessons can be learned from this. Lastly, opportunities and challenges that sepsis and sepsis-associated multiple organ failure research are currently facing are presented, including recommendations on improved experimental design to increase the translational power of preclinical research to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthijs Luxen
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Medical Biology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Matthijs Luxen,
| | - Matijs van Meurs
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Medical Biology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Department of Critical Care, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Grietje Molema
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Medical Biology Section, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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9
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Cai YL, Hao BC, Chen JQ, Li YR, Liu HB. Correlation Between Plasma Proteomics and Adverse Outcomes Among Older Men With Chronic Coronary Syndrome. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:867646. [PMID: 35514441 PMCID: PMC9062975 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.867646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) is a newly proposed concept and is hallmarked by more long-term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), calling for accurate prognostic biomarkers for initial risk stratification. Methods Data-independent acquisition liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (DIA LC-MS/MS) quantitative proteomics was performed on 38 patients with CCS; 19 in the CCS events group and 19 in the non-events group as the controls. We also developed a machine-learning-based pipeline to identify proteins as potential biomarkers and validated the target proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in an independent prospective cohort. Results Fifty-seven differentially expressed proteins were identified by quantitative proteomics and three final biomarkers were preliminarily selected from the machine-learning-based pipeline. Further validation with the prospective cohort showed that endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) levels at admission were significantly higher in the CCS events group than they were in the non-events group, whereas the carboxypeptidase B2 (CPB2) level was similar in the two groups. In the Cox survival analysis, EPCR and CETP were independent risk factors for MACEs. We constructed a new prognostic model by combining the Framingham coronary heart disease (CHD) risk model with EPCR and CETP levels. This new model significantly improved the C-statistics for MACE prediction compared with that of the Framingham CHD risk model alone. Conclusion Plasma proteomics was used to find biomarkers of predicting MACEs in patients with CCS. EPCR and CETP were identified as promising prognostic biomarkers for CCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Lun Cai
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Chronic Heart Failure Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ben-Chuan Hao
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Chronic Heart Failure Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Qiao Chen
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Chronic Heart Failure Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue-Rui Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Chronic Heart Failure Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Bin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Chronic Heart Failure Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
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10
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Huuskonen MT, Wang Y, Nikolakopoulou AM, Montagne A, Dai Z, Lazic D, Sagare AP, Zhao Z, Fernandez JA, Griffin JH, Zlokovic BV. Protection of ischemic white matter and oligodendrocytes in mice by 3K3A-activated protein C. J Exp Med 2022; 219:e20211372. [PMID: 34846535 PMCID: PMC8635278 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Subcortical white matter (WM) stroke accounts for 25% of all strokes and is the second leading cause of dementia. Despite such clinical importance, we still do not have an effective treatment for ischemic WM stroke, and the mechanisms of WM postischemic neuroprotection remain elusive. 3K3A-activated protein C (APC) is a signaling-selective analogue of endogenous blood protease APC that is currently in development as a neuroprotectant for ischemic stroke patients. Here, we show that 3K3A-APC protects WM tracts and oligodendrocytes from ischemic injury in the corpus callosum in middle-aged mice by activating protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR3. We show that PAR1 and PAR3 were also required for 3K3A-APC's suppression of post-WM stroke microglia and astrocyte responses and overall improvement in neuropathologic and functional outcomes. Our data provide new insights into the neuroprotective APC pathway in the WM and illustrate 3K3A-APC's potential for treating WM stroke in humans, possibly including multiple WM strokes that result in vascular dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikko T. Huuskonen
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Yaoming Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Angeliki Maria Nikolakopoulou
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Axel Montagne
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Zhonghua Dai
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Divna Lazic
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Abhay P. Sagare
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jose A. Fernandez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | - John H. Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | - Berislav V. Zlokovic
- The Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
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11
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Livingstone SA, Wildi KS, Dalton HJ, Usman A, Ki KK, Passmore MR, Li Bassi G, Suen JY, Fraser JF. Coagulation Dysfunction in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and Its Potential Impact in Inflammatory Subphenotypes. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:723217. [PMID: 34490308 PMCID: PMC8417599 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.723217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has caused innumerable deaths worldwide since its initial description over five decades ago. Population-based estimates of ARDS vary from 1 to 86 cases per 100,000, with the highest rates reported in Australia and the United States. This syndrome is characterised by a breakdown of the pulmonary alveolo-epithelial barrier with subsequent severe hypoxaemia and disturbances in pulmonary mechanics. The underlying pathophysiology of this syndrome is a severe inflammatory reaction and associated local and systemic coagulation dysfunction that leads to pulmonary and systemic damage, ultimately causing death in up to 40% of patients. Since inflammation and coagulation are inextricably linked throughout evolution, it is biological folly to assess the two systems in isolation when investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of coagulation dysfunction in ARDS. Although the body possesses potent endogenous systems to regulate coagulation, these become dysregulated and no longer optimally functional during the acute phase of ARDS, further perpetuating coagulation, inflammation and cell damage. The inflammatory ARDS subphenotypes address inflammatory differences but neglect the equally important coagulation pathway. A holistic understanding of this syndrome and its subphenotypes will improve our understanding of underlying mechanisms that then drive translation into diagnostic testing, treatments, and improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A Livingstone
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Karin S Wildi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Cardiovascular Research Institute Basel (CRIB), Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Asad Usman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Katrina K Ki
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Margaret R Passmore
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Gianluigi Li Bassi
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Universitad de Barcelona and IDIBAPS, CIBERES, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacky Y Suen
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - John F Fraser
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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12
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Sridharan V, Johnson KA, Landes RD, Cao M, Singh P, Wagoner G, Hayar A, Sprick ED, Eveld KA, Bhattacharyya A, Krager KJ, Aykin-Burns N, Weiler H, Fernández JA, Griffin JH, Boerma M. Sex-dependent effects of genetic upregulation of activated protein C on delayed effects of acute radiation exposure in the mouse heart, small intestine, and skin. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252142. [PMID: 34029348 PMCID: PMC8143413 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Accidental exposure to ionizing radiation may lead to delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE) in many organ systems. Activated protein C (APC) is a known mitigator of the acute radiation syndrome. To examine the role of APC in DEARE, we used a transgenic mouse model with 2- to 3-fold increased plasma levels of APC (high in APC, APCHi). Male and female APCHi mice and wild-type littermates were exposed to 9.5 Gy γ-rays with their hind-legs (bone marrow) shielded from radiation to allow long-term survival. At 3 and 6 months after irradiation, cardiac function was measured with ultrasonography. At 3 months, radiation increased cardiac dimensions in APCHi males, while decreases were seen in wild-type females. At this early time point, APCHi mice of both sexes were more susceptible to radiation-induced changes in systolic function compared to wild-types. At 6 months, a decrease in systolic function was mainly seen in male mice of both genotypes. At 6 months, specimens of heart, small intestine and dorsal skin were collected for tissue analysis. Female APCHi mice showed the most severe radiation-induced deposition of cardiac collagens but were protected against a radiation-induced loss of microvascular density. Both male and female APCHi mice were protected against a radiation induced upregulation of toll-like receptor 4 in the heart, but this did not translate into a clear protection against immune cell infiltration. In the small intestine, the APCHi genotype had no effect on an increase in the number of myeloperoxidase positive cells (seen mostly in females) or an increase in the expression of T-cell marker CD2 (males). Lastly, both male and female APCHi mice were protected against radiation-induced epidermal thickening and increase in 3-nitrotyrosine positive keratinocytes. In conclusion, prolonged high levels of APC in a transgenic mouse model had little effects on indicators of DEARE in the heart, small intestine and skin, with some differential effects in male compared to female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijayalakshmi Sridharan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Kristin A. Johnson
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Reid D. Landes
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Maohua Cao
- College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX, United States of America
| | - Preeti Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Gail Wagoner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Abdallah Hayar
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Emily D. Sprick
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Kayla A. Eveld
- College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Anusha Bhattacharyya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Kimberly J. Krager
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Nukhet Aykin-Burns
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
| | - Hartmut Weiler
- Versiti and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States of America
| | - Jose A. Fernández
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - John H. Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | - Marjan Boerma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Radiation Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Livnat T, Weinberger Y, Fernández JA, Bashir A, Ben-David G, Palevski D, Levy-Mendelovich S, Kenet G, Budnik I, Nisgav Y, Griffin JH, Weinberger D. Activated Protein C (APC) and 3K3A-APC-Induced Regression of Choroidal Neovascularization (CNV) Is Accompanied by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) Reduction. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030358. [PMID: 33652861 PMCID: PMC7996919 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tami Livnat
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; (S.L.-M.); (G.K.)
- Sheba Medical Center, The Amalia Biron Thrombosis Research Institute, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +972-5-4474-3000; Fax: +972-35-351-806
| | - Yehonatan Weinberger
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
| | - José A. Fernández
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (J.A.F.); (J.H.G.)
| | - Alaa Bashir
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
| | - Gil Ben-David
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
| | - Dahlia Palevski
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
| | - Sarina Levy-Mendelovich
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; (S.L.-M.); (G.K.)
- Sheba Medical Center, The Amalia Biron Thrombosis Research Institute, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
| | - Gili Kenet
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; (S.L.-M.); (G.K.)
- Sheba Medical Center, The Amalia Biron Thrombosis Research Institute, Tel-Hashomer 52621, Israel
| | - Ivan Budnik
- Department of Pathophysiology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119019 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Yael Nisgav
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
| | - John H. Griffin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; (J.A.F.); (J.H.G.)
| | - Dov Weinberger
- Rabin Medical Center, Ophthalmology Department and Laboratory of Eye Research Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Petah-Tikva 49100, Israel; (Y.W.); (A.B.); (G.B.-D.); (D.P.); (Y.N.); (D.W.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 69978, Israel; (S.L.-M.); (G.K.)
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14
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Juffermans NP, van den Brom CE, Kleinveld DJB. Targeting Endothelial Dysfunction in Acute Critical Illness to Reduce Organ Failure. Anesth Analg 2020; 131:1708-1720. [PMID: 33186159 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000005023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
During hyperinflammatory conditions that can occur in acute critical illness, such as shock or hypoperfusion, inflammatory mediators activate the endothelium, fueling a proinflammatory host-response as well as procoagulant processes. These changes result in shedding of the glycocalyx, endothelial hyperpermeability, edema formation, and lead to disturbed microcirculatory perfusion and organ failure. Different fluid strategies that are used in shock may have differential effects on endothelial integrity. Collectively, low protein content fluids seem to have negative effects on the endothelial glycocalyx, aggravating endothelial hyperpermeability, whereas fluids containing albumin or plasma proteins may be superior to normal saline in protecting the glycocalyx and endothelial barrier function. Targeting the endothelium may be a therapeutic strategy to limit organ failure, which hitherto has not received much attention. Treatment targets aimed at restoring the endothelium should focus on maintaining glycocalyx function and/or targeting coagulation pathways or specific endothelial receptors. Potential treatments could be supplementing glycocalyx constituents or inhibiting glycocalyx breakdown. In this review, we summarize mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction during acute critical illness, such as the systemic inflammatory response, shedding of the glycocalyx, endothelial activation, and activation of coagulation. In addition, this review focuses on the effects of different fluid strategies on endothelial permeability. Also, potential mechanisms for treatment options to reduce endothelial hyperpermeability with ensuing organ failure are evaluated. Future research is needed to elucidate these pathways and to translate these data to the first human safety and feasibility trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole P Juffermans
- From the Department of Intensive Care, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charissa E van den Brom
- Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Experimental Laboratory for Vital Signs, Amsterdam UMC, VU Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Derek J B Kleinveld
- Laboratory of Experimental Intensive Care and Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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15
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Wang J, Rao G, Ma Y, Zhang J, Shen J, Shi C. Neuroprotective Effect of Activated Protein C on Blood-Brain Barrier Injury During Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion. Dose Response 2020; 18:1559325820917288. [PMID: 32425720 PMCID: PMC7218308 DOI: 10.1177/1559325820917288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the effect of activated protein C (APC) on neuronal injury and neuroinflammatory responses has been extensively studied, the detailed mechanism underlying APC-protective effect in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) injury during ischemia is still not clear. In this study, the APC effect against neuroinflammatory responses was evaluated in the model of right middle cerebral artery occlusion in male Sprague-Dawley rats with 2 hours of ischemia and 22 hours of reperfusion. The results showed that APC can significantly improve the neurological function scoring and reduce the infarct volume and BBB permeability. Moreover, the expression of protein nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), both in cytoplasm and nuclei, was reduced. The downstream of NF-κB activation, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β secretion, was inhibited. In all, APC exerts a neuroprotective effect in focal cerebral ischemia–reperfusion in rats by inhibiting the activation and nuclear translocation of NF-κB. It may indicate a therapeutic approach for ischemic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinqiao Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, China
| | - Gaofeng Rao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, China
| | - Yifan Ma
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jingjing Shen
- School of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
| | - Chaohong Shi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Wenling, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenling, China
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16
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Gris JC, Bouvier S, Cochery-Nouvellon É, Mercier É, Mousty È, Pérez-Martin A. The role of haemostasis in placenta-mediated complications. Thromb Res 2020; 181 Suppl 1:S10-S14. [PMID: 31477220 DOI: 10.1016/s0049-3848(19)30359-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Normal pregnancy is associated with an increasing state of activation of the haemostatic system. This activation state is excessive in women with placenta-mediated pregnancy complications (PMPCs), including preeclampsia (PE). Platelet activation plays a crucial pathophysiological role in PE. The very early activation of coagulation in the intervillous space is mandatory for placental growth and morphogenesis but its excesses and/or inadequate control may participate to the emergence of the trophoblastic phenotype of PE. Extracellular vesicles, of endothelial but also of trophoblastic origin, can favour key cellular reactions of preeclampsia, acting as proactive cofactors. The understanding of this intricate relationship between haemostasis activation and PMPCs may provide interesting keys for new pathophysiological therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Gris
- Department of Haematology, Nîmes University Hospital, France; University of Montpellier, France; The First I.M. Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Russian Federation.
| | - Sylvie Bouvier
- Department of Haematology, Nîmes University Hospital, France; University of Montpellier, France
| | | | - Éric Mercier
- Department of Haematology, Nîmes University Hospital, France; University of Montpellier, France
| | - Ève Mousty
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nîmes University Hospital, France
| | - Antonia Pérez-Martin
- University of Montpellier, France; Department of Vascular Imaging and Vascular Medicine, Nîmes University Hospital, France
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17
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The serine protease activated protein C (aPC) was initially characterized as an endogenous anticoagulant, but in addition conveys anti-inflammatory, barrier-protective, and pro cell-survival functions. Its endogenous anticoagulant function hampered the successful and continuous implantation of aPC as a therapeutic agent in septic patients. However, it became increasingly apparent that aPC controls cellular function largely independent of its anticoagulant effects through cell-specific and context-specific receptor complexes and intracellular signaling pathways. The purpose of this review is to outline the mechanisms of aPC-dependent cell signaling and its intracellular molecular targets. RECENT FINDINGS With the advent of new therapeutic agents either modulating directly and specifically the activity of coagulation proteases or interfering with protease-activated receptor signaling a better understanding not only of the receptor mechanisms but also of the intracellular signaling mechanisms controlled by aPC in a disease-specific and context-specific fashion, is required to tailor new therapeutic approaches based on aPC's anti-inflammatory, barrier-protective, and pro cell-survival functions. SUMMARY This review summarizes recent insights into the intracellular signaling pathways controlled by aPC in a cell-specific and context-specific fashion. We focus on aPC-mediated barrier protection, inhibition of inflammation, and cytoprotecting within this review.
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18
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Willis Fox O, Preston RJS. Molecular basis of protease-activated receptor 1 signaling diversity. J Thromb Haemost 2020; 18:6-16. [PMID: 31549766 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a family of highly conserved G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that respond to extracellular proteases via a unique proteolysis-dependent activation mechanism. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) was the first identified member of the receptor family and plays important roles in hemostasis, inflammation and malignancy. The biology underlying PAR1 signaling by its canonical agonist thrombin is well characterized; however, definition of the mechanistic basis of PAR1 signaling by other proteases, including matrix metalloproteases, activated protein C, plasmin, and activated factors VII and X, remains incompletely understood. In this review, we discuss emerging insights into the molecular bases for "biased" PAR1 signaling, including atypical PAR1 proteolysis, PAR1 heterodimer and coreceptor interactions, PAR1 translocation on the membrane surface, and interactions with different G-proteins and β-arrestins upon receptor activation. Moreover, we consider how these new insights into PAR1 signaling have acted to spur development of novel PAR1-targeted therapeutics that act to inhibit, redirect, or fine-tune PAR1 signaling output to treat cardiovascular and inflammatory disease. Finally, we discuss some of the key unanswered questions relating to PAR1 biology, in particular how differences in PAR1 proteolysis, signaling intermediate coupling, and engagement with coreceptors and GPCRs combine to mediate the diversity of identified PAR1 signaling outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Willis Fox
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Roger J S Preston
- Irish Centre for Vascular Biology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
- National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
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19
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Activated protein C induces suppression and regression of choroidal neovascularization- A murine model. Exp Eye Res 2019; 186:107695. [PMID: 31201804 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2019.107695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Activated protein C (APC) exerts diverse cell signaling pathways which results in multiple distinct cytoprotective actions. These include anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities and stabilization of endothelial and epithelial barriers. We studied the ability of APC to inhibit the leakage and the growth of newly formed as well as pre-existing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and examined the ability of APC to stabilize the Retinal Pigmented Epithelium (RPE). We explored the contribution of Tie2 receptor to the protective effects of APC. CNV was induced by laser photocoagulation in C57BL/6J mice. APC was injected intravitreally immediately or 7 days after CNV induction. Neovascularization was evaluated on RPE-choroidal flatmounts using FITC-dextran perfusion and CD31 immunofluorescence. CNV leakage was measured by fluorescein angiography (FA). The ability of APC to stabilize the RPE barrier was evaluated in-vitro by dextran permeability and zonula occludens 1 (ZO1) immunostaining. Tie2 blocking was induced in-vivo by intraperitoneal injection of Tie2 kinase inhibitor and in-vitro by incubation with anti Tie2 antibodies. APC treatment dramatically inhibited the generation of newly formed CNV leakage sites and reversed leakage in 85% of the pre-existing CNV leaking sites. In RPE cell culture, APC induced translocation of ZO1 to the cell membrane, accompanied by reduction in permeability of the monolayer. Inhibition of Tie2 significantly decreased APC protective activities in both the mouse model and the RPE cell culture. Our results show that APC treatment significantly inhibits the leakage and growth of newly formed, as well as pre-existing CNV, and its protective activities are partially mediated via the Tie2 receptor. The data suggest that APC should be further investigated as a possible effective treatment for CNV.
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20
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Activated Protein C in Cutaneous Wound Healing: From Bench to Bedside. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20040903. [PMID: 30791425 PMCID: PMC6412604 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20040903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Independent of its well-known anticoagulation effects, activated protein C (APC) exhibits pleiotropic cytoprotective properties. These include anti-inflammatory actions, anti-apoptosis, and endothelial and epithelial barrier stabilisation. Such beneficial effects have made APC an attractive target of research in a plethora of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Of note, the past decade or so has seen the emergence of its roles in cutaneous wound healing-a complex process involving inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. This review will highlight APC's functions and mechanisms, and detail its pre-clinical and clinical studies on cutaneous wound healing.
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21
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β-arrestin-2 in PAR-1-biased signaling has a crucial role in endothelial function via PDGF-β in stroke. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:100. [PMID: 30718498 PMCID: PMC6361911 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1375-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Thrombin aggravates ischemic stroke and activated protein C (APC) has a neuroprotective effect. Both proteases interact with protease-activated receptor 1, which exhibits functional selectivity and leads to G-protein- and β-arrestin-mediated-biased signal transduction. We focused on the effect of β-arrestin in PAR-1-biased signaling on endothelial function after stroke or high-fat diet (HFD). Thrombin had a rapid disruptive effect on endothelial function, but APC had a slow protective effect. Paralleled by prolonged MAPK 42/44 signaling activation by APC via β-arrestin-2, a lower cleavage rate of PAR-1 for APC than thrombin was quantitatively visualized by bioluminescence video imaging. HFD-fed mice showed lower β-arrestin-2 levels and more severe ischemic injury. The expression of β-arrestin-2 in capillaries and PDGF-β secretion in HFD-fed mice were reduced in penumbra lesions. These results suggested that β-arrestin-2-MAPK-PDGF-β signaling enhanced protection of endothelial function and barrier integrity after stroke.
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22
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Griffin JH, Zlokovic BV, Mosnier LO. Activated protein C, protease activated receptor 1, and neuroprotection. Blood 2018; 132:159-169. [PMID: 29866816 PMCID: PMC6043978 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2018-02-769026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein C is a plasma serine protease zymogen whose active form, activated protein C (APC), exerts potent anticoagulant activity. In addition to its antithrombotic role as a plasma protease, pharmacologic APC is a pleiotropic protease that activates diverse homeostatic cell signaling pathways via multiple receptors on many cells. Engineering of APC by site-directed mutagenesis provided a signaling selective APC mutant with 3 Lys residues replaced by 3 Ala residues, 3K3A-APC, that lacks >90% anticoagulant activity but retains normal cell signaling activities. This 3K3A-APC mutant exerts multiple potent neuroprotective activities, which require the G-protein-coupled receptor, protease activated receptor 1. Potent neuroprotection in murine ischemic stroke models is linked to 3K3A-APC-induced signaling that arises due to APC's cleavage in protease activated receptor 1 at a noncanonical Arg46 site. This cleavage causes biased signaling that provides a major explanation for APC's in vivo mechanism of action for neuroprotective activities. 3K3A-APC appeared to be safe in ischemic stroke patients and reduced bleeding in the brain after tissue plasminogen activator therapy in a recent phase 2 clinical trial. Hence, it merits further clinical testing for its efficacy in ischemic stroke patients. Recent studies using human fetal neural stem and progenitor cells show that 3K3A-APC promotes neurogenesis in vitro as well as in vivo in the murine middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke model. These recent advances should encourage translational research centered on signaling selective APC's for both single-agent therapies and multiagent combination therapies for ischemic stroke and other neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John H Griffin
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA; and
| | - Berislav V Zlokovic
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
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23
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Leligdowicz A, Richard-Greenblatt M, Wright J, Crowley VM, Kain KC. Endothelial Activation: The Ang/Tie Axis in Sepsis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:838. [PMID: 29740443 PMCID: PMC5928262 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis, a dysregulated host response to infection that causes life-threatening organ dysfunction, is a highly heterogeneous syndrome with no specific treatment. Although sepsis can be caused by a wide variety of pathogenic organisms, endothelial dysfunction leading to vascular leak is a common mechanism of injury that contributes to the morbidity and mortality associated with the syndrome. Perturbations to the angiopoietin (Ang)/Tie2 axis cause endothelial cell activation and contribute to the pathogenesis of sepsis. In this review, we summarize how the Ang/Tie2 pathway is implicated in sepsis and describe its prognostic as well as therapeutic utility in life-threatening infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Leligdowicz
- Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Richard-Greenblatt
- Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julie Wright
- Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Valerie M Crowley
- Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin C Kain
- Sandra Rotman Centre for Global Health, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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24
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Sinha RK, Wang Y, Zhao Z, Xu X, Burnier L, Gupta N, Fernández JA, Martin G, Kupriyanov S, Mosnier LO, Zlokovic BV, Griffin JH. PAR1 biased signaling is required for activated protein C in vivo benefits in sepsis and stroke. Blood 2018; 131:1163-1171. [PMID: 29343482 PMCID: PMC5855020 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-10-810895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activated protein C (APC) cleaves protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) in vitro at R46 to initiate beneficial cell signaling; however, thrombin and APC can cleave at R41. To elucidate PAR1-dependent aspects of the pharmacologic in vivo mechanisms of APC, we generated C57BL/6 mouse strains carrying QQ41 or QQ46 point mutations in PAR1 (F2r gene). Using these strains, we determined whether or not recombinant murine signaling-selective APC mutants would reduce septic death or provide neuroprotection against ischemic stroke when mice carried PAR1-homozygous mutations that prevent cleavage at either R41 or R46. Intercrossing PAR1+/R46Q mice generated expected numbers of PAR1+/+, PAR1+/R46Q, and R46Q/R46Q offspring whereas intercrossing PAR1+/R41Q mice gave decreased R41Q/R41Q homozygotes (resembling intercrossing PAR1+/PAR1-knockout mice). QQ41-PAR1 and QQ46-PAR1 brain endothelial cells showed the predicted retention or loss of cellular responses to thrombin receptor-activating peptide, thrombin, or APC for each PAR1 mutation. In sepsis studies, exogenous APC reduced mortality from 50% to 10% in Escherichia coli-induced pneumonia for wild-type (Wt) PAR1 and QQ41-PAR1 mice (P < .01) but had no benefit for QQ46-PAR1 mice. In transient distal middle cerebral artery occlusion stroke studies, exogenous APC significantly reduced infarct size, edema, and neuronal apoptosis for Wt mice and QQ41-PAR1 mice but had no detectable benefits for mice carrying QQ46-PAR1. In functional studies of forelimb-asymmetry and foot-fault tests at 24 hours after stroke induction, signaling-selective APC was beneficial for Wt and QQ41-PAR1 mice but not QQ46-PAR1 mice. These results support the concept that APC-induced, PAR1-dependent biased signaling following R46 cleavage is central to the in vivo benefits of APC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yaoming Wang
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; and
| | - Zhen Zhao
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; and
| | - Xiao Xu
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | | | - Naveen Gupta
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
| | | | - Greg Martin
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
| | | | | | - Berislav V Zlokovic
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA; and
| | - John H Griffin
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
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25
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Angiopoietins bind thrombomodulin and inhibit its function as a thrombin cofactor. Sci Rep 2018; 8:505. [PMID: 29323190 PMCID: PMC5765006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-18912-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and Angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) are ligands for Tie2, an endothelial-specific receptor tyrosine kinase that is an essential regulator of angiogenesis. Here we report the identification, via expression cloning, of thrombomodulin (TM) as another receptor for Ang1 and Ang2. Thrombomodulin is an endothelial cell surface molecule that plays an essential role as a coagulation inhibitor via its function as a cofactor in the thrombin-mediated activation of protein C, an anticoagulant protein, as well as thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Ang1 and Ang2 inhibited the thrombin/TM-mediated generation of activated protein C and TAFI in cultured endothelial cells, and inhibited the binding of thrombin to TM in vitro. Ang2 appears to bind TM with higher affinity than Ang1 and is a more potent inhibitor of TM function. Consistent with a potential role for angiopoietins in coagulation, administration of thrombin to mice rapidly increased plasma Ang1 levels, presumably reflecting release from activated platelets (previously shown to contain high levels of Ang1). In addition, Ang1 levels were significantly elevated in plasma prepared from wound blood, suggesting that Ang1 is released from activated platelets at sites of vessel injury. Our results imply a previously undescribed role for angiopoietins in the regulation of hemostasis.
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