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Arroyo-Ataz G, Yagüe AC, Breda JC, Mazzilli SA, Jones D. Transcriptional, developmental, and functional parallels of lymphatic and venous smooth muscle. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.18.604042. [PMID: 39091770 PMCID: PMC11291064 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.18.604042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Lymphatic muscle cells (LMCs) are indispensable for lymphatic vessel contraction and their aberrant recruitment or absence is associated with both primary and secondary lymphedema. Despite their critical role in lymphatic vessel function, the transcriptomic and developmental basis that confer the unique contractile properties to LMCs are largely undefined. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), lineage tracing and in vivo imaging to investigate the basis for the hybrid cardiomyocyte and blood vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) characteristics that have been described for LMCs. Using scRNAseq, the transcriptomes of LMC and venous SMCs from the murine hindlimb exhibited more similarities than differences, although both were markedly distinct from that of arteriole SMCs in the same tissue. Functionally, both lymphatic vessels and blood vessels in the murine hindlimb displayed pulsatile contractility. However, despite expressing genes that overlap with the venous SMC transcriptome, through lineage tracing we show that LMCs do not originate from Myh11+ SMC progenitors. Previous studies have shown that LMCs express cardiac-related genes, whereas in our study we found that arteriole SMCs, but not LMCs, expressed cardiac-related genes. Through lineage tracing, we demonstrate that a subpopulation of LMCs and SMCs originate from WT1+ mesodermal progenitors, which are known to give rise to SMCs. LMCs, however, do not derive from Nkx2.5+ cardiomyocyte progenitors. Overall, our findings suggest that venous SMCs and LMCs and may derive from a related mesodermal progenitor and adopt a similar gene expression program that enable their contractile properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Arroyo-Ataz
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Alejandra Carrasco Yagüe
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Julia C. Breda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 75 E. Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Sarah A. Mazzilli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Computational Biomedicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 75 E. Newton Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
| | - Dennis Jones
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA
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2
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Abstract
Mast cell granules are packed with proteases, which are released with other mediators by degranulating stimuli. Several of these proteases are targets of potentially therapeutic inhibitors based on hypothesized contributions to diseases, notably asthma and ulcerative colitis for β-tryptases, heart and kidney scarring for chymases, and airway infection for dipeptidyl peptidase-I. Small-molecule and antibody-based β-tryptase inhibitors showing preclinical promise were tested in early-phase human trials with some evidence of benefit. Chymase inhibitors were given safely in Phase II trials without demonstrating benefits, whereas dipeptidyl peptidase-I inhibitor improved bronchiectasis, in effects likely related to inactivation of the enzyme in neutrophils.
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3
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Marcella S, Petraroli A, Canè L, Ferrara AL, Poto R, Parente R, Palestra F, Cristinziano L, Modestino L, Galdiero MR, Monti M, Marone G, Triggiani M, Varricchi G, Loffredo S. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a substrate for tryptase in patients with mastocytosis. Eur J Intern Med 2023; 117:111-118. [PMID: 37500310 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejim.2023.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous disease associated to uncontrolled proliferation and increased density of mast cells in different organs. This clonal disorder is related to gain-of-function pathogenic variants of the c-kit gene that encodes for KIT (CD117) expressed on mast cell membrane. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which plays a key role in allergic disorders and several cancers. TSLP is a survival and activating factor for human mast cells through the engagement of the TSLP receptor. Activated human mast cells release several preformed mediators, including tryptase. Increased mast cell-derived tryptase is a diagnostic biomarker of mastocytosis. In this study, we found that in these patients serum concentrations of TSLP were lower than healthy donors. There was an inverse correlation between TSLP and tryptase concentrations in mastocytosis. Incubation of human recombinant TSLP with sera from patients with mastocytosis, containing increasing concentrations of tryptase, concentration-dependently decreased TSLP immunoreactivity. Similarly, recombinant β-tryptase reduced the immunoreactivity of recombinant TSLP, inducing the formation of a cleavage product of approximately 10 kDa. Collectively, these results indicate that TSLP is a substrate for human mast cell tryptase and highlight a novel loop involving these mediators in mastocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angelica Petraroli
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Luisa Canè
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, Naples, Italy
| | - Anne Lise Ferrara
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Remo Poto
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Roberta Parente
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA) 84084, Italy
| | - Francesco Palestra
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Leonardo Cristinziano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Luca Modestino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Galdiero
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Maria Monti
- CEINGE Advanced Biotechnologies, Naples, Italy; Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Gianni Marone
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Massimo Triggiani
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of Salerno, Fisciano (SA) 84084, Italy
| | - Gilda Varricchi
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council, Naples 80131, Italy.
| | - Stefania Loffredo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; World Allergy Organization (WAO) Center of Excellence, Naples 80131, Italy; Center for Basic and Clinical Immunology Research (CISI), University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy; Institute of Experimental Endocrinology and Oncology (IEOS), National Research Council, Naples 80131, Italy.
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Atiakshin D, Kostin A, Volodkin A, Nazarova A, Shishkina V, Esaulenko D, Buchwalow I, Tiemann M, Noda M. Mast Cells as a Potential Target of Molecular Hydrogen in Regulating the Local Tissue Microenvironment. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:817. [PMID: 37375765 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the biological effects of molecular hydrogen (H2), hydrogen gas, is constantly advancing, giving a reason for the optimism in several healthcare practitioners regarding the management of multiple diseases, including socially significant ones (malignant neoplasms, diabetes mellitus, viral hepatitis, mental and behavioral disorders). However, mechanisms underlying the biological effects of H2 are still being actively debated. In this review, we focus on mast cells as a potential target for H2 at the specific tissue microenvironment level. H2 regulates the processing of pro-inflammatory components of the mast cell secretome and their entry into the extracellular matrix; this can significantly affect the capacity of the integrated-buffer metabolism and the structure of the immune landscape of the local tissue microenvironment. The analysis performed highlights several potential mechanisms for developing the biological effects of H2 and offers great opportunities for translating the obtained findings into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Atiakshin
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Research Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Andrey Kostin
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Artem Volodkin
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Nazarova
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Viktoriya Shishkina
- Research Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Dmitry Esaulenko
- Research Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Igor Buchwalow
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba, 117198 Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr. 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Tiemann
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr. 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mami Noda
- Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 816-0811, Japan
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Atiakshin DA, Kostin AA, Trotsenko ID, Shishkina VV, Tiemann M, Buchwalow IB. Carboxypeptidase A3 in the structure of the protease phenotype of mast cells: cytophysiological aspects. RUDN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.22363/2313-0245-2022-26-1-9-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3) is a specific protease of mast cells (MC) with variable expression and appears to be one of the preformed components of the secretome. CPA3 is involved in regulation of the state of a specifi tissue microenvironment and components of the integrative-buffer metabolic environment in adaptive and pathological processes; it affects implementation of the innate immunity, mechanisms of angiogenesis, processes of the extracellular matrix remodeling, etc. CPA3 identification using protocols of multiplex immunohistochemistry allows specifying details of the organ-specific mast cell population features, including the protease phenotype, mechanisms of biogenesis with cytoand histotopographic criteria, and features of secretory pathways. Numerous biological effects of CPA3, including participation in the regulation of the pulmonary parenchyma and systemic blood flow, in biogenesis and remodeling of the fibrous component of the extracellular matrix, in epigenetic reprogramming, determine the importance of fundamental investigation of the physiological activity of protease and its involvement in the implementation of pathological processes. Further studies will contribute to the detection of the translational value of the mast cell CPA3 expression features as a prognostic factor and a promising molecular target for treatment of socially significant diseases.
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6
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Atiakshin DA, Kostin AA, Trotsenko ID, Shishkina VV, Tiemann M, Buchwalow IB. Carboxypeptidase A3 in the structure of the protease phenotype of mast cells: cytophysiological aspects. RUDN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.22363/2313-0245-2022-26-1-9-32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3) is a specific protease of mast cells (MC) with variable expression and appears to be one of the preformed components of the secretome. CPA3 is involved in regulation of the state of a specifi tissue microenvironment and components of the integrative-buffer metabolic environment in adaptive and pathological processes; it affects implementation of the innate immunity, mechanisms of angiogenesis, processes of the extracellular matrix remodeling, etc. CPA3 identification using protocols of multiplex immunohistochemistry allows specifying details of the organ-specific mast cell population features, including the protease phenotype, mechanisms of biogenesis with cyto- and histotopographic criteria, and features of secretory pathways. Numerous biological effects of CPA3, including participation in the regulation of the pulmonary parenchyma and systemic blood flow, in biogenesis and remodeling of the fibrous component of the extracellular matrix, in epigenetic reprogramming, determine the importance of fundamental investigation of the biological activity and regulation of pathological processes of CPA3. Further studies will contribute to the detection of the true value of the mast cell CPA3 expression features as a prognostic factor and a promising molecular target for treatment of socially significant diseases.
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Himelreich-Perić M, Katušić-Bojanac A, Hohšteter M, Sinčić N, Mužić-Radović V, Ježek D. Mast Cells in the Mammalian Testis and Epididymis-Animal Models and Detection Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052547. [PMID: 35269690 PMCID: PMC8909951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are an evolutionary well-conserved type of cells, mediating and modulating allergic responses in innate immunity and tissue remodeling after chronic inflammation. Among other tissues, they inhabit both the testis and epididymis. In the testis, MCs usually appear in the interstitial compartment in humans, but not in other standard experimental models, like rats and mice. MCs seem to be responsible for testicular tissue fibrosis in different causes of infertility. Although experimental animal models follow the effect on MC activation or penetration to the interstitial tissue like in humans to some extent, there is an inconsistency in the available literature regarding experimental design, animal strain, and detection methods used. This comprehensive review offers an insight into the literature on MCs in mammalian testes and epididymides. We aimed to find the most suitable model for research on MC and offer recommendations for future experimental designs. When using in vivo animal models, tunica albuginea incorporation and standard histological assessment need to be included. Domesticated boar strains kept in modified controlled conditions exhibit the highest similarity to the MC distribution in the human testis. 3D testicular models are promising but need further fine-tuning to become a valid model for MC investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Himelreich-Perić
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Katušić-Bojanac
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Hohšteter
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nino Sinčić
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Mužić-Radović
- Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation of the Health and Lung Diseases and Rheumatism “Thalassotherapia-Opatija”, 51410 Opatija, Croatia;
| | - Davor Ježek
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Atiakshin D, Kostin A, Trotsenko I, Samoilova V, Buchwalow I, Tiemann M. Carboxypeptidase A3—A Key Component of the Protease Phenotype of Mast Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030570. [PMID: 35159379 PMCID: PMC8834431 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3) is a specific mast cell (MC) protease with variable expression. This protease is one of the preformed components of the secretome. During maturation of granules, CPA3 becomes an active enzyme with a characteristic localization determining the features of the cytological and ultrastructural phenotype of MC. CPA3 takes part in the regulation of a specific tissue microenvironment, affecting the implementation of innate immunity, the mechanisms of angiogenesis, the processes of remodeling of the extracellular matrix, etc. Characterization of CPA3 expression in MC can be used to refine the MC classification, help in a prognosis, and increase the effectiveness of targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Atiakshin
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.); (I.T.)
- Research Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, Studencheskaya Str. 10, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Andrey Kostin
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.); (I.T.)
| | - Ivan Trotsenko
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.); (I.T.)
| | - Vera Samoilova
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr. 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany; (V.S.); (M.T.)
| | - Igor Buchwalow
- Research and Educational Resource Center for Immunophenotyping, Digital Spatial Profiling and Ultrastructural Analysis Innovative Technologies, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Miklukho-Maklaya Str. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.); (I.T.)
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr. 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany; (V.S.); (M.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-(040)-7070-85317; Fax: +49-(040)-7070-85110
| | - Markus Tiemann
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr. 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany; (V.S.); (M.T.)
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Fu Z, Akula S, Olsson AK, Kervinen J, Hellman L. Mast Cells and Basophils in the Defense against Ectoparasites: Efficient Degradation of Parasite Anticoagulants by the Connective Tissue Mast Cell Chymases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312627. [PMID: 34884431 PMCID: PMC8657707 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ticks, lice, flees, mosquitos, leeches and vampire bats need to prevent the host's blood coagulation during their feeding process. This is primarily achieved by injecting potent anticoagulant proteins. Basophils frequently accumulate at the site of tick feeding. However, this occurs only after the second encounter with the parasite involving an adaptive immune response and IgE. To study the potential role of basophils and mast cells in the defense against ticks and other ectoparasites, we produced anticoagulant proteins from three blood-feeding animals; tick, mosquito, and leech. We tested these anticoagulant proteins for their sensitivity to inactivation by a panel of hematopoietic serine proteases. The majority of the connective tissue mast cell proteases tested, originating from humans, dogs, rats, hamsters, and opossums, efficiently cleaved these anticoagulant proteins. Interestingly, the mucosal mast cell proteases that contain closely similar cleavage specificity, had little effect on these anticoagulant proteins. Ticks have been shown to produce serpins, serine protease inhibitors, upon a blood meal that efficiently inhibit the human mast cell chymase and cathepsin G, indicating that ticks have developed a strategy to inactivate these proteases. We show here that one of these tick serpins (IRS-2) shows broad activity against the majority of the mast cell chymotryptic enzymes and the neutrophil proteases from human to opossum. However, it had no effect on the mast cell tryptases or the basophil specific protease mMCP-8. The production of anticoagulants, proteases and anti-proteases by the parasite and the host presents a fascinating example of an arms race between the blood-feeding animals and the mammalian immune system with an apparent and potent role of the connective tissue mast cell chymases in the host defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhirong Fu
- The Biomedical Center, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (Z.F.); (S.A.)
| | - Srinivas Akula
- The Biomedical Center, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (Z.F.); (S.A.)
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Jukka Kervinen
- Tosoh Bioscience LLC., 3604 Horizon Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA;
| | - Lars Hellman
- The Biomedical Center, Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (Z.F.); (S.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-(0)18-471-4532; Fax: +46-(0)18-471-4862
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