1
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Vergnolle N. Thrombin stories in the gut. Biochimie 2024:S0300-9084(24)00065-8. [PMID: 38521125 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2024.03.007] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Many studies have demonstrated the involvement of proteases in gut physiology and pathophysiology over the recent years. Among them, thrombin has appeared for a long time as an old player only involved in blood clotting upon tissue injury. The fact that thrombin receptors (Protease-Activated Receptors-1 and -4) are expressed and functional in almost all cell types of the gut, contributing to barrier, immune or motility functions, suggested that thrombin could actually be at the crossroad of intestinal physiology. Recent work has unraveled the constitutive release of active thrombin by intestinal epithelial cells, opening new research avenues on the role of thrombin in the gut. These roles are considered in the present review, as well as the regulation of thrombin in the gut. The potential of thrombin as a target for treatments of intestinal pathologies is also discussed here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Vergnolle
- IRSD, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, INRAE, ENVT, Univ Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier (UPS), CS60039, Toulouse, Cedex 03, 31024, France; Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Ab T2N 4N1, Canada.
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2
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Rao S, Grover M. Intestinal proteases. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2023; 39:472-478. [PMID: 37678185 PMCID: PMC10592107 DOI: 10.1097/mog.0000000000000972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Proteases constitute a group of enzymes that hydrolyze peptide bonds. Intestinal proteases are an integral part of gut homeostasis and digestion. This review discusses the broader classification of proteases, regulation of proteolytic activity (PA) in the intestinal tract, and how dysregulation of intestinal proteases contributes to the pathophysiology of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and celiac disease. We also discuss recent advancements in therapeutic modulation that directly or indirectly target intestinal proteases and can be utilized to treat these illnesses. RECENT FINDINGS Host and microbiota derived proteases have been associated with symptoms in subsets of patients with IBS, IBD and celiac disease. Elevated PA mediates barrier dysfunction, visceral hypersensitivity as well as immune activation and inflammation. Recent mechanistic studies have revealed the nature of disease-associated proteases and mechanisms regulating their activity, particularly those driven by the microbiota. Advancements in activity-based probes have allowed novel ways of in vivo imaging of PA. Newer strategies targeting proteases include monoclonal antibodies, engineered microbiota as well as specific protease inhibitors. SUMMARY Significant progresses made in the detection as well as regulation of PA is likely to provide therapeutic advancements for gastrointestinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer Rao
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Jaipur, India
| | - Madhusudan Grover
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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3
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Lee I, Tantisirivat P, Edgington-Mitchell LE. Chemical Tools to Image the Activity of PAR-Cleaving Proteases. ACS BIO & MED CHEM AU 2023; 3:295-304. [PMID: 37599791 PMCID: PMC10436261 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomedchemau.3c00019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Protease-activated receptors (PARs) comprise a family of four G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that have broad functions in health and disease. Unlike most GPCRs, PARs are uniquely activated by proteolytic cleavage of their extracellular N termini. To fully understand PAR activation and function in vivo, it is critical to also study the proteases that activate them. As proteases are heavily regulated at the post-translational level, measures of total protease abundance have limited utility. Measures of protease activity are instead required to inform their function. This review will introduce several classes of chemical probes that have been developed to measure the activation of PAR-cleaving proteases. Their strengths, weaknesses, and applications will be discussed, especially as applied to image protease activity at the whole organism, tissue, and cellular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene
Y. Lee
- Department
of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology
Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Piyapa Tantisirivat
- Department
of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology
Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
| | - Laura E. Edgington-Mitchell
- Department
of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology
Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052 Australia
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4
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Smith ET, Kruppa M, Johnson DA, Van Haeften J, Chen X, Leahy D, Peake J, Harris JM. High yield expression in Pichia pastoris of human neutrophil elastase fused to cytochrome B5. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 206:106255. [PMID: 36822453 PMCID: PMC10118287 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2023.106255] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant human neutrophil elastase (rHNE), a serine protease, was expressed in Pichia pastoris. Glycosylation sites were removed via bioengineering to prevent hyper-glycosylation (a common problem with this system) and the cDNA was codon optimized for translation in Pichia pastoris. The zymogen form of rHNE was secreted as a fusion protein with an N-terminal six histidine tag followed by the heme binding domain of Cytochrome B5 (CytB5) linked to the N-terminus of the rHNE sequence via an enteropeptidase cleavage site. The CytB5 fusion balanced the very basic rHNE (pI = 9.89) to give a colored fusion protein (pI = 6.87), purified via IMAC. Active rHNE was obtained via enteropeptidase cleavage, and purified via cation exchange chromatography, resulting in a single protein band on SDS PAGE (Mr = 25 KDa). Peptide mass fingerprinting analysis confirmed the rHNE amino acid sequence, the absence of glycosylation and the absence of an 8 amino acid C-terminal peptide as opposed to the 20 amino acids usually missing from the C-terminus of native enzyme. The yield of active rHNE was 0.41 mg/L of baffled shaker flask culture medium. Active site titration with alpha-1 antitrypsin, a potent irreversible elastase inhibitor, quantified the concentration of purified active enzyme. The Km of rHNE with methoxy-succinyl-AAPVpNA was identical with that of the native enzyme within the assay's limit of accuracy. This is the first report of full-length rHNE expression at high yields and low cost facilitating further studies on this major human neutrophil enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliot T Smith
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Medical Education, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Box 70582, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michael Kruppa
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Medical Education, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Box 70582, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - David A Johnson
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences and Medical Education, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Box 70582, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA.
| | - Jessica Van Haeften
- Queensland University of Technology, Molecular Simulation Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Corner Blamey Street & Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Queensland, 4059, Australia
| | - Xingchen Chen
- Queensland University of Technology, Molecular Simulation Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Corner Blamey Street & Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Queensland, 4059, Australia
| | - Darren Leahy
- Queensland University of Technology, Molecular Simulation Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Corner Blamey Street & Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Queensland, 4059, Australia
| | - Jonathan Peake
- Queensland University of Technology, Molecular Simulation Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Corner Blamey Street & Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Queensland, 4059, Australia
| | - Jonathan M Harris
- Queensland University of Technology, Molecular Simulation Group, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Corner Blamey Street & Musk Avenue, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, Queensland, 4059, Australia
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5
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Kobpornchai P, Reamtong O, Phuphisut O, Malaitong P, Adisakwattana P. Serine protease inhibitor derived from Trichinella spiralis (TsSERP) inhibits neutrophil elastase and impairs human neutrophil functions. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:919835. [PMID: 36389172 PMCID: PMC9640929 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.919835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During early infection with Trichinella spiralis, host neutrophils destroy newborn larvae migrating in the bloodstream, preventing infection. However, parasites secrete various immunomodulatory molecules to escape the host’s defense mechanisms, allowing them to infect the host and live for long periods. T. spiralis secretes serine protease inhibitors (TsSERPs), which are key inhibitory molecules that regulate serine proteases involved in digestion and inflammation. However, the modulatory roles of TsSERP in the inhibition of neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs) and neutrophil functions are unknown. Therefore, the immunomodulatory properties of recombinant TsSERP1 (rTsSERP1) on NSPs and neutrophil functions were investigated in this study. rTsSERP1 preferentially inhibited human neutrophil elastase (hNE). In addition, incubation of rTsSERP1 with fMLP-induced neutrophils impaired their phagocytic ability. The formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was activated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), and NETs were dramatically reduced when treated with rTsSERP1. Furthermore, rTsSERP1 suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines during neutrophil activation, which are essential for neutrophil-mediated local or systemic inflammation regulation. In conclusion, T. spiralis immune evasion mechanisms are promoted by the inhibitory properties of TsSERP1 against neutrophil elastase and neutrophil defense functions, and these might be promising alternative treatment targets for inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Porntida Kobpornchai
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Onrapak Reamtong
- Department of Molecular Tropical Medicine and Genetics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Orawan Phuphisut
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Preeyarat Malaitong
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poom Adisakwattana
- Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Poom Adisakwattana,
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6
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Yadav SK, Ito N, Mindur JE, Kumar H, Youssef M, Suresh S, Kulkarni R, Rosario Y, Balashov KE, Dhib-Jalbut S, Ito K. Fecal Lcn-2 level is a sensitive biological indicator for gut dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation in multiple sclerosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1015372. [PMID: 36341389 PMCID: PMC9634083 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1015372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has been reported to be associated with intestinal inflammation and gut dysbiosis. To elucidate the underlying biology of MS-linked gut inflammation, we investigated gut infiltration of immune cells during the development of spontaneous experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in humanized transgenic (Tg) mice expressing HLA-DR2a and human T cell receptor (TCR) specific for myelin basic protein peptide (MBP87-99)/HLA-DR2a complexes. Strikingly, we noted the simultaneous development of EAE and colitis, suggesting a link between autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) and intestinal inflammation. Examination of the colon in these mice revealed the infiltration of MBP-specific Th17 cells as well as recruitment of neutrophils. Furthermore, we observed that fecal Lipocalin-2 (Lcn-2), a biomarker of intestinal inflammation, was significantly elevated and predominantly produced by the gut-infiltrating neutrophils. We then extended our findings to MS patients and demonstrate that their fecal Lcn-2 levels are significantly elevated compared to healthy donors (HDs). The elevation of fecal Lcn-2 levels correlated with reduced bacterial diversity and increased levels of other intestinal inflammation markers including neutrophil elastase and calprotectin. Of interest, bacteria thought to be beneficial for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Anaerobutyricum, Blautia, and Roseburia, were reduced in fecal Lcn-2-high MS patients. We also observed a decreasing trend in serum acetate (a short-chain fatty acid) levels in MS Lcn-2-high patients compared to HDs. Furthermore, a decrease in the relative abundance of Blautia massiliensis was significantly associated with a reduction of acetate in the serum of MS patients. This study suggests that gut infiltration of Th17 cells and recruitment of neutrophils are associated with the development of gut dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation, and that fecal Lcn-2 level is a sensitive biological indicator for gut dysbiosis in multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudhir K. Yadav
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Naoko Ito
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - John E. Mindur
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Hetal Kumar
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Mysra Youssef
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Shradha Suresh
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Ratuja Kulkarni
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Yaritza Rosario
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Konstantin E. Balashov
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Suhayl Dhib-Jalbut
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Kouichi Ito
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
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7
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Decraecker L, Boeckxstaens G, Denadai-Souza A. Inhibition of Serine Proteases as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Abdominal Pain in IBS. Front Physiol 2022; 13:880422. [PMID: 35665224 PMCID: PMC9161638 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.880422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Serine proteases are heavily present in the gastrointestinal tract where they are essential in numerous physiological processes. An imbalance in the proteolytic activity is a central mechanism underlying abdominal pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, protease inhibitors are emerging as a promising therapeutic tool to manage abdominal pain in this functional gastrointestinal disorder. With this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of the implications of serine proteases in the development of abdominal pain in IBS, along with a critical assessment of the current developments and prospects of protease inhibitors as a therapeutic tool. In particular, we highlight the current knowledge gap concerning the identity of dysregulated serine proteases that are released by the rectal mucosa of IBS patients. Finally, we suggest a workflow with state-of-the-art techniques that will help address the knowledge gap, guiding future research towards the development of more effective and selective protease inhibitors to manage abdominal pain in IBS.
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8
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Mice expressing fluorescent PAR 2 reveal that endocytosis mediates colonic inflammation and pain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:2112059119. [PMID: 35110404 PMCID: PMC8833192 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112059119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate many pathophysiological processes and are major therapeutic targets. The impact of disease on the subcellular distribution and function of GPCRs is poorly understood. We investigated trafficking and signaling of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) in colitis. To localize PAR2 and assess redistribution during disease, we generated knockin mice expressing PAR2 fused to monomeric ultrastable green fluorescent protein (muGFP). PAR2-muGFP signaled and trafficked normally. PAR2 messenger RNA was detected at similar levels in Par2-mugfp and wild-type mice. Immunostaining with a GFP antibody and RNAScope in situ hybridization using F2rl1 (PAR2) and Gfp probes revealed that PAR2-muGFP was expressed in epithelial cells of the small and large intestine and in subsets of enteric and dorsal root ganglia neurons. In healthy mice, PAR2-muGFP was prominently localized to the basolateral membrane of colonocytes. In mice with colitis, PAR2-muGFP was depleted from the plasma membrane of colonocytes and redistributed to early endosomes, consistent with generation of proinflammatory proteases that activate PAR2 PAR2 agonists stimulated endocytosis of PAR2 and recruitment of Gαq, Gαi, and β-arrestin to early endosomes of T84 colon carcinoma cells. PAR2 agonists increased paracellular permeability of colonic epithelial cells, induced colonic inflammation and hyperalgesia in mice, and stimulated proinflammatory cytokine release from segments of human colon. Knockdown of dynamin-2 (Dnm2), the major colonocyte isoform, and Dnm inhibition attenuated PAR2 endocytosis, signaling complex assembly and colonic inflammation and hyperalgesia. Thus, PAR2 endocytosis sustains protease-evoked inflammation and nociception and PAR2 in endosomes is a potential therapeutic target for colitis.
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9
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Das N, Menon NG, de Almeida LGN, Woods PS, Heynen ML, Jay GD, Caffery B, Jones L, Krawetz R, Schmidt TA, Dufour A. Proteomics Analysis of Tears and Saliva From Sjogren's Syndrome Patients. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:787193. [PMID: 34950038 PMCID: PMC8689002 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.787193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is characterized by dysfunctional mucous membranes and dysregulated moisture-secreting glands resulting in various symptoms, including dry mouth and dry eyes. Here, we wanted to profile and compare the tear and saliva proteomes of SS patients to healthy controls. Tear and saliva samples were collected and subjected to an isotopic dimethylation labeling shotgun proteomics workflow to identify alterations in protein levels. In tear samples, we identified 83 upregulated and 112 downregulated proteins. Pathway enrichment analysis of the changing proteins by Metascape identified leukocyte transendothelial migration, neutrophil degranulation, and post-translation protein phosphorylation in tears of SS patients. In healthy controls' tears, an enrichment for proteins related to glycolysis, amino acid metabolism and apoptotic signaling pathway were identified. In saliva, we identified 108 upregulated and 45 downregulated proteins. Altered pathways in SS patients' saliva included cornification, sensory perception to taste and neutrophil degranulation. In healthy controls' saliva, an enrichment for proteins related to JAK-STAT signaling after interleukin-12 stimulation, phagocytosis and glycolysis in senescence were identified. Dysregulated protease activity is implicated in the initiation of inflammation and immune cell recruitment in SS. We identified 20 proteases and protease inhibitors in tears and 18 in saliva which are differentially expressed between SS patients and healthy controls. Next, we quantified endogenous proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), a mucin-like glycoprotein, in tear wash and saliva samples via a bead-based immune assay. We identified decreased levels of PRG4 in SS patients' tear wash compared to normal samples. Conversely, in saliva, we found elevated levels of PRG4 concentration and visualized PRG4 expression in human parotid gland via immunohistological staining. These findings will improve our mechanistic understanding of the disease and changes in SS patients' protein expression will help identify new potential drug targets. PRG4 is among the promising targets, which we identified here, in saliva, for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabangshu Das
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology and Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Nikhil G. Menon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Dental Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Luiz G. N. de Almeida
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology and Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Paige S. Woods
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School and School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Miriam L. Heynen
- Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE), School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory D. Jay
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School and School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | | | - Lyndon Jones
- Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE), School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Roman Krawetz
- McCaig Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Tannin A. Schmidt
- McCaig Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Dental Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, United States
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology and Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- McCaig Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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10
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Abstract
All living organisms depend on tightly regulated cellular networks to control biological functions. Proteolysis is an important irreversible post-translational modification that regulates most, if not all, cellular processes. Proteases are a large family of enzymes that perform hydrolysis of protein substrates, leading to protein activation or degradation. The 473 known and 90 putative human proteases are divided into 5 main mechanistic groups: metalloproteases, serine proteases, cysteine proteases, threonine proteases, and aspartic acid proteases. Proteases are fundamental to all biological systems, and when dysregulated they profoundly influence disease progression. Inhibiting proteases has led to effective therapies for viral infections, cardiovascular disorders, and blood coagulation just to name a few. Between 5 and 10% of all pharmaceutical targets are proteases, despite limited knowledge about their biological roles. More than 50% of all human proteases have no known substrates. We present here a comprehensive list of all current known human proteases. We also present current and novel biochemical tools to characterize protease functions in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo. These tools make it achievable to define both beneficial and detrimental activities of proteases in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longxiang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Kimberly Main
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Henry Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Olivier Julien
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Antoine Dufour
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone & Joint Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
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11
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Kahler JP, Verhelst SHL. Phosphinate esters as novel warheads for activity-based probes targeting serine proteases. RSC Chem Biol 2021; 2:1285-1290. [PMID: 34458842 PMCID: PMC8341442 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00117e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Activity-based protein profiling enables the specific detection of the active fraction of an enzyme and is of particular use for the profiling of proteases. The technique relies on a mechanism-based reaction between small molecule activity-based probes (ABPs) with the active enzyme. Here we report a set of new ABPs for serine proteases, specifically neutrophil serine proteases. The probes contain a phenylphosphinate warhead that mimics the P1 amino acid recognized by the primary recognition pocket of S1 family serine proteases. The warhead is easily synthesized from commercial starting materials and leads to potent probes which can be used for fluorescent in-gel protease detection and fluorescent microscopy imaging experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pascal Kahler
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven Herestraat 49 Box 802 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Steven H L Verhelst
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven Herestraat 49 Box 802 3000 Leuven Belgium
- Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences ISAS Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6b 44227 Dortmund Germany
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12
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Saidi A, Wartenberg M, Madinier JB, Ilango G, Seren S, Korkmaz B, Lecaille F, Aucagne V, Lalmanach G. Monitoring Human Neutrophil Activation by a Proteinase 3 Near-Infrared Fluorescence Substrate-Based Probe. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:1782-1790. [PMID: 34269060 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.1c00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) substrate-based probe (SBP) was conceived to monitor secreted human proteinase 3 (hPR3) activity. This probe, called pro3-SBP, is shaped by a fused peptide hairpin loop structure, which associates a hPR3 recognition domain (Val-Ala-Asp-Nva-Ala-Asp-Tyr-Gln, where Nva is norvaline) and an electrostatic zipper (consisting of complementary polyanionic (d-Glu)5 and polycationic (d-Arg)5 sequences) in close vicinity of the N- and C-terminal FRET couple (fluorescent donor, sulfoCy5.5; dark quencher, QSY21). Besides its subsequent stability, no intermolecular fluorescence quenching was detected following its complete hydrolysis by hPR3, advocating that pro3-SBP could further afford unbiased imaging. Pro3-SBP was specifically hydrolyzed by hPR3 (kcat/Km= 440 000 ± 5500 M-1·s-1) and displayed a sensitive detection threshold for hPR3 (subnanomolar concentration range), while neutrophil elastase showed a weaker potency. Conversely, pro3-SBP was not cleaved by cathepsin G. Pro3-SBP was successfully hydrolyzed by conditioned media of activated human neutrophils but not by quiescent neutrophils. Moreover, unlike unstimulated neutrophils, a strong NIRF signal was specifically detected by confocal microscopy following neutrophil ionomycin-induced degranulation. Fluorescence release was abolished in the presence of a selective hPR3 inhibitor, indicating that pro3-SBP is selectively cleaved by extracellular hPR3. Taken together, the present data support that pro3-SBP could be a convenient tool, allowing straightforward monitoring of human neutrophil activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlame Saidi
- Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France.,UMR 1100, Research Center for Respiratory Diseases (CEPR), Team: "Proteolytic Mechanisms in Inflammation", INSERM, Tours 37032, France
| | - Mylène Wartenberg
- Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France.,UMR 1100, Research Center for Respiratory Diseases (CEPR), Team: "Proteolytic Mechanisms in Inflammation", INSERM, Tours 37032, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Madinier
- Center for Molecular Biophysics (CBM), Team: "Molecular, Structural and Chemical Biology″, CNRS UPR 4301, Orléans 45071, France
| | - Guy Ilango
- IBiSA Electron Microscopy Platform, Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France
| | - Seda Seren
- Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France.,UMR 1100, Research Center for Respiratory Diseases (CEPR), Team: "Proteolytic Mechanisms in Inflammation", INSERM, Tours 37032, France
| | - Brice Korkmaz
- Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France.,UMR 1100, Research Center for Respiratory Diseases (CEPR), Team: "Proteolytic Mechanisms in Inflammation", INSERM, Tours 37032, France
| | - Fabien Lecaille
- Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France.,UMR 1100, Research Center for Respiratory Diseases (CEPR), Team: "Proteolytic Mechanisms in Inflammation", INSERM, Tours 37032, France
| | - Vincent Aucagne
- Center for Molecular Biophysics (CBM), Team: "Molecular, Structural and Chemical Biology″, CNRS UPR 4301, Orléans 45071, France
| | - Gilles Lalmanach
- Université de Tours, Tours 37032, France.,UMR 1100, Research Center for Respiratory Diseases (CEPR), Team: "Proteolytic Mechanisms in Inflammation", INSERM, Tours 37032, France
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13
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Gruba N, Stachurski L, Lesner A. Elastolytic activity is associated with inflammation in bladder cancer. J Biochem 2021; 170:547-558. [PMID: 34165535 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvab075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer development and progression is often associated with inflammation. Late diagnosis of inflammation that directly leads to the development of neoplasm - cancer is associated with a reduction in the chance of successful treatment or is associated with therapeutic difficulties. A panel of chromogenic substrates was used for the qualitative determination of specific activity of enzymes in urine of patients with confirmed inflammatory reaction and/or epithelial neoplasms in particular tumors at various stages of development. Urine of people with excluded inflammation was used as a control group. Proteolytic activity was determined in urine samples collected from patients with epithelial neoplasms and/or inflammation. What is more, we determine human neutrophil elastase (HNE) activity related inflammation based on the examination of urine samples. We suspect that the proteolytical activity of urine samples is due to neutrophil response to inflammation, which is directly related to cancer. This is the first study to determine elastolytic activity in bladder cancer urine samples. It supports wider use of urine for inflammation screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Gruba
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63 Street, PL 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Lech Stachurski
- City Hospital St. Vincent de Paul, Wójta Radtkiego 1 Street, PL 81-348 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Adam Lesner
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Chemistry, Wita Stwosza 63 Street, PL 80-308 Gdańsk, Poland
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14
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Kim HR, Tagirasa R, Yoo E. Covalent Small Molecule Immunomodulators Targeting the Protease Active Site. J Med Chem 2021; 64:5291-5322. [PMID: 33904753 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cells of the immune system utilize multiple proteases to regulate cell functions and orchestrate innate and adaptive immune responses. Dysregulated protease activities are implicated in many immune-related disorders; thus, protease inhibitors have been actively investigated for pharmaceutical development. Although historically considered challenging with concerns about toxicity, compounds that covalently modify the protease active site represent an important class of agents, emerging not only as chemical probes but also as approved drugs. Here, we provide an overview of technologies useful for the study of proteases with the focus on recent advances in chemoproteomic methods and screening platforms. By highlighting covalent inhibitors that have been designed to target immunomodulatory proteases, we identify opportunities for the development of small molecule immunomodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Rae Kim
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Ravichandra Tagirasa
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Euna Yoo
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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15
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Leon G, Hussey S, Walsh PT. The Diverse Roles of the IL-36 Family in Gastrointestinal Inflammation and Resolution. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2021; 27:440-450. [PMID: 32860042 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The interleukin (IL)-36 family is a member of the IL-1 superfamily of cytokines and, in common with other IL-1 family members, has been shown to exhibit pleiotropic effects in homeostasis and inflammation. Although the important role these cytokines play in the skin has been widely reported, recent evidence suggests that IL-36 family members are expressed and can also exert significant influence at the intestinal mucosa. In this review, we summarize current knowledge surrounding the role of the IL-36 in the intestines. In particular, we examine its likely dichotomous role as a mediator of both inflammation and resolution, highlighting its overlapping roles in innate and adaptive inflammation at the mucosa and its contribution to pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease. We also summarize the complexities of targeting this cytokine family in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Leon
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seamus Hussey
- National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Patrick T Walsh
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
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16
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Asad S, Wegler C, Ahl D, Bergström CAS, Phillipson M, Artursson P, Teleki A. Proteomics-Informed Identification of Luminal Targets For In Situ Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. J Pharm Sci 2020; 110:239-250. [PMID: 33159915 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition resulting in impaired intestinal homeostasis. Current practices for diagnosis of IBD are challenged by invasive, demanding procedures. We hypothesized that proteomics analysis could provide a powerful tool for identifying clinical biomarkers for non-invasive IBD diagnosis. Here, the global intestinal proteomes from commonly used in vitro and in vivo models of IBD were analyzed to identify apical and luminal proteins that can be targeted by orally delivered diagnostic agents. Global proteomics analysis revealed upregulated plasma membrane proteins in intestinal segments of proximal- and distal colon from dextran sulfate sodium-treated mice and also in inflamed human intestinal Caco-2 cells pretreated with pro-inflammatory agents. The upregulated colon proteins in mice were compared to the proteome of the healthy ileum, to ensure targeting of diagnostic agents to the inflamed colon. Promising target proteins for future investigations of non-invasive diagnosis of IBD were found in both systems and included Tgm2/TGM2, Icam1/ICAM1, Ceacam1/CEACAM1, and Anxa1/ANXA1. Ultimately, these findings will guide the selection of appropriate antibodies for surface functionalization of imaging agents aimed to target inflammatory biomarkers in situ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shno Asad
- Department of Pharmacy, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christine Wegler
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University Drug Optimization and Pharmaceutical Profiling Platform (UDOPP), SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David Ahl
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Christel A S Bergström
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden; The Swedish Drug Delivery Center, Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mia Phillipson
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Artursson
- Department of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Alexandra Teleki
- Department of Pharmacy, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-75123 Uppsala, Sweden.
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17
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Kahler JP, Lenders S, van de Plassche MAT, Verhelst SHL. Facile Synthesis of Aminomethyl Phosphinate Esters as Serine Protease Inhibitors with Primed Site Interaction. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:1739-1744. [PMID: 32944141 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Serine proteases comprise about one-third of all proteases, and defective regulation of serine proteases is involved in numerous diseases. Therefore, serine protease inhibitors are promising drug candidates. Aminomethyl diphenyl phosphonates have been regularly used as scaffolds for covalent serine protease inhibition and the design of activity-based probes. However, they cannot make use of a protease's primed site. Therefore, we developed a facile two-step synthesis toward a set of phenyl phosphinates, which is a related scaffold but can interact with the primed site. We tested their inhibitory activity on five different serine proteases and found that a phenyl group directly attached to the phosphorus atom leads to superior activity compared with phosphonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Pascal Kahler
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven − University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box
802, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn Lenders
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven − University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box
802, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Merel A. T. van de Plassche
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven − University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box
802, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steven H. L. Verhelst
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven − University of Leuven, Herestraat 49 Box
802, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- AG Chemical Proteomics, Leibniz Institute for Analytical Sciences − ISAS, Otto-Hahn-Str. 6b, 44227 Dortmund, Germany
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18
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Chan LW, Anahtar MN, Ong TH, Hern KE, Kunz RR, Bhatia SN. Engineering synthetic breath biomarkers for respiratory disease. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2020; 15:792-800. [PMID: 32690884 PMCID: PMC8173716 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-020-0723-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Human breath contains many volatile metabolites. However, few breath tests are currently used in the clinic to monitor disease due to bottlenecks in biomarker identification. Here we engineered breath biomarkers for respiratory disease by local delivery of protease-sensing nanoparticles to the lungs. The nanosensors shed volatile reporters upon cleavage by neutrophil elastase, an inflammation-associated protease with elevated activity in lung diseases such as bacterial infection and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. After intrapulmonary delivery into mouse models with acute lung inflammation, the volatile reporters are released and expelled in breath at levels detectable by mass spectrometry. These breath signals can identify diseased mice with high sensitivity as early as 10 min after nanosensor administration. Using these nanosensors, we performed serial breath tests to monitor dynamic changes in neutrophil elastase activity during lung infection and to assess the efficacy of a protease inhibitor therapy targeting neutrophil elastase for the treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie W Chan
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Melodi N Anahtar
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ta-Hsuan Ong
- Biological and Chemical Technologies Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Kelsey E Hern
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Roderick R Kunz
- Biological and Chemical Technologies Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Sangeeta N Bhatia
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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19
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Kahler JP, Vanhoutte R, Verhelst SHL. Activity-Based Protein Profiling of Serine Proteases in Immune Cells. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2020; 68:23. [DOI: 10.1007/s00005-020-00586-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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20
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Proteomics and Imaging in Crohn’s Disease: TAILS of Unlikely Allies. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 41:74-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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