Structure-function of anticoagulant TIX-5, the inhibitor of factor Xa-mediated FV activation

BACKGROUND

The prothrombinase complex consists of factors Xa (FXa) and Va (FVa) on an anionic phospholipid surface and converts prothrombin into thrombin. Both coagulation factors require activation before complex assembly. We recently identified TIX-5, a unique anticoagulant tick protein that specifically inhibits FXa-mediated activation of FV. Because TIX-5 inhibited thrombin generation in blood plasma, it was concluded that FV activation by FXa contributes importantly to coagulation.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to unravel the structure-function relationships of TIX-5.

METHOD

We used a structure model generated based on homology with the allergen Der F7.

RESULTS

Tick inhibitor of factor Xa toward FV was predicted to consist of a single rod formed by several beta sheets wrapped around a central C-terminal alpha helix. By mutagenesis we could show that two hydrophobic loops at one end of the rod mediate the phospholipid binding of TIX-5. On the other end of the rod an FV interaction region was identified on one side, whereas on the other side an EGK sequence was identified that could potentially form a pseudosubstrate of FXa. All three interaction sites were important for the anticoagulant properties of TIX-5 in a tissue factor-initiated thrombin generation assay as well as in the inhibition of FV activation by FXa in a purified system.

CONCLUSION

The structure-function properties of TIX-5 are in perfect agreement with a protein that inhibits the FXa-mediated activation on a phospholipid surface. The present elucidation of the mechanism of action of TIX-5 will aid in deciphering the processes involved in the initiation phase of blood coagulation.

Delineation of the role of Toll-like receptor signaling during peritonitis by a gradually growing pathogenic Escherichia coli

In a mouse model of Escherichia coli sepsis characterized by a primary peritoneal infection with 10(4) E. coli and a gradually growing bacterial load, we here show that the early cytokine response and antibacterial defense are dominated by TLR4 via a cooperative action of MyD88 and Trif. Although MyD88(-/-) mice succumbed earlier than WT mice in this E. coli peritonitis model, Trif(-/-) mice displayed a small but significant survival advantage. Despite a large early deficit in antimicrobial defense, TLR4(-/-) mice showed an unaltered survival with normal neutrophil attraction to the peritoneal cavity and normal or even elevated late cytokine release. TLR2 compensated for the lack of TLR4 because TLR2(-/-)/TLR4(-/-) mice did show decreased neutrophil attraction and increased mortality compared with WT mice. Nearly normal early peritoneal TNFα production and lack of early counterregulating systemic levels of the chemoattractant KC were associated with normal peritoneal neutrophil attraction in TLR4(-/-) mice. Late stage increased TNF, IL-1β, IFN-β, and typical IFN-γ production in TLR4(-/-) mice prompted us to evaluate expression of the negative feedback regulator SOCS-1. Lack of early hepatic SOCS-1 expression in TLR4(-/-) mice explained the late innate production of IFN-γ by the liver in TLR4(-/-) mice in this low dose E. coli peritonitis model. In contrast, early TLR4-induced IFN-γ production is described as a hallmark in high dose E. coli peritonitis models. The present study displays how the kinetics of pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms are regulated by TLRs during peritonitis by a gradually growing E. coli load and how these kinetics may affect outcome.