Visualization of Domain- and Concentration-Dependent Impact of Thrombomodulin on Differential Regulation of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis

BACKGROUND

 Thrombomodulin (TM) functions as a dual modulator-anticoagulant and antifibrinolytic potential-by the thrombin-dependent activation of protein C and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). Activated TAFI cleaves the C-terminal lysine of partially degraded fibrin and inhibits both plasminogen binding and its activation on the fibrin surface. We have reported previously that activated platelets initiate fibrin network formation and trigger fibrinolysis after the accumulation of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen.

OBJECTIVE

 To analyze the effects of domain-deletion variants of TM on coagulation and fibrinolysis at different concentrations.

METHODS

 Domain-deletion variants of TM, such as D123 (all extracellular regions), E3456 (minimum domains for thrombin-dependent activation of protein C and TAFI), and E456 (minimum domains for that of protein C but not TAFI), were used at 0.25 to 125 nM for turbidimetric assay to determine the clotting time and clot lysis time and to visualize fibrin network formation and lysis in platelet-containing plasma.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

 A low concentration of either D123 or E3456, but not of E456, prolonged clot lysis time, and delayed the accumulation of fluorescence-labeled plasminogen at the activated platelets/dense fibrin area due to effective TAFI activation. Conversely, only the highest concentrations of all three TM variants delayed the clotting time, though fibrin network formation in the vicinity of activated platelets was almost intact. TAFI activation might be affected by attenuation in thrombin activity after the clot formation phase. These findings suggest that the spatiotemporal balance between the anticoagulant and antifibrinolytic potential of TM is controlled in domain- and concentration-dependent manners.

Pre-administration of a carboxypeptidase inhibitor enhances tPA-induced thrombolysis in mouse microthrombi: Evidence from intravital imaging analysis

INTRODUCTION

Thrombolysis using recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the pharmacological treatment of choice in acute thrombotic events. However, a narrow therapeutic window and bleeding complications limit its use. We describe the role of carboxypeptidase inhibitor from potato tuber (PTCI), an inhibitor of activated thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFIa), on Glu-plasminogen accumulation and microthrombus dynamics in vivo and demonstrate its influence on rt-PA-mediated thrombolysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In conjunction with real-time intravital two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy, we produced and imaged laser-induced microthrombi in the mesenteric venules of Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)-expressing mice. We examined microthrombus dynamics and thrombolysis patterns in vivo by measuring the changes in the fluorescence intensity of labeled Glu-plasminogen following administration of epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA), PTCI, and rt-PA.

RESULTS

PTCI enhanced Glu-plasminogen accumulation at the core of the thrombus by inhibiting TAFIa, while EACA inhibited this process. Exogenous rt-PA effectively triggered Glu-plasminogen activation within the thrombus and promoted thrombolysis. Administration of PTCI and rt-PA together showed no significant benefit on thrombolysis compared to rt-PA administration alone. However, early-phase systemic administration of PTCI before thrombolytic therapy by rt-PA expedited clot lysis as evidenced by significantly faster time to reach peak Glu-plasminogen fluorescence intensity and shorter time to achieve near-complete clot lysis (P = 0.014 and P = 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

PTCI potentiates rt-PA-mediated thrombolysis when administered early in acute thrombotic events. Further studies are warranted to explore the potential of TAFI inhibitors as adjunct agents in thrombolysis or thromboprophylaxis.

Demonstration of Three Distinct High-Molecular-Weight Complexes between Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1 and Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator

BACKGROUND

 Details of the molecular interaction between tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) remain unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

 Three distinct forms of high-molecular-weight complexes are demonstrated. Two of the forms were detected by mass spectrometry. The high molecular mass detected by MALDI-TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry) was 107,029 Da, which corresponds to the sum of molecular masses of the intact tPA (65,320 Da) and the intact PAI-1 (42,416 Da). The lower molecular mass was 104,367 Da and is proposed to lack the C-terminal bait peptide of PAI-1 (calculated mass: 3,804 Da), which was detected as a 3,808 Da fragment. When the complex was analyzed by SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), only a single band was observed. However, after treatment by SDS and Triton X-100, two distinct forms of the complex with different mobilities were shown by SDS-PAGE. The higher molecular weight band demonstrated specific tPA activity on fibrin autography, whereas the lower molecular weight band did not. Peptide sequence analysis of these two bands, however, unexpectedly revealed the existence of the C-terminal cleavage peptide in both bands and its amount was less in the upper band. In the upper band, the sequences corresponding to the regions at the interface between two molecules in its Michaelis intermediate were diminished. Thus, these two bands corresponded to distinct nonacyl-enzyme complexes, wherein only the upper band liberated free tPA under the conditions employed.

CONCLUSION

 These data suggest that under physiological conditions a fraction of the tPA-PAI-1 population exists as nonacylated-enzyme inhibitor complex.

Fibrinolysis-resistant carbonylated fibrin detected in thrombi attached to the vascular wall of abdominal aortic aneurysms

In this study, we investigated how carbonylation of fibrinogen by acrolein modified its indispensable function to enhance fibrinolysis after being converted to fibrin and contributed to generating a fibrinolysis-resistant fibrin clot. Acrolein-treated fibrinogen was subjected to tissue plasminogen activator-induced fibrinolysis assay and the effect of lysine residue carbonylation in fibrinogen on fibrinolysis was analyzed. The acrolein-treated fibrinogen-derived fibrin clot appeared more resistant to fibrinolysis and the N-acetyl 3-formyl-3,4-dehydropiperidino (FDP)-Lysine levels in the lysed solution were positively correlated with the duration of clot lysis. The lysine analog 6-amino hexanoic acid (6AHA), which mimics the C-terminal lysine of fibrin, was carbonylated and its enhancing effect on Glu₁-plasminogen activation was evaluated. After incubation with acrolein, 6AHA was converted to N-acetyl FDP-6AHA, losing its ability to enhance Glu₁-plasminogen activation. These results suggest that fibrinogen carbonylation by acrolein to generate N-acetyl FDP-Lysine resulted in the generation of fibrinolysis-resistant fibrin by attenuating the C-terminal lysine-dependent activation of the Glu₁-plasminogen. In abdominal aortic aneurysms, fibrin(ogen) containing the acrolein adduct N-acetyl FDP-Lysine was detected in the vascular wall-attached thrombi. These results suggest that this mechanism is likely involved in the modification of fibrinolysis-resistant thrombi and to their persistence for a long period.

Recognition of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1 as the Primary Regulator of Fibrinolysis

The fibrinolytic system consists of a balance between rates of plasminogen activation and fibrin degradation, both of which are finely regulated by spatio-temporal mechanisms. Three distinct inhibitors of the fibrinolytic system that differently regulate these two steps are plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), α2-antiplasmin, and thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI). In this review, we focus on the mechanisms by which PAI-1 governs total fibrinolytic activity to provide its essential role in many hemostatic disorders, including fibrinolytic shutdown after trauma. PAI-1 is a member of the serine protease inhibitor (SERPIN) superfamily and inhibits the protease activities of plasminogen activators (PAs) by forming complexes with PAs, thereby regulating fibrinolysis. The major PA in the vasculature is tissue-type PA (tPA) which is secreted from vascular endothelial cells (VECs) as an active enzyme and is retained on the surface of VECs. PAI-1, existing in molar excess to tPA in plasma, regulates the amount of free active tPA in plasma and on the surface of VECs by forming a tPA-PAI-1 complex. Thus, high plasma levels of PAI-1 are directly related to attenuated fibrinolysis and increased risk for thrombosis. Since plasma PAI-1 levels are highly elevated under a variety of pathological conditions, including infection and inflammation, the fibrinolytic potential in plasma and on VECs is readily suppressed to induce fibrinolytic shutdown. A congenital deficiency of PAI-1 in humans, in turn, leads to life-threatening bleeding. These considerations support the contention that PAI-1 is the primary regulator of the initial step of fibrinolysis and governs total fibrinolytic activity.

Intravital imaging-based analysis tools for vessel identification and assessment of concurrent dynamic vascular events

The vasculature undergoes changes in diameter, permeability and blood flow in response to specific stimuli. The dynamics and interdependence of these responses in different vessels are largely unknown. Here we report a non-invasive technique to study dynamic events in different vessel categories by multi-photon microscopy and an image analysis tool, RVDM (relative velocity, direction, and morphology) allowing the identification of vessel categories by their red blood cell (RBC) parameters. Moreover, Claudin5 promoter-driven green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression is used to distinguish capillary subtypes. Intradermal injection of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) is shown to induce leakage of circulating dextran, with vessel-type-dependent kinetics, from capillaries and venules devoid of GFP expression. VEGFA-induced leakage in capillaries coincides with vessel dilation and reduced flow velocity. Thus, intravital imaging of non-invasive stimulation combined with RVDM analysis allows for recording and quantification of very rapid events in the vasculature.

Different stimuli can induce dynamic changes in blood flow velocity, vessel diameter and permeability. Here the authors develop a multi-photon microscopy-based image analysis tool allowing the identification of vessels and the assessment of rapid changes in large vascular networks.

VEGFR2 pY949 signalling regulates adherens junction integrity and metastatic spread

The specific role of VEGFA-induced permeability and vascular leakage in physiology and pathology has remained unclear. Here we show that VEGFA-induced vascular leakage depends on signalling initiated via the VEGFR2 phosphosite Y949, regulating dynamic c-Src and VE-cadherin phosphorylation. Abolished Y949 signalling in the mouse mutant Vegfr2^Y949F/Y949F leads to VEGFA-resistant endothelial adherens junctions and a block in molecular extravasation. Vessels in Vegfr2^Y949F/Y949F mice remain sensitive to inflammatory cytokines, and vascular morphology, blood pressure and flow parameters are normal. Tumour-bearing Vegfr2^Y949F/Y949F mice display reduced vascular leakage and oedema, improved response to chemotherapy and, importantly, reduced metastatic spread. The inflammatory infiltration in the tumour micro-environment is unaffected. Blocking VEGFA-induced disassembly of endothelial junctions, thereby suppressing tumour oedema and metastatic spread, may be preferable to full vascular suppression in the treatment of certain cancer forms.

Signals through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) increase vascular permeability, promoting cancer progression. Here the authors show that a point mutation in VEGFR2 preventing its auto-phosphorylation leads to reduced metastatic spread and improved response to chemotherapy in tumor-bearing mice, without affecting tumor inflammation.

In vivo subcellular imaging of tumors in mouse models using a fluorophore-conjugated anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibody in two-photon excitation microscopy

Recently, there has been growing interest in applying fluorescence imaging techniques to the study of various disease processes and complex biological phenomena in vivo. To apply these methods to clinical settings, several groups have developed protocols for fluorescence imaging using antibodies against tumor markers conjugated to fluorescent substances. Although these probes have been useful in macroscopic imaging, the specificity and sensitivity of these methods must be improved to enable them to detect micro-lesions in the early phases of cancer, resulting in better treatment outcomes. To establish a sensitive and highly specific imaging method, we used a fluorophore-conjugated anti-carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) antibody to perform macroscopic and microscopic in vivo imaging of inoculated cancer cells expressing GFP with or without CEA. Macroscopic imaging by fluorescence zoom microscopy revealed that bio-conjugation of Alexa Fluor 594 to the anti-CEA antibody allowed visualization of tumor mass consisting of CEA-expressing human cancer cells, but the background levels were unacceptably high. In contrast, microscopic imaging using a two-photon excitation microscope and the same fluorescent antibody resulted in subcellular-resolution imaging that was more specific and sensitive than conventional imaging using a fluorescence zoom microscope. These results suggest that two-photon excitation microscopy in conjunction with fluorophore-conjugated antibodies could be widely adapted to detection of cancer-specific cell-surface molecules, both in cancer research and in clinical applications.

Intravital multiphoton fluorescence imaging and optical manipulation of spinal cord in mice, using a compact fiber laser system

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Near-infrared ultrafast lasers are widely used for multiphoton excited fluorescence microscopy in living animals. Ti:Sapphire lasers are typically used for multiphoton excitation, but their emission wavelength is restricted below 1,000 nm. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a compact Ytterbium-(Yb-) fiber laser at 1,045 nm for multiphoton excited fluorescence microscopy in spinal cord injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, we employed a custom-designed microscopy system with a compact Yb-fiber laser and evaluated the performance of this system in in vivo imaging of brain cortex and spinal cord in YFP-H transgenic mice.

RESULTS

For in vivo imaging of brain cortex, sharp images of basal dendrites, and pyramidal cells expressing EYFP were successfully captured using the Yb-fiber laser in our microscopy system. We also performed in vivo imaging of axon fibers of spinal cord in the transgenic mice. The obtained images were almost as sharp as those obtained using a conventional ultrafast laser system. In addition, laser ablation and multi-color imaging could be performed simultaneously using the Yb-fiber laser.

CONCLUSION

The high-peak pulse Yb-fiber laser is potentially useful for multimodal bioimaging methods based on a multiphoton excited fluorescence microscopy system that incorporates laser ablation techniques. Our results suggest that microscopy systems of this type could be utilized in studies of neuroscience and clinical use in diagnostics and therapeutic tool for spinal cord injury in the future.

Second harmonic generation reveals collagen fibril remodeling in fibroblast-populated collagen gels

Remodeling of collagen fibrils is involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes including development, tissue repair, and metastasis. Fibroblast-populated collagen gel contraction has been employed as a model system to investigate the collagen fibril remodeling within three-dimensional collagen matrices. Research on collagen gel contraction is also important for understanding the mechanism underlying connective tissue repair, and for design considerations for engineered tissues in regenerative medicine. Second harmonic generation (SHG) is a non-linier optical effect by which well-ordered protein assemblies, including collagen fibrils, can be visualized without any labeling, and used for a noninvasive imaging of collagen fibrils in the skin. Here we demonstrate that the remodeling of collagen fibrils in the fibroblast-populated collagen gel can be analyzed by SHG imaging with a multiphoton microscope. Two models of collagen gel contraction (freely versus restrained contraction) were prepared, and orientation of fibroblasts, density, diameter, and distribution of collagen fibrils were examined by multiphoton fluorescent and SHG microscopy. Three-dimensional construction images revealed vertical and horizontal orientation of fibroblasts in freely and restrained gel contraction, respectively. Quantitative analysis indicated that collagen fibrils were accumulated within the gel and assembled into the thicker bundles in freely but not restrained collagen gel contraction. We also found that actomyosin contractility was involved in collagen fibril remodeling. This study elucidates how collagen fibrils are remodeled by fibroblasts in collagen gel contraction, and also proves that SHG microscopy can be used for the investigation of the fibroblast-populated collagen gel.

[Bone analysis by in vivo optical imaging]

There has been a growing interest in analyzing complex biology in living animals by in vivo fluorescent imaging. In vivo fluorescent imaging by using novel fluorescent molecular probes and advanced fluorescent microscopy e.g. two-photon microscopy allow us to analyze deep tissues in bone. In this review, we demonstrated our data and discussed about in vivo fluorescent imaging in bone research field.

Transcranial optogenetic stimulation for functional mapping of the motor cortex

We developed a method that uses Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) for transcranial optogenetic stimulation. This method is based on scanning a light beam over the brain, thereby photostimulating ChR2-expressing neurons in intact mice. As a proof of principle, we applied this technique to the motor cortex of transgenic mice expressing ChR2 in cortical pyramidal cells. Photostimulation induced limb movements that were time-locked with millisecond precision and could be induced at frequencies up to 20 Hz. By scanning this light beam, we could map the distribution of neurons associated with limb movement. With this approach we could simultaneously define motor maps controlling two limbs and could reproducibly generate such cortical motor maps over periods of weeks. This method allows non-invasive mapping of brain circuitry in living animals and could help define the connection between behavior and brain circuitry.

Structural basis of long-term potentiation in single dendritic spines

Dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons in the cerebral cortex undergo activity-dependent structural remodelling that has been proposed to be a cellular basis of learning and memory. How structural remodelling supports synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation, and whether such plasticity is input-specific at the level of the individual spine has remained unknown. We investigated the structural basis of long-term potentiation using two-photon photolysis of caged glutamate at single spines of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. Here we show that repetitive quantum-like photorelease (uncaging) of glutamate induces a rapid and selective enlargement of stimulated spines that is transient in large mushroom spines but persistent in small spines. Spine enlargement is associated with an increase in AMPA-receptor-mediated currents at the stimulated synapse and is dependent on NMDA receptors, calmodulin and actin polymerization. Long-lasting spine enlargement also requires Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. Our results thus indicate that spines individually follow Hebb's postulate for learning. They further suggest that small spines are preferential sites for long-term potentiation induction, whereas large spines might represent physical traces of long-term memory.

Activity-inducible protein Homer1a/Vesl-1S promotes redistribution of postsynaptic protein Homer1c/Vesl-1L in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

In cultured rat hippocampal neurons, overexpression of Homer1a/Vesl-1S, an inducible protein upregulated by seizure or long-term potentiation, caused a reduction of punctate distribution of a postsynaptic protein Homer1c/Vesl-1L, without significant decrease in its total amount. Clusters of F-actin were also decreased. Treatments of cells with BDNF or a proteasome inhibitor, which cause increase in the expression level of endogenous Homer1a, also resulted in the reduction of Homer1c puncta. These results indicate that the accumulation of Homer1a, either exogenously expressed or endogenously induced, caused redistribution and dispersion of postsynaptic clusters of Homer1c and F-actin, suggesting an important role of Homer1a in synaptic remodeling.

Interference with interaction between eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G and poly(A)-binding protein in Xenopus oocytes leads to inhibition of polyadenylated mRNA translation and oocyte maturation

The interaction between eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4G (eIF4G) and the poly(A)-binding protein (PABP) facilitates translational initiation of polyadenylated mRNAs. It was shown recently that the expression of an eIF4GI mutant defective in PABP binding in Xenopus oocytes reduces polyadenylated mRNA translation and dramatically inhibits progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. These results strongly suggest that the eIF4G-PABP interaction plays a critical role in the translational control of maternal mRNAs during oocyte maturation. In the present work, we employed another strategy to interfere eIF4G-PABP interaction in Xenopus oocytes. The amino-terminal part of eIF4GI containing the PABP-binding site (4GNt-M1) was expressed in Xenopus oocytes. 4GNt-M1 could bind to PABP in oocytes, which suggests that 4GNt-M1 may evict PABP from the endogenous eIF4G. The expression of 4GNt-M1 resulted in reduction of polyadenylated mRNA translation. Furthermore, 4GNt-M1 inhibited progesterone-induced oocyte maturation. In contrast, 4GNt-M2, in which the PABP-binding sequences were mutated to abolish the PABP-binding activity, could not inhibit polyadenylated mRNA translation or oocyte maturation. These results further support the idea that the eIF4G-PABP interaction is critical for translational regulation of maternal mRNAs in oocytes.