Proof-of-Concept Study of an Alpha-Fetoprotein-Derived Peptide for the Management of Canine Mammary Cancer

Novel, well-tolerated drugs are needed for the management of canine mammary cancer. Many of these cancers are promoted in their growth by estrogen. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a ubiquitous mammalian protein that has anti-estrogenic properties. AFPep (the anti-estrogenic site of AFP) has been developed into a readily synthesizable drug. AFPep has been shown to have anti-mammary cancer activity in several models of this disease, both in cell culture and in rodents. The purpose of the study reported herein was to determine the tolerability of AFPep in normal and tumor-bearing dogs. AFPep was given to dogs via both parenteral and oral routes in a single application and in repeated daily doses. Full clinical chemistry and hematology values were determined before and after drug administration. Blood levels of the drug were achieved in dogs that had been previously found to be oncostatic in rodents. No changes in clinical chemistry, hematology, and clinical behaviors were found in dogs following drug administration. The data support the further development of AFPep for clinical use against canine mammary cancer.

Abstract 1154: AFPep mitigates the risk of breast cancer

Women whose risk of breast cancer is elevated (based on Gail or Tyrer-Cuzik models) have only limited options to intervene in attempt to alter disease progression, and most options are of limited efficacy or have unwanted side effects. Options include increased surveillance, lifestyle changes, drugs such as tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, or removal of target tissue. Options that are more efficacious, better tolerated, and more empowering are needed for women in high-risk cohorts. For this purpose, we have developed AFPep, a homobiotic, selective anti-estrogenic/anti-breast cancer active site-analog of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). AFPep stops growth of human breast cancers growing in xenograft models and prevents development of either estrogen-induced or MNU-induced mammary cancers in rats. In all models, AFPep is effective against tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer, is additive with tamoxifen (allowing dose reduction of tamoxifen), and reduces the uterine hyperplasia induced by tamoxifen. AFPep does not disrupt the estrous cycle of rats, nor does it alter fertility or fecundity and does not induce teratogenicity. The mechanism of action of AFPep differs from that of tamoxifen in that AFPep inhibits phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor leading to a downstream biomarker profile consistent with inhibition of tumor growth. AFPep is orally bioavailable and well tolerated in mice, rats, dogs and primates. The therapeutic index of AFPep in rats shows a substantially broader safety margin than that of currently used agents. AFPep may offer an effective, well tolerated option for women in high risk cohorts who wish to mitigate their risk of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Samuel B. Fordyce, Thomas T. Andersen, James A. Bennett. AFPep mitigates the risk of breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 1154.

Thrombin Prevents the Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells by a Proteolytically-Activated Thrombin Receptor

Proteolytically active forms of thrombin (α- and γ-thrombin) and thrombin receptor peptides inhibited the release of nitrite, a stable endproduct of nitric oxide, evoked by interleukin-1 β(IL-1 β) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells while proteolytically inactive forms [D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethyl ketone-α-thrombin (PPACK-α- thrombin) and diisopropylphosphoryl-α-thrombin (DIP-α-thrombin)] had either no or only minimal inhibitory effects. Under bioassay conditions, perfusates from columns containing IL-1 β-activated vascular smooth muscle cells or cells treated with IL-1βplus PPACK-α-thrombin relaxed detector blood vessels. These relaxations were abolished by the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, NG-nitro-L arginine. No relaxations were obtained with untreated cells or IL-1 β-treated cells in the presence of α-thrombin. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein in vascular smooth muscle cells by IL-1 β was impaired by α-thrombin. These results demonstrate that thrombin regulates the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase at a transcriptional level via the proteolytic activation of the thrombin receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells

Efficacy and tolerability of AFPep, a cyclic peptide with anti-breast cancer properties

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety profile of AFPep, a 9-amino acid cyclic peptide prior to its entry into pre-clinical toxicology analyses en route to clinical trials.

METHODS

AFPep was assessed for anti-estrogenic activity in a mouse uterine growth assay and for breast cancer therapeutic efficacy in a human tumor xenograft model in mice. AFPep was assessed for tolerability in a variety of in vivo models, notably including assessment for effects on rat liver and human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and xenografts.

RESULTS

AFPep arrests the growth of human MCF-7 breast cancer xenografts, inhibits the estrogen-induced growth of mouse uteri, and does not affect liver growth nor stimulate growth of human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines when growing in vitro or as xenografts in vivo. AFPep is well tolerated in mice, rats, dogs, and primates.

CONCLUSIONS

AFPep is effective for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer and exhibits a therapeutic index that is substantially wider than that for drugs currently in clinical use. The data emphasize the importance of pursuing pre-clinical toxicology studies with the intent to enter clinical trials.

Design and synthesis of biologically active peptides: a 'tail' of amino acids can modulate activity of synthetic cyclic peptides

In earlier work, we synthesized a cyclic 9-amino acid peptide (AFPep, cyclo[EKTOVNOGN]) and showed it to be useful for prevention and therapy of breast cancer. In an effort to explore the structure-function relationships of AFPep, we have designed analogs that bear a short 'tail' (one or two amino acids) attached to the cyclic peptide distal to its pharmacophore. Analogs that bore a tail of either one or two amino acids, either of which had a hydrophilic moiety in the side chain (e.g., cyclo[EKTOVNOGN]FS) exhibited greatly diminished biological activity (inhibition of estrogen-stimulated uterine growth) relative to AFPep. Analogs that bore a tail of either one or two amino acids which had hydrophobic (aliphatic or aromatic) side chains (e.g., cyclo[EKTOVNOGN]FI) retained (or had enhanced) growth inhibition activity. Combining in the same biological assay a hydrophilic-tailed analog with either AFPep or a hydrophobic-tailed analog resulted in decreased activity relative to that for AFPep or for the hydrophobic-tailed analog alone, suggesting that hydrophilic-tailed analogs are binding to a biologically active receptor. An analog with a disrupted pharmacophore (cyclo[EKTOVGOGN]) exhibited little or no growth inhibition activity. An analog with a hydrophilic tail and a disrupted pharmacophore (cyclo[EKTOVGOGN]FS) exhibited no growth inhibition activity of its own and did not affect the activity of a hydrophobic-tailed analog, but enhanced the growth inhibition activity of AFPep. These results are discussed in the context of a two-receptor model for binding of AFPep and ring-and-tail analogs. We suggest that tails on cyclic peptides may comprise a useful method to enhance diversity of peptide design and specificity of ligand-receptor interactions.

Cell Function on Substrates Containing Immobilized Bioactive Peptides

Adhesion, proliferation and motility of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells and of rat calvarial osteoblasts were examined in vitro and on glass surfaces modified with immobilized bioactive peptides. The peptides Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid-Serine (RGDS), Arginine-Aspartic Acid-Glycine-Serine (RDGS), and Tyrosine-Isoleucine-Glycine-Serine-Arginine-Glycine (YIGSRG) were covalently bound to aminophase glass. The results of this study showed that modification of the substrate surface with immobilized peptides affected each cell line in different ways. Incorporation of this knowledge in the design of implant materials could result in biomaterials which promote and/or sustain a number of desirable cellular functions at the tissue-implant interface.

A proposed unified mechanism for the reduction of human breast cancer risk by the hormones of pregnancy

Parity in women is associated with reduced lifetime risk of breast cancer, and hormones of pregnancy [estrogen (E), progesterone (P), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)] are implicated. Parity also reduces mammary cancer risk in carcinogen-exposed rats, and administering pregnancy hormones to these animals is similarly effective. Because pregnancy hormones are also able to stimulate cancer growth, we proposed to resolve this dichotomy by determining whether administered pregnancy hormones elicit the cancer-inhibiting agent alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) from the liver, which would implicate AFP as a proximal effector of hormonal anticancer activity. Accordingly, we treated groups of nitrosomethylurea-exposed rats with saline, E(3), E(2) + P, E(3) + P, hCG, or allowed them to experience pregnancy, and then monitored mammary cancer incidence and serum levels of AFP over time. Each hormone treatment reduced mammary cancer incidence and elevated serum AFP levels. To challenge human tissues, human HepG2 liver cells in culture were treated with the same hormonal agents. Each hormone regimen increased the levels of AFP in the culture medium. Medium containing AFP elicited by hCG inhibited the E(2)-stimulated proliferation of cultured human MCF7 breast cancer cells, whereas hCG alone did not inhibit their growth. Furthermore, antibodies to AFP neutralized the growth-inhibiting effect of AFP-containing HepG2 medium. We conclude that in the treatment of carcinogen-exposed rats with the hormones of pregnancy, and by inference in women who have experienced pregnancy, that AFP is a proximal agent that inhibits mammary gland cancer.

AFPep, a novel drug for the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, does not disrupt the estrous cycle or fertility in rats

Pregnancy lowers the risk of breast cancer, largely attributable to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). A small AFP-derived peptide (AFPep) which mimics the active site of AFP has been developed and may be useful for decreasing the risk of breast cancer for women. AFPep has been shown previously to stop the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancer xenografts in mice and prevent carcinogen-induced breast cancer in a rat model. Since AFPep disrupts an estrogen-responsive pathway, it is essential to assess its effects on the female reproductive cycle and fertility. Ten cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats (age 81 days) were given 100 microg AFPep in saline s.c. daily for 20 days. A second group of ten rats was given 50 microg tamoxifen s.c. daily and a third group received saline only. Vaginal smears were obtained twice per day and stained to assess estrous cycle phase. After completion of estrous cycle assessment (five cycles, 21 days), rats were maintained on drug and allowed to mate. Effects on birth of offspring and maternal body weights were assessed. AFPep had no significant effect on the incidence or duration of any estrous cycle phase, and no effect on reproductive potential or maternal body mass. Tamoxifen significantly increased the length of diestrus, locking the cycle in this phase for most animals. Only half of the tamoxifen-treated rats mated, and none became pregnant. Tamoxifen significantly slowed the rate of body mass increase. In rats, AFPep has no toxicity and no effect on female reproduction. This molecule may be developed into an attractive modality for prevention of breast cancer in women.

A peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein inhibits the proliferation induced by estradiol in mammary tumor cells in culture

This study was aimed to obtain additional information on the activity of a cyclized 9-amino acid peptide (cP) containing the active site of alpha fetoprotein, which inhibits the estrogen-stimulated proliferation of tumor cells in culture and of xenografts in immunodeficient mice. Breast cancer cells cultured in the presence of 2 nM estradiol were exposed to cP for different periods and their proliferation, estradiol binding parameters, clustering tendency and expression of E-cadherin and p21Cip1 were analyzed by biochemical and cell biology methods. The proliferation of MCF7 cells was significantly decreased by the addition of 2 microg/ml cP to the medium. cP did not increase cell death rate nor alter the number of binding sites for estradiol nor the endogenous aromatase activity of MCF7 cells. cP also decreased the proliferation of estrogen-dependent ZR75-1 cells but had no effect on estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 cells. An increased nuclear p21Cip1 expression detected after cP treatment suggests that cP slows MCF7 cell proliferation via this regulator. We propose that cP could represent a novel breast cancer therapeutic agent whose mechanism of action is different from that of tamoxifen or of inhibitors of aromatase.

An alpha-fetoprotein-derived peptide reduces the uterine hyperplasia and increases the antitumour effect of tamoxifen

Tamoxifen (Tam) is effective for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. However, it has toxic drawbacks and has limited-duration utility because, over time, human tumours become refractory to Tam. Recently, a new nontoxic peptide, alpha-fetoprotein-derived peptide (AFPep) has been proposed for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer. The purpose of this paper is to determine whether combining AFPep with Tam would increase efficacy and reduce toxicity in experimental models of breast cancer. Low doses of AFPep and Tam were more effective in combination than either agent alone against breast cancer growth in cell culture, in tumour-xenografted mice, and in carcinogen-exposed rats. alpha-Fetoprotein-derived peptide interfered with Tam-induced uterine hyperplasia in immature mice, and showed no toxic effects. Unlike Tam, AFPep did not inhibit binding of oestradiol (E(2)) to oestrogen receptor (ER). Thus, these two agents utilise different mechanisms to interfere with ER functionality, yet work cooperatively to reduce breast cancer growth and alleviate Tam's troubling toxicity of uterine hyperplasia and appear to be a rational combination for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer.

Computational design and experimental discovery of an antiestrogenic peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, and tamoxifen is the preferred drug for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer treatment. Many of these cancers are intrinsically resistant to tamoxifen or acquire resistance during treatment. Consequently, there is an ongoing need for breast cancer drugs that have different molecular targets. Previous work has shown that 8-mer and cyclic 9-mer peptides inhibit breast cancer in mouse and rat models, interacting with an unsolved receptor, while peptides smaller than eight amino acids did not. We show that the use of replica exchange molecular dynamics predicts the structure and dynamics of active peptides, leading to the discovery of smaller peptides with full biological activity. Simulations identified smaller peptide analogues with the same conserved reverse turn demonstrated in the larger peptides. These analogues were synthesized and shown to inhibit estrogen-dependent cell growth in a mouse uterine growth assay, a test showing reliable correlation with human breast cancer inhibition.

AFPep: an anti-breast cancer peptide that is orally active

BACKGROUND

We have synthesized a cyclic nonapeptide (AFPep) that is effective, after being administered by parenteral routes, for the treatment or the prevention of breast cancer. To test the hypothesis that AFPep remains safe and efficacious after oral administration, three different whole-animal bioassays were utilized, and the mechanism by which AFPep functions was investigated.

METHODS

Using a human breast cancer xenograft model in mice for therapeutic activity, a carcinogen-induced breast cancer model in rats for prevention efficacy, and a mouse uterus growth inhibition model of anti-estrogenic activity, AFPep was administered by oral gavage (p.o.) and its effects compared to those following intraperitoneal (i.p.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration. Toxicity studies evaluated body weights and organ weights in mice and rats receiving AFPep. Preliminary mechanistic studies were carried out in T47D human breast cancer cells growing in culture and evaluated the effect of AFPep on estrogen-stimulated cell growth, phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor (ER), and on level of ER-related kinases.

RESULTS

Orally administered AFPep stopped the growth of human tumor xenografts in mice, decreased the incidence and multiplicity of breast cancers in carcinogen-exposed rats, and inhibited the estrogen-stimulated growth of mouse uteri. In each of these systems, orally administered AFPep produced an effect similar to that obtained for AFPep administered by either i.p or s.c. routes. In rodents, no evidence of toxicity was seen for the peptide, even at very high doses. In culture, AFPep inhibited the estrogen-stimulated growth, but not the basal growth, of T47D cells, and it inhibited the estrogen-stimulated phosphorylation of Serine 118 in the ER of these cells, which was not explainable by early changes in ER-related kinases.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic oral administration of AFPep appears to be safe and effective for the treatment or prevention of breast cancer in animal models.

Prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptide, a peptide derived from the active site of AFP

PURPOSE

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein of pregnancy associated with a decrease in lifetime risk of breast cancer in parous women. A synthetic, cyclic nonapeptide has been developed that mimics the antioncogenic active site of AFP. To test the hypothesis that the AFP-derived peptide (AFPep) can prevent breast cancer, the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer model was used in rats.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

AFPep was given daily by injection beginning 10 days after N-methyl-N-nitrosourea treatment and continued for 23 days (a time designed to mimic pregnancy) or for other times to assess efficacy as a function of drug duration. Tumor incidence, multiplicity, and latency were noted as end points. At necropsy, pathology analysis of tumors and major organs were obtained.

RESULTS

AFPep prevented cancer in a dose-dependent fashion. Significantly longer mean tumor-free days (P < 0.02), lower tumor incidence (P = 0.004), and lower tumor multiplicity were observed for AFPep-treated groups. No evidence of host toxicity as measured by body weight, cage activity, fur texture, and organ weights (liver, uterus, heart, kidney, and spleen) were found in animals treated with AFPep. Mechanistic studies using transplantable human breast cancer xenografts showed that the peptide interfered with estrogen-dependent breast cancer growth inhibited the phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor and activated phosphorylation of p53.

CONCLUSIONS

AFPep is a well-tolerated, mechanistically novel, chemopreventive agent in models of breast cancer and warrants further development for the prevention and treatment of this disease in humans.

Prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptide, a peptide derived from the active site of AFP

PURPOSE

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein of pregnancy associated with a decrease in lifetime risk of breast cancer in parous women. A synthetic, cyclic nonapeptide has been developed that mimics the antioncogenic active site of AFP. To test the hypothesis that the AFP-derived peptide (AFPep) can prevent breast cancer, the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer model was used in rats.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

AFPep was given daily by injection beginning 10 days after N-methyl-N-nitrosourea treatment and continued for 23 days (a time designed to mimic pregnancy) or for other times to assess efficacy as a function of drug duration. Tumor incidence, multiplicity, and latency were noted as end points. At necropsy, pathology analysis of tumors and major organs were obtained.

RESULTS

AFPep prevented cancer in a dose-dependent fashion. Significantly longer mean tumor-free days (P < 0.02), lower tumor incidence (P = 0.004), and lower tumor multiplicity were observed for AFPep-treated groups. No evidence of host toxicity as measured by body weight, cage activity, fur texture, and organ weights (liver, uterus, heart, kidney, and spleen) were found in animals treated with AFPep. Mechanistic studies using transplantable human breast cancer xenografts showed that the peptide interfered with estrogen-dependent breast cancer growth inhibited the phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor and activated phosphorylation of p53.

CONCLUSIONS

AFPep is a well-tolerated, mechanistically novel, chemopreventive agent in models of breast cancer and warrants further development for the prevention and treatment of this disease in humans.

Prevention of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer by alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptide, a peptide derived from the active site of AFP

PURPOSE

alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein of pregnancy associated with a decrease in lifetime risk of breast cancer in parous women. A synthetic, cyclic nonapeptide has been developed that mimics the antioncogenic active site of AFP. To test the hypothesis that the AFP-derived peptide (AFPep) can prevent breast cancer, the N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced breast cancer model was used in rats.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

AFPep was given daily by injection beginning 10 days after N-methyl-N-nitrosourea treatment and continued for 23 days (a time designed to mimic pregnancy) or for other times to assess efficacy as a function of drug duration. Tumor incidence, multiplicity, and latency were noted as end points. At necropsy, pathology analysis of tumors and major organs were obtained.

RESULTS

AFPep prevented cancer in a dose-dependent fashion. Significantly longer mean tumor-free days (P < 0.02), lower tumor incidence (P = 0.004), and lower tumor multiplicity were observed for AFPep-treated groups. No evidence of host toxicity as measured by body weight, cage activity, fur texture, and organ weights (liver, uterus, heart, kidney, and spleen) were found in animals treated with AFPep. Mechanistic studies using transplantable human breast cancer xenografts showed that the peptide interfered with estrogen-dependent breast cancer growth inhibited the phosphorylation of the estrogen receptor and activated phosphorylation of p53.

CONCLUSIONS

AFPep is a well-tolerated, mechanistically novel, chemopreventive agent in models of breast cancer and warrants further development for the prevention and treatment of this disease in humans.

Synthetic peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein inhibits growth of human breast cancer: investigation of the pharmacophore and synthesis optimization

Asynthetic peptide that inhibits the growth of estrogen receptor positive (ER+) human breast cancers, growing as xenografts in mice, has been reported. The cyclic 9-mer peptide, cyclo[EMTOVNOGQ], is derived from alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a safe, naturally occurring human protein produced during pregnancy, which itself has anti-estrogenic and anti-breast cancer activity. To determine the pharmacophore of the peptide, a series of analogs was prepared using solid-phase peptide synthesis. Analogs were screened in a 1-day bioassay, which assessed their ability to inhibit the estrogen-stimulated growth of uterus in immature mice. Deletion of glutamic acid, Glu1, abolished activity of the peptide, but glutamine (Gln) or asparagine (Asn) could be substituted for Glu1 without loss of activity. Methionine (Met2) was replaced with lysine (Lys) or tyrosine (Tyr) with retention of activity. Substitution of Lys for Met2 in the cyclic molecule resulted in a compound with activity comparable with the Met2-containing cyclic molecule, but with a greater than twofold increase in purity and corresponding increase in yield. This Lys analog demonstrated anti-breast cancer activity equivalent to that of the original Met-containing peptide. Therefore, Met2 is not essential for biologic activity and substitution of Lys is synthetically advantageous. Threonine (Thr3) is a nonessential site, and can be substituted with serine (Ser), valine (Val), or alanine (Ala) without significant loss of activity. Hydroxyproline (Hyp), substituted in place of the naturally occurring prolines (Pro4, Pro7), allowed retention of activity and increased stability of the peptide during storage. Replacement of the first Pro (Pro4) with Ser maintains the activity of the peptide, but substitution of Ser for the second Pro (Pro7) abolishes the activity of the peptide. This suggests that the imino acid at residue 7 is important for conformation of the peptide, and the backbone atoms are part of the pharmacophore, but Pro4 is not essential. Valine (Val5) can be substituted only with branched-chain amino acids (isoleucine, leucine or Thr); replacement by d-valine or Ala resulted in loss of biologic activity. Thus, for this site, the bulky branched side chain is essential. Asparagine (Asn6) is essential for activity. Substitution with Gln or aspartic acid (Asp), resulted in reduction of biologic activity. Removal of glycine (Gly8) resulted in a loss of activity but nonconservative substitutions can be made at this site without a loss of activity indicating that it is not part of the pharmacophore. Cyclization of the peptide is facilitated by addition of Gln9, but this residue does not occur in AFP nor is it necessary for activity. Gln9 can be replaced with Asn, resulting in a molecule with similar activity. These data indicate that the pharmacophore of the peptide includes side chains of Val5 and Asn6 and backbone atoms contributed by Thr3, Val5, Asn6, Hyp7 and Gly8. Met2 and Gln9 can be modified or replaced. Glu1 can be replaced with charged amino acids, and is not likely to be part of the binding site of the peptide. The results of this study provide information that will be helpful in the rational modification of cyclo[EMTOVNOGQ] to yield peptide analogs and peptidomimetics with advantages in synthesis, pharmacologic properties, and biologic activity.

Oxidative and calcium stress regulate DSCR1 (Adapt78/MCIP1) protein

DSCR1 (adapt78) is a stress-inducible gene and cytoprotectant. Its protein product, DSCR1 (Adapt78), also referred to as MCIP1, inhibits intracellular calcineurin, a phosphatase that mediates many cellular responses to calcium. Exposure of human U251 and HeLa cells to hydrogen peroxide led to a rapid hyperphosphorylation of DSCR1 (Adapt78). Inhibitor and agonist studies revealed that a broad range of kinases were not responsible for DSCR1 (Adapt78) hyperphosphorylation, including ERK1/2, although parallel activation of the latter was observed. Phosphorylation of both DSCR1 (Adapt78) and ERK1/2 was attenuated by inhibitors of tyrosine phosphatase, suggesting the common upstream involvement of tyrosine dephosphorylation. The hyperphosphorylation electrophoretic shift in DSCR1 (Adapt78) mobility was also observed with other oxidizing agents (peroxynitrite and menadione) but not nonoxidants. Calcium ionophores strongly induced the levels of both hypo- and hyper-phosphorylated DSCR1 (Adapt78) but did not alter phosphorylation status. Calcium-dependent growth factor- and angiotensin II-stimulation also induced both DSCR1 (Adapt78) species. Phosphorylation of either or both serines in a 13-amino acid peptide made to a calcineurin-interacting conserved region of DSCR1 (Adapt78) attenuated inhibition of calcineurin. These data indicate that DSCR1 (Adapt78) protein is a novel, early stage oxidative stress-activated phosphorylation target and newly identified calcium-inducible protein, and suggest that these response mechanisms may contribute to the known cytoprotective and calcineurin-inhibitory activities of DSCR1 (Adapt78).

Micropatterned surfaces modified with select peptides promote exclusive interactions with osteoblasts

Microcontact printing techniques were used to pattern circles (diameters 10. 50, 100, and 200 microm) of N1[3-(trimethoxysilyl)-propyl]diethylenetriamine (DETA) surrounded by octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) borders on borosilicate glass, a model substrate. The DETA regions were further modified by immobilization of either the cell-adhesive peptides Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic Acid-Serine (RGDS) and Lysine-Arginine-Serine-Arginine (KRSR) or the non-adhesive peptides Arginine-Aspartic Acid-Glycine-Serine (RDGS) and Lysine-Serine-Serine-Arginine (KSSR). After four hours under standard cell culture conditions but in the absence of serum, adhesion of either osteoblasts or fibroblasts on surfaces patterned with the non-adhesive peptides RDGS and KSSR was random and low. In contrast, both osteoblasts and fibroblasts adhered and formed clusters onto circles modified with the adhesive peptide RGDS, whereas only osteoblasts adhered and formed clusters onto the circles modified with KRSR, a peptide that selectively promotes adhesion of osteoblasts. These results provide evidence that patterning of select peptides can direct adhesion of specific cell lines exclusively to predetermined regions on material surfaces.

A peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein prevents the growth of estrogen-dependent human breast cancers sensitive and resistant to tamoxifen

An 8-mer peptide (EMTOVNOG) derived from alpha-fetoprotein was compared with tamoxifen for activity against growth of human breast cancer xenografts implanted in immune-deficient mice. Both peptide and tamoxifen prevented growth of estrogen-receptor-positive MCF-7 and T47D human breast cancer xenografts. A subline of MCF-7, made resistant to tamoxifen by a 6-month exposure to this drug in culture, was found to be resistant to tamoxifen in vivo. Peptide completely prevented the xenograft growth of this tamoxifen-resistant subline of MCF-7. Neither peptide nor tamoxifen was effective in slowing the xenograft growth of the estrogen-receptor-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer. A worrisome side effect of tamoxifen is its hypertrophic effect on the uterus. In this study, tamoxifen was shown to stimulate the growth of the immature mouse uterus in vivo, and the peptide significantly inhibited tamoxifen's uterotrophic effect. The mechanism of action of peptide is different from that of tamoxifen in that the peptide does not interfere with the binding of [(3)H]estradiol to the estrogen receptor. In conclusion, alpha-fetoprotein-derived peptide appears to be a novel agent that interferes with the growth of tamoxifen-sensitive as well as tamoxifen-resistant estrogen-receptor-positive human breast cancers; it inhibits the uterotrophic side effect of tamoxifen and, thus, it may be useful in combination with or in place of tamoxifen for treatment of estrogen-receptor-positive human breast cancers.

Development of a synthetic cyclized peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein that prevents the growth of human breast cancer

The peptide, EMTPVNPG, derived from alpha-fetoprotein, inhibits estrogen-stimulated growth of immature mouse uterus and estrogen-dependent proliferation of human breast cancer cells. However, the biological activities of the peptide diminish over time in storage, even when in the lyophilized state, probably because of peptide aggregation through hydrophobic interaction among monomers. Two analogs of EMTPVNPG were designed with the intent of minimizing aggregation and retaining biological activity during prolonged storage. EMTOVNOG, where O is 4-hydroxyproline, is a linear peptide generated by substituting 4-hydroxyproline for the two prolines, thereby increasing peptide hydrophilicity. This analog exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of estrogen-stimulated growth of immature mouse uterus similar to that of EMTPVNPG (maximal activity at 1 microg/mouse). A second analog, cyclo-(EMTOVNOGQ), a hydrophilic, cyclic analog with increased conformational constraint, was as potent as the other peptides in its inhibition of estrogen-dependent growth of immature mouse uterus, and had an expanded effective dose range. Both linear and cyclized hydroxyproline-substituted analogs exhibited indefinite shelf-life. Furthermore, both analogs inhibited the estrogen-dependent growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer growing as a xenograft in SCID mice. These analogs may become significant, novel agents for the treatment of breast cancer.

Studies on analogs of a peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein having antigrowth properties

A 34-amino acid portion of the third domain of alpha-fetoprotein possesses antigrowth and anticancer activities. Three analogs of this sequence were chemically synthesized, in which the two cysteines of the original sequence were replaced by alanines, glycines or serines. The original cysteine and alanine peptides formed trimers at 0.20 g/L in pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, and the glycine and serine peptides formed dimers. Trimer preparations were more potent in inhibiting estrogen-induced growth in the mouse uterine assays than the two dimeric oligomers. Of salient importance is that the alanine peptide retained its trimeric form in solution much longer than the cysteine peptide. Antigrowth assays were performed starting with stock solutions at a peptide concentration of 0.20 g/L, because at very high peptide concentration (8.0 g/L) the peptides aggregated extensively. All the peptides, although differing in biological activity, had almost identical secondary structures. Unlike alpha-fetoprotein, the three peptides have low amounts of alpha-helix. Trifluoroethanol has the ability to convert peptides into a helical conformation when they have a propensity for that structure. At trifluoroethanol concentrations of 20% and higher, the alanine and glycine peptides were changed into highly helical structures.

Studies on a growth-inhibitory peptide derived from alpha-fetoprotein and some analogs

A 34-amino acid synthetic peptide was derived from the third domain of human alpha-fetoprotein, and the peptide was shown to inhibit estrogen-stimulated growth. Under certain conditions, however, the peptide lost growth-inhibitory activity. A biophysical study of the peptide was undertaken with a goal of obtaining completely reliable preparations. The peptide was studied using gel-filtration column chromatography as a function of peptide concentration and age of solution, and was found to exhibit complex aggregation behaviors. During the early period (0-3 h) after dissolving lyophilized peptide into pH 7.4 buffer, solutions were composed mostly of trimers. At higher peptide concentrations (> or = 3.0 g/L), the trimers aggregated extensively to a large aggregate (minimum size approximately 102 peptides). At 5.0-8.0 g/L, these large aggregates increased in size (up to approximately 146 peptides) until trimers were largely exhausted from solution. During the later times (>3 h) after sample preparation, the trimeric oligomer of the peptide dissociated slowly to form dimers for samples at 0.10-3.0 g/L. After their build-up, a very small number of dimers associated to form hexamers. Disulfide bonds stabilized the dimers as indicated by the conversion of dimers to trimers upon the addition of a reducing agent, and the failure of dimers to form in the presence of reducing agent. Reducing agent did not affect trimer or large aggregate formation. Trimers were found to be active in an assay monitoring inhibition of estrogen-stimulated growth, whereas dimers and large aggregates were inactive. The two cysteines in the peptide were modified to either S-methylcysteine or S-(2-aminoethyl)cysteine, and both derivatives showed significant growth-inhibition activity. A serine analog in which both cysteines were replaced had very different aggregation behavior than the cysteine peptide and lacked its growth inhibitory ability. Peptide aggregation is critically important in establishing the ability of the peptide to inhibit growth and have anticancer activity, but the state of its two cysteines is of little influence.

Alpha-fetoprotein-derived antiestrotrophic octapeptide

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a major serum protein produced during fetal development. Experimental findings suggest that AFP has antiestrotrophic activity and that it can be developed as a therapeutic agent to treat existing estrogen-dependent breast cancer or to prevent premalignant foci from developing into breast cancer. The antiestrotrophic activity of AFP was reported to be localized to a peptide consisting of amino acids 447-480, a 34-mer peptide termed P447. A series of parsings and substitutions of amino acids in the P447 sequence was intended to identify the shortest analog which retained antiestrotrophic activity. Peptides related to P447 were generated using solid phase peptide synthesis. Several shorter peptides, including an 8-mer called P472-2 (amino acids 472-479, peptide sequence EMTPVNPG), retained activity, whereas peptides shorter than eight amino acid residues were inactive. The dose-related antiestrotrophic activity of AFP-derived peptides was determined in an immature mouse uterine growth assay that measures their ability to inhibit estradiol-stimulated uterine growth. In this assay, the maximal inhibitory activities exhibited by peptide P472-2 (49%), by peptide P447 (45%), and by intact AFP (35-45%) were comparable. The octapeptide P472-2 was also active against estradiol-stimulated growth of T47D human breast cancer cells in culture. These data suggest that peptide P472-2 is the minimal sequence in AFP, which retains the antiestrotrophic activity found with the full-length molecule. The synthetic nature and defined structure of this 8-mer peptide suggest that it can be developed into a new drug which opposes the action of estrogen, perhaps including the promotional effects of estradiol in the development of human breast cancer.

Scintigraphic detection of breast cancer xenografts with Tc-99m natural and recombinant human alpha-fetoprotein

Because adenocarcinoma of the breast expresses receptors for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), we studied Tc-99m AFP as a radiopharmaceutical to detect breast cancer. The biodistribution of Tc-99m radiolabeled natural human AFP (full length) and recombinant domain III (DIII) of human AFP was compared to Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201 in a murine model of human breast cancer. Estrogen receptor positive (MCF7, T-47D) and estrogen receptor negative (MDA-MB-231, BT-20) human breast cancer xenografts were grown subcutaneously in the lateral thorax region of immunosuppressed mice (ICR SCID). Quantitative comparisons of percent-injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/gram) and tumor to thigh ratio (T/Th) were performed at 0-60 minutes and at 24 hours following injection. For most tumors, T/Th for AFP and DIII was significantly greater than T/Th for Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201. In all breast cancers (BT-20, MCF7, MDA-MB-231, T-47D), Tc-99m AFP T/Th increased from 60 minutes to 24 hours, suggesting good tumor retention of this radiopharmaceutical. DIII and AFP had significantly higher %ID/gram than either Tl-201 or Tc-99m sestamibi when considered across all tumor types at both 60 minutes and 24 hours. The data suggests that localization of Tc-99m AFP in human breast cancer xenografts is initially rapid, increases with time, and is superior to Tc-99m sestamibi and Tl-201. Given its high uptake by breast cancer cells, its low non-tumor localization and its rapid renal excretion, these Tc-99m AFP preparations may be useful agents to detect human breast carcinoma.

Identification of proteins electroblotted to polyvinylidene difluoride membrane by combined amino acid analysis and bioinformatics: An ABRF multicenter study

The ABRF amino acid analysis study evaluated the general utility of amino acid analysis (AAA) for identification of proteins after denaturing gel electrophoresis and electroblotting to polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane.Thirty-eight participating laboratories analyzed a known control (ovalbumin, 5 microg applied to the gel) and either lysozyme or bovine serum albumin as unknown samples (1-, 5-, and 10-microg amounts applied to the gel). Analyses of the unknowns yielded average compositional errors of approximately 30%, 19%, and 18%, respectively, from the low, intermediate, and higher sample amounts; the ovalbumin control exhibited an approximately 17% average error. Compositional data were submitted to the ExPASy and PROPSEARCH Internet sites for protein identification.Without search parameter adjustments or restrictions, both computer programs provided identification of about 20%, 66%, and 74% of the data from the 1-, 5-, and 10-microg gel samples, respectively. Deleting problematic data (Gly, Met, and Pro) did not always facilitate protein identification. Incorporating control results into the ExPASy search increased identifications 2% to 10%, and restricting search parameters by species, isoelectric pH, and molecular weight increased identifications by more than 80%. Average amounts analyzed for correct identifications were approximately 0.4 microg, 1.8 microg, and 2.9 microg for the 1-, 5-, and 10-microg gel samples, respectively.The results support the efficacy of AAA in the low microgram and nanogram range for the identification of PVDF-immobilized proteins from two-dimensional gels.

The recombinant third domain of human alpha-fetoprotein retains the antiestrotrophic activity found in the full-length molecule

Previous studies have shown that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) interferes with estrogen (E2)-stimulated growth, including E2-stimulated breast cancer growth. In an effort to localize the antiestrotrophic portion of the molecule, the C-terminal one-third (200 amino acids) of human AFP, known as Domain III, was produced in a baculovirus expression system as a fusion protein containing an amino terminal histidine tag. The histidine tag was included to facilitate purification by metal ion affinity chromatography. The purified recombinant Domain III fusion protein was functionally similar to full-length natural AFP isolated from human cord sera or from cultured human hepatoma cells (HepG2) in that they all produced significant and quantitatively similar inhibition of E2-stimulated growth of immature mouse uterus. Furthermore, the dose-response profiles of the recombinant Domain III AFP and natural full-length AFP were similar. Preincubation of either protein in a molar excess of E2 lowered the minimally effective antiestrotrophic dose and produced a difference spectrum consistent with a change in conformation. These findings indicate that the antiestrotrophic activity of AFP is contained within the third domain of the molecule, and they have obvious implications for the production of biologically active peptides derived from this portion of the AFP molecule.

Design and function of novel osteoblast-adhesive peptides for chemical modification of biomaterials

Proactive, "next generation" dental/orthopedic biomaterials must be designed rationally to elicit specific, timely, and desirable responses from surrounding cells/tissues; for example, such biomaterials should support and enhance osteoblast adhesion (a crucial function for anchorage-dependent cells). In the past, integrin-binding peptides have been immobilized on substrates to partially control osteoblast adhesion; the present study focused on the design, synthesis, and bioactivity of the novel peptide sequence Lys-Arg-Ser-Arg that selectively enhances heparan sulfate-mediated osteoblast adhesion mechanisms. Osteoblast, but not endothelial cell or fibroblast, adhesion was enhanced significantly (p < 0.05) on substrates modified with Lys-Arg-Ser-Arg peptides, indicating that these peptides may be osteoblast- or bone cell specific. Blocking osteoblast cell-membrane receptors with various concentrations of soluble Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser peptides did not inhibit subsequent cell adhesion on substrates modified with Lys-Arg-Ser-Arg peptides, providing evidence that osteoblasts interact with Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser and with Lys-Arg-Ser-Arg peptides via distinct (i.e., integrin- and proteoglycan-mediated) mechanisms, each uniquely necessary for osteoblast adhesion. The present study constitutes an example of rational design/selection of bioactive peptides, confirms that osteoblast adhesion to substrates can be controlled selectively and significantly by immobilized peptides, and elucidates criteria and strategies for the design of proactive dental/orthopedic implant biomaterials.

Thrombin affinity mapping of its receptor tethered ligand

Peptides were synthesized corresponding to those of the tethered ligand following the thrombin activation cleavage of the cloned human thrombin receptor. To determine affinities of synthetic peptides, the hydrolysis of a tripeptide chromogenic substrate by both human alpha-thrombin (with high fibrinogen clotting activity) and gamma-thrombin (essentially lacking this activity) was examined. For the longest peptide (22 residues), alpha- and gamma-thrombins gave similar but significantly different inhibition constants (i.e. 16 and 27 microM, respectively). However, the first 14-residue peptide did not behave significantly differently with either form of thrombin, nor did peptides containing the agonist ligand (e.g. SFLLRNP), suggesting that these peptides interacted with common regions in both thrombin forms. In contrast, peptide 8-22 (following the agonist peptide) was an activator of alpha- and an inhibitor of gamma-thrombin. Peptide 11-20 bracketed the enhancement activity with alpha-thrombin, while neither peptide 10-14 nor 15-22 displayed this activity. Such enhancement is believed to result from interactions with the fibrinogen recognition exosite (exosite I), which is present in alpha- but missing or disrupted in gamma-thrombin.

Thrombin receptor-related hemostatic defect after cardiopulmonary bypass

Platelet abnormalities have been blamed for the hemostatic defect that develops after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but investigators have not been able to agree upon an intrinsic platelet abnormality responsible for the observed defect. To better define the blood components responsible for this post-operative hemostatic defect, we compared platelet function in whole blood (WB) to that in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in 33 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. We measured platelet aggregation in response to various platelet agonists, including thrombin and TRAP-6 (a 6-amino acid peptide that activates the thrombin "tethered ligand" receptor site). In WB there was a lasting, diminished response to TRAP-6, but not to gamma-thrombin, after CPB. Control experiments showed that this diminished response to TRAP-6: (1) was not related to heparin or heparin-protamine complexes, (2) was not the result of hemodilution during CPB, (3) was not related to increased amounts of naturally occurring enzymes (aminopeptidases) that degrade TRAP, and (4) was not able to be reversed by the addition of as much as a 10-fold excess of the usual TRAP-6 aggregating dose to WB preparations. In contrast, no corresponding defect in platelet aggregation could be identified in PRP obtained from patients after CPB. These results show that, in post-operative blood samples, blood components present in WB and not in PRP (eg, red blood cells, activated white cells or platelets bound to white cells) diminish the ability of TRAP peptides to activate the thrombin receptor but do not decrease the ability of gamma-thrombin to induce platelet aggregation. This suggests that for circulating platelets after CPB: (1) interactions of platelets with other blood cell elements are the cause of altered postoperative platelet reactivity rather than any intrinsic CPB-induced platelet defect, (2) drugs, such as aprotinin, that limit activation of white cells and the fibrinolytic system may also have beneficial effects on platelet function after CPB, and (3) alternate mechanisms exist that allow thrombin, but not TRAP-6, to activate platelets normally after CPB (perhaps a second, as yet undefined, thrombin receptor).

Plasmin-platelet interaction involves cleavage of functional thrombin receptor

We tested the hypothesis that the inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet activation by plasmin is mediated via the enzymatic action of plasmin on the functional thrombin receptor. We monitored the binding of the anti-thrombin receptor antibody [anti-TR-(34-46)] to platelets; this binding is sensitive to the cleavage of the thrombin receptor at amino acid residues Arg-41 to Ser-42. Plasmin inhibited anti-TR-(34-46) binding in dose- and time-dependent manners. The inactive synthetic peptide with the amino acid sequence 40-55 of the thrombin receptor (D-FPRSFLLRNPNDKYEPF) was similarly cleaved by thrombin and plasmin to an active peptide (SFLLRNPNDKYEPF) that produced robust cytosolic Ca2+ responses. At high concentrations, plasmin itself can activate platelets. We explored this effect with the use of anti-TR-(1-160). This antibody abolished the cytosolic Ca2+ responses to thrombin and to the thrombin receptor-activating peptide SFLLRN but did not attenuate the plasmin-induced cytosolic Ca2+ response. Thus plasmin inhibits thrombin-evoked platelet activation by cleaving the thrombin receptor, but the plasmin-induced cytosolic Ca2+ response is not due to the generation of the tethered peptide of the thrombin receptor.

Surfaces modified with covalently-immobilized adhesive peptides affect fibroblast population motility

Cell population motility and adhesion of rat skin fibroblasts were evaluated on aminophase glass modified with covalently-immobilized biologically active peptides, specifically, either arginine glycine-aspartic acid-serine (RGDS) or tyrosine-isoleucine-glycine-serine-arginine-glycine (YIGSRG). Fibroblast population motility was decreased and adhesion was increased on substrates modified with covalently immobilized RGDS peptide compared to substrates with the covalently immobilized non-adhesive peptides arginine-glycine-glutamic acid-serine and arginine-aspartic acid-glycine-serine. Fibroblast motility was not significantly changed on substrates modified with covalently-immobilized YIGSRG peptide; however, fibroblast adhesion was decreased on that substrate.

Thrombin stimulation of matrix fibronectin

Trypsin, thrombin, and peptide analogues of the new amino terminus of the proteolyzed thrombin receptor, SFLLRN and SFLLRNPNDKYEPF, stimulated embryonic fibroblasts cultured as 3-dimensional tissue-like aggregates to elaborate a fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix. Enzymatically inactive thrombin and the control peptide FLLRN failed to stimulate matrix production. The induction of cell proliferation correlated with production of the fibronectin matrix. The regions of active cell proliferation in the fibroblast aggregates co-localized with the matrix and peptide analogues of the RGD cell-adhesion site of fibronectin reversibly inhibited the accumulation of the fibronectin matrix and the stimulation of cell proliferation by SFLLRN. Two different preparations of the fibronectin matrix stimulated cell proliferation in aggregates cultured in growth factor-free medium. We suggest that the stimulation of matrix production is a necessary event for mitogenic signaling in mesenchymal tissue. The tight coupling between the matrigenic and mitogenic activities of growth factors was absent in monolayer cultures of chick embryonic fibroblasts since thrombin and trypsin induced proliferation of monolayer-cultured cells without inducing the production of a fibronectin matrix.

Conditions which promote mineralization at the bone-implant interface: a model in vitro study

This in vitro study was an investigation of osteoblast functions on glass substrates modified with the bioactive peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) in the absence and presence of recombinant human Osteogenic Protein-1 (OP-1); control substrates were plain glass, glass modified with amine groups, and glass modified with the non-adhesive peptide Arg-Asp-Gly-Ser. In serum-free cell culture medium, osteoblasts adhered in greater numbers (P < 0.1) to glass modified with RGDS, compared to adhesion on all other substrate types tested in the present study. In the presence of serum proteins, osteoblasts adhered similarly to all substrate types examined, in the absence or presence of 100 ng ml-1 OP-1. The presence of 100 ng ml-1 OP-1 inhibited (P < 0.1) 72 h proliferation of sparsely seeded (2500 cells cm-2) cultures on all substrates examined in the present study. OP-1 (100 ng ml-1) promoted 21 day mineralization on all substrates examined; in addition, mineralization was further enhanced in osteoblast cultures grown on glass modified with the adhesive peptide RGDS. The present study establishes conditions which can be utilized in the design of dental/orthopaedic biomaterials which elicit timely, specific responses from surrounding bone tissue.

Thrombin prevents the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in vascular smooth muscle cells by a proteolytically-activated thrombin receptor

Proteolytically active forms of thrombin ( alpha- and gamma-thrombin) and thrombin receptor peptides inhibited the release of nitrite, a stable endproduct of nitric oxide, evoked by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta ) in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells while proteolytically inactive forms [D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethyl ketone-alpha-thrombin (PPACK-alpha-thrombin) and diisopropylphosphoryl-alpha-thrombin (DIP-alpha-thrombin)] had either no or only minimal inhibitory effects. Under bioassay conditions, perfusates from columns containing IL-1 beta-activated vascular smooth muscle cells or cells treated with IL-1 beta plus PPACK-alpha-thrombin relaxed detector blood vessels. These relaxations were abolished by the inhibitor of nitric oxide synthesis, NG-nitro-L-arginine. No relaxations were obtained with untreated cells or IL-1 beta-treated cells in the presence of alpha-thrombin. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein in vascular smooth muscle cells by IL-1 beta was impaired by alpha-thrombin. These results demonstrate that thrombin regulates the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase at a transcriptional level via the proteolytic activation of the thrombin receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Duality of plasmin effect on cytosolic free calcium in human platelets

Plasmin caused a modest and gradual increase in platelet cytosolic Ca2+, mediated through both Ca2+ mobilization and external Ca2+ entry. This response was associated with accelerated Ca2+ extrusion and protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Plasmin-enhanced external Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ extrusion (but not Ca2+ mobilization) were attenuated by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein. Plasmin inhibited the thrombin-evoked increase in cytosolic Ca2+ and also inhibited the Ca2+ response to the tethered peptide TRAP-6 of the thrombin receptor. Furthermore, plasmin inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled alpha-thrombin to platelets. The inhibitory effect of plasmin on the thrombin response shared some characteristics with the effect of protein kinase C stimulators but was not reversed by protein kinase C inhibitors. Plasmin did not change platelet cyclic nucleotides. These results suggest a dual effect of plasmin. Plasmin produces a small rise in platelet cytosolic Ca2+ and a tyrosine kinase-dependent enhancement of Ca2+ turnover (external Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ efflux). However, it also attenuates the thrombin-evoked cytosolic Ca2+ response by blocking Ca2+ mobilization and slowing the rate of external Ca2+ influx. The latter feature would result in a plasmin-induced inhibition of thrombogenesis.

Role of external Na+ and cytosolic pH in agonist-evoked cytosolic Ca2+ response in human platelets

The role of external Na+ in agonist-evoked platelet Ca2+ response is poorly understood. This was explored in this study. Removal of external Na+ decreased both cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization and external Ca2+ entry, induced by thrombin but not by ADP or vasopressin. That external Na+ regulates thrombin activities was demonstrated by 1) Na+ dependency of the amidolytic activity of thrombin, 2) inhibition of thrombin binding to the high-affinity binding sites in Na(+)-free medium, and 3) attenuation of thrombin-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production in Na(+)-free medium. Moreover, Ca2+ response to the thrombin receptor 6-amino acid peptide was independent of external Na+. The role of external Na+ in modifying agonist-evoked Ca2+ response through activation of Na+/H+ antiport and cytosolic alkalinization was then explored. Cytosolic alkalinization by monensin or NH4Cl enhanced thrombin, ADP, and thimerosal-induced external Ca2+ entry. Thimerosal-induced acceleration of external Ca2+ entry was diminished by the inhibition of Na+/H+ antiport. Thus external Na+ enhances thrombin activities, and cytosolic pH mediates store-regulated external Ca2+ entry. However, Na+/H+ antiport activation is not essential for agonist-evoked Ca2+ mobilization and external Ca2+ entry.

Vascular contractile potency of endothelin-1 is increased in the presence of monocytes or macrophages

Accumulation of inflammatory cells and altered responsiveness to vasoactive mediators are commonly observed events in atherosclerotic vessels. We studied the effect of monocytic cells on endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced contraction of strips of guinea pig carotid artery. The vascular contractile potency of ET-1 was increased markedly in the presence of human peripheral blood monocytes, guinea pig alveolar macrophages (M phi), and the human monocytic cell line, THP-1. Specific binding of 125I-labeled ET-1 to these cells was detected, and Scatchard analysis indicated a dissociation constant value of approximately 1 nM. In contrast, the human monocytic cell line, U-937, failed to bind 125I-ET-1 and did not alter ET-1 potency, suggesting that the ability of monocytic cells to increase ET-1 potency requires expression of ET receptors. Selective inhibition of ET-1 binding to vascular smooth muscle with BQ-123, an ETA receptor antagonist that does not inhibit ET-1 binding to monocytes, resulted in complete inhibition of vascular contraction. These data indicate that ET-1-induced vasoconstriction may be increased by monocytic cells via stimulation of monocyte endothelin receptors.

Termination of endothelin signaling: role of nitric oxide

Cellular mechanisms responsible for the termination of ET-1 signal are poorly understood. In order to examine the hypothesis that nitric oxide serves as a physiological brake of ET-1 signaling, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells stably transfected with the ETA receptor cDNA (CHO-ET) were studied. CHO-ET responded to ET-1 with robust [Ca2+]i transients and developed a long-lasting homologous desensitization. Donors of nitric oxide (NO), 3-morpholino-sydnonimine HCl (SIN-1), or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) reduced the amplitude of these responses, accelerated the rate of [Ca2+]i recovery, and counteracted the development of homologous desensitization by a cyclic GMP-independent mechanism, suggesting an alternative mode for NO modulation of ET-1 responses. Stimulation of CHO-ET cells with mastoparan, a wasp venom acting directly on G proteins (bypassing receptor activation), was inhibited by NO, revealing a postreceptoral target for NO-induced modulation of [Ca2+]i mobilization. Using a lys9-biotinylated ET-1 (ET-1 [BtK9]), binding sites were "mapped" in CHO-ET cells. Receptor-ligand complexes did not exhibit spontaneous dissociation during 60-min observations. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy revealed that SNP or SIN-1 caused a rapid, concentration-dependent, and reversible dissociation of biotinylated ET-1 from ETA receptor (EC50 = 75 microM and 6 microM, respectively), an effect that was not mimicked by 8-bromo-cyclic GMP. "Sandwich" co-culture of endothelial cells with CHO-ET showed that activation of NO production by endothelial cells similarly resulted in dissociation of ET-1 [BtK9] from ETA receptors. We hypothesize that NO plays a role in physiological termination of ET-1 signalling by dual mechanisms: (1) displacement of bound ET-1 from its receptor, thus preventing homologous desensitization, and (2) interference with the postreceptoral pathway for [Ca2+]i mobilization, hence inhibiting end-responses to ET-1.

Thrombin receptor activation peptide induces pulmonary vasoconstriction

We investigated the involvement of the 14-residue thrombin receptor activating peptide SFLLRNPNDKYEPF (TRAP-14) in mediating the pulmonary vasoconstriction in response to alpha-thrombin. Isolated guinea pig lungs were uniformly perfused with Ringer-albumin solution at a constant flow of 28 ml/min. Addition of TRAP-14 or human alpha-thrombin to the perfusate caused dose-dependent increases of pulmonary arterial pressure within 1 min. TRAP-14 at 1 microM increased pulmonary arterial pressure to a similar extent as 10 nM alpha-thrombin (i.e., increase of 7.7 +/- 0.8 and 7.4 +/- 0.9 cmH2(0) from baseline, respectively). The increases in pulmonary venous resistance induced by TRAP-14 and alpha-thrombin were two- to fivefold greater than the increases in pulmonary arterial resistance, indicating that both agonists mediated pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary venoconstriction. Stimulation of cultured guinea pig pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells with 100 microM TRAP-14 or 10 nM alpha-thrombin increased cytosolic Ca2+ concentration about five- to sevenfold over baseline. The increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in smooth muscle cells was not observed with a subsequent challenge with either agonist, indicating desensitization. In the perfused lungs, an initial stimulation with alpha-thrombin or TRAP-14 desensitized the lungs to either agonist. The alpha-thrombin-desensitized lungs remained refractile to alpha-thrombin after 1 h of perfusion with fresh Ringer solution, whereas the TRAP-14-desensitized lungs recovered 79% of the vasoconstrictor response by 10 min and 93% of the response by 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thrombin receptor peptides induce shape change in neonatal murine astrocytes in culture

Astrocytes appear star-shaped in the brain, increasingly so after injury. When astroglia are cultured in serum-containing medium, they exhibit a flat, fibroblast-like morphology. In serum-free medium, astrocytes become stellate, with many long processes. The serine protease alpha-thrombin mimics the effects of serum at subnanomolar concentrations, whereas the thrombin-inhibiting serpin, protease nexin I (PNI), reverses the thrombin effect. In our current experiments, murine neonatal spinal cord astrocytes became stellate after 4 hr in serum-free medium, while cortical astrocytes required 12 hr in serum-free medium for stellation. Astrocytes from either region flattened after 60 min in medium containing 3.0 to 300 pM proteolytically active human alpha-thrombin. After 12 hr in thrombin-containing medium, 98% of the astrocytes had a flattened morphology. No flattening occurred if alpha-thrombin was replaced by gamma-thrombin, which has its fibrinogen-recognition exosite disrupted. PNI added at 1 nM to serum-containing medium caused stellation after 3 hr, and astroglia were 50% stellate by 12 hr. The effect of thrombin was mimicked by a 7-amino acid peptide (TRP-7) from the cleavage site of the human thrombin receptor. This peptide caused 40% of the astrocytes in serum-free medium to exhibit a flattened morphology after 6 hr. PNI had no effect on TRP-7 action on astrocytes. These results indicate that astrocytes possess a cell-surface receptor for thrombin, similar to that described for platelets, endothelial cells, and neurons.

Receptor mechanism of thrombin-mediated pulmonary vasodilation in neonates

A recently identified peptide sequence exposed after proteolytic cleavage of the NH2-terminus of the thrombin receptor mimics some cellular effects of alpha-thrombin. To determine whether a proteolytic action of thrombin is required for vasoactivity, we examined the vascular effects of modified thrombins and synthetic NH2-terminus peptide sequences of the thrombin receptor (TRPs) in isolated piglet lungs. Lungs of piglets 1-6 days old were perfused with recirculating Ringer-albumin solution at a constant flow of 60 ml/min. We measured the pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and segmental distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance (using the double occlusion method) in response to injections of human alpha-thrombin, modified thrombins, and TRP-14 and TRP-7 (i.e., 14 and 7 amino acid NH2-terminus peptides of the cleaved thrombin receptor). alpha-Thrombin produced a rapid and transient decrease in Ppa; the magnitude and duration [time for one-half recovery (t1/2 R)] of the vasodilation responses were concentration dependent [t1/2 R values of 1.4 +/- 0.1 and 3.3 +/- 2.4 min (mean +/- SE) at concentrations of 10(-10) and 10(-9) M, respectively]. The vasodilation was due primarily to a decrease in precapillary resistance. Proteolytically active, but binding-impaired gamma-thrombin was a less potent vasodilator and proteolytically inactive D-phenylalanyl-prolyl-arginine-chloromethyl ketone (PPACK)-alpha-thrombin did not induce vasodilation. TRP-14 was also a pulmonary vasodilator with a t1/2R value of 0.8 +/- 0.09 min at a concentration of 10(-7) M; both TRP-14 and TRP-7 were approximately 3-log less potent than equimolar alpha-thrombin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification of alpha-fetoprotein from human cord serum with demonstration of its antiestrogenic activity

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was purified from pooled human cord serum to determine whether it would be similar to purified mouse AFP in its ability to be transformed into an antiestrogen by incubation with estradiol (E2). Greater purity was attained with a three-step purification procedure of chromatofocusing, Blue-Sepharose chromatography and immunoaffinity chromatography than with a two-step procedure of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Blue-Sepharose chromatography. Nevertheless, both procedures rendered AFP in a form that was transformable by E2 to an antiestrogen, although the product of the three-step procedure afforded more consistent biological activity. Removal of albumin from AFP was crucial for transformation of AFP to an antiestrogen. Thus, human AFP is similar to mouse AFP in being transformed to an antiestrogen upon incubation with E2, even though there is only 66% structural homology between the two proteins, and human AFP lacks the high-affinity binding site for E2 present in the mouse AFP molecule.

Isoproterenol antagonizes endothelial permeability induced by thrombin and thrombin receptor peptide

We determined whether 1) amino-terminal peptides of the thrombin receptor increase endothelial permeability to a comparable extent as alpha-thrombin does, 2) isoproterenol attenuates the thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability by an antagonistic action to that of thrombin or by lowering baseline permeability, and 3) isoproterenol decreases permeability via stimulation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Permeability across monolayers of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (CCL 209) was assessed by the clearance of 125I-labeled albumin. Thrombin receptor peptides increased permeability at 1 microM but required a dose of between 10 and 100 microM to equal the permeability response of 1 microM alpha-thrombin. Dose-response experiments demonstrated that isoproterenol antagonized the action of alpha-thrombin and a thrombin receptor peptide on endothelial permeability and that it lowered baseline permeability. This permeability-decreasing action of isoproterenol occurred via stimulation of the beta 2-adrenergic receptor. Terbutaline, a partial beta 2-agonist, prevented the thrombin-induced permeability, but dobutamine, a partial beta 1-agonist, did not. The active stereoisomer of terbutaline and the racemic form mimicked the action of isoproterenol, but the inactive stereoisomer had no effect. ICI-118,551, a specific beta 2-receptor antagonist, prevented the permeability-decreasing action of isoproterenol, whereas ICI-89,406, a specific beta 1-receptor antagonist, did not. Competitive binding studies of 125I-pindolol with ICI-118,551 or ICI-89,406 demonstrated the presence of beta-adrenergic receptors, predominantly beta 2-receptors, on cell membrane homogenates.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endothelin-receptor interactions. Role of a putative sulfhydryl on the endothelin receptor

The mechanism of action of endothelin-receptor interactions was studied, using radioligand binding assays and SDS-PAGE, to investigate the possibility of disulfide interchange. Electrophoretic analysis suggested involvement of disulfide bond(s) in the receptor-ligand complex. Treatment of Et receptors with sulfhydryl-specific alkylating reagents (NEM or others) resulted in decreased ability to bind [125I]Et-1. [Dpr1-Asp15]Et-1, an antagonist homologous to Et but with an amide link replacing one of the disulfides, bound to Et receptors reversibly, but binding of Et-1 was less reversible. Preincubation of receptors with Et-1, but not with [Dpr1-Asp15]Et-1, protected receptors from alkylation with [14C]NEM. The data suggest that the Et receptor has a sulfhydryl group at or near the Et binding site. A model is proposed in which the role of the putative sulfhydryl group is discussed.

Human orbital fibroblasts in culture bind and respond to endothelin

Human fibroblasts in primary cell culture were studied for their ability to bind to endothelin (ET), a 21-amino acid peptide with profound vasoconstricting properties. When 125I-labeled ET-1 was incubated with confluent orbital fibroblasts in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled ligand, a single class of binding site was defined with a dissociation constant of 1.42 x 10(-8) M and a maximal binding capacity of 9.1 x 10(-10) mol/micrograms protein. ET-3 was a substantially less potent competitor for 125I-ET-1 binding sites than was unlabeled ET-1. Dermal fibroblasts demonstrated approximately 75% less ET-1 saturation binding activity, on a cellular protein basis, than did those from the orbit. Orbital fibroblasts responded to ET-1 (10(-9) M) with a rapid and transient increase in the free concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) as assessed by monitoring acetoxymethyl ester of fura 2 fluorescence intensity. Rechallenge with the peptide elicited a substantially attenuated response than that seen after the initial treatment. There was no consistent effect of ET-1 on [Ca2+]i in dermal cultures. ET-3 failed to influence [Ca2+]i in either type of fibroblast. It would appear that orbital fibroblasts bind and respond to ET in a manner distinct from that observed in dermal fibroblasts, raising the possibility that the peptide may have site-specific actions in orbital connective tissue.

A specific endothelin-1 antagonist blocks inhaled endothelin-1-induced bronchoconstriction in sheep

In this study we used conscious sheep to compare the relative potencies of inhaled endothelin- (ET) 1 and ET-3 and to determine whether a newly described selective ET-1 receptor antagonist, [diaminopropionic acid1-Asp15]ET-1 ([Dpr1-Asp15]ET-1), when given as an aerosol blocks ET-1-induced bronchoconstriction. Partial concentration-response curves to ET-1 and ET-3 were obtained by measuring the change in pulmonary airflow resistance (RL) after aerosol challenge. Both ET-1 (n = 6) and ET-3 (n = 4) caused concentration-dependent (10(-10)-10(-7) bronchoconstriction, but ET-3 was 400-fold less potent than ET-1. Pretreatment (30 min) with 25 breaths of 5 x 10(-8) M [Dpr1-Asp15]ET-1 caused a 100-fold rightward shift of the ET-1 concentration-response curve. The activity of the ET-1 antagonist (25 breaths of 5 x 10(-8) M) was compared with that of various control peptides (25 breaths of 10(-8) M). ET-1 (50 breaths of 10(-7) M) caused an increase in RL of 133 +/- 33% (SE) over baseline. [Dpr1-Asp15]ET-1 significantly inhibited this response by 54%. No protection was seen with a monocyclic control peptide or a thrombin receptor peptide. There was, however, a small protective effect (38%, P < 0.05) seen with [Dpr1-Asp15]ET-3, a structurally homologous ET-3 antagonist. [Dpr1-Asp15]ET-1 had no effect on carbachol (n = 3) or leukotriene D4-induced bronchoconstriction. Thus inhaled ET-1 and, to a lesser extent, ET-3 cause concentration-dependent bronchoconstriction in conscious sheep.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thrombin receptor peptide inhibits thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability by receptor desensitization

Thrombin, a potent activator of cellular responses, proteolytically cleaves, and thereby activates its receptor. In the present study, we compared the effects of the thrombin receptor 14-amino acid peptide (TRP-14; SFLLRNPNDKYEPF), which comprises the NH2 terminus after cleavage of the thrombin receptor, and of the native alpha-thrombin on endothelial monolayer permeability. Addition of TRP-14 (1-200 microM) to bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells increased [Ca2+]i in a dose-dependent manner. The peak increase in [Ca2+]i in response to 100 microM TRP-14 or 0.1 microM alpha-thrombin was similar (i.e., 931 +/- 74 nM and 1032 +/- 80 nM, respectively), which was followed by a slow decrease with t1/2 values of 0.73 and 0.61 min, respectively. Extracellular Ca2+ chelation with 5 mM EGTA abolished the sustained increases in [Ca2+]i induced by either TRP-14 or alpha-thrombin. alpha-thrombin (0.1 microM) increased transendothelial [125I]albumin permeability, whereas TRP-14 (1-100 microM) had no effect. Coincubation of 100 microM TRP-14 with 1 microM DIP-alpha-thrombin also did not increase permeability over control values. Stimulation of BPAEC with 0.1 microM alpha-thrombin induced translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) from the cytosol to the plasma membrane indicative of PKC activation, whereas TRP-14 had no effect at any concentration. TRP-14 at 100 microM desensitized BPAEC to thrombin-induced increases in [Ca2+]i and transendothelial permeability. The Ca2+ desensitization was reversed after approximately 60 min, and this recovery paralleled the recovery of the permeability response. These findings indicate that the TRP-14-induced Ca2+ mobilization in the absence of PKC activation is insufficient to increase endothelial permeability. In contrast, the increase in endothelial permeability after alpha-thrombin occurred in conjunction with Ca2+ mobilization as well as PKC activation. TRP-14 pretreatment prevented the alpha-thrombin-induced increase in endothelial permeability secondary to desensitization of the Ca2+ signal. The results suggest that combined cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization mediated by TRP-14 and PKC activation mediated by a TRP-14-independent pathway are dual signals responsible for the thrombin-induced increase in vascular endothelial permeability.