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Biomedical subjects

Deane F Mosher

Publications and source records attributed to Deane F Mosher.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

ADAMTS1 mediates the release of antiangiogenic polypeptides from TSP1 and 2.

Matrix metalloproteases regulate both physiological and pathological events by processing matrix proteins and growth factors. ADAMTS1 in particular is required for normal ovulation and renal function and has been shown to modulate angiogenesis. Here we report that TSP1 and 2 are substrates of ADAMTS1. Using a combination of mass spectrometry and Edman degradation, we mapped the cleavage sites and characterized the biological relevance of these processing events. ADAMTS1 cleavage mediates the release of polypeptides from the trimeric structure of both TSP1 and 2 generating a pool of antiangiogenic fragments from matrix-bound thrombospondin. Using neo-epitope antibodies we confirmed that processing occurs during wound healing of wild-type mice. However, TSP1 proteolysis is decreased or absent in ADAMTS1 null mice; this is associated with delayed wound closure and increased angiogenic response. Finally, TSP1-/- endothelial cells revealed that the antiangiogenic response mediated by ADAMTS1 is greatly dependent on TSP1. These findings have unraveled a mechanistic explanation for the angiostatic functions attributed to ADAMTS1 and demonstrated in vivo processing of TSP1 under situations of tissue repair.

ADAM Proteins↗

Differential engagement of modules 1 and 4 of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD106) by integrins alpha4beta1 (CD49d/29) and alphaMbeta2 (CD11b/18) of eosinophils.

We have studied adhesion of eosinophils to various forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1, CD106), an integrin counter-receptor implicated in eosinophil recruitment to the airway in asthma. Full-length 7d-VCAM-1, with seven immunoglobulin-like modules, contains integrin-binding sites in modules 1 and 4. The alternatively spliced six-module protein, 6d-VCAM-1, lacks module 4. In static assays, unactivated purified human blood eosinophils adhered similarly to recombinant soluble human 6d-VCAM-1 and 7d-VCAM-1 coated onto polystyrene microtiter wells. Further experiments, however, revealed differences in recognition of modules 1 and 4. Antibody blocking indicated that eosinophil adhesion to 6d-VCAM-1 or a VCAM-1 construct containing only modules 1-3, 1-3VCAM-1, is mediated by alpha4beta1 (CD49d/29), whereas adhesion to a construct containing modules 4-7, 4-7VCAM-1, is mediated by bothalpha4beta1 andalphaMbeta2 (CD11b/18). Inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, which block adhesion of eosinophils mediated by alphaMbeta2, blocked adhesion to 4-7VCAM-1 but had no effect on adhesion to 6d-VCAM-1. Consistent with the antibody and pharmacological blocking experiments, eosinophilic leukemic cell lines lacking alphaMbeta2 did not adhere to 4-7VCAM-1 but did adhere to 6d-VCAM-1 or 1-3VCAM-1. Activation of eosinophils by interleukin (IL)-5 enhanced static adhesion to 6d-VCAM-1, 7d-VCAM-1, or 4-7VCAM-1; IL-5-enhanced adhesion to all 3 constructs was blocked by anti-alphaMbeta2. Adhesion of unstimulated eosinophils to 7d-VCAM-1 under flow conditions was inhibited by anti-alpha4 or anti-alphaM. IL-5 treatment decreased eosinophil adhesion to 7d-VCAM-1 under flow, and anti-alphaM had the paradoxical effect of increasing adhesion. These results demonstrate that alphaMbeta2 modulatesalpha4beta1-mediated eosinophil adhesion to VCAM-1 under both static and flow conditions.

Binding Sites↗

Impact of fibronectin assembly on platelet thrombus formation in response to type I collagen and von Willebrand factor.

Plasma fibronectin enhances platelet thrombus formation on surfaces coated with collagen. We investigated the role of fibronectin assembly in this process. Platelets adherent to fibrillar type I collagen, but not platelets adherent to von Willebrand factor (VWF), supported assembly of plasma fibronectin under static conditions. At a shear rate of 1250 s(-1), platelets adherent to collagen assembled coperfused plasma fibronectin and formed larger thrombi in a fibronectin-concentration-dependent manner, with a maximum effect at 250 mug/mL. Enhanced thrombus formation on collagen was blocked by a peptide that binds to the N-terminal region of fibronectin and inhibits fibronectin assembly. Cross-linking of fibronectin to collagen prior to exposure to platelets had no effect on thrombus formation. Collagen-induced platelet thrombus formation at a shear rate of 5000 s(-1) required coperfusion with VWF and did not result in assembly of coperfused fibronectin. VWF-mediated increase in platelet thrombi on collagen was not enhanced and indeed was somewhat attenuated by coperfused fibronectin at a shear rate of 5000 s(-1). These results indicate that, at moderately high but not very high shear rates, fibronectin assembly in platelet aggregates that form in response to collagen enhances thrombus formation and serves as an alternative to VWF-mediated enhancement.

Animals↗

Dissection of the hyperadhesive phenotype of airway eosinophils in asthma.

Asthma is characterized by appearance of eosinophils in the airway. Eosinophils purified from the airway 48 h after segmental antigen challenge are described as exhibiting greater adhesion to albumin-coated surfaces via an unidentified beta2 integrin and increased expression of alphaMbeta2 (CD11b/18) compared with purified blood eosinophils. We have investigated the determinants of this hyperadhesive phenotype. Airway eosinophils exhibited increased reactivity with the CBRM1/5 anti-alphaM activation-sensitive antibody as well as enhanced adhesion to VCAM-1 (CD106) and diverse ligands, including albumin, ICAM-1 (CD54), fibrinogen, and vitronectin. Purified blood eosinophils did not adhere to the latter diverse ligands. Enhanced adhesion of airway eosinophils was blocked by anti-alphaMbeta2. Podosomes, structures implicated in cell movement and proteolysis of matrix proteins, were larger and more common on airway eosinophils adherent to VCAM-1 when compared with blood eosinophils. Incubation of blood eosinophils with IL-5 replicated the phenotype of airway eosinophils. That is, IL-5 enhanced recognition of alphaM by CBRM1/5; stimulated alphaMbeta2-mediated adhesion to VCAM-1, albumin, ICAM-1, fibrinogen, and vitronectin; and increased podosome formation on VCAM-1. Thus, the hyperadhesion of airway eosinophils after antigen challenge is mediated by upregulated and activated alphaMbeta2.

Antibodies↗

The N-terminal 70-kDa fragment of fibronectin binds to cell surface fibronectin assembly sites in the absence of intact fibronectin.

Binding of the N-terminal 70-kDa (70K) fragment of fibronectin to fibroblasts blocks assembly of intact fibronectin and is an accurate indicator of the ability of various agents to enhance or inhibit fibronectin assembly. Such binding is widely thought to be to already assembled fibronectin. We evaluated this hypothesis with fibronectin-null mouse fibroblasts plated on laminin-1 in the absence of intact fibronectin. As a proteolytic fragment or recombinant protein, 70K bound fibronectin-null cells specifically in linear arrays that extended outwards from the periphery of spread cells. At early time points, these arrays were similar to those formed by intact fibronectin. 70K arrays formed within 5 min following ligand addition at concentrations as low as 5 nM, indicating rapid and high affinity binding. Bound 70K was extractable with Triton X-100 or deoxycholate but became insoluble when cross-linked with a membrane-impermeable agent into large SDS-stable complexes. Intact fibronectin, in contrast, became progressively non-extractable in the absence of cross-linking. The detergent-resistant arrays of cross-linked 70K localized to tips of cellular extensions and partially overlapped with alpha6 and beta1 integrin subunits at the base of the extensions. alpha5 did not localize with 70K arrays, but became progressively co-localized with assemblies of intact fibronectin over time. These results support a model in which the 70-kDa region of fibronectin binds to linearly arrayed cell surface molecules of adherent cells to initiate assembly, display of the arrays is controlled by the integrin that mediates adhesion, and fibronectin-binding integrins promote fibronectin-fibronectin interactions during progression of assembly.

Animals↗

Enhancement of thrombogenesis by plasma fibronectin cross-linked to fibrin and assembled in platelet thrombi.

To learn how plasma fibronectin stabilizes platelet-rich thrombi in injured mesenteric arterioles of mice, we studied the impact of plasma fibronectin on platelet thrombus formation ex vivo in a parallel flow chamber. Thrombi were greater on surfaces coated with fibrin cross-linked to fibronectin by activated factor XIII than on surfaces coated with fibrin lacking cross-linked fibronectin or with fibronectin alone. Platelet thrombi were even greater when plasma fibronectin was perfused with platelets, resulting in deposition of the perfused fibronectin in platelet thrombi. The effect of perfused fibronectin on thrombogenesis was lost if fibronectin deposition was blocked by coperfusion with the N-terminal 70-kDa fragment of fibronectin or a peptide based on the functional upstream domain of protein F1 of Streptococcus pyogenes. Increases in thrombus formation were dependent on a platelet activator such as lysophosphatidic acid, amount of fibronectin cross-linked to fibrin, and concentration of fibronectin in the perfusate. The dependency of fibronectin concentration extended into the range of fibronectin concentrations associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease. At such concentrations, the 2 mechanisms for insolubilization of plasma fibronectin-cross-linking to fibrin and assembly by adherent and aggregating platelets-synergize to result in many-fold enhancement of platelet thrombus formation.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Cleavage of human 7-domain VCAM-1 (CD106) by thrombin.

Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1, CD106) is expressed as a type I transmembrane integrin counter-receptor on activated endothelium and mediates white blood cell attachment. The alternatively spliced 7-domain (7d) form of VCAM-1 contains a potential thrombin cleavage site. Thrombin proteolysis of 7d-VCAM-1 may help regulate adhesive activity ofVCAM-1. We determined whether 7d-VCAM-1 is proteolyzed and rendered inactive by thrombin. Recombinant extracellular domain of 7d-VCAM-1 was cleaved by thrombin to generate 33- and 44-kDa products. Cleavage was in the sequence PGPR/IAAQIG near the N-terminal border of the alternatively spliced fourth immunoglobulin (Ig)-like module. There was no cleavage of 6d-VCAM-1 lacking the fourth module. Expression of full-length 7d-VCAM-1 presented on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) monolayers, as detected by flow cytometry with an antibody directed to Ig-like modules 1-3, was reduced by thrombin treatment whereas there was no reduction in the expression of full-length 6d-VCAM-1. Adhesion of blood eosinophils to full-length 7d-VCAM-1 was reduced after treatment of CHO cells with thrombin, whereas adhesion to full-length 6d-VCAM-1 was not affected. We conclude that cleavage of 7d-VCAM-1 by thrombin is a potential mechanism for differential regulation of VCAM-1 splice forms in white blood cell adhesion and trafficking.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biophysical characterization of the signature domains of thrombospondin-4 and thrombospondin-2.

The signature domain of thrombospondins consists of tandem epidermal growth factor-like modules, 13 calcium-binding repeats, and a lectin-like module. Although very similar, the signature domains of thrombospondin-1 and -2 differ in several potentially important ways from the domains of thrombospondin-3, -4, and -5. We have compared matching recombinant segments representing the signature domains of thrombospondin-2 and -4. In the presence of 2 mM CaCl2, the far UV circular dichroism spectra of thrombospondin-2 and -4 constructs contain a strong negative band at 202 nm, but only the thrombospondin-2 construct has a band at 216 nm. Chelation of calcium shifted the negative bands to lower magnitudes. Titrations of the spectra demonstrated lower cooperativity and affinity for binding of calcium to thrombospondin-4 compared with thrombospondin-2. Atomic absorption spectroscopy demonstrated that the thrombospondin-4 constructs bind seven less calcium than the thrombospondin-2 construct at 0.6 mM CaCl2. In 2 mM CaCl2, the near UV circular dichroism spectra of thrombospondin-2, but not thrombospondin-4, contain a positive band at 292 nm that disappears upon calcium chelation. Intrinsic fluorescence spectra for both proteins were also sensitive to calcium, but the changes were simpler and more marked for thrombospondin-2 than for thrombospondin-4. In differential scanning calorimetry, the thrombospondin-2 construct melted in two distinct transitions at 53.5 and 81.8 degrees C, whereas the first transition for thrombospondin-4 constructs was observed at 63.5 degrees C. Thus, the studies revealed significant differences between the signature domains of thrombospondin-2 and thrombospondin-4 in calcium binding, fine structure, and inter-modular interactions.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein contributes to the antiangiogenic activity of thrombospondin-2 in a murine glioma model.

Host antiangiogenesis factors defend against tumor growth. The matricellular protein, thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2), has been shown to act as an antiangiogenesis factor in a carcinogen-induced model of skin cancer. Here, using an in vivo malignant glioma model in which the characteristics of the tumors formed after intracerebral implantation of GL261 mouse glioma cells are assessed, we found that tumor growth and microvessel density were significantly enhanced in tumors propagated in TSP-2(-/-) mice. Mechanistically, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 has been associated with neoangiogenesis and it has been proposed that the levels of available MMP-2 may be down-regulated by formation of a complex with TSP-2 that is internalized by low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1). We found elevated expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in tumors propagated in TSP-2(-/-) mice, with a preferential localization in the microvasculature. In wild-type mice, MMP-2 was coexpressed with TSP-2 in the tumor microvasculature. In vitro, addition of recombinant (rec) TSP-2 to mouse brain microvessel endothelial cells reduced MMP-2 levels and invasion through mechanisms that could be inhibited by a competitive inhibitor of ligand binding to LRP1 or by siLRP1. Thus, the antiangiogenic activity of TSP-2 is capable of inhibiting the growth of gliomas in part by reducing the levels of MMP-2 in the tumor microvasculature. This mechanism is mediated by LRP1.

Animals↗

Structure of the calcium-rich signature domain of human thrombospondin-2.

Thrombospondins (THBSs) are secreted glycoproteins that have key roles in interactions between cells and the extracellular matrix. Here, we describe the 2.6-A-resolution crystal structure of the glycosylated signature domain of human THBS2, which includes three epidermal growth factor-like modules, 13 aspartate-rich repeats and a lectin-like module. These elements interact extensively to form three structural regions termed the stalk, wire and globe. The THBS2 signature domain is stabilized by these interactions and by a network of 30 bound Ca(2+) ions and 18 disulfide bonds. The structure suggests how genetic alterations of THBSs result in disease.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Fibrin but not adsorbed fibrinogen supports fibronectin assembly by spread platelets. Effects of the interaction of alphaIIb beta3 with the C terminus of the fibrinogen gamma-chain.

We investigated the assembly of soluble fibronectin by lysophosphatidic acid-activated platelets adherent to fibrinogen or fibrin. More fibronectin was assembled by activated platelets spread on fibrin matrices than by platelets spread on adsorbed fibrinogen. The difference between platelets adherent to fibrinogen and fibrin occurred under both static and flow conditions. Similar differences were seen in binding of the 70-kDa N-terminal fragment of fibronectin that recognizes fibronectin assembly sites on adherent cells. Antibody and peptide blocking studies demonstrated that alphaIIb beta3 integrin mediates platelet adhesion to fibrinogen, whereas both alphav beta3 and alphaIIb beta3 mediate platelet adhesion to fibrin. The hypothesis that engagement of the C-terminal QAGDV sequence of the fibrinogen gamma-chain by alphaIIb beta3 inhibits the ability of the platelet to assemble fibronectin was tested by several experiments. Activated platelets adherent to adsorbed mutant fibrinogen lacking the QAGDV sequence (gammadelta5FG) were assembly-competent, as were platelets adherent to adsorbed normal fibrinogen that had been pretreated with the 7E9 antibody to the C terminus of the gamma-chain. Moreover, adsorbed normal fibrinogen but not gammadelta5FG suppressed the ability of co-adsorbed fibronectin to direct assembly of soluble fibronectin by spread platelets. The suppressive effect was lost when a surface of co-adsorbed fibronectin and fibrinogen was pretreated with 7E9. These results support a model in which the engagement of alphaIIb beta3 by the C-terminal sequence of the fibrinogen gamma-chain initiates signals that suppress subsequent fibronectin assembly by spread platelets. This interaction is less dominant when platelets adhere to fibrin, resulting in enhanced fibronectin assembly.

Adsorption↗

The N-terminal module of thrombospondin-1 interacts with the link domain of TSG-6 and enhances its covalent association with the heavy chains of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor.

We recently found that leukocytes from thrombospondin-1 (TSP1)-deficient mice exhibit significant reductions in cell surface CD44 relative to those from wild type mice. Because TSG-6 modulates CD44-mediated cellular interactions with hyaluronan, we examined the possibility that TSP1 interacts with TSG-6. We showed that recombinant full-length human TSG-6 (TSG-6Q) and the Link module of TSG-6 (Link_TSG6) bind 125I-TSP1 with comparable affinities. Trimeric recombinant constructs containing the N-modules of TSP1 or TSP2 inhibit binding of TSP1 to TSG-6Q and Link_TSG6, but other recombinant regions of TSP1 do not. Therefore, the N-modules of both TSP1 and TSP2 specifically recognize the Link module of TSG-6. Heparin, which binds to these domains of both proteins, strongly inhibits binding of TSP1 to Link_TSG6 and TSG-6Q, but hyaluronan does not. Inhibition by heparin results from its binding to TSP1, because heparin also inhibits TSP1 binding to Link_TSG6 mutants deficient in heparin binding. Removal of bound Ca2+ from TSP1 reduces its binding to full-length TSG-6. Binding of TSP1 to Link_TSG6, however, is enhanced by chelating divalent cations. In contrast, divalent cations do not influence binding of the N-terminal region of TSP1 to TSG-6Q. This implies that divalent cation dependence is due to conformational effects of calcium-binding to the C-terminal domains of TSP1. TSP1 enhances covalent modification of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor by TSG-6 and transfer of its heavy chains to hyaluronan, suggesting a physiological function of TSP1 binding to TSG-6 in regulation of hyaluronan metabolism at sites of inflammation.

Alpha-Globulins↗

Fibronectin's central cell-binding domain supports focal adhesion formation and Rho signal transduction.

Fibroblast adhesion to fibronectin (FN) induces formation of focal adhesions (FAs), structures that have significant effect on cell migration and signaling. FA formation requires actomyosin-based contractility that is regulated by Rho-dependent myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation. Previous studies indicated that the FN central cell-binding (and integrin-binding) domain (CBD) is insufficient for FA formation and that the major heparin-binding domain (HepII) facilitates FA formation in a Rho-dependent manner. We describe here conditions under which FN CBD alone is sufficient for FA formation in both human dermal fibroblasts and the FN-null murine fibroblasts. CBD-mediated FA formation is dependent on its surface adsorption and the adhesion activity of the cells. Attachment of FN-null fibroblasts to CBD elicits the same biphasic regulation of Rho activity as seen on intact FN, whereas adhesion to HepII alone does not activate Rho. Activation of Rho requires high levels of integrin occupancy. However, FN or CBD may induce FAs without increased activation of Rho (i.e. the basal level of GTP-Rho induces sufficient phospho-MLC for FA assembly under this condition). In contrast, adhesion to HepII alone does not sustain MLC phosphorylation. Pulse stimulation of cells on CBD or HepII with lysophosphatidic acid elevates Rho GTP loading to the same level, but the lysophosphatidic acid-stimulated MLC phosphorylation is significantly lower in cells on HepII than on CBD. Coating HepII with suboptimal concentrations of CBD induces FAs without increased activation of Rho. Therefore, FN CBD can support FA formation and generate contraction by activating Rho or by facilitating Rho downstream signaling.

Animals↗

Thrombospondins are astrocyte-secreted proteins that promote CNS synaptogenesis.

The establishment of neural circuitry requires vast numbers of synapses to be generated during a specific window of brain development, but it is not known why the developing mammalian brain has a much greater capacity to generate new synapses than the adult brain. Here we report that immature but not mature astrocytes express thrombospondins (TSPs)-1 and -2 and that these TSPs promote CNS synaptogenesis in vitro and in vivo. TSPs induce ultrastructurally normal synapses that are presynaptically active but postsynaptically silent and work in concert with other, as yet unidentified, astrocyte-derived signals to produce functional synapses. These studies identify TSPs as CNS synaptogenic proteins, provide evidence that astrocytes are important contributors to synaptogenesis within the developing CNS, and suggest that TSP-1 and -2 act as a permissive switch that times CNS synaptogenesis by enabling neuronal molecules to assemble into synapses within a specific window of CNS development.

Animals↗

Fibronectin regulates latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) by controlling matrix assembly of latent TGF beta-binding protein-1.

Latent transforming growth factor-beta-binding proteins (LTBPs) are extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins that play a major role in the storage of latent TGF beta in the ECM and regulate its availability. Here we show that fibronectin is critical for the incorporation of LTBP1 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) into the ECM of osteoblasts and fibroblasts. Immunolocalization studies suggested that fibronectin provides an initial scaffold that precedes and patterns LTBP1 deposition but that LTBP1 and fibronectin are later localized in separate fibrillar networks, suggesting that the initial template is lost. Treatment of fetal rat calvarial osteoblasts with a 70-kDa N-terminal fibronectin fragment that inhibits fibronectin assembly impaired incorporation of LTBP1 and TGFbeta into the ECM. Consistent with this, LTBP1 failed to assemble in embryonic fibroblasts that lack the gene for fibronectin. LTBP1 assembly was rescued by full-length fibronectin and superfibronectin, which are capable of assembly into fibronectin fibrils, but not by other fibronectin fragments, including a 160-kDa RGD-containing fragment that activates alpha5beta1 integrins. This suggests that the critical event for LTBP1 assembly is the formation of a fibronectin fibrillar network and that integrin ligation by fibronectin molecules alone is not sufficient. Not only was fibronectin essential for the initial incorporation of LTBP1 into the ECM, but the continued presence of fibronectin was required for the continued assembly of LTBP1. These studies highlight a nonredundant role for fibronectin in LTBP1 assembly into the ECM and suggest a novel role for fibronectin in regulation of TGF beta via LTBP1 interactions.

Animals↗

Actions of the functional upstream domain of protein F1 of Streptococcus pyogenes on the conformation of fibronectin.

Fibronectin (Fn), discovered by Harvard's Plasma Protein Program as plasma "cold-insoluble globulin" in the 1940s, has attracted much interest over the past three decades. One of the most interesting features of Fn is its ability to change shape in response to various environmental conditions and interactions with other substances found in the extra-cellular space. Here we examine the potential of the functional upstream domain (FUD) of Streptococcus pyogenes protein F1 to bring about changes in structure of Fn. In particular, we investigate the accessibility of Fn's 10th type III module that contains the integrin binding RGD motif. By use of monoclonal antibodies in a competitive ELISA assay, we found that FUD interacts with the amino-terminal type I modules of Fn to unveil the cell-binding region of Fn. This conformational change was achieved at sub-equimolar ratios of FUD/Fn monomer. We discuss the functional relevance of the interaction for both Fn and S. pyogenes and correlate the results with a conformational model of Fn that arose out of a collaboration between our laboratory and that of John Ferry.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗