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E P Pâques

Publications and source records attributed to E P Pâques.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Inhibition of in vitro clot growth by r-hirudin is more effective and longer sustained than by an analogous peptide.

The specific thrombin inhibitors r-hirudin and a synthetic peptide (I) D-FPRP(G)4-NGDFEEIPEEYL were compared in in vitro tests. r-hirudin proved to be the superior compound with respect to inhibition of amidolytic small substrate turnover that is catalysed by soluble and immobilised thrombin as well as to inhibition of fibrinogen activation. In an in vitro clot model significantly higher molar concentrations of peptide I are needed to achieve fibrin bound thrombin inhibition equivalent to that of r-hirudin. Stable complexes consisting of thrombin and hirudin oppose labile complexes containing the synthetic peptide. The latter leads to a regaining of thrombin activity with subsequent additional fibrin accretion. Analyses of the mixtures of thrombin and peptide I display a time dependent release of amino-terminal D-FPR peptide (III) exhibiting, similar to the residual fragment (peptide II), only weak inhibitory activity. Peptide I and the carboxy-terminal fragment induce, within a certain concentration range, an increase in thrombin activity and clot growth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reduction of mortality with antithrombin III in septicemic rats: a study of Klebsiella pneumoniae induced sepsis.

Experimental gram-negative sepsis was induced in the rat by Klebsiella pneumoniae. Although bacteria are susceptible to the treatment with the antibiotic Tobramycin, DIC could not be prevented. DIC was manifested by a leuko- and thrombocytopenia, decreases in fibrinogen and AT III and an increase of the aPTT. In this model the therapeutic treatment with human AT III was evaluated. To determine the optimal concentration of AT III a prestudy in a LPS induced DIC in the rat was performed. It was shown that a bolus i.v. injection of 500 U/kg improved survival and DIC, and was thus chosen for the Klebsiella sepsis model. The infectious load was adjusted to yield a mortality rate of 90-100% in the untreated Klebsiella group and a reduction to about 40-50% of the mortality rate by Tobramycin. It was found that AT III reduced mortality in the Klebsiella induced sepsis not only when given prophylactically but was effective even when administrated in a late stage of the DIC, i.e. 3 or 5 h post infection.

Animals↗

Localization of annexins in normal and diseased human skin.

Annexins (AX) or lipocortins are a family of calcium and phospholipid binding proteins that have been implicated to play a role in the regulation of inflammation and cellular differentiation. To investigate a potential role of AX in skin disorders we studied the distribution of six different AX in normal human skin (NHS) and several inflammatory and hyperproliferative skin diseases. A distinct staining pattern could only be shown for AX-1 and AX-2. In NHS AX-1-antibody (Ab) displayed a very strong reactivity with eccrine sweat ducts. In the diseases investigated we found a highly increased expression of AX-1 in keratinocytes (KCs) in the vicinity of inflammatory processes such as psoriasis. Furthermore, the AX-1 expression was increased in differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) whereas undifferentiated SCC and basal cell carcinoma were negative. AX-3, -4, -5, and -6 showed no distinctive expression pattern. Our data demonstrate an abnormal distribution of AX-1 in association with proliferating KCs under inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. Its pattern of reactivity shows similarities to the known distribution of the EGF-receptor kinase, which has been demonstrated to phosphorylate AX-1 with high activity in various cellular systems. These results support the concept that the appearance of AX-1 is linked to a certain level of KC differentiation.

Annexin A1↗

Inhibition of human skin phospholipase A2 by "lipocortins" is an indirect effect of substrate/lipocortin interaction.

Proteins of the annexin/lipocortin family have been claimed to mediate the anti-inflammatory action of glucocorticosteroids by the inhibition of phospholipases A2. This hypothesis has been challenged by the finding that annexins do not directly interact with the enzyme in a classical enzyme/inhibitor behavior, but more likely block the access of the phospholipase A2 to its substrate by binding to phospholipids. Because former studies with skin phospholipase A2 suggested a specific regulation by annexin-1, we investigated the substrate dependence of this effect. For this purpose phospholipase A2 activities in human epidermis and dermis homogenates were measured in the presence of various amounts of annexins-1, -2, or -5. The respective annexin was preincubated in separate series either with the substrate or with the enzyme. We found a partial inhibition of both epidermal and dermal phospholipase A2 activities with all annexins tested (annexin-5 >> annexin-2 > annexin-1). The inhibitory effect was absolutely dependent on the annexin/phospholipid ratio and occurred only at very high annexin concentrations relative to the amount of substrate. Our data demonstrate that the inhibition of human skin phospholipase A2 by annexins depends on the substrate concentrations, as has been shown for phospholipases A2 of other origins as well. All observations can be explained by the current "substrate depletion model" characterizing the indirect effects of annexins on phospholipase A2 activities. It is therefore rather unlikely that annexins are directly involved in the regulation of phospholipase A2 activity of human skin under physiologic conditions.

Annexin A1↗

Detection of human anti-annexin autoantibodies by enzyme immunoassays.

Annexins belong to a family of proteins characterized by calcium-dependent binding to the cytoskeleton and phospholipid surfaces. Basing on these properties annexins are discussed to be involved in the regulation of cytodynamic, anticoagulatory and antiinflammatory processes. Since autoantibodies against annexin I had been detected in patients suffering from inflammatory or autoimmune diseases, an impact on the pathophysiological outcome was assumed. Therefore we developed solid phase, enzyme-linked immunoassays for the quantitative determination of autoantibodies directed against six members of the annexin family. Some preliminary results obtained from sera of patients with malignant melanoma show a quite frequent presence of such autoantibodies. These data suggest that autoantibodies are generated against all annexins. Furthermore, in the individual patient autoantibodies of the IgG-type are monospecific, while about 1/4 of the IgM-type are directed against several annexins. These observations imply that for investigation of anti-annexin autoantibodies in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as cancer all members of the annexin family have to be taken into consideration.

Autoantibodies↗

Coagulation and fibrinolysis in cancer.

Haemostasis is a system of finely adjusted interactions between cells, enzymatic reaction cascades and inhibitors. Disturbances of this balance occur in many disorders, especially in inflammatory processes, septicaemia and cancer. In such cases malignant cells and infectious organisms activate the plasmatic enzyme cascades, especially of the coagulation and fibrinolysis cascades. The resulting consumption and proteolytic degradation of the regulatory proteins contribute to hypercoagulability and secondarily to reactive fibrinolysis, and these may then lead to local thromboses and haemorrhages. These pathogenic events culminate in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), frequently with organ failure and death. Factors of both plasmatic systems are also "misused" by malignant cells for the purposes of growth and metastasis. Prominent examples of this misuse are the formation of a protective fibrin shield against the endogenous defence mechanisms and the local degradation of tissues for tumor proliferation as well as for cell permeation and invasion. In the search for a potential therapy a number of protease inhibitors, predominantly of enzymes of coagulation and fibrinolysis, have been tested in vivo with regard to their efficacy. So far, however, it has not been possible to find a new uniform treatment principle to inhibit the growth and/or metastasis of different types of tumor. The haemorrhagic diathesis and thromboses frequently associated with tumors are generally treated by substitution with plasma components, especially concentrates of coagulation factors and inhibitors.

Blood Coagulation↗

Annexins I to VI: quantitative determination in different human cell types and in plasma after myocardial infarction.

Concentrations of annexins I to VI were quantitatively determined in extracts of placenta and different human cell types. They were detectable in all extracts studied, but lymphocytes/monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts had very high annexin contents. The results indicate cell type specific annexin-repertoires. Annexins are intracellular proteins lacking signal sequences but which are detectable in trace amounts in plasma of healthy humans. The majority of plasma samples drawn from 14 patients suffering from myocardial infarction had elevated annexin III, IV and V concentrations. Shortly after infarction increased annexin levels were detected, reaching maximal values 24 to 48 h later. In the course of the following days annexin concentrations returned towards normal plasma levels.

Calcium-Binding Proteins↗

Comparative study on the in vitro effectiveness of antithrombotic agents.

The synthetic low molecular weight inhibitors MD 805, FUT-175 and FOY as well as heparin and r-Hirudin were compared for their in vitro antithrombotic potencies and protease specificities. The amidolytic activity of thrombin and the plasma coagulation were effectively inhibited by MD 805 and, in particular, by r-Hirudin. FUT-175 and FOY revealed only weak inhibition. None of the synthetic substances discriminated between alpha-, beta- and gamma-thrombin. Beside r-Hirudin only MD 805 revealed a relatively good specificity for thrombin. On the contrary, FUT-175 and FOY are unspecific and can not be classified as thrombin inhibitors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In-vivo antithrombotic potency of placenta protein 4 (annexin V).

The antithrombotic properties of Placenta Protein 4 (PP4) were investigated in laser or photochemically induced thrombus formation models in rats. In both in-vivo test-systems PP4 displayed a significant antithrombotic effect at dose levels as low as 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg body weight. Bleeding times, surprisingly, were not prolonged significantly at these dose regimens. Maximal inhibition of thrombus formation in the laser-model was observed 15 min after intravenous administration of PP4, but was not recognizable in a clear-cut reaction in the second model. Determination of PP4 plasma levels in two monkeys revealed a half-life of 11.5 and 14.9 min, respectively. The maximal anticoagulant effect was observed between 15 and 30 min after administration of PP4 as determined functionally by means of thrombelastography.

Animals↗

Thrombin-hirudin complex stability: a comparison with the thrombin-antithrombin III complex.

In the present in vitro study the stabilities of the thrombin-hirudin and the thrombin-antithrombin III complexes were investigated. After incubation of the complexes with free inhibitors the thrombin-antithrombin III levels were determined by ELISA. The thrombin-hirudin complex proved to be stable in the presence of antithrombin III or heparin. However, in the presence of heparin and plasma equivalent concentrations of antithrombin III, the thrombin-hirudin complex dissociated and hirudin was displaced. In contrast, both thrombin-antithrombin III and thrombin-antithrombin III/heparin complexes are very stable even in the presence of a large excess of hirudin.

Antithrombin III↗

[Lipocortins and phospholipases: new aspects in the physiology of glucocorticosteroid effect].

Glucocorticosteroids are among the most useful and most widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. Despite their wide use little is yet known about their mode of action. In the last 10 years a group of proteins called lipocortins or annexins has been characterized. Those proteins exert an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of lipid mediators by way of an important proinflammatory enzyme, phospholipase A2. Phospholipases are known to be involved in cell-signal transduction and generation of inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins, leukotrienes and platelet-activating-factor. The cellular expression of lipocortins is induced by glucocorticosteroids. The inhibition of cellular phospholipases via lipocortins may account for some aspects of the action of glucocorticosteroids.

Annexins↗

Anticoagulant properties of placenta protein 4 (annexin V).

A placenta protein, originally termed PP4, was found to inhibit the aPTT in a concentration-dependent manner. PP4 which turned out to be identical with a vascular anticoagulant of the annexin type, inhibits the blood clotting process by binding of the essential lipids in a reaction which is dependent on calcium ions. Also in the presence of calcium PP4 combines with platelet membranes neutralizing their procoagulant effect. By fluorescence-microscopy binding of PP4 to stimulated macrophages is shown. The antithrombotic effect of PP4 is demonstrated by means of thrombelastography of human blood. Coagulation triggered by the addition of thromboplastin/lipid-mixtures is extinguished by PP4.

Anticoagulants↗

Carbohydrate structures of a human tissue plasminogen activator variant expressed in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells.

The carbohydrate structures of a genetically engineered human tissue plasminogen activator variant bearing a single N-glycosylation site at Asn 448 are reported. After isolation of the tryptic glycopeptide and liberation of the N-linked carbohydrates by polypeptide:N-glycosidase F, 6 major oligosaccharide fractions were separated by HPLC on NH2-bonded phase. Their structures were determined by compositional and methylation analyses combined with fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Seventy percent of the carbohydrates were of the biantennary complex type with fucose at the proximal GlcNAc and zero, one or two alpha 2-3 linked NeuAc. The remainder were triantennary structures with one, two or three NeuAc.

Animals↗

[Hemostasis, fibrinolysis, proteolysis: interaction with inflammatory reactions].

Many physiological processes are based on the finely regulated interaction between cells and enzymatic reaction cascades. Mainly proteinases are involved in these processes, which are regulated by inhibitors, principally proteins. If this sensitive balance is disturbed, uncontrolled pathophysiological events can be induced, which are often associated with inflammatory reactions. Characteristic for inflammation are events like contact activation of hemostasis, increasing permeability of blood vessels caused by activation of the Kallikrein-Kinin- and the Complement-system and Plasmin-release induced by activation of fibrinolysis. The following uncontrolled proteolysis, leading to tissue destruction, is mainly associated with the degree of illness. Inflammatory cells excrete besides proteinases also mediators maintaining and increasing these processes. Only when the balance between proteinases and inhibitors is restored, inflammation subsides. Afterwards the controlled course of physiological reactions is possible again.

Endopeptidases↗

Variants of human tissue-type plasminogen activator substituted at the protease cleavage site and glycosylation sites, and truncated at the N- and C-termini.

Mutations were directed to specific regions of the human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) gene in an effort to better define structure-function relationships of the enzyme. Three types of modifications were effected by in vitro mutagenesis: elimination of glycosylation sites; substitutions of amino acids at the cleavage site for conversion of single-chain t-PA to two-chain t-PA; and truncations of the N- and C-termini. Thirteen variants were purified from permanent CHO cell lines and analyzed for specific activity, fibrin stimulation, fibrin binding, inhibition by plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 (PAI-2) and half-life. The results of these analyses are: (i) variants with carbohydrate-depleted kringle domains possessed higher specific activities than wild-type t-PA; (ii) a cleavage site variant substituted at Arg275 with Gly had greatly reduced specific activity; (iii) two variants substituted at Lys277 exhibited altered interactions with PAI-2; (iv) the variant with a truncated C-terminus had reduced activity in the absence of fibrin; and (v) no variants had significantly altered half-lives. In order to test the effects of combining mutations, four additional variants were produced. Each combination variant retained at least one of the altered properties observed in the original variants, and in three of the variants the diverse properties were additive.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Purification and characterization of a plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 binding protein from human plasma. Identification as a multimeric form of S protein (vitronectin).

A binding protein for plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1-BP) was isolated from human plasma by a four-step procedure. 1) The 7 S globulin fraction of plasma was isolated by gel filtration on Sephacryl S-300. 2) Human endothelial cell-type plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), pretreated with 12 M urea, was added to this fraction (22 micrograms of PAI-1/ml of plasma), and a PAI-1 antigen peak with apparent mass 450 kDa (representing 65% of PAI-1 antigen and 85% of PAI activity) was isolated by gel filtration of this mixture. 3) The PAI-1.PAI-1-BP complex was further purified by immunoadsorption on an immobilized murine monoclonal antibody directed against PAI-1 (MA-7D4) and by elution with 4 M KSCN. 4) The complex was then dissociated by addition of excess human tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and t-PA and PAI-1 antigen (t-PA.PAI-1 complexes and free t-PA and PAI-1) were removed by immunoadsorption on monoclonal antibodies directed against t-PA (MA-62E8) and against PAI-1 (MA-7D4 and MA-12A4). Sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis of the purified material under nonreducing conditions revealed two bands with apparent mass approximately equal to 150 kDa and two bands with mass 74 and 68 kDa. Reduced sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis displayed two main bands with apparent masses of 73 and 64 kDa. The PAI-1-BP reacts with urea-treated, but not with inactive PAI-1. t-PA dissociates the complex between PAI-1 and PAI-1-BP. PAI-1 in complex with PAI-1-BP is 2-3-fold more stable at 37 degrees C than purified PAI-1, suggesting that PAI-1-BP may stabilize PAI-1 in blood. The concentration of PAI-1-BP in plasma determined by titration with PAI-1 is approximately 130 mg/liter. The isolated PAI-1-BP was shown to be identical to S protein (vitronectin) both by cross-reactivity with monospecific rabbit antisera and by NH2-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The gel filtration behavior, mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate-gel electrophoresis, and concentration in plasma suggest that PAI-1-BP is a multimer (presumably a dimer) of S protein accounting for approximately 35% of the S protein in plasma.

Amino Acids↗

Recent advances in the biochemistry of the fibrinolytic system.

In the last decades, tremendous advances have been made in the elucidation of the biochemical mechanism of the fibrinolytic system. The activators of plasminogen have been accurately characterized and the mechanism of the activation reaction studied in great details. Recently four new inhibitors of the plasminogen activators have been identified, their biochemical and physiological properties are under study. Although the various roles of plasmin, only its function in the lysis of fibrin will be considered in this review.

Chemical Phenomena↗