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Biomedical subjects

R Bar-Shavit

Publications and source records attributed to R Bar-Shavit.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Interaction of lipoprotein lipase with subendothelial extracellular matrix.

We have analyzed the binding of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to the subendothelial extracellular matrix produced by cultured endothelial cells. Binding was linear up to a concentration of 0.5 microgram/ml (10 nM) enzyme used in this study, and equilibrium was achieved after 2 h of incubation with bovine 125I-LPL at 4 degrees C. Heparin and heparan sulfate effectively inhibited the binding of LPL to extracellular-matrix-coated plates; chondroitin sulfate had no effect, while high concentrations of dermatan sulfate or keratan sulfate inhibited binding of LPL to extracellular matrix by only 40%. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) did not affect LPL binding, while antithrombin-III (AT-III) caused up to a 50% inhibition of enzyme binding to extracellular matrix. alpha-Thrombin. 5.10(-6) M, and its esterolytically inactive derivative, DIP-alpha-thrombin, effectively inhibited binding of LPL to extracellular-matrix-coated plates. alpha-Thrombin was also able to release the extracellular-matrix-bound LPL in an active form. Extracellular-matrix-bound LPL detached into medium containing triolein emulsion and/or serum, and was catalytically active after being released. Extracellular-matrix-bound LPL lost 30% of its activity following incubation at 37 degrees C for 4 h. in contrast to soluble LPL which lost 75% of its activity. It is plausible to conclude from these data that in vivo the subendothelial basement membrane, similarly to extracellular matrix, sequesters and stabilizers LPL secreted into the subendothelial space by non-endothelial cells, and thus may play an important role in determining the route of LPL from its site of synthesis to its site of action.

Animals↗

Extracellular matrix-resident growth factors and enzymes: possible involvement in tumor metastasis and angiogenesis.

Neoplastic cells require an appropriate pericellular environment and new formation of stroma and blood vessels in order to constitute a solid tumor. Tumor progression also involves degradation of various extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents. In this review we have focused on the possible involvement of ECM-resident growth factors and enzymes in neovascularization and cell invasion. We demonstrate that the pluripotent angiogenic factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an ECM component required for supporting cell proliferation and differentiation. Basic FGF has been identified in the subendothelial ECM produced in vitro and in basement membranes of the cornea and blood vessels in vivo. Despite the ubiquitous presence of bFGF in normal tissues, endothelial cell (EC) proliferation in these tissues is usually very low, suggesting that bFGF is somehow sequestered from its site of action. Our results indicate that bFGF is bound to heparan sulfate (HS) in the ECM and is released in an active form when the ECM-HS is degraded by cellular heparanase. We propose that restriction of bFGF bioavailability by binding to ECM and local regulation of its release, provides a novel mechanism for regulation of capillary blood vessel growth in normal and pathological situations. Heparanase activity correlates with the metastatic potential of various tumor cells and heparanase inhibiting molecules markedly reduce the incidence of lung metastasis in experimental animals. Heparanase may therefore participate in both tumor cell invasion and angiogenesis through degradation of the ECM-HS and mobilization of ECM-resident EC growth factors. The subendothelial ECM contains also tissue type- and urokinase type- plasminogen activators (PA), as well as PA inhibitor which may regulate cell invasion and tissue remodeling. Heparanase and the ECM-resident PA participate synergistically in sequential degradation of HS-proteoglycans in the ECM. These results together with similar observations on the properties of other ECM-immobilized enzymes and growth factors, suggest that the ECM provides a storage depot for biologically active molecules which are thereby stabilized and protected. This may allow a more localized, regulated and persistent mode of action, as compared to the same molecules in a fluid phase.

Animals↗

Thrombin immobilized to extracellular matrix is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells: nonenzymatic mode of action.

Esterolytically inactive diisopropyl fluorophosphate-conjugated thrombin (DIP-alpha-thrombin) stimulated 3H-thymidine incorporation and proliferation of growth-arrested vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), similar to native alpha-thrombin. Half-maximal mitogenic response of SMCs was obtained at 1 nM thrombin and was specifically blocked by the leech-derived, high-affinity thrombin inhibitor, hirudin. Native thrombin and a variety of thrombin species that were chemically modified to alter thrombin procoagulant or esterolytic functions were found to induce 3H-thymidine incorporation to a similar extent. Exposure of SMCs to DIP-alpha-thrombin caused a rapid and transient expression of the c-fos protooncogene, determined by Northern blot analysis. These results indicate that thrombin is a potent mitogen for SMCs through a distinct non-enzymatic domain. Binding of 125I-alpha-thrombin to SMC cultures revealed an apparent dissociation constant of 6 nM and an estimated 5.4 x 10(5) binding sites per cell. This binding was inhibited to the same extent by native thrombin and by its nonenzymatic form, DIP-alpha-thrombin. Moreover, the chemotactic fragment of thrombin (CB67-129), which failed to elicit a mitogenic response, competed for 125I-alpha-thrombin binding to SMCs. Cross-linking analysis of 125I-alpha-thrombin to SMCs revealed a specific cell-surface binding site 55 kDa in size. Finally, thrombin immobilized to a naturally produced extracellular matrix retained potent mitogenic activity toward SMCs. These observations lend support to the possibility that in vivo, subendothelial basement membranes sequester thrombin (as well as other bioactive molecules), which may stimulate localized and persistent growth of arterial SMCs. Thrombin may thus be involved directly in progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation.

Animals↗

Binding of thrombin to subendothelial extracellular matrix. Protection and expression of functional properties.

We have analyzed the binding of thrombin, a serine protease with central roles in hemostasis, to the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) produced by cultured endothelial cells. This substrate provides a thrombogenic surface where hemostasis is initiated. Binding was saturable and equilibrium was achieved after 3 h incubation with 125I-alpha-thrombin. Scatchard analysis of thrombin binding revealed the presence of 5.1 X 10(9) binding sites per squared millimeter ECM, with an apparent Kd of 13 nM. The catalytically blocked enzyme, diisofluorophosphate (DIP)-alpha-thrombin competed efficiently with 125I-alpha-thrombin, indicating that the binding was independent of its catalytic site. Moreover, high concentrations of the synthetic tetradecapeptide, representing residues 367-380 of thrombin B chain (the macrophage mitogenic domain of thrombin), competed with thrombin binding to ECM, indicating that the binding site may reside in the vicinity of "loop B" region. Thrombin binds to dermatan sulfate in the ECM, as demonstrated by the inhibition of 125I-alpha-thrombin binding to ECM pretreated with chondroitinase ABC, but not with heparitinase or chondroitinase AC. This stands in contrast to 125I-FGF (fibroblast growth factor) binding to ECM, which was inhibited by heparitinase but not by chondroitinase ABC, ECM-bound thrombin exhibits an exposed proteolytic site as monitored by the Chromozyme TH assay and by its ability to convert fibrinogen to a fibrin clot and to induce platelet activation as indicated by 14C-serotonin release. ECM-bound thrombin failed to form a complex with its major circulating inhibitor-antithrombin III (AT III), compared with rapid complex formation with soluble thrombin. We propose that thrombin binds to subendothelial ECM where it remains functionally active, localized, and protected from inactivation by circulating inhibitors.

Amides↗

Striated muscle fibers differentiate in primary cultures of adult anterior pituitary cells.

Anterior pituitary cells from adult male rats were cultured on a natural extracellular matrix (ECM). From the 5th day, spindle-shaped cells, fusing to form elongated fibers, were observed among the epithelial cells. These fibers later increased in size and number and were identified as striated muscle fibers, based on their multi-nucleation, cross-striation and rhythmic contraction. Striated muscle development was further validated by the appearance of cholinergic-nicotinic receptors, as demonstrated by the binding of 125I-alpha bungarotoxin (a-Btx). The effect of various supplements added to the cultures on a-Btx binding was used as a measure of muscle cell differentiation. ECM and serum were essential for myotube formation. Insulin (or IGF-I) and cortisol synergistically caused a 20-fold increase in myogenesis. FGF and EGF were effective only in the presence of insulin and cortisol. The data suggest that: (a) cells, derived from adult pituitary, differentiate, in primary culture, into striated muscle fibers; (b) the induction of this differentiation is multi-factorial; ECM, serum, insulin and glucocorticoids facilitate this myogenesis.

Animals↗

Thrombin chemotactic stimulation of HL-60 cells: studies on thrombin responsiveness as a function of differentiation.

Thrombin, a major procoagulant enzyme and growth factor, is also selectively chemotactic for monocytes and macrophages but not for neutrophils. This effect stands in contrast to other well-known chemotactic agents such as fMet-Leu-Phe, C5a fragments, and LTB4, which stimulate directed cell movement in both cell types, and have important physiological implications. The human leukemic cell line HL-60, which is capable of differentiating either along granulocytic or monocytic lineages, was therefore used to explore the development of this selective monocyte/macrophage chemotactic response to thrombin. Esterolytically inactive DIP-alpha-thrombin, as well as the thrombin-derived chemotactic peptide CB67-129, elicits a dose-dependent chemotactic response in HL-60 cells differentiated to monocytelike cells by treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (HL-60/mono), whereas no such response is evident in either undifferentiated HL-60 cells or in cells differentiated into granulocytes by treatment with DMSO (HL-60/gran). Similarly, early events which characterize stimulation of inflammatory cells by chemotactic agents are also evident, but only in monocyte-differentiated cells. In HL-60/mono, thrombin selectively stimulates rapid cytosolic Ca2+ elevation as well as rapid cytoskeletal association of cytosolic actin. Following thrombin stimulation, maximal actin association in these cells occurs within 30 sec (declining to basal levels at the end of 5 min), and maximal Ca2+ elevations are also evident within 15-20 sec, suggesting a temporal relationship between these two events. Thus, the events accompanying stimulation of HL-60/mono by thrombin are characteristic of those seen following stimulation of inflammatory cells by chemotaxins, with a major difference being the selectivity of thrombin as a chemotaxin for cells of macrophage/monocytic lineage. The selective chemotactic responsiveness of HL-60/mono to thrombin appears to relate to the development of specific receptors on these cells as part of monocytic differentiation: HL-60/mono (but HL-60/gran nor undifferentiated HL-60) are capable of significant specific 125-I-labeled alpha-thrombin-binding (ka approximately 20 nM), and possess an estimated 400,000 thrombin-binding sites per cell. Our findings further suggest that the thrombin response of HL-60 and particularly the expression of thrombin receptors on these cells may serve as a useful model system for exploring the biology of monocyte/macrophage differentiation.

Actins↗

Growth-promoting effects of esterolytically inactive thrombin on macrophages.

It has been recognized for many years that alpha-thrombin, like other better known mitogens (eg, PDGF, EGF, etc) is capable of initiating proliferation in quiescent cells belonging to the fibroblast family. However, unlike these other peptides, thrombin is a serine protease whose function as a growth stimulator for fibroblasts is intimately linked to its esterolytic activity. Thus, while native alpha-thrombin is capable of evoking DNA synthesis in G0/G1-arrested cells, neither enzymatically inactive thrombin (eg, iPR2P-alpha-thrombin) nor partially degraded thrombin (eg, gamma-thrombin) shares in this capability. Data from our laboratory have shown that thrombin is chemotactic for peripheral blood monocytes and for cells belonging to the monocyte/macrophage family and that this activity is not dependent upon thrombin's enzymatic properties. Our recent findings demonstrate that thrombin also serves as a growth factor for these cells, and this mitogenic capability is independent of esterolytic function and resides in the same region of the molecule as that responsible for chemotaxis. Additionally, by means of techniques such as computer modeling and peptide synthesis, we have now been able to delineate a distinct mitogenic subsite within this chemotactic thrombin sequence. Thus, the sequence in the thrombin B chain that mediates chemotaxis represents a true cell interactive exosite additionally capable of stimulating growth and possibly other biological functions in cells of macrophage/monocyte lineage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Biologic activities of nonenzymatic thrombin: elucidation of a macrophage interactive domain.

Our studies to date have clearly demonstrated the existence of a unique cell interactive exosite region in thrombin, which mediates specific biologic effects on cells of monocytic-macrophage lineage. These findings are of potential physiologic significance, since even proteolytically degraded forms of thrombin (beta- and gamma-thrombin) or fragments of thrombin arising due to breakdown of thrombin-thrombomodulin complexes are potentially biologically active and are not subject to inhibition by inhibitors such as antithrombin III. Such degraded thrombin forms and proteolytic fragments are likely to be present at sites of inflammation and wound repair where they may be important modulators of macrophage-monocyte responsiveness. Importantly, as emphasized in this communication, the chemotactic and growth-promoting properties of this site, although overlapping, are clearly dissociable. It is apparent that the chemotactic effects require the presence of most, if not all, of the 338-400 sequence, whereas the mitogenic effects are mediated exclusively through the so-called loop B insertion sequence that is a unique feature of thrombin. Although there are ample precedents for differing functional domains within discrete proteins and the presence of hormonelike regions in proteins (such as fibronectin and immunoglobulin G) has been documented, it is fascinating to speculate how functionally unique regions such as this can arise. Data from Craik and associates suggest that unique amino acid sequences in proteins originate from gene insertions at intron-exon junctions and are characteristically surface expressed. These insertion sequences give rise to unique structural and functional features that characterize the particular protein, and also serve to differentiate it from other related members within its family.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a thrombin sequence with growth factor activity on macrophages.

In contrast to fibroblasts, the exposure of G0/G1-arrested J774 cells, a murine macrophage-like tumor cell line, with either active or esterolytically inactive diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate-conjugated alpha-thrombin (the enzymatically active form of thrombin, EC 3.4.21.5) results in a mitogenic response as measured by increased [3H]thymidine incorporation. This response to thrombin is optimal at 10 nM and is specifically blocked by hirudin, a high-affinity thrombin inhibitor. When prethrombin 1 [a single-chain prothrombin derivative lacking fragment 1, resulting from the action of thrombin on prothrombin] is cleaved with cyanogen bromide, a fragment (peptide CB67-129) is produced that, like the parent thrombin molecule, is mitogenic for J774 cells but not for fibroblasts. Limited tryptic digests of this fragment retain the ability to stimulate macrophages--a function that can be mimicked by a synthetic tetradecapeptide homologue of CB67-129 (representing residues 367-380 of the human thrombin B chain sequence) but not by any of a series of well-known growth promoters, including platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and fibroblast epidermal growth factor, nerve growth factor, and fibroblast growth factor. The mitogenic effects of this peptide are not limited to J774 cells but can be expressed in other macrophage-like tumor cell lines, including P388D1, RAW, and PU5. In addition to increased [3H]thymidine incorporation, the synthetic B chain peptide stimulates cell proliferation as evidenced by a dose-dependent increase in total protein per culture well and cell number. We conclude that the thrombin molecule contains a macrophage growth factor domain that is separate and distinct from its active center. Thus, thrombin, in addition to its major role in hemostasis and thrombosis, may also have important functions in such basic processes as the inflammatory response and monocytopoiesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Hormone-like activity of human thrombin.

Recently, we have shown that thrombin is a chemotaxin and growth-promoting agent for cells of the mononuclear phagocytic lineage. These activities are independent of thrombin's enzymatic activity. Unlike other chemotactic factors, thrombin is specific for monocytes and does not attract granulocytes. To further explore the cellular specificity we have used a human leukemia cell line HL-60 that is capable of in vitro differentiation toward either monocytes (HL-60/mono) following incubation with 1,25(OH)2D3, or granulocytes (HL-60/gran) following incubation with DMSO. In contrast to undifferentiated HL-60 cells or HL-60/gran, we find that HL-60/mono respond chemotactically to intact human alpha-thrombin, esterolytically inactive iPR2P-alpha-thrombin, and the thrombin-derived peptide CB67-129, previously shown to contain the thrombin chemotactic exosite. In addition, thrombin induces in HL-60/mono association of actin with the cytoskeleton and causes an increase in levels of free cytosolic Ca2+. These phenomena are well characterized as early events occurring concomitant with directed cell movement associated with exposure to chemotactic agents such as FMLP. Furthermore, in contrast to fibroblasts, both iPR2P-alpha-thrombin and the thrombin chemotactic peptide CB67-129 evoke dose-dependent [3H]TdR incorporation, protein synthesis, and cell replication in growth-arrested J-744 cells, a murine macrophage-like cell line. Limited tryptic digests of CB67-129 lose chemotactic activity but retain full mitogenic activity, demonstrating that as with PDGF, the sites on CB67-129 required for chemotaxis and mitogenesis are clearly dissociable. The mitogenic effects of the CB67-129 digest can be mimicked by a synthetic tetradecapeptide analogue of CB67-129 (residues 367-380) that includes the loop B insertion sequence, previously shown to be critical for thrombin's chemotactic effects. From these data, it is apparent that the loop B insertion is critical for thrombin's nonenzymic biological effects on cells, but additional sites are required for stimulation of cell movement.

Actins↗

Localization of a chemotactic domain in human thrombin.

The cyanogen bromide fragment CB67-129 of human prethrombin 1, corresponding to residues 54-116 of the thrombin B chain, is a potent chemotaxin for human peripheral blood monocytes and the murine macrophage like cell line, J774. Both of these cell types have been shown to respond chemotactically to alpha-thrombin and iPr2P-alpha-thrombin. Effective concentrations for stimulating directed cell movement with the fragment vary from 10(-11) to 10(-7) M. Moreover, CB67-129 and its parent protein compete for the same chemotactic receptor site. Fragment CB67-129, representing residues 54-116 of the human thrombin B chain sequence, contains a nine-residue insertion ("loop B") that is absent in homologous sequences derived from the closely related proteases chymotrypsin and trypsin. Unlike iPr2P-alpha-thrombin, iPr2P derivatives of these latter enzymes possess little or no chemotactic activity, suggesting a relationship between the insertion sequence and thrombin chemotactic activity. The loop B sequence is unique insofar as it contains all of the carbohydrate moieties known to reside in alpha-thrombin. However, chemotactic activity is only minimally reduced subsequent to hydrolysis by both neuraminidase and beta-galactosidase, indicating that receptor recognition and stimulated cell movement are mainly a function of structure of the cyanogen bromide derived fragment rather than of asparagine-linked carbohydrates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of acetylcholine receptor synthesis by thyroid hormones.

Studies were made on the effect of thyroid hormones on the level of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) in cultured rat skeletal muscle. Treatment of differentiated myotubes in vitro with thyroxine (T4; 2 X 10(-7) mol/l) for 2-3 days caused a marked decrease in the amount of AChR (P less than 0.05) and an increase in activity of Na+-K+-ATPase (P less than 0.05). There was no significant effect of hormone treatment on other muscle proteins, such as creatine kinase and acetylcholinesterase. Measurements of the turnover rate of AChR in T4-treated myotubes showed only a very slight effect of T4 on the rate of AChR degradation. To study the mechanism by which the hormone exerts its effect, muscle cells were labelled with radioactive amino acid and the rate of its incorporation into AChR protein was measured. The AChR was then isolated using anti-AChR antibodies. The specific activity of labelled AChR was lower in hormone-treated cells. These experiments suggest that the decreased level of AChR in response to thyroid hormone treatment is due to a partial suppression of receptor synthesis.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Monocyte chemotaxis: stimulation by specific exosite region in thrombin.

Human alpha-thrombin is a potent chemoattractant for human monocytes, with optimum activity occurring at about 10 nanomoles per liter. A variety of thrombins that were chemically modified to alter procoagulant or esterolytic functions showed a similar optimum activity, but complexes of prothrombin or alpha-thrombin with either antithrombin III or hirudin did not. These findings indicate that the regions in thrombin responsible for monocyte chemotaxis are proximate to those involved in certain protein recognition interactions of alpha-thrombin (for example, hirudin binding) but are distinct from the catalytic site and from certain exosites required for clotting.

Binding Sites↗

Chemotactic response of monocytes to thrombin.

Human alpha-thrombin, the procoagulant activation product of prothrombin, elicits chemotaxis in human peripheral blood monocytes and several macrophagelike continuous cell lines, most notably J-774.2, but not in human peripheral blood granulocytes. alpha-Thrombin is effective in stimulating cell movement at concentrations ranging from 10(-10) to 10(-6) M but is optimally active at 10(-8) M. At the latter concentration, the degree of response is equivalent, on a molar basis, to that observed with the peptide formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine, (FMP). In contrast to thrombin, prothrombin produces a minimal chemotactic response in monocytes and J-774.2. Blockade of alpha-thrombin's active center with diisopropylfluorophosphate (DIP-F) or tryptic proteolysis of the procoagulant exosite (i.e., gamma-thrombin) fails to alter chemotactic activity. On the other hand, addition of equimolar amounts of antithrombin III (AT3) to alpha-thrombin reduces thrombin-mediated chemotaxis by 60%, and increased ratios of AT3 to enzyme completely suppress chemotaxis. We conclude that thrombin is a potent monocyte chemotaxin and that the domains in thrombin involved in stimulating cell movement are distinct from the catalytic site and the fibrin recognition exosite. These chemotactic domains appear to be sequestered in prothrombin and in the thrombin-AT3 complex and, as such, are unavailable to the chemotactic receptor on the monocyte cell membrane.

Binding Sites↗

Receptor-mediated chemotactic response of a macrophage cell line (J774) to thrombin.

Human alpha-thrombin, the procoagulant activation product of prothrombin, elicits chemotaxis in several macrophage-like continuous cell lines, most notably J774. Effective alpha-thrombin concentrations eliciting cell movement range from 10(-10) to 10(-6) M, with the optimal response occurring at about 10(-8) M. At the latter concentration, the response is equivalent, on a molar basis, to that observed with f-Met-Leu-Phe-OH, the positive control used in these experiments. Blockage of alpha-thrombin's active center with diisopropylfluorophosphate or by tryptic proteolysis of the procoagulant exosite (i.e., gamma-thrombin) does not decrease chemotactic activity. However, formation of enzymatically inactive complexes with AT3 or hirudin eliminates chemotactic potency. Competition chemotaxis assays, carried out by comparing the abilities of varying concentrations of test substances placed in the upper compartment of Boyden chambers to inhibit gradient-oriented movement of cells toward a fixed concentration of thrombin in the lower compartment, demonstrate that, although the modified forms of thrombin cross-compete, formylated peptide will not inhibit thrombin's chemotactic effects. Binding studies carried out using 125I-alpha-thrombin on paraformaldehyde-fixed J774 cells show a Kd of approximately 7.5 nM with an estimated 14,100-binding sites/cell. This Kd is in agreement with the optimal chemotactic thrombin dose (approximately 10 nM). On the basis of the competition chemotaxis assays and the radiolabeled thrombin-binding data, it is proposed that unique thrombin-specific chemotactic receptors exist on J774 cell membranes, and that these receptors are distinct from those mediating chemotaxis by agents such as formylated peptides.

Animals↗