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Mapping of the epitope of a monoclonal antibody protecting plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 against inactivating agents.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) belongs to the serpin family of serine proteinase inhibitors. Serpins inhibit their target proteinases by an ester bond being formed between the active site serine of the proteinase and the P1 residue of the reactive centre loop (RCL) of the serpin, followed by insertion of the RCL into beta-sheet A of the serpin. Concomitantly, there are conformational changes in the flexible joint region lateral to beta-sheet A. We have now, by site-directed mutagenesis, mapped the epitope for a monoclonal antibody, which protects the inhibitory activity of PAI-1 against inactivation by a variety of agents acting on beta-sheet A and the flexible joint region. Curiously, the epitope is localized in alpha-helix C and the loop connecting alpha-helix I and beta-strand 5A, on the side of PAI-1 opposite to beta-sheet A and distantly from the flexible joint region. By a combination of site-directed mutagenesis and antibody protection against an inactivating organochemical ligand, we were able to identify a residue involved in conferring the antibody-induced conformational change from the epitope to the rest of the molecule. We have thus provided evidence for communication between secondary structural elements not previously known to interact in serpins.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Proteolytically induced variations in the enzymatic properties of tissue plasminogen activator. Activations, inactivations and reactivations.

Tissue plasminogen activator was treated with Sepharose-bound trypsin or chymotrypsin. Trypsin rapidly converted the one-chain activator to the two-chain form. This caused a marked increase in the amidolytic activity, while plasminogen activation initially increased but then decreased again. SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in combination with [3H]diisopropylfluorophosphate active-site labeling revealed that after the conversion to the two-chain activator a minor cleavage occurred in the B chain, while the A chain was substantially degraded. Chymotrypsin caused a marked decrease in both amidolytic activity and plasminogen activation. SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing conditions revealed that two pairs of new bands had appeared, with Mr or about 50,000/52,000 and 17,000/20,000 respectively. N-terminal sequence analysis identified cleavage sites at peptide bonds 420-421 and 423-424. These bonds are located in a region of the activator which is homologues to the segments of trypsin and chymotrypsin, where autocatalytic cleavages occur during their activations. However, treatment of two-chain activator with chymotrypsin had markedly less effect on plasminogen activation and amidolytic activity. By treatment of samples of chymotrypsin-digested one-chain activator with plasmin, amidolytic activity could be largely restored. Thus, chymotrypsin may, by cleaving bonds 420-421 and 423-424, convert the active one-chain activator into an 'inactive' zymogen, which is again 'activated' by plasmin cleavage.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Thrombolytic actions of reptilase.

In thrombolytic model in vitro, reptilase (Rep, defibrase) did not show appreciable thrombolytic actions on red and white thrombi. After daily iv infusion of Rep 0.25 IU for 10 d, the time of 50% lysis of euglobulin (ELT1/2) was shortened from 9.3 +/- 0.8 to 6.7 +/- 1.0 h (P < 0.01), alteplase activity was increased from 1.9 +/- 0.7 to 3.7 +/- 0.9 IU.ml-1, and plasminogen inactivator (PI) activity reduced from 4.3 +/- 0.6 to 1.8 +/- 0.9 AU.ml-1 (all P < 0.01). The findings indicate that the thrombolytic action of Rep shown in vivo may not be from the direct action on thrombi but from the influence on alteplase and PI activity.

Adult↗

Conversion of the active to latent plasminogen activator inhibitor from human endothelial cells.

The plasminogen activator inhibitor from human endothelial cells (PAI-1) exists in two forms in the culture medium: an active form that binds to and inactivates plasminogen activators and a latent form that in its native state has no anti-activator activity. Inhibitor activity associated with the latent form can be generated by treatment with protein denaturants and makes up more than 98% of the total inhibitor activity in conditioned medium. Plasminogen activator inhibitor activity is also found in cell cytosol. This inhibitor activity is stable to SDS-treatment but is not enhanced by it. We investigated the relationship between this active cell-associated inhibitor and the latent PAI-1 found in the conditioned medium. Both intracellular and extracellular inhibitors were immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody produced against the latent inhibitor from HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells and electrophoresis on SDS gels of various acrylamide concentrations demonstrated that both forms had the same Mr. Incubation of cytosol inhibitor at 37 degrees C resulted in a decline in inhibitor activity with a half-life of approximately 4 hours, a rate of decline similar to that of the active PAI-1 in conditioned medium, with less than 10% of the original activity present after eight hours. This decline is accelerated at higher temperatures and is not affected by the presence of a variety of protease inhibitors. Approximately 90% of the activity can be regenerated after SDS treatment suggesting that the cell associated inhibitor, during incubation at 37 degrees C, converts to a form similar to that found in conditioned medium. Despite these similarities, the apparent Stoke's radii of the active intracellular inhibitor and the latent inhibitor in conditioned medium were significantly different with values of 2.77 nm and 2.40 nm for active and latent PAI-1, respectively. Incubation of the active form at 37 degrees C resulted in the shift of the Stoke's radius to that similar to the latent PAI-1 (2.45 nm). Thus, the active and latent PAI-1, while being immunologically similar and of the same apparent Mr, can be differentiated by their behavior on gel permeation columns. This suggests that the intracellular inhibitor is a precursor to the latent form.

Cells, Cultured↗

The resistance of fibrin-stimulated tissue plasminogen activator to inactivation by a class PAI-2 inhibitor (minactivin).

Solid phase fibrin was an efficient stimulator of the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA), and the plasmin produced could be detected by colorimetric assay of the soluble phase above the fibrin. However the fibrin-stimulated activity of t-PA was not inhibited by minactivin. This result was in contrast to that obtained with poly-D-lysine (PL) stimulated t-PA, where minactivin was a potent inhibitor. However, if PL was added to fibrin-bound t-PA, the enzyme once again became susceptible to minactivin inhibition. This occurred without release of t-PA from the fibrin matrix. Minactivin alone did not bind to fibrin or to the t-PA fibrin complex. It was therefore concluded that minactivin normally has no significant role in the regulation of t-PA mediated fibrinolysis, but this effect can be induced by PL.

Drug Interactions↗

The prognostic value of polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase in patients with primary breast cancer.

A variety of serine proteases, including urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), plasmin,and polymorphonuclear leukocyte elastase (PMN-E), have been implicated in the processes of tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Besides degrading of matrix proteins, PMN-E has been shown to be able to cleave and inactivate plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), the main inhibitor of uPA, and alpha2-antiplasmin, the natural inhibitor of plasmin, thus enabling an uncontrolled matrix degradation by the fibrinolytic enzymes. Because only limited data are available on a relationship between the tumor level of PMN-E and prognosis in primary breast cancer patients, in the present study we have measured with an ELISA the levels of PMN-E (in complex with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor) in cytosolic extracts of 1143 primary breast tumors. Levels of complexed PMN-E have been correlated with the lengths of metastasis-free survival (MFS), relapse-free survival, and overall survival, and a comparison was made with data previously obtained for uPA and PAI-1. Our results show that patients with a high PMN-E level in their primary tumor had a rapid relapse and an early death compared with patients with a low tumor level of PMN-E. This held true for node-negative and node-positive subgroups of patients as well. The relationship of PMN-E with a poor prognosis was especially obvious during short-term follow-up (0-60 months). In Cox multivariate regression analysis, corrected for the traditional prognostic factors, PMN-E was an independent prognostic factor, and high levels of PMN-E were associated with a poor MFS [hazard ratio (HR), 1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.16; P < 0.001], relapse-free survival (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.10-1.89; P = 0.01), and overall survival (HR, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.20-2.23; P = 0.003). Furthermore, in all three multivariate models, PMN-E still added significantly to the model after the additional inclusion of the uPA. PMN-E was an independent prognostic factor for MFS even in the multivariate analysis including the traditional clinical prognostic factors and the strong established biochemical prognostic factors uPA and PAI-1. Our present study suggests that PMN-E is associated with breast cancer metastasis, and knowledge of the tumor PMN-E status might be helpful in selecting the appropriate individualized (adjuvant) treatment for patients with breast cancer.

Adult↗

Involvement of both heparanase and plasminogen activator in lymphoma cell-mediated degradation of heparan sulfate in the subendothelial extracellular matrix.

The effect of plasminogen on the ability of highly metastatic ESb mouse lymphoma cells to degrade heparan sulfate (HS) in the subendothelial extracellular matrix (ECM) was studied. A metabolically sulfate-labeled ECM was incubated with the lymphoma cells, and labeled degradation products were analyzed by gel filtration on Sepharose 6B. Heparanase-mediated release of low-Mr (0.5 less than Kav less than 0.85) HS cleavage products was stimulated fourfold in the presence of plasminogen. Incubation of plasminogen alone with the ECM resulted in its conversion into plasmin, which released high-Mr (Kav less than 0.33) labeled proteoglycans from the ECM. Heating the ECM (80 degrees C, 1 hr) abolished its ability to convert plasminogen into plasmin, yet plasminogen stimulated, through its activation by the ESb plasminogen activator, heparanase-mediated release of low-Mr HS fragments. Heparin inhibited both the basal and plasminogen-stimulated degradation of HS side chains but not the total amount of labeled material released from the ECM. In contrast, aprotinin inhibited the plasminogen-stimulated release of high- as well as low-Mr material. In the absence of plasminogen, degradation of heated ECM by ESb cells was completely inhibited by aprotinin, but there was only a partial inhibition of the degradation of native ECM and no effect on the degradation of soluble HS proteoglycan. These results demonstrate that proteolytic activity and heparanase participate synergistically in the sequential degradation of ECM HS and that the ESb proteolytic activity is crucial for this degradation when the ECM-associated protease is inactivated. Plasminogen may serve as a source for the proteolytic activity that produces a more accessible substrate to the heparanase.

Animals↗

The axonally secreted serine proteinase inhibitor, neuroserpin, inhibits plasminogen activators and plasmin but not thrombin.

Neuroserpin is an axonally secreted serine proteinase inhibitor that is expressed in neurons during embryogenesis and in the adult nervous system. To identify target proteinases, we used a eucaryotic expression system based on the mouse myeloma cell line J558L and vectors including a promoter from an Ig-kappa-variable region, an Ig-kappa enhancer, and the exon encoding the Ig-kappa constant region (C kappa) and produced recombinant neuroserpin as a wild-type protein or as a fusion protein with C kappa. We investigated the capability of recombinant neuroserpin to form SDS-stable complexes with, and to reduce the amidolytic activity of, a variety of serine proteinases in vitro. Consistent with its primary structure at the reactive site, neuroserpin exhibited inhibitory activity against trypsin-like proteinases. Although neuroserpin bound and inactivated plasminogen activators and plasmin, no interaction was observed with thrombin. A reactive site mutant of neuroserpin neither formed complexes with nor inhibited the amidolytic activity of any of the tested proteinases. Kinetic analysis of the inhibitory activity revealed neuroserpin to be a slow binding inhibitor of plasminogen activators and plasmin. Thus, we postulate that neuroserpin could represent a regulatory element of extracellular proteolytic events in the nervous system mediated by plasminogen activators or plasmin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Preparation and characterization of human bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Bone marrow-derived macrophages were prepared from human bone marrow mononuclear cells following cultivation in GCT-conditioned medium (GCT-CM) and purification by adherence to fibronectin-coated flasks. The growth of bone marrow mononuclear cells in GCT-CM was dependent on the shape of the culture vessels, being increased in round-bottomed versus flat-bottomed wells. Proliferation was confined to nonadherent cells; like blood monocytes, bone marrow-derived macrophages did not incorporate [3H]thymidine in response to GCT-CM or human serum. Purified macrophages from this source expressed nonspecific esterase and OKM1, OKla, FMC 17, 32, and 34 and 25F9 antigens but lacked Mo2. They expressed high levels of an inactivator of plasminogen activator, minactivin, and gave a substantial metabolic burst in response to phorbol myristate acetate or opsonized (but not unopsonized) zymosan. Bone marrow-derived macrophages acted as accessory cells in the response of T lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin. The results suggest that liquid bone marrow cultures are useful in the study of the differentiation of human mononuclear phagocytes.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Surgical treatment of tumor metastases: general considerations and results.

The prerequisite for a curative resection of metastases is their restriction to the key organs, the liver and lungs, in the sense of a limited dissemination. For long-term prognosis, the type of primary tumor as well as the radical resection of lung and liver metastases is essential. To improve the process of surgical indication and therapy of tumors, clear definitions for the terms "tumor recurrence" and "metastases" have been agreed upon. Research and clinical investigation have led to a better understanding of tumor-regulating factors, some of which are briefly described: Metastasis promoting factors include the lack of E-cadherin, which leads to a local penetration of basal membranes by tumor cells; CD44 seems to play an important role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, apparently increasing the metastatic potential of tumors and reducing the long-term survival of patients. High levels of urokinase in primary tumors are also associated with a poorer prognosis, as well as plasminogen inactivator inhibitor PAI II, which plays a crucial role in tumor growth. Positive findings in bone marrow aspirates of patients with different malignancies, stained for cytokeratin 18, either are associated with higher recurrence rates in colon and breast cancer or can be correlated to the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. Technical aspects of surgery for hepatic, pulmonary and skeletal metastases are presented and discussed with respect to curative and palliative indications.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Embolus radiolabelling in a new canine model.

Embolus radiolabelling with 131I fibrinogen was studied in a canine model of internal carotid artery embolization. The dog was chosen as the experimental animal because of its maxillocarotid artery which permits collateral flow round the occlusion and helps to prevent strokes. Clot was prepared by incubating blood at room temperature to inactivate plasminogen activators and then refrigerating it to promote clot retraction. Emboli persisting 48 hours were seen in 80% of animals. Major strokes were not seen when 0.25 to 0.30 cm3 were used. Autoradiography and well counting revealed uptake of isotope. The test, when refined, should provide a tool for the investigation of thromboemboli.

Animals↗

Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, suppresses intimal thickening and modulates the lysis of mural thrombi after endothelial injury in rat femoral artery.

We have previously demonstrated that natto-extracts containing nattokinase (NK) inactivates plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and then potentiates fibrinolytic activity. In the present study, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with natto-extracts on neointima formation and on thrombolysis at the site of endothelial injury. Endothelial damage in the rat femoral artery was induced by intravenous injection of rose bengal followed by focal irradiation by transluminal green light. Dietary natto-extracts supplementation containing NK of 50 or 100 CU/body was started 3 weeks before endothelial injury and then continued for another 3 weeks. Intimal thickening in animals given supplementation was significantly (P<0.01) suppressed compared with controls and the intima/media ratio in animals with 50 and 100 CU/body NK and control group was 0.09 +/- 0.03, 0.09 +/- 0.06 and 0.16 +/- 0.12, respectively. Although femoral arteries were reopened both in control animals and those treated with NK within 8 hours after endothelial injury, mural thrombi were histologically observed at the site of endothelial injury. In the control group, the center of vessel lumen was reopened and mural thrombi were attached on the surface of vessel walls. In contrast, in NK-treated groups, thrombi near the vessel wall showed lysis and most of them detached from the surface of vessel walls. In conclusion, dietary natto-extracts supplementation suppressed intimal thickening produced by endothelial injury in rat femoral artery. These effects may partially be attributable to NK, which showed enhanced thrombolysis near the vessel wall.

Animals↗

A new canine model of proximal internal carotid embolism.

A new model of internal carotid artery embolism was developed using autologous clot. The clot was prepared by incubating blood at room temperature for 2 hours to inactivate plasminogen activators and then refrigerating it at 4 degrees C for 22 hours. The purpose of the experiment was to devise a model of the intravascular lesion and not of stroke itself. The dog was chosen as the experimental animal since it has a maxillocarotid artery which permits collateral flow beyond proximal internal carotid artery occlusions. A volume of clot measuring 0.25 to 0.30 cc was sufficient to occlude the artery for 48 hours in 80% of the animals without causing major strokes. We have used this model to study clot radiolabeling and suggest it may also have application for evaluating thrombolytic drugs.

Animals↗

Regulation of synthesis of some proteinase inhibitors in human hepatoma cells HepG2 by cytokines, hepatocyte growth factor and retinoic acid.

Subconfluent monolayers of human hepatoma HepG2 cells were cultured for 2 days in serum-free DMEM containing 1 microM dexamethasone and human recombinant hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), retinoic acid (RA), IL-1, IL-6, LIF and mixtures of these factors. Incorporation of labelled thymidine was significantly decreased by IL-6, IL-1 and HGF but only slightly by LIF and RA. Synthesis of acute phase proteins secreted daily to the media was measured by electroimmunoassay with monospecific antisera. In addition, the synthesis and secretion of some proteinase inhibitors (alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor, alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, C1-inactivator, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor and pre-alpha-inhibitor) was evaluated by incorporation of labelled methionine and fluorography. Among the cytokines tested IL-6 was the most potent regulator of acute phase protein synthesis. Hepatocyte growth factor stimulated basal synthesis of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, and to a lesser extent affected some other proteins. Retinoic acid preferentially increased synthesis of alpha-1-antichymotrypsin, ceruloplasmin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Both HGF and RA slightly modulated cytokine-induced synthesis of several acute phase proteins in HepG2 cells.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Effect of peptides on the inactivation of tissue plasminogen activator by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and on the binding of tissue plasminogen activator to endothelial cells.

The effectiveness of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in thrombolytic therapy is dependent upon the rate at which therapeutically administered tPA reaches the clot site and the proportion of that tPA which is enzymatically active. Interactions between tPA and its main plasma inhibitor (PAI-1) and between tPA and the endothelial cells lining blood vessels are two factors which may limit efficacy. In an attempt to identify the regions of the tPA molecule involved in these interactions, we have examined a series of synthetic peptides with amino acid sequences corresponding to different regions of the tPA molecule for their ability to protect tPA from inactivation by PAI-1 and for their ability to reduce the binding of tPA to endothelial cells. Three peptides were identified which were especially effective at maintaining tPA activity in the presence of PAI-1 and three others were found which had a lesser effect. These same peptides were also found to inhibit the binding of tPA to endothelial cells. This suggests that the same regions of the tPA molecule are involved in both processes. None of the peptides inhibited the binding of tPA to fibrin. These peptides may serve as models for the development of agents for enhancing the activity of both endogenous tPA and of tPA administered in thrombolytic therapy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein regions important for plasminogen activation and inactivation of alpha2-antiplasmin in the surface protease Pla of Yersinia pestis.

The plasminogen activator, surface protease Pla, of the plague bacterium Yersinia pestis is an important virulence factor that enables the spread of Y. pestis from subcutaneous sites into circulation. Pla-expressing Y. pestis and recombinant Escherichia coli formed active plasmin in the presence of the major human plasmin inhibitor, alpha2-antiplasmin, and the bacteria were found to inactivate alpha2-antiplasmin. In contrast, only poor plasminogen activation and no cleavage of alpha2-antiplasmin was observed with recombinant bacteria expressing the homologous gene ompT from E. coli. A beta-barrel topology model for Pla and OmpT predicted 10 transmembrane beta-strands and five surface-exposed loops L1-L5. Hybrid Pla-OmpT proteins were created by substituting each of the loops between Pla and OmpT. Analysis of the hybrid molecules suggested a critical role of L3 and L4 in the substrate specificity of Pla towards plasminogen and alpha2-antiplasmin. Substitution analysis at 25 surface-located residues showed the importance of the conserved residues H101, H208, D84, D86, D206 and S99 for the proteolytic activity of Pla-expressing recombinant E. coli. The mature alpha-Pla of 292 amino acids was processed into beta-Pla by an autoprocessing cleavage at residue K262, and residues important for the self-recognition of Pla were identified. Prevention of autoprocessing of Pla, however, had no detectable effect on plasminogen activation or cleavage of alpha2-antiplasmin. Cleavage of alpha2-antiplasmin and plasminogen activation were influenced by residue R211 in L4 as well as by unidentified residues in L3. OmpT, which is not associated with invasive bacterial disease, was converted into a Pla-like protease by deleting residues D214 and P215, by substituting residue K217 for R217 in L4 of OmpT and also by substituting the entire L3 with that from Pla. This simple modification of the surface loops and the substrate specificity of OmpT exemplifies the evolution of a housekeeping protein into a virulence factor by subtle mutations at critical protein regions. We propose that inactivation of alpha2-antiplasmin by Pla of Y. pestis promotes uncontrolled proteolysis and contributes to the invasive character of plague.

Amino Acid Sequence↗