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Inhibition of the activation of Hageman factor (factor XII) by platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 is a polypeptide constituent of platelet alpha granules that is released during platelet aggregation and inhibits heparin-mediated reactions. Hageman factor (factor XII) is a plasma proenzyme that, when activated by certain negatively charged agents, initiates clotting via the intrinsic pathway of thrombin formation. In earlier studies using crude systems, platelet factor 4 inhibited activation of Hageman factor by dextran sulfate or cerebrosides, but not activation of Hageman factor by kaolin or ellagic acid. In the present study we examined the mechanisms of inhibition by platelet factor 4, using purified reagents. Platelet factor 4 inhibited activation of Hageman factor by ellagic acid, as measured by amidolysis of a synthetic substrate of activated Hageman factor, an effect inhibited by heparin or by an anti-platelet factor 4 antiserum. Coating glass tubes with platelet factor 4 before addition of normal plasma significantly lengthened the partial thromboplastin time of normal plasma. In addition, the clot-promoting properties of kaolin were inhibited by its prior exposure to platelet factor 4. Thus, the inhibitory properties of platelet factor 4 directed against the activation of Hageman factor were confirmed in a purified system. In this purified system, in contrast to earlier studies using crude systems, platelet factor 4 inhibited activation of Hageman factor by glass, ellagic acid, or kaolin.

Blood Coagulation↗

An improved procedure for quantitation of platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 (heparin neutralizing) activity shortens the thrombin time of a heparinized plasma. In the proposed procedure (I) a heparin thrombin time curve is constructed by adding gradually increasing amounts of heparin to a commercial plasma substrate and determining thrombin times, (2) a suitable concentration of heparin that gives highest reproducible thrombin time is selected and added to the substrate, (3) thrombin times are determined for the heparinized substrate before and after addition of a test material containing platelet factor 4. The two thrombin times are converted to heparin concentration by reference to the heparin thrombin time curve. The difference in heparin concentrations represents platelet factor 4 activity. When lyophilized commercial plasma is used as substrate larger quantities of heparin can be employed in the system, resulting in improved sensitivity and precision.

Blood Coagulation Factors↗

Immunoregulatory activity of peptides related to platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 (PF4), a secreted platelet protein, alleviates concanavalin A-induced immunosuppression in mice. We now find that activity also resides in (i) the C-terminal tridecapeptide of PF4 (P13S), (ii) an analog of this in which arginine replaces the lysine residues and in which the last two amino acids are absent, (iii) the C-terminal 18 amino acids of low-affinity platelet factor 4, which is very similar to P13S, and (iv) peptide fragments of P13S that contain only 5-9 amino acids. P13S treated with fluorescamine to derivatize the free amino groups retained immunoregulatory activity but did not bind to heparin-agarose. The N-terminal and middle portions of PF4, polylysine, protamine, and three unrelated peptides were inactive in this assay.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Inhibition of mesangial cell proliferation by platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4(PF4), an abundant platelet secretory product, is a strong candidate for modulating glomerular pathology. Because PF4 might be released from platelets and influence intrinsic cell growth during glomerular injury, the effect of PF4 on fetal calf serum- and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced mesangial cell mitogenesis was examined. Mitogenesis was measured as the amount of 3H-thymidine incorporated into acid-precipitable material as well as by autoradiography. The effect of PF4 on mesangial cell expression of mRNA for PDGF A chain and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta 1) was also examined. Fetal calf serum (10%)- and PDGF (10 ng/mL)-stimulated increases in mesangial cell 3H-thymidine incorporation were inhibited by incremental concentrations of PF4 (1 to 25 micrograms/mL) showing a maximum reduction of approximately 80% at 25 micrograms/mL of PF4. PF4 was effective when added 24 h before and 1, 4, and 8 h, but not 16 h after the addition of PDGF, indicating that inhibition occurred at delayed events in cell-cycle regulation. PF4 inhibited PDGF-induced increments in mRNA encoding PDGF A chain and TGF-beta 1. Also, PF4 did not interfere with PDGF receptor binding. The results of this study show that PF4 is a negative regulator of mesangial cell proliferation and suggest an interference in cell growth by pathways associated with modulation of the autocrine growth factors PDGF and TGF-beta 1.

Animals↗

Binding of heparin to human platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 is a small protein (Mr 7756) from the alpha-granules of blood platelets which binds strongly to and neutralizes the anticoagulant properties of heparin. From an analysis of X-ray crystallographic data a model for the binding of platelet factor 4 to heparin is proposed.

Binding Sites↗

Characterization of a neutrophil cell surface glycosaminoglycan that mediates binding of platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 (PF-4) is a platelet-derived alpha-chemokine that binds to and activates human neutrophils to undergo specific functions like exocytosis or adhesion. PF-4 binding has been shown to be independent of interleukin-8 receptors and could be inhibited by soluble chondroitin sulfate type glycosaminoglycans or by pretreatment of cells with chondroitinase ABC. Here we present evidence that surface-expressed neutrophil glycosaminoglycans are of chondroitin sulfate type and that this species binds to the tetrameric form of PF-4. The glycosaminoglycans consist of a single type of chain with an average molecular mass of approximately 23 kDa and are composed of approximately 85-90% chondroitin 4-sulfate disaccharide units type CSA (-->4GlcAbeta1-->3GalNAc(4-O-sulfate)beta1-->) and of approximately 10-15% di-O-sulfated disaccharide units. A major part of these di-O-sulfated disaccharide units are CSE units (-->4GlcAbeta1-->3GalNAc(4,6-O-sulfate)beta1-->). Binding studies revealed that the interaction of chondroitin sulfate with PF-4 required at least 20 monosaccharide units for significant binding. The di-O-sulfated disaccharide units in neutrophil glycosaminoglycans clearly promoted the affinity to PF-4, which showed a Kd approximately 0.8 microM, as the affinities of bovine cartilage chondroitin sulfate A, porcine skin dermatan sulfate, or bovine cartilage chondroitin sulfate C, all consisting exclusively of monosulfated disaccharide units, were found to be 3-5-fold lower. Taken together, our data indicate that chondroitin sulfate chains function as physiologically relevant binding sites for PF-4 on neutrophils and that the affinity of these chains for PF-4 is controlled by their degree of sulfation.

Animals↗

A potent inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation is generated by proteolytic cleavage of the chemokine platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 (PF-4) is an archetype of the "chemokine" family of low molecular weight proteins that play an important role in injury responses and inflammation. From activated human leukocyte culture supernatants, we have isolated a form of PF-4 that acts as a potent inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation. The PF-4 derivative is generated by peptide bond cleavage between Thr-16 and Ser-17, a site located downstream from the highly conserved and structurally important CXC motif. The unique cleavage leads to a loss of one of the structurally important large loops in the PF-4 molecule and generation of an N terminus with basic residues that have the potential to interact with the acidic extracellular domain of the G-protein-coupled chemokine receptor. The N-terminal processed PF-4 exhibited a 30- to 50-fold greater growth inhibitory activity on endothelial cells than PF-4. Since endothelial cell growth inhibition is the only known cellular activity of the cleaved PF-4, we have designated this chemokine endothelial cell growth inhibitor. The N-terminal processing of PF-4 may represent an important mechanism for modulating PF-4 activity on endothelial cells during tissue injury, inflammation, and neoplasia.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Suppression of tumor growth by viral vector-mediated gene transfer of N-terminal truncated platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor four (PF4), an inhibitor of endothelial cell proliferation in vitro, inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo in experimental animals. The present study was designed to determine whether gene therapy-mediated expression of a form of PF4 lacking 16 amino acids of N-terminus from tumor cells could inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo. Two replication-defective recombinant retroviral vectors were constructed. One encodes human PF4 (rRV-PF4) and the other encodes the N-truncated peptide (rRVp17-70). These vectors were then used to transduce KB cells, a human head and neck squamous carcinoma cell line. Expression of PF4 and p17-70 transgenes was confirmed by Western blot analysis. In vitro, both rRV-PF4 and rRVp17-70 were able to inhibit selectively the proliferation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) but not KB cells. In vivo activity was assessed by injecting 10(7) KB cells subcutaneously into nude mice and by monitoring subsequent tumor growth, xenograft vascular histochemistry, and animal survival. Viral vector-mediated cDNA transfer of PF4 and p17-70 resulted in inhibiting solid tumors through an anti-angiogenic action in vivo. Our data indicate that targeting tumor angiogenesis using viral-mediated gene transfer of full-length and N-terminal truncated PF4 represents a promising strategy for cancer gene therapy.

Animals↗

Purification and characterization of human and bovine platelet factor 4.

Platelet antiheparin, platelet factor 4, was isolated from freeze-thaw lysates of fresh bovine and outdated human platelet concentrates by a single step affinity chromatographic procedure. The yields of PF4 were 93 microgram and 142 microgram/ml of human and bovine platelets respectively. Antiheparin activity of the products were 558 units/mg for the bovine isolate and 489 units/mg for the human material. The bovine product is a single chain polypeptide with an apparent molecular weight of 12,300. Amino acid composition indicates 107-109 residues compared to the smaller human product which has an apparent molecular weight of 8,000 for a 70 residue polypeptide. The intact polypeptide was resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis as opposed to the reduced-alkylated derivative which was susceptible to hydrolysis in the presence and absence of heparin.

Amino Acids↗

Isolation and amino acid sequence of bovine platelet factor 4.

Bovine platelet factor 4 was isolated by affinity chromatography using dextran sulfate Sepharose and purified by subsequent gel filtration. The complete amino acid sequence of this 88-residue, 9505-Da protein was determined by isolation and analysis of the overlapping peptides from tryptic and Staphylococcus aureus hydrolysates of reduced, carboxymethylated, and reductive methylated protein. Primary structure comparison was made between bovine platelet factor 4, human platelet factor 4, and human beta-thromboglobulin. The bovine platelet factor 4 amino-terminal region, which contains two unique phenylalanine residues, is extended by 15 residues relative to human platelet factor 4. The bovine carboxy-terminal region is extended by three residues relative to human platelet factor 4 and differed from beta-thromboglobulin in the absence of two additional terminal residues. Bovine platelet factor 4 shares sequence similarities proportionately with both human platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin. The sequences of the lysine-rich carboxy-terminal putative heparin binding domains are essentially identical for all three proteins. The heparin neutralizing potencies of bovine and human platelet factor 4 are similar: 40 USP units of heparin neutralized per milligram protein, as measured by a modified chromogenic substrate assay. Heparin neutralization was lost by reduction of the disulfide bonds, but only attenuated by tryptic digestion of the intact protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human platelet factor 4: Purification and characterization by affinity chromatography. Purification of human platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 is a low molecular weight protein contained in the storage granules of platelets and released during aggregation with a variety of aggregating agents. In vitro, it is a potent antiheparin. This property has been used for a rapid, simple purification procedure using affinity chromatography on heparin epsilon-aminocaproic aced Sepharose. Supernatants collected from outdated platelet concentrates, or platelet extracts prepared from washed, outdate platlets themselves, are first precipitated with 50% ammonium sulfate. The supernatant is dialyzed and applied to the affinity column. Contaminating proteins are washed from the column with 0.5 M NaCl in 0.005 M sodium barbital buffer, pH 7.4 and the column is then eluted with a gradient of 0.5 to 3.0 M NaCl in 0.005 M sodium barbital buffer, pH 7.4. When prepared from platelet extracts, a single protein peak with high platelet factor 4 activity is eluted at 0.9 to 1.0 M NaCl. The peak fractions demonstrate a single band on Na dodecyl-SO4-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight as determined by Na dodecyl-SO4 gel electrophoresis was 11,600 +/- 330, and was 40,000 by gel filtration.

Amino Acids↗

Evidence for a granule targeting sequence within platelet factor 4.

Platelets achieve bleeding arrest at sites of vascular injury via secretion of secretory proteins from their storage granules, termed alpha-granules. We have recently analyzed granule targeting of platelet factor 4 (PF4), a secretory alpha-granule chemokine, and demonstrated that PF4 alpha-granule storage relied upon determinants within PF4 mature sequence. To define these determinants, PF4 mutants fused to the fluorescent reporter protein green fluorescent protein were generated by progressive deletions and site-directed mutagenesis. They were then transfected in AtT20 cells and assessed for granule targeting by colocalization with ACTH-containing granules, using laser scanning confocal microscopy. This strategy identified the amino acid 41-50 (LIATLKNGRK) sequence as most critical for PF4 granule targeting and/or storage; its deletion from PF4 induced a marked decrease in granule storage (from 81 +/- 2% to 17 +/- 3%, p < or = 0.0001). Ala-scanning mutagenesis of LIATLKNGRK narrowed down the targeting motif to LKNG. A direct role for LKNG in alpha-granule targeting was confirmed in the thrombopoietin-induced human megakaryocytic Dami cells, in which the LKNG-green fluorescent protein chimera exhibited an 82.5 +/- 1.8% colocalization with the alpha-granule proteins von Willebrand factor and P-selectin. LKNG is poorly conserved within the chemokine family. However three-dimensional alignments of the human alpha-granule chemokines Nap-2 (neutrophil-activating peptide) and RANTES (Regulated upon Activation Normal T Cell Expressed and Secreted) with PF4 revealed that LKNG, a surface-exposed hydrophilic turn/loop, matched Nap-2 (LKDG) and RANTES (TRKN) peptides with similar features. Moreover Nap-2 and RANTES peptides exhibited the same alpha-granule targeting efficiency than LKNG. We therefore postulate that the three-dimensional and physicochemical characteristics of PF4 LKNG are of general relevance to alpha-granule targeting of chemokines and possibly of other alpha-granule proteins.

Alanine↗

Lack of increase or reduction in circulating platelet factor 4 and heparin-releasable platelet factor 4 in symptomatic patients with asthma.

We measured circulating platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin-releasable platelet factor 4 (HR-PF4) in 13 symptomatic patients suffering from bronchial asthma and in 10 matched normal controls. Neither a difference between patients and controls, nor a correlation between platelet count and HR-PF4 was found (PF4: controls 2.1 +/- 2.9; patients 3.6 +/- 4.4 ng/ml (n.s.); HR-PF4: controls 127 +/- 49, patients 101 +/- 34 ng/ml (n.s.). Therefore, the pathogenetic role of PF4 in the mechanism of bronchial asthma, elsewhere hypothesized, cannot definitely be established.

Adult↗

Platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin released platelet factor 4 (HR-PF4) in diabetes mellitus. Effect of the duration of the disease.

Several investigators have reported an altered platelet function in diabetes mellitus as measured by elevated levels of platelet specific proteins platelet factor 4 (PF4) and B-thromboglobulin (BTG). We studied 20 insulin dependent (IDD), 20 non insulin dependent (NIDD) diabetic males without overt clinical symptoms of cardiovascular disorders and 30 normal controls. We evaluated PF4, BTG and heparin released platelet factor 4 (HR-PF4) as measured 2.5 minutes after a bolus injection of 5,000 I.U. of a commercial mucous heparin. The patients showed normal levels of both PF4 and BTG. Furthermore HR-PF4 failed to show statistically significant variation between patients and controls. However when the diabetics were divided on the basis of the duration of the disease, the IDD had an increased HR-PF4 mean level and the trend became statistically significant when diabetes existed more than 17 years (patients HR-PF4 149.1 ng/ml, range 17.3-194; controls HR-PF4 110.9 ng/ml range 50-160, less than p less than 0.05). NIDD failed to reveal the same pattern. Although the significance of HR-PF4 is unknown, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus after many years could cause a potentially dangerous, silent vascular damage with enhanced platelet vessel wall interaction as measured by an elevated HR-PF4.

Adolescent↗

Interaction of platelet factor 4 with human platelets.

Human washed resting platelets bound 125I-labeled platelet factor 4 in a reaction which was saturable and approached equilibrium within 15-30 min. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding isotherms suggested a single class of specific binding sites. Excess of unlabeled protein and low- and high-affinity heparin competed for platelet factor 4 binding sites on the platelet surface and caused a partial displacement of this molecule. Anti-platelet factor 4 Fab fragments caused inhibition of binding of 125I-platelet factor 4 to platelets. Most of the labeled platelet factor 4 which was bound to intact platelets was recovered in the Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction prepared from the same platelets after their stimulation by thrombin. The association with the cytoskeleton was inhibited by anti-platelet factor 4 Fab fragments and by low-affinity heparin. Anti-platelet factor 4 125I-labeled Fab fragments bound to resting platelets, and this binding was greatly increased following platelet stimulation with thrombin. This suggested that endogenously secreted platelet factor 4 also binds to the platelet surface. No significant binding to platelets of 125I-labeled beta-thromboglobulin and 125I-labeled anti-beta-thromboglobulin Fab fragments was observed. Fab fragments of monospecific anti-human platelet factor 4 antibody raised in rabbits inhibited platelet aggregation and secretion induced by low concentrations of thrombin. Fab fragments of anti-beta-thromboglobulin antibody had no inhibitory effect. We suggest that the binding of alpha-granule-derived platelet factor 4 to the specific sites on the surface of platelets may modulate platelet aggregation and secretion induced by low levels of platelet agonists.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

The development of a quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect human platelet factor 4.

BACKGROUND: Platelet factor 4 (PF4) is a marker for in vitro and in vivo tests of platelet (PLT) activation and alpha-granule secretion. PF4 is also a major CXC cytokine released during storage. Cytokines released during PLT storage are a potential cause of nonhemolytic transfusion reactions. Quantitative measurement of PF4 requires an assay that is both reliable and sensitive. To achieve this goal, a sensitive, cost-effective, sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed with commercially available antibodies to human PF4. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An ELISA was developed for measuring PF4 from whole human PLTs or secreted from activated PLTs. Optimal concentrations of capture antibody, detection antibody, and enzyme-conjugate were determined with serial twofold dilutions of recombinant PF4. This assay was used to determine the ideal sample dilutions needed for reliable quantitation of PF4 in releasates or from whole PLT extracts. RESULTS: Serial dilutions of recombinant PF4 resulted in a sigmoid titration curve with a maximal sensitivity of 10 pg and a dynamic quantitative range from 100 to 2500 pg. This ELISA was used to measure secretion from permeabilized PLTs stimulated with free calcium. In a secretion experiment with 2.5 x 10|*bsup*|8|*esup*| PLTs per mL, samples required a 1:10-fold dilution to reliably evaluate alpha-granule release. CONCLUSION: The parameters described yield an ELISA method with low background and high sensitivity over a range of PF4 concentrations. Using the commercial reagents described makes this assay cost-effective and therefore suitable for analyzing multiple samples in the research setting.

Antibodies↗

Isolation, crystallization, and primary amino acid sequence of human platelet factor 4.

Human platelet factor 4 was purified by a method employing affinity chromatography on heparin/agarose. The amino acid sequence of the protein was determined by automatic Edman degradations and carboxypeptidase Y digestion. There are 70 amino acids in the protein with 5 of the 8 negatively charged residues clustered near the NH2 terminus and 10 of the 13 positively charged residues in clusters of 3 and 4 elsewhere in the protein. Small crystals have been obtained from ammonium sulfate solutions which give a promising preliminary x-ray diffraction pattern.

Amino Acid Sequence↗