Human skin fibroblast collagenase. Assessment of activation energy and deuterium isotope effect with collagenous substrates

Reaction diffusion model of the enzymatic erosion of insoluble fibrillar matrices

Predicting the time course of in vivo biodegradation is a key issue in the design of an increasing number of biomedical applications such as sutures, tissue analogs and drug-delivery devices. The design of such biodegradable devices is hampered by the absence of quantitative models for the enzymatic erosion of solid protein matrices. In this work, we derive and simulate a reaction diffusion model for the enzymatic erosion of fibrillar gels that successfully reproduces the main qualitative features of this process. A key aspect of the proposed model is the incorporation of steric hindrance into the standard Michaelis-Menten scheme for enzyme kinetics. In the limit of instantaneous diffusion, the model equations are analogous to the standard equations for enzymatic degradation in solution. Invoking this analogy, the total quasi-steady-state approximation is used to derive approximate analytical solutions that are valid for a wide range of in vitro conditions. Using these analytical approximations, an experimental-theoretical method is derived to unambiguously estimate all the kinetic model parameters. Moreover, the analytical approximations correctly describe the characteristic hyperbolic dependence of the erosion rate on enzyme concentration and the zero-order erosion of thin fibers. For definiteness, the analysis of published experimental results of enzymatic degradation of fibrillar collagen is demonstrated, and the role of diffusion in these experiments is elucidated.

Triple-helical peptide analysis of collagenolytic protease activity

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family members are involved in the physiological remodeling of tissues and embryonic development as well as pathological destruction of extracellular matrix components. To study the mechanisms of MMP action on collagenous substrates, non-fluorogenic and fluorogenic triple-helical peptide models of MMP-1 cleavage sites in interstitial collagens have been constructed. Triple-helical peptides were assembled by either (a) covalent branching or (b) self-association driven by hydrophobic interactions. Fluorogenic triple-helical peptide (fTHP) substrates contained the fluorophore/quencher pair of (7-methoxycoumarin-4-yl)acetyl (Mca) and N-2,4-dinitrophenyl (Dnp) in the P5 and P5' positions, respectively. Investigation of MMP family hydrolysis of THPs showed kcat/Km values in the order of MMP-13 > MMP-1 approximately MMP-1(delta243-450) approximately MMP-2 >> MMP-3. Studies on the effect of temperature on fTHP and an analogous fluorogenic single-stranded peptide (fSSP) hydrolysis by MMP-1 showed that the activation energies between these two substrates differed by 3.4-fold, similar to the difference in activation energies for MMP-1 hydrolysis of type I collagen and gelatin. The general proteases trypsin and thermolysin were also studied for triple-helical peptidase activity. Both of these enzymes exhibited similar activation energies to MMP-1 for hydrolysis of fTHP versus fSSP. These results suggest that 'triple-helical peptidase' activity can be distinguished from 'collagenolytic' activity, and that mechanistically distinct enzymes convergently evolved to develop collagenolytic activity.

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: do they have a place in anticancer therapy?

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of enzymes involved in degradation of extracellular matrix. An imbalance between MMPs and naturally occurring MMP inhibitors may cause excess extracellular matrix destruction, allowing cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize, and permitting angiogenesis to occur. Inhibition of certain key MMPs may prevent angiogenesis, tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. Gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are expressed during carcinogenesis and angiogenesis. Synthetic MMP inhibitors were designed to target these enzymes and potentially prevent the tumor growth and metastases associated with cancer.

Study of thermal effects of ultrasound stimulation on fracture healing

Low intensity ultrasound stimulation has been used as a strategy to promote fracture healing. This study investigated the mechanism of ultrasound stimulation in enhancing fracture healing. Forty-five adult New Zealand White rabbits were divided into control, microwave treated, and ultrasound stimulation groups. After anesthesia, transverse osteotomy was created at midportion of the fibula bone. Intravital staining followed by fluorescence microscopic examination of new bone formation in the osteotomy site and biomechanical tests on torsional stiffness of the osteotomy site were performed. The difference between each examination was evaluated and analyzed. After ultrasound stimulation, new bone formation in the osteotomy site of the stimulated limb was 23.1-35.8% faster than that of the sham treated limb; the torsional stiffness of the stimulated limb was 44.4-80.0% higher than that of the sham treated limb. In the group of microwave hyperthermia treatment, the new bone formation was higher than that of the sham treated limb, but the difference was not statistically significant. The difference in torsional stiffness between the microwave hyperthermia treated limbs and the sham treated limb was not quite statistically significant. We demonstrated that low intensity ultrasound stimulation could increase the new bone formation and torsional stiffness. These effects probably are not mediated via hyperthermia.

Hydrolysis of triple-helical collagen peptide models by matrix metalloproteinases

The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family has been implicated in the process of a variety of diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, and tumor cell metastasis. To study the mechanisms of MMP action on collagenous substrates, we have constructed homotrimeric triple-helical peptide (THP) models of the collagenase cleavage sites in types I and II collagen. The THPs incorporate either the alpha1(I)772-786 or the alpha1(II)772-783 sequence. The alpha1(I)772-786 and alpha1(II)772-783 THPs were hydrolyzed by MMP-1 at the Gly-Ile and Gly-Leu bonds, respectively, analogous to the bonds cleaved in corresponding native collagens. Thus, the THPs contained all necessary information to direct MMP-1 binding and proteolysis. Subsequent investigations using the alpha1(I)772-786 THP showed hydrolysis by MMP-2, MMP-13, and a COOH-terminal domain-deleted MMP-1 (MMP-1(Delta(243-450))) but not by MMP-3 or a COOH-terminal domain-deleted MMP-3 (MMP-3(Delta(248-460))). Kinetic analyses showed a k(cat)/K(m) value of 1,808 s(-1) m(-1) for MMP-1 hydrolysis of alpha1(I)772-786 THP, approximately 10-fold lower than for type I collagen. The effect is caused primarily by relative K(m) values. MMP-2 and MMP-13 cleaved the THP more rapidly than MMP-1, but MMP-2 cleavage occurred at distinct multiple sites. Comparison of MMP-1 and MMP-1(Delta(243-450)) hydrolysis of alpha1(I)772-786 THP showed that both can cleave a triple-helical substrate with a slightly higher K(m) value for MMP-1(Delta(243-450)). We propose that the COOH-terminal domain of MMPs is necessary for orienting whole, native collagen molecules but may not be necessary for binding to and cleaving a THP. This proposal is consistent with the large distance between the MMP-1 catalytic and COOH-terminal domains observed by three-dimensional structural analysis and supports previous suggestions that the features of the catalytic domain contribute significantly toward enzyme specificity.

Plasmin triggers rapid contraction and degradation of fibroblast-populated collagen lattices

We examined the role of the serine proteinase plasmin in regulating fibroblast-mediated tissue remodeling during wound healing. As an in vitro model system, collagen lattices were seeded with human dermal fibroblasts, and various concentrations of plasmin were added to the medium of the contracting lattices. Within 16 h, fibroblast-populated collagen lattices treated with plasmin rapidly contracted from approximately 20 mm to less than 2 mm in diameter. Measurements of collagen lattices with radiolabeled collagen indicated that, when these lattices included either fibroblasts or conditioned medium derived from fibroblast-populated collagen lattices, exogenous plasmin induced collagen degradation and rapid lattice contraction. Western blot analyses of conditioned medium demonstrated that fibroblasts in collagen lattices secreted the latent matrix metalloproteinase, MMP-1, which was subsequently cleaved by plasmin. Additionally, rapidlattice contraction and collagen degradation were blocked when collagen lattices were treated simultaneously with plasmin and aprotinin or a tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, TIMP-1. These results provide strong evidence that plasmin regulates rapid contraction of collagen lattices by activating fibroblast-secreted MMP-1 that triggers collagen degradation. The findings from this study suggest that fibroblast-populated collagen lattices can be used as an in vitro model system to investigate the mechanisms by which plasmin and cell-secreted plasminogen activators control MMP-1 mediated extracellular lattice degradation and remodeling during wound healing.

Interaction between leukocyte elastase and elastin: quantitative and catalytic analyses

Solubilization of elastin by human leukocyte elastase (HLE) cannot be analyzed by conventional kinetic methods because the biologically relevant substrate is insoluble and the concentration of enzyme-substrate complex has no physical meaning. We now report quantitative measurements of the binding and catalytic interaction between HLE and elastin permitted by analogy to receptor-ligand systems. Our results indicated that a limited and relatively constant number of enzyme binding sites were available on elastin, and that new sites became accessible as catalysis proceeded. The activation energies and solvent deuterium isotope effects were similar for catalysis of elastin and a soluble peptide substrate by HLE, yet the turnover number for HLE digestion of elastin was 200-2000-fold lower than that of HLE acting on soluble peptide substrates. Analysis of the binding of HLE to elastin at 0 degrees C, in the absence of significant catalytic activity, demonstrated two classes of binding sites (Kd=9.3x10(-9) M and 2.5x10(-7) M). The higher affinity sites accounted for only 6% of the total HLE binding capacity, but essentially all of the catalytic activity, and dissociation of HLE from these sites was minimal. Our studies suggest that interaction of HLE with elastin in vivo may be very persistent and permit progressive solubilization of this structurally important extracellular matrix component.

N-glycan structures of matrix metalloproteinase-1 derived from human fibroblasts and from HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cells

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) is a collagenolytic metalloproteinase capable of cleaving native triple-helical forms of several collagen subtypes, as well as a number of non-collagenous substrates. The role of MMP-1 in various diseases affecting the connective tissue is well characterized. MMP-1 is secreted as both glycosylated and unglycosylated species, and the two forms have been shown to be identical with respect to substrate specificity, specific activity and inhibitory profile. No function for the glycan moiety of the enzyme has been ascribed to date. In the present study, we report on the detailed characterization of MMP-1-derived oligosaccharides. Using strategies based on sequential exoglycosidase digestion combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight MS and electrospray tandem MS, we have characterized the N-glycan structures of MMP-1, derived from human dermal fibroblasts and from the HT-1080 fibrosarcoma cell line. MMP-1 derived from fibroblasts was found to carry mainly alpha 2,3-sialylated complex-type diantennary glycans. On the other hand, HT-1080 cells produce MMP-1 that has a heterogeneous glycosylation pattern, comprising diantennary glycans carrying Lewis X, LacdiNAc, sialylated LacdiNAc and GalNAc beta 1,4 (Fuc alpha 1,3)GlcNAc (LacdiNAc analogue of Lewis X) as terminal elements. We also show that, of the two potential glycosylation sites in the MMP-1 sequence, only Asn120 is used.

Enhancement of fracture healing by low intensity ultrasound

Fracture healing is a highly complex regenerative process that is essentially a replay of developmental events. These events include the action of many different cell types, a myriad of proteins, and active gene expression that in the majority of cases ultimately will restore the bone's natural integrity. Several biologic and biophysical approaches have been introduced to minimize delayed healing and nonunions, some with promising results. One example of such an approach is low intensity pulsed ultrasound, a noninvasive form of mechanical energy transmitted transcutaneously as high frequency acoustical pressure waves in biologic organisms. Numerous in vivo animal studies and perspective double blind placebo controlled clinical trials have shown that low intensity ultrasound is capable of accelerating and augmenting the healing of fresh fractures. Preliminary evidence suggests efficacy in the treatment of delayed healing and nonunions as well. This article reviews the animal and clinical studies that consider the effects of ultrasound on fracture healing, and the in vivo and in vitro work that strives to identify the biologic mechanism(s) responsible for the ultrasound induced enhancement of osteogenesis and fracture healing.

SP220K is a novel matrix serine proteinase

Matrix proteinases play a critical role in extracellular matrix remodeling, which is particularly involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. We have previously characterized and purified a new tetrameric serine proteinase (SP220K) from human kidney clear cell carcinoma plasma membranes. Here, we report that SP220K exhibits gelatinase activity as assessed both in solution and by zymography. Optimum gelatinase activity ranges between pH 7.5 to pH 9.0. Fibronectin and type I collagen were hydrolyzed by SP220K, at variance with laminin and type IV collagen. Like other trypsin-like fibronectin degrading proteinases, SP220K released the 29-kDa N-terminal heparin-binding domain of fibronectin. By using a panel of proteinase inhibitors, we found that the inhibition profile of SP220K was different from that of other known serine proteinases such as thrombin, trypsin, plasmin, plasminogen activators and tryptase. Altogether, our results indicate that SP220K corresponds to a novel matrix proteinase that exhibits a marked specificity for fibronectin and type I collagen.

Elastin degradation by matrix metalloproteinases. Cleavage site specificity and mechanisms of elastolysis

Insoluble elastin was used as a substrate to characterize the peptide bond specificities of human (HME) and mouse macrophage elastase (MME) and to compare these enzymes with other mammalian metalloproteinases and serine elastases. New amino termini detected by protein sequence analysis in insoluble elastin following proteolytic digestion reveal the P'1 residues in the carboxyl-terminal direction from the scissile bond. The relative proportion of each amino acid in this position reflects the proteolytic preference of the elastolytic enzyme. The predominant amino acids detected by protein sequence analysis following cleavage of insoluble elastin with HME, MME, and 92-kDa gelatinase were Leu, Ile, Ala, Gly, and Val. HME and MME were similar in their substrate specificity and showed a stronger preference for Leu/Ile than did the 92-kDa enzyme. Fibroblast collagenase showed no activity toward elastin. The amino acid residues detected in insoluble elastin following hydrolysis with porcine pancreatic elastase and human neutrophil elastase were predominantly Gly and Ala, with lesser amounts of Val, Phe, Ile, and Leu. There were interesting specificity differences between the two enzymes, however. For both the serine and matrix metalloproteinases, catalysis of peptide bond cleavage in insoluble elastin was characterized by temperature effects and water requirements typical of common enzyme-catalyzed reactions, even those involving soluble substrates. In contrast to what has been observed for collagen, the energy requirements for elastolysis were not extraordinary, consistent with cleavage sites in elastin being readily accessible to enzymatic attack.

Activation of human neutrophil procollagenase by stromelysin 2

Neutrophil procollagenase (MMP-8) was efficiently activated by incubation with active stromelysin 2 (MMP-10). A single-step activation mechanism involving the cleavage of the Gly78-Phe79 peptide bond at the end of the propeptide domain was observed. Determination of the collagenolytic activity revealed the generation of active neutrophil collagenase displaying high specific activity. When compared with the specific activity following mercurial activation, which generates active collagenase by autoproteolytic cleavage of either Phe79-Met8O or Met8O-Leu81 peptide bonds [Bläser, J., Knäuper, V., Osthues, A., Reinke, H. & Tschesche, H. (1991) Eur J. Biochem. 202, 1223-1230], the specific activity of the stromelysin-2-activated enzyme was considerably higher. Thus, human neutrophil procollagenase was 'superactivated' by stromelysin 2, as was recently shown for the stromelysin-1-activated enzyme [Knäuper, V., Wilhelm, S. M., Seperack, P. K., De Clerck, Y. A., Langley, K. E., Osthues, A. & Tschesche, H. 1993 a) Biochem. J. 295, 581-586].

Elevated levels of human collagenase inhibitor in blister fluids of diverse etiology

Blister fluids from a variety of bullous disorders were examined for the presence of human collagenase inhibitor. A protein immunologically identical to the collagenase inhibitor produced by human skin fibroblasts was found in high concentrations within bullae of diverse etiologies. Levels of collagenase inhibitor in blister fluids ranged from 0.9-12.5 micrograms/ml, averaging 4.9 micrograms/ml. The mean values were 3- to 4-fold greater than those present in the sera of corresponding patients and exceeded plasma levels by 6- to 8-fold. The time course of collagenase inhibitor accumulation in blister fluid was studied using heat- and suction-induced bullae. The concentration in newly formed blisters was approximately 0.5 micrograms/ml, virtually identical to plasma inhibitor levels, and remained constant for approximately 4 h. Inhibitor concentrations then rose rapidly, reaching peak values of approximately 6 micrograms/ml after 48 h. We speculate that the role of this inhibitor in blister fluid involves the inhibitions of active proteinases within the bulla cavity and may occur to limit the extent of blister formation or to assist in wound repair.

Chemical and kinetic characterization of tadpole back skin collagenase

The purified collagenase from tadpole (Rana catesbiana) back skin was studied with respect to its activation energy using soluble and fibrillar type I collagen, as well as a synthetic peptide substrate, DNP-Pro-Gln-Gly-Ile-Ala-Gly-Gln-D-Arg. The activation energy appeared to be independent of the nature of the substrate, ranging between 28 and 35 kcal/mol. The peptide was cleaved at the Gly-Ile bond and proved to be a poor substrate (kcat/Km, 1.21 h-1 microM-1) when compared with native type I collagen in solution (kcat/Km, 40.6 h-1 microM-1), consistent with the enzyme's low activity versus gelatin [T. A. Bicsak and E. Harper (1984) J. Biol. Chem. 259, 13145]. The amino acid composition of the collagenase was shown to be high in glycine and glutamic acid, and the preparation was shown not to be contaminated with collagen by digestion with bacterial collagenase. The enzyme was not inhibited by iodoacetic acid or 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzyl bromide, suggesting the lack of essential cysteinyl and tryptophanyl residues, but was inhibited by micromolar concentrations of ZnCl2, consistent with the presence of essential histidine(s). Ethoxyformic anhydride irreversibly inhibited the collagenase suggesting the presence of essential lysyl residues.

Human skin fibroblast collagenase: interaction with substrate and inhibitor

Human skin fibroblasts secrete collagen, procollagenase and a collagenase inhibitor. This study addresses the nature of the interaction between these important fibroblast products. The binding of procollagenase and of active collagenase to native collagen in solution was examined by employing Sephadex G-150 gel-filtration chromatography to separate bound versus unbound enzyme. Active enzyme bound readily to collagen; the equilibrium constant of binding, Kd, was calculated to be 5.1 to 10(-7)M. Thus, collagenase binds with nearly equal affinity to both monomeric collagen and aggregated fibrils (Kd = 9 X 10(-7)M; [Welgus et al., 1980]). Furthermore, since Kd congruent to Km congruent to 10(-6)M, the ratio k2/k1 must be extremely small, directly implicating the catalytic step represented by the rate constant k2, and not the binding of enzyme to substrate, as the rate-limiting step of collagenase action. In contrast, procollagenase demonstrated no capacity to bind to collagen. The interaction of procollagenase and of active collagenase with inhibitor was examined utilizing both conventional and high-precision liquid gel-filtration chromatography. A higher molecular weight complex could be demonstrated consisting of active collagenase and inhibitor; no such interaction occurred between procollagenase and the inhibitory protein. Analysis of Lineweaver-Burk plots showed that inhibition was accompanied by a corresponding change in Vmax; Km remained unchanged. Such results are indicative of a noncompetitive mechanism of inhibition and are consistent with the formation of an enzyme-inhibitor complex. The Ki of enzyme-inhibitor binding was determined to be less than 10(-9)M. The data indicate that procollagenase can neither interact with its specific inhibitor nor bind to collagen. Extracellular activation of the collagenase zymogen is thus a critical event, which can be followed either by binding to substrate or interaction with inhibitor.

The influence of cell culture variables on human collagenase inhibitor expression

This study investigated the modulation of human collagenase inhibitor expression by a variety of cell culture variables. Inhibitor production was found to be largely invariant with respect to the concentration of serum incorporated into culture medium. Similarly, environmental pH failed to affect inhibitor expression over the pH range of 6.8-8.2. When inhibitor production was examined as a function of cell culture density, synthesis of this protein per cell was greatest during logarithmic growth and early confluence, but even in late post-confluent cultures levels approaching 50% of maximal were routinely observed. When basal levels of collagenase and inhibitor were compared in 8 different normal human skin fibroblast cell lines, inhibitor production varied by only 2-fold, whereas collagenase levels displayed a range exceeding 20-fold. Thus, despite manipulations in the presence or absence of serum and even across different cell lines, inhibitor production seemed to be marked most conspicuously by its constancy. The kinetics of inhibitor secretion into culture medium were also examined. Whether cultured in the presence or absence of serum, inhibitor levels reached maximal values in the medium after 24-48 hours of incubation and remained constant thereafter. Interestingly, assessment of intracellular versus extracellular quantities of inhibitor demonstrated that there was no significant intracellular storage of this protein. Thus, the data suggest that human collagenase inhibitor is a secretory protein which is rapidly exported into the extracellular space without significant accumulation intracellularly.

Purification and properties of rat uterine procollagenase

A procollagenase from monolayer cultures of postpartum rat uterine cells has been purified. The crucial step in the purification is the binding of the procollagenase from crude, fetal bovine serum-containing culture medium to heparin-Sepharose, followed by elution with extremely low concentrations (5-10 nM) of dextran sulfate. Resultant eluates contain 8-10% procollagenase. Purification is completed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose, gel filtration on AcA-44, and chromatography on blue-Sepharose. Rat uterine procollagenase appears as a protein doublet of Mr approximately 58,000, as indicated by two polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis systems, by AcA-44 chromatography, and by equilibrium sedimentation ultracentrifugal analysis. The proenzyme forms are converted by trypsin to an active enzyme doublet of Mr approximately 48,000. Small amounts of active enzyme, which are often generated during the purification, are electrophoretically indistinguishable from trypsin-activated collagenase. Active collagenase can be separated from the zymogen forms by DEAE-Sepharose chromatography. The two forms of the proenzyme doublet can be partially separated by gel filtration on AcA-44 and preliminary analysis indicates each has equal collagenolytic activity. The amino acid analysis of rat uterine collagenase reveals it to be markedly different from two other vertebrate collagenases whose composition is known. The uterine proenzyme is unusually rich in glycine and in the hydroxy amino acids and is considerably more acidic than the human skin fibroblast collagenase, consistent with the different ion-exchange behavior of the two molecules. The specific activity of rat uterine collagenase at 37 degrees C is approximately 3000 micrograms collagen/min/mg, using native reconstituted guinea pig skin type I collagen fibrils as substrate. The enzyme cleaves denatured collagen, but fails to attack a variety of noncollagen proteins.

Human skin fibroblast procollagenase: mechanisms of activation by organomercurials and trypsin

Pure human skin fibroblast procollagenase has been utilized in this study as a model system in which to examine the pathways of organomercurial and trypsin activation. Three organomercurials, p-(hydroxymercuri) benzoate, mersalyl, and p-aminophenylmercuric acetate, were able to fully activate human skin procollagenase with no accompanying loss of molecular weight. Lower molecular weight species were subsequently produced, particularly with a fourth organomercurial, phenylmercuric chloride. The activation process was dependent upon the concentration of the organomercurial compound and the time of incubation, but not on enzyme protein concentration. No evidence of a role for free sulfhydryls was found. Trypsin produced an initial cleavage product of procollagenase which was collagenolytically inactive yet underwent a concentration independent autocatalysis. Thus, procollagenase appeared to have an autocatalytic property which was enhanced by treatment with a variety of agents, all of which may function by perturbation of the zymogen conformation.