Cleavage of fibrinogen by human platelet calcium-activated protease

Proteolysis of plasma-derived factor V following its endocytosis by megakaryocytes forms the platelet-derived factor V/Va pool

BACKGROUND

Central to appropriate thrombin formation at sites of vascular injury is the concerted assembly of plasma- and/or platelet-derived factor (F) Va and FXa on the activated platelet surface. While the plasma-derived procofactor, FV, must be proteolytically activated by α-thrombin to FVa to function in prothrombinase, the platelet molecule is released from α-granules in a partially activated state, obviating the need for proteolytic activation.

OBJECTIVES

The current study was performed to test the hypothesis that subsequent to its endocytosis by megakaryocytes, plasma-derived FV is proteolytically processed to form the platelet-derived pool.

METHODS & RESULTS

Subsequent to FV endocytosis, a time-dependent increase in FV proteolytic products was observed in megakaryocyte lysates by SDS-PAGE followed by phosphorimaging or western blotting. This cleavage was specific and resulted in the formation of products similar in size to FV/Va present in a platelet lysate as well as to the α-thrombin-activated FVa heavy chain and light chain, and their respective precursors. Other proteolytic products were unique to endocytosed FV. The product/precursor relationships of these fragments were defined using anti-FV heavy and light chain antibodies with defined epitopes. Activity measurements indicated that megakaryocyte-derived FV fragments exhibited substantial FVa cofactor activity that was comparable to platelet-derived FV/Va.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these observations suggest that prior to its packaging in α-granules endocytosed FV undergoes proteolysis by one or more specific megakaryocyte protease(s) to form the partially activated platelet-derived pool.

Fibrinogen cleavage by the Streptococcus pyogenes extracellular cysteine protease and generation of antibodies that inhibit enzyme proteolytic activity

The extracellular cysteine protease from Streptococcus pyogenes is a virulence factor that plays a significant role in host-pathogen interaction. Streptococcal protease is expressed as an inactive 40-kDa precursor that is autocatalytically converted into a 28-kDa mature (active) enzyme. Replacement of the single cysteine residue involved in formation of the enzyme active site with serine (C192S mutation) abolished detectable proteolytic activity and eliminated autocatalytic processing of zymogen to the mature form. In the present study, we investigated activity of the wild-type (wt) streptococcal protease toward human fibrinogen and bovine casein. The former is involved in blood coagulation, wound healing, and other aspects of hemostasis. Treatment with streptococcal protease resulted in degradation of the COOH-terminal region of fibrinogen alpha chain, indicating that fibrinogen may serve as an important substrate for this enzyme during the course of human infection. Polyclonal antibodies generated against recombinant 40- and 28-kDa (r40- and r28-kDa) forms of the C192S streptococcal protease mutant exhibited high enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titers but demonstrated different inhibition activities toward proteolytic action of the wt enzyme. Activity of the wt protease was readily inhibited when the reaction was carried out in the presence of antibodies generated against r28-kDa C192S mutant. Antibodies produced against r40-kDa C192S mutant had no significant effect on proteolysis. These data suggest that the presence of the NH(2)-terminal prosegment prevents generation of functionally active antibodies and indicate that inhibition activity of antibodies most likely depends on their ability to bind the active-site region epitope(s) of the protein.

Characterization of proteoglycan degradation by calpain

Degradation of cartilage proteoglycans was investigated under neutral conditions (pH 7.5) by using pig kidney calpain II (EC 3.4.22.17; Ca(2+)-dependent cysteine proteinase). Aggregate and monomer degradation reached a maximum in 5 min at 30 degrees C when the substrate/enzyme ratio was less than 1000:1. The mode of degradation was limited proteolysis of the core protein; the size of the products was larger than that of papain-digested products and comparable with that of trypsin-digested products. The hyaluronic acid-binding region was lost from the major glycosaminoglycan-bearing region after incubation with calpain II. Calpains thus may affect the form of proteoglycans in connective tissue. Ca(2+)-dependent proteoglycan degradation was unique in that proteoglycans adsorb large amounts of Ca2+ ions rapidly before activation of calpain II: 1 mg of pig cartilage proteoglycan monomer adsorbed 1.3-1.6 mu equiv. of Ca2+ ions before activation of calpain II, which corresponds to half the sum of anion groups in glycosaminoglycan side chains. This adsorption of Ca2+ was lost after solvolysis of proteoglycan monomer with methanol/50 mM-HCl, which was used to desulphate glycosaminoglycans. Therefore cartilage proteoglycans are not merely the substrates of proteolysis, but they may regulate the activation of Ca(2+)-dependent enzymes including calpains through tight chelation of Ca2+ ions between glycosaminoglycan side chains.

Activation of calpain I and hydrolysis of calpain substrates (actin-binding protein, glycoprotein Ib, and talin) are not a function of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation

Calcium-activated neutral proteinase (calpain) has been shown to cleave proteins involved in the maintenance of cell structure. In human platelets, substrates of calpain include glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), actin-binding protein (ABP), and talin. GPIb-ABP complexes can be isolated in detergent extracts and are thought to represent membrane-cytoskeleton attachment sites. It has been hypothesized that the hydrolysis of GPIb-ABP by calpain is regulated by the extent of binding of this proteinase to the plasma membrane-cytoskeleton interface with platelet activation. Recently, another calpain substrate (talin) has been shown to redistribute from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane-cytoskeleton interface as the result of thrombin stimulation. To investigate the intracellular distribution of calpain I, we employed the monoclonal antibody B27D8, specific for the heavy chain (catalytic subunit) of calpain I. Indirect immunofluorescent staining of resting human platelets revealed undetectable surface antigen. Permeabilization with Triton X-100, however, revealed a diffuse intracellular antigen consistent with a cytosolic distribution. To determine whether this antigen distribution reflected the proenzyme or the activated form of calpain I and to assess the degree of hydrolysis of ABP, GPIb, and talin, we employed B27D8 and murine monoclonal antibodies against ABP (1B3 and 3D1), GPIb (LJIb10), and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against talin (A2 and B11) in a quantitative immunotransblot assay. Examination of resting platelets revealed that calpain I existed as the 85-kd proenzyme form and that ABP, GPIb, and talin existed in their native intact forms. When platelets were aggregated with thrombin, autoproteolysis of calpain I occurred within the 30 seconds required to completely solubilize platelet aggregates in sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing buffer and not as a direct result of thrombin-induced activation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thrombin-induced platelet aggregates have a dynamic structure. Time-dependent redistribution of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complexes and secreted adhesive proteins

The role of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complexes and of adhesive proteins in mediating platelet aggregation is now well defined. However, less is known of the changes that occur once aggregation has begun. We report immunogold staining of thin sections of platelets or platelet aggregates, embedded in Lowicryl K4M, after the use of polyclonal antibodies to GP IIb or GP IIIa, fibrinogen (Fg), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and thrombospondin (TSP). Bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) was located by species-specific anti-IgG coupled to 5-nm gold particles and by electron microscopy. Initial experiments with platelet-rich plasma confirmed the feasibility of visualizing adhesive proteins between platelets in aggregates. Experiments then continued, using stirred suspensions of washed platelets incubated with alpha-thrombin. After 20 seconds, platelets were in contact without detectable release, although giant secretory vesicles containing adhesive proteins were seen. Internal pools of GP IIb-IIIa were progressively externalized within the aggregate. Secreted Fg was readily detected between platelets at 40 seconds. After 3 minutes, when most of the secretion had occurred, Fg had a patchwork-like distribution within the aggregate. After 6 minutes, zones with closely interspaced surface membranes, usually representing pseudopods, were dominant and Fg free. Results for vWF and TSP were similar to those for Fg. Nonetheless, GP IIb-IIIa complexes continued to be located between adjacent surface membranes throughout the aggregate. Thrombin-induced platelet aggregates were isolated, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble extracts were obtained. Western blot experiments showed that, although fibrinopeptide A had been cleaved, degradation of adhesive proteins by platelet proteases had not occurred. These results emphasize that a platelet aggregate is a dynamic structure and suggest that not all surface-contact interactions are mediated by Fg or the other adhesive proteins tested in this study.

Calpain proteolysis of von Willebrand factor enhances its binding to platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa: an explanation for platelet aggregation in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

We have previously observed calpain activity (calcium-dependent cysteine protease) in sera from patients with acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). The calpain activity was not present following recovery and was not detected in other thrombocytopenic disorders. We postulated that this enzyme could participate in the pathogenesis of TTP. Because other investigators have demonstrated abnormalities of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in patients with TTP, we proposed that calpain might interact with vWF in TTP. To challenge this hypothesis, we measured the binding of untreated and calpain-treated vWF to normal and ADP or calpain activated platelets. Untreated vWF bound in a specific and saturable fashion to activated platelets, but only at low (30 microM) calcium concentrations. Von Willebrand factor did not bind to activated platelets at physiological (2 mM) calcium concentrations. Calpain proteolysis of vWF changed the binding characteristics of the vWF so that it had greatly increased binding to both ADP and calpain activated platelets. The calpain-proteolyzed vWF bound to activated platelets at both low and physiological calcium concentrations, and was capable of causing platelet aggregation. The calpain-proteolyzed vWF bound to the activated platelets via glycoproteins IIb/IIIa as demonstrated by inhibition studies using monoclonal antibodies against glycoproteins IIb/IIIa and Ib. It also had a high binding affinity and was capable of inhibiting the binding of radiolabelled fibrinogen to the activated platelets at physiological calcium concentrations. Calpain also proteolyzed fibrinogen, but the calpain altered fibrinogen had normal platelet reactivity. These studies provide further insight into the pathogenesis of the platelet aggregation of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Calpain proteolyses vWF and can produce the characteristic loss of large multimers seen on sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS)-agarose gel electrophoresis. The altered vWF is highly reactive with activated platelets and binds to platelet glycoproteins IIb/IIIa and participates in formation of the platelet aggregates that characterize this disease.

Calmodulin-binding proteins as calpain substrates

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Quantitation of platelet fibrinogen and thrombospondin in Glanzmann's thrombasthenia by electroimmunoassay

Fibrinogen and thrombospondin are major constituents of human platelet alpha-granules and contribute to cell-cell interactions following their release. Glanzmann's thrombasthenia is characterized by the absence of platelet aggregation and reduced levels of GP IIb-IIIa complexes and platelet fibrinogen. The level of thrombospondin is thought to be normal but has not so far been quantified. Using an electroimmunoassay method adapted from Laurell, we have measured fibrinogen and thrombospondin in platelet extracts of four patients with classical Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and two variants with abnormal platelet aggregation associated with subnormal levels of GP IIb-IIIa complexes. Triton X-100 lysates were prepared in the presence of leupeptin or EDTA to avoid endogenous calcium-dependent protease activation during the solubilization procedure. Platelet fibrinogen was not detected in one patient with type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia; it was reduced to 5-10% of normal values in two other type I patients and to 65% of normal values in one type II patient. It was normal in patient R.P., a variant of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia with 60% of GP IIb-IIIa complexes but decreased in patient A.P. a newly described variant with 35% of GP IIb-IIIa complexes. These findings support a role for GP IIb-IIIa complexes in the packaging of fibrinogen into alpha-granules. Normal or subnormal amounts of thrombospondin were measured in thrombasthenic platelets. Patient A.P., who was investigated on two different occasions, demonstrated variable levels of thrombospondin. This underlines the need for quantifying this protein when evaluating its expression in this disorder.

Calpain I remains intact and intracellular during platelet activation. Immunochemical measurements with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

As a step towards understanding the physiological function of calpain (Ca2+-activated neutral proteinase, EC 3.4.22.17) in blood platelets, and in view of some suggestions that calpain is transferred to the platelet external surface during platelet activation, the enzyme was studied with immunochemical methods in resting and thrombin-activated cells. (1) A mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody was prepared which binds strongly only to the denatured large subunit of human calpain I, and weakly to that of human calpain II. A polyclonal antibody raised against rat calpain II was available which, apart from binding strongly to rat calpain II, binds to the large subunits of human calpain I and II about equally. (2) With these antibodies, it was found that calpain could be detected in fixed platelets in suspension only after permeabilization with 0.1% saponin, and could not be detected on the exterior surface of resting or of activated platelets, or in the supernatant media of these platelets. It was concluded that calpain is not significantly externalized during platelet activation. (3) Immunoblotting showed that conversion of the larger calpain I subunit from 80 kDa into 76-78 kDa occurred only when thrombin-activated platelets were stirred to permit aggregation, and did not occur during unstirred thrombin activation. Although an action of calpain in the 80 kDa form on possible platelet substrates such as cytoskeletal proteins cannot be excluded, calpain is certainly not present as the 76-78 kDa form, which is assumed to be its active form, until aggregation is initiated.

Studies on the anticoagulant action of Aspilia africana

An anticoagulant activity was identified and isolated from the leaves of a West African plant, Aspilia africana by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. The anticoagulant factor had an apparent molecular weight of approximately 60,000 d. Upon incubation with plasma, it prolonged the partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, thrombin and reptilase time. The factor decreased the fibrinogen content of plasma as well as the activity of coagulation factors V, VIII and IX but not factor VII, X or XI activities. After incubation with fibrinogen, the thrombin clotting time was prolonged and the quantity of clottable fibrinogen reduced. The action on fibrinogen was characterized by sequential lytic breakdown of the A-alpha-chain and B-beta-chain, the gamma-chain being lysed last, after prolonged incubation. Benzamidine, Epsilon aminocaproic acid or soybean trypsin inhibitor did not impede lysis.

Activation of coagulation factor V by calcium-dependent proteinase

Factor V is a key coagulation cofactor, regulating the rate of Factor Xa-catalyzed prothrombin conversion. Activation of Factor V markedly accelerates coagulation. This study describes a new class of Factor V activators, sulfhydryl proteinases. Of the enzymes studied, calcium-dependent proteinase was the most effective activator. Activation of Factor V by this enzyme was associated with cleavage of 125I-labeled Factor V to peptides distinct from those generated by previously described activators. Calcium-dependent proteinase-activated Factor Va peptides with molecular weights of 114,000 and 93,000 bound both to Factor Xa and to cultured endothelial cells. Calcium-dependent proteinase was identified in vascular endothelial cells, a tissue that also synthesizes Factor V. These findings suggest a previously unknown mechanism for cellular regulation of coagulation.

High molecular weight kininogen is an inhibitor of platelet calpain

Recent studies from our laboratory indicate that a high concentration of platelet-derived calcium-activated cysteine protease (calpain) can cleave high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK). On immunodiffusion and immunoblot, antiserum directed to the heavy chain of HMWK showed immunochemical identity with alpha-cysteine protease inhibitor--a major plasma inhibitor of tissue calpains. Studies were then initiated to determine whether purified or plasma HMWK was also an inhibitor of platelet calpain. Purified alpha-cysteine protease inhibitor, alpha-2-macroglobulin, as well as purified heavy chain of HMWK or HMWK itself inhibited purified platelet calpain. Kinetic analysis revealed that HMWK inhibited platelet calpain noncompetitively (Ki approximately equal to 5 nM). Incubation of platelet calpain with HMWK, alpha-2-macroglobulin, purified heavy chain of HMWK, or purified alpha-cysteine protease inhibitor under similar conditions resulted in an IC50 of 36, 500, 700, and 1,700 nM, respectively. The contribution of these proteins in plasma towards the inhibition of platelet calpain was investigated next. Normal plasma contained a protein that conferred a five to sixfold greater IC50 of purified platelet calpain than plasma deficient in either HMWK or total kininogen. Reconstitution of total kininogen deficient plasma with purified HMWK to normal levels (0.67 microM) completely corrected the subnormal inhibitory activity. However, reconstitution of HMWK deficient plasma to normal levels of low molecular weight kininogen (2.4 microM) did not fully correct the subnormal calpain inhibitory capacity of this plasma. These studies indicate that HMWK is a potent inhibitor as well as a substrate of platelet calpain and that the plasma and cellular kininogens may function as regulators of cytosolic, calcium-activated cysteine proteases.

Fibrinogen and fibrin: biochemistry and pathophysiology

Fibrinogen is a thrombin-coagulable glycoprotein occurring in the blood of vertebrates. The primary structure of the alpha, beta, and gamma polypeptide chains of human fibrinogen is known from amino acid and nucleic acid sequencing. The intact molecule has a trinodular, dimeric structure and is functionally bivalent. Thrombin cleaves short peptides from the amino termini of the alpha and beta chains exposing polymerization sites that are responsible for the formation of fibrin fibers and appearance of a clot. The major physiological function of fibrinogen is the formation of fibrin that binds together platelets and some plasma proteins in a hemostatic plug. In pathological situations, the network entraps large numbers of erythrocytes and leukocytes forming a thrombus that may occlude a blood vessel. Fibrinogen and fibrin are multifunctional proteins. Fibrinogen is indispensable for platelet aggregation; it also binds to several plasma proteins, however, the biological function of this interaction is not completely understood. Fibrin is an essential matrix for regulation of fibrinolysis and for facilitation of cell attachment in wound healing.

Synthesis of analogs of human platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex by chicken peripheral blood thrombocytes

Human platelets and their phylogenetic counterparts, avian thrombocytes, play a key role in primary hemostasis. Based upon extensive studies in mammals, platelet cohesion resulting in the formation of the "hemostatic plug" is known to be mediated by the mammalian platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex in concert with fibrinogen and calcium. The immunological and biochemical technology already developed for the analyses of mammalian platelet glycoproteins has never been applied to avian thrombocytes. By indirect immunofluorescence, we now show that a polyclonal rabbit antibody specific for human glycoproteins IIb plus IIIa and the well-characterized murine monoclonal anti-IIb-IIIa complex antibody, AP2, both crossreact with IIb and IIIa analogs on intact chicken thrombocytes. By two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we also demonstrate that chicken thrombocytes will incorporate [35S]methionine into several proteins, including the glycoprotein IIb and IIIa analogs during short-term (4 hr) incubation in vitro. This finding indicates that peripheral blood nucleated thrombocytes of the chicken, unlike their mammalian counterparts, retain the capacity to synthesize protein. The significance of these findings is 2-fold. First, we provide biochemical and immunological evidence that those proteins responsible for platelet cohesion in humans are structurally conserved in cells of analogous function in chickens despite the fact that these species have diverged from a common ancestor more than 200-250 million years ago. Second, we identify chicken thrombocytes as a readily available source of messenger RNA encoding numerous proteins analogous to those already characterized in human platelets, including glycoproteins IIb and IIIa.

In vitro correction of the abnormal multimeric structure of von Willebrand factor in type IIa von Willebrand's disease

Type IIa von Willebrand's disease (vWd) has been characterized by the absence of the largest and a reduction in the intermediate-sized multimers of the plasma and platelet von Willebrand factor (vWf) and by the diminished response of the platelet-rich plasma of these patients to ristocetin. Other recently demonstrated abnormalities include the presence of an abnormal triplet structure of vWf. We have studied the plasma and platelets from three patients with this form of vWd and have found that both their plasma and platelets manifest the previously described abnormalities. Because of the heterogeneity of the multimeric structure of the vWf in these patients, we considered the possibility that postsynthetic events may have modified the vWf. When blood was collected in 5 mM EDTA or 5 mM EDTA/leupeptin/N-ethylmaleimide, the abnormal multimeric structure of the plasma and platelet vWf was partially normalized in that the intermediate and the largest vWf multimers were increased, the abnormal multimer structure was no longer as apparent, and the fastest migrating band (an abnormality seen only in the type IIa vWd plasma and platelets) disappeared. The enzymatic activity responsible for this degradation can be classified as a calcium-dependent protease. Studies of normal radiolabeled vWf incubated with platelet lysates from normal subjects and these patients revealed that the patients' platelets did not contain increased amounts of calcium-dependent protease activity as assessed by degradation of normal vWf. These data suggest that patients with type IIa vWd synthesize an abnormal vWf protein that is susceptible to in vitro proteolytic degradation and that proteolytic degradation can play a significant role in the phenotypic expression of vWd by modifying the plasma and platelet vWf multimeric structure.

Fibrinogen Manchester. Detection of a heterozygous phenotype in the intraplatelet pool

Family members heterozygous for the congenitally abnormal fibrinogen designated fibrinogen Manchester, A alpha 16Arg----His, have previously been shown by h.p.l.c. and amino acid analysis to release a variant fibrinopeptide, [His16]fibrinopeptide A, from plasma fibrinogen after the addition of thrombin. The present study was designed to determine if the same abnormal phenotype was also present in the intraplatelet fibrinogen pool. Fresh platelets were washed in buffers containing EDTA until it could be shown that all washable plasma fibrinogen was removed. Normal platelets were then lysed by freezing and thawing to release their intracellular proteins, which were then treated with thrombin. The fibrinopeptides, cleaved from the intraplatelet fibrinogen, could be detected by an optimized h.p.l.c. technique. Quantification of the intraplatelet fibrinogen gave a result (means +/- S.D., n = 5) of 110 +/- 30 and 90 +/- 30 micrograms/10(9) platelets, when determined by h.p.l.c. quantification of fibrinopeptide B content and fibrinogen fragment E radioimmunoassay respectively. Examination of fibrinopeptides released from the platelet fibrinogen from the family with fibrinogen Manchester with the same techniques showed elution peaks in the same positions as both [His16]fibrinopeptide A and normal fibrinopeptide A. The identity of these peaks was further substantiated by analysis of the h.p.l.c. peaks by using specific radioimmunoassay to fibrinopeptide A. Our results therefore demonstrate that platelet fibrinogen expresses the heterozygous A alpha 16His phenotype. This supports the view that the A alpha chains of platelet and plasma fibrinogen are produced from a single genetic locus.

Evidence that rat platelet fibrinogen molecules lack the gamma' chain variant found in plasma fibrinogen molecules

Heterogeneity of rat plasma fibrinogen gamma chains (gamma A, gamma') is due to differential splicing of the primary mRNA transcript. Human gamma' chains, which amount to 7% of the total gamma chain population of plasma (hepatic) fibrinogen, are not detectable in fibrinogen isolated from platelets. In this investigation, we extended our studies to rats and found that gamma' chains, representing 30% of the rat plasma gamma chain population, are not detectable in their platelet fibrinogen.

Glycoprotein V hydrolysis by thrombin. Lack of correlation with secretion

Platelet membrane glycoprotein V (GPV) was hydrolyzed during thrombin-induced platelet aggregation releasing a fragment GPVfl into the supernatant. Hydrolysis of GPV required catalytically active thrombin and was diminished by chemical modification of the fibrinogen binding site of thrombin. Half-maximal liberation of GPVfl occurred at a 10-fold higher concentration of thrombin than was required for half-maximal release. Time course studies at several thrombin concentrations showed disparate release of GPVfl and thrombospondin. These results emphasize the complexity of the initial events in thrombin-induced platelet activation.

Fibrinogen synthesis by megakaryocyte rich human marrow cell concentrates

A rapid method is described for the production of a human marrow cell suspension highly enriched in megakaryocytes. These concentrates were incubated with radiolabelled amino-acids, and cell lysates were then analysed for fibrinogen synthesis. Neosynthesized proteins were detected by immunoprecipitation, immuno-affinity chromatography and electrophoresis. Fluorography of the electrophoresis gels showed three radioactive bands corresponding to the three chains of cold fibrinogen. Immunoblotting and autoradiography of bidimensional, nonreduced-reduced electrophoresis gels showed that these three proteins were joined by disulfide bonds in the cell. These results suggest that megakaryocytes synthesize fibrinogen, and imply that platelet fibrinogen is of megakaryocytic origin.