Analogues of the thrombin receptor tethered-ligand enhance mesangial cell proliferation

The role of protease-activated receptor-1 in bone healing

Protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1, a G-protein-coupled receptor activated by thrombin, mediates thrombin-induced proliferation of osteoblasts. The current study was undertaken to define the role of PAR-1 in bone repair. Holes were drilled transversely through the diaphysis of both tibiae of PAR-1-null and wild-type mice. Three days later, fewer cells had invaded the drill site from adjacent bone marrow in PAR-1-null mice than in wild-type mice, and a lower percentage of cells were labeled with [(3)H]thymidine in PAR-1-null drill sites. More osteoclasts were also observed in the drill site of PAR-1-null mice than in wild-type mice 7 days after drilling. New mineralized bone area was less in the drill site and on the adjacent periosteal surface in PAR-1-null mice than in wild-type mice at day 9. From day 14, no obvious differences could be seen between PAR-1-null and wild-type tibiae. In vitro thrombin caused a dose-dependent increase in proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells isolated from wild-type mice but not PAR-1-null mice. Thrombin stimulated survival of bone marrow stromal cells from both wild-type and PAR-1-null mice, but it did not affect bone marrow stromal cell migration in either wild-type or PAR-1-null cells. The results indicate that PAR-1 plays an early role in bone repair.

PAR-2 elicits afferent arteriolar vasodilation by NO-dependent and NO-independent actions

Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are a novel class of G protein-coupled receptors that respond to signals through endogenous proteinases. PAR activation involves enzymatic cleavage of the extracellular NH(2)-terminal domain and unmasking of a new NH(2) terminus, which serves as an anchored ligand to activate the receptor. At least four PAR subtypes have been identified. In the present study, we used the in vitro perfused hydronephrotic rat kidney to examine the effects of activating PAR-2 on the afferent arteriole. The synthetic peptide SLIGRL-NH(2), which corresponds to the exposed ligand sequence and selectively activates PAR-2, did not alter basal afferent arteriolar diameter but caused a concentration-dependent vasodilation (3-30 microM) of arterioles preconstricted by angiotensin II (0.1 nM). A modified peptide sequence (LSIGRL-NH(2), inactive at PAR-2) had no effect. This vasodilation was characterized by an initial transient component followed by a smaller sustained response. A similar pattern of vasodilation was seen when SLIGRL-NH(2) was administered to isolated perfused normal rat kidney. The sustained component of the PAR-2-induced afferent arteriolar vasodilation was eliminated by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibition (100 microM nitro-L-arginine methyl ester). In contrast, the transient vasodilation persisted under these conditions. This transient response was not observed when afferent arterioles were preconstricted with elevated KCl, suggesting involvement of an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. Finally, RT-PCR revealed the presence of PAR-2 mRNA in isolated afferent arterioles. These findings indicate that PAR-2 is expressed in the afferent arteriole and that its activation elicits afferent arteriolar vasodilation by NO-dependent and NO-independent mechanisms.

Thrombin is a novel regulator of hexokinase activity in mesangial cells

BACKGROUND

Hexokinase (HK) activity is fundamentally important to cellular glucose uptake and metabolism. Phorbol esters increase both HK activity and glucose utilization in cultured mesangial cells via a protein kinase C (PKC)- and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2)-dependent mechanism. In adult kidneys, increased HK activity has been reported in both glomerular injury and in diabetes, but the mechanisms responsible for these changes are unknown. Thrombin, a known activator of both PKC and ERK1/2, is increased in the settings of renal injury and diabetes. Thus, thrombin may contribute to the observed changes in HK activity in vivo.

METHODS

Thrombin and thrombin receptor agonists were tested for the ability to increase HK activity and glucose metabolism in murine mesangial (SV40 MES 13) cells. ERK1/2 activation was also evaluated in parallel. Thrombin inhibition (hirudins), PKC depletion, Ser-Thr kinase inhibition (H-7), MEK1/2 inhibition (PD98059), pertussis toxin (PTX), and general inhibitors of transcription or translation were then tested for the ability to attenuate these effects.

RESULTS

Thrombin (>/=0.01 U/mL) mimicked the effect of phorbol esters, increasing HK activity> 50% within 12 to 24 hours (P < 0.05). This effect was inhibited by hirudins, mimicked by thrombin receptor agonists, and accompanied by increased Glc utilization. H-7, PD98059, and general inhibitors of transcription or translation-but not PTX-prevented thrombin-induced HK activity at 24 hours. PKC depletion and PD98059 also blocked the associated phosphorylation and activation of ERK1/2.

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombin increases mesangial cell HK activity via a PTX-insensitive mechanism involving thrombin receptor activation, PKC-dependent activation of ERK1/2, and both ongoing gene transcription and de novo protein synthesis. As such, thrombin is a novel regulator of HK activity in mesangial cells and may play a role in coupling renal injury to metabolism.

Age-related expression of renal thrombospondin 1 mRNA in F344 rats: resemblance to diabetes-induced expression in obese Zucker rats

Age-related increases occurred in renal thrombospondin 1 (TSP1) mRNA in F344 rats, resembling diabetes-induced TSP1 mRNA in the obese Zucker rat. TSP1 mRNA was 3.5-fold higher in 24-month-old than in 3-month-old F344 rats. TSP1 mRNA increased similarly in 5-month-old obese Zucker rats as compared with lean littermates and correlated positively with the extent of proteinuria (r = 0.71). In situ hybridization identified elevated TSP1 mRNA levels in epithelial cells of distended tubules as well as in interstitium near dilated tubules of both 24-month-old F344 rats and 5-month-old obese Zucker rats. Furthermore, thrombin increased TSP1 mRNA in mesangial and epithelial cells in culture, indicating that thrombin may contribute to elevated TSP1 expression in renal disease. Thrombin increased TSP1 mRNA within 30 min after treatment which required de novo synthesis of protein. The thrombin receptor tethered ligand peptide, SFLLRN, increased TSP1 mRNA, indicating that the thrombin-induced increase in TSP1 mRNA was due to direct thrombin receptor (PAR1) stimulation. These results show that increased TSP1 mRNA levels are a component of interstitial fibrosis seen in aged and diabetic kidneys and suggest that similar pathological changes occur in kidneys of aging and diabetic rats.

Proteinase-activated receptors: novel mechanisms of signaling by serine proteases

Although serine proteases are usually considered to act principally as degradative enzymes, certain proteases are signaling molecules that specifically regulate cells by cleaving and triggering members of a new family of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs). There are three members of this family, PAR-1 and PAR-3, which are receptors for thrombin, and PAR-2, a receptor for trypsin and mast cell tryptase. Proteases cleave within the extracellular NH2-terminus of their receptors to expose a new NH2-terminus. Specific residues within this tethered ligand domain interact with extracellular domains of the cleaved receptor, resulting in activation. In common with many G protein-coupled receptors, PARs couple to multiple G proteins and thereby activate many parallel mechanisms of signal transduction. PARs are expressed in multiple tissues by a wide variety of cells, where they are involved in several pathophysiological processes, including growth and development, mitogenesis, and inflammation. Because the cleaved receptor is physically coupled to its agonist, efficient mechanisms exist to terminate signaling and prevent uncontrolled stimulation. These include cleavage of the tethered ligand, receptor phosphorylation and uncoupling from G proteins, and endocytosis and lysosomal degradation of activated receptors.

Binding of a thrombin receptor tethered ligand analogue to human platelet thrombin receptor

A thrombin receptor-radioligand binding assay was developed using [3H]A(pF-F)R(ChA)(hR)Y-NH2 ([3H]haTRAP), a high affinity thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP), and human platelet membranes. Scatchard analysis of saturation binding data indicated that [3H]haTRAP bound to platelet membranes with a Kd of 15 nM and a Bmax of 5.2 pmol/mg of protein. The binding was reduced by GPPNHP, a nonmetabolizable GTP analogue. Various TRAPs and a TRAP antagonist, but not other receptor agonists, displaced [3H]haTRAP from the binding sites. SFLLRN-NH2, a thrombin receptor-tethered ligand analogue, and [3H]haTRAP exhibited competitive binding for the same binding sites. The relative affinity of these peptides for the binding site paralleled their EC50 or IC50 values for platelet aggregation. These data indicate that [3H]haTRAP binds specifically and saturably to the functioning G protein-linked thrombin (tethered ligand) receptor in human platelet membranes.