Characterization of two murine monoclonal antibodies (P10, P12) directed against different determinants on human blood platelet thrombospondin

Function-blocking antithrombospondin-1 monoclonal antibodies

BACKGROUND

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) has been implicated in many different processes based in part on inhibitory activities of anti-TSP-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).

OBJECTIVE

To map epitopes of 13 anti-TSP-1 mAbs to individual modules or groups of modules spanning TSP-1 and the closely related TSP-2 homolog.

RESULTS

The mapping has led to assignment or reassignment of the epitopes of four mAbs, refinement of the epitopes of six mAbs, and confirmation of the epitopes of the remaining three mAbs. ESTs10, P12, and MA-II map to the N-terminal domain; 5G11, TSP127.6, and ESTs12 to the third properdin module; C6.7, HB8432, and P10 to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like modules 1 and/or 2; and A6.1, mAb133, MA-I, and D4.6 to the calcium-binding wire module. A6.1, which recognizes a region of the wire that is identical in mouse and human TSP-1, reacts with TSP-1 from both species, and also reacts weakly with human TSP-2. Two other mouse antihuman TSP-1 mAbs, A4.1 and D4.6, also react with mouse TSP-1.

CONCLUSIONS

Consideration of previous literature and mapping of epitopes of inhibitory mAbs suggest that biological activities are present throughout TSP-1, including the EGF-like modules that have not been implicated in the past. Because the epitopes for 10 of the antibodies likely are within 18 nm of one another in calcium-replete TSP-1, some of the inhibitory effects may result from steric hindrance. Such seems to be the case for mAb133, which binds the calcium-binding wire but is still able to interfere with the activation of latent TGF-beta by the properdin modules.

Immunohistochemical labelling of components of the endoneurial extracellular matrix of intact and rhizotomized dorsal and ventral spinal roots of the rat--a quantitative evaluation using image analysis

The endoneurial extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules are involved in cell signalling during nervous system development and regeneration. Quantitative differences of immunofluorescence labelling for chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), fibronectin (FN), tenascin-C (TN-C), and thrombospondin (TSP) were evaluated in intact rat dorsal and ventral roots and dorsal and ventral roots 2 and 4 weeks after rhizotomy using image analysis. The distal stumps of spinal roots displayed increased immunolabelling for the molecules with higher immunofluorescence in dorsal than in ventral roots up to 2 weeks from transection. Four weeks after rhizotomy, the immunoreactivity for CSPG, TN-C and TSP decreased in dorsal and increased in ventral root stumps, although a higher level of immunofluorescence for FN remained in both dorsal and ventral root stumps 4 weeks after injury in comparison to 2 weeks after injury. We suggest that the amount of some ECM molecules changed differentially 2 and 4 weeks after rhizotomy to create an appropriate environment in the endoneurium for early and later regrowth of sensory and motor axons. The results presented here are the first report of differences between the endoneurial ECM content of damaged afferent and motor nerve fibers. In addition, the immunohistochemical detection of individual ECM molecules indicated that final extrinsic conditions stimulating the regrowth of regenerating axons probably arise from a balance of both growth-promoting and -inhibiting molecules in the endoneurium.

Thrombospondin-1 expression in relation to p53 status and VEGF expression in human breast cancers

The aim of the present study was to study the expression and relationship of potential angiogenic factors. Paraffin-embedded tumour sections from 261 breast cancer patients were stained immunohistochemically for thrombospondin (TSP-1) expression. p53 status was previously determined by cDNA-based sequencing, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression had been previously analysed using an immunoassay. 241 cancers (92%) had detectable levels of TSP-1. No associations between TSP-1 and p53 status or VEGF were found. No correlations between TSP-1 and relapse-free (P=0.3), breast cancer-corrected (P=0.2) or overall survival (P=0.5) were found. A correlation was found for patients with p53 mutations, but negative p53 expression, with higher VEGF levels (P=0.009), but there was no correlation between this p53 group and those with low TSP-1 levels (P=0.2). In conclusion, TSP-1 expression was not prognostic and was not associated with neither p53-status or VEGF expression.

Platelet-osteosarcoma cell interaction is mediated through a specific fibrinogen-binding sequence located within the N-terminal domain of thrombospondin 1

Approximately 20% of patients with osteosarcoma have metastatic disease in lungs or bones at diagnosis. The requirement of platelets in hematogenous dissemination of metastatic cells is now well established. Tumor cells interact with platelets and induce platelet aggregation. In this respect, metastatic potential of tumor cells correlates with their capacity to aggregate platelets in vitro. We have previously shown that thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) is synthesized and expressed on the surface of MG-63 osteosarcoma cells and mediates platelet-osteosarcoma cell interaction. However, active sites mimicking the function of TSP-1 during platelet-osteosarcoma cell interaction are not known. In this study, a panel of antibodies directed against the N-terminal and C-terminal domains and type 1, type 2, and type 3 repeats of TSP-1 were first used to delineate the structural requirement for the binding of osteosarcoma cell surface-associated TSP-1 to platelets. A drastic inhibition of the platelet-aggregating activity of MG-63 cells was obtained in the presence of a monoclonal antibody directed against the N-terminal domain of TSP-1. Among a series of 16 synthetic peptides spanning the whole N-terminal domain of TSP-1, only synthetic peptide N12/I encompassing amino acid residues 151-164 of the N-terminal domain of TSP-1 inhibited the platelet-aggregating activity of MG-63 cells. Electron microscopy studies showed that peptide N12/I strongly inhibited platelet-osteosarcoma cell interaction. A polyclonal antibody directed against peptide N12/I specifically bound to the surface of MG-63 cells, recognized TSP-1 and drastically inhibited the platelet-aggregating activity of MG-63 cells. In addition, peptide N12/I specifically bound to fibrinogen and inhibited TSP-1/fibrinogen interaction. Overall, our results provide evidence that a fibrinogen-binding sequence located within the N-terminal domain of TSP-1 mediates the binding of osteosarcoma cell surface-associated TSP-1 to platelet-bound fibrinogen.

Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) and thrombospondin in the developing follicle and corpus luteum of the rat

In adult mammals, growth of new vasculature from extant blood vessels (angiogenesis) is rare in the absence of pathology. However, nonpathogenic angiogenesis occurs in the cycling ovary when the avascular postovulatory follicle transforms into a highly vascularized corpus luteum (CL). To improve our understanding of molecular mechanisms that regulate nonpathogenic vascular growth, we characterized the expression of two secreted matricellular proteins associated with angiogenesis, SPARC and thrombospondin (TSP), in postovulatory preluteal follicles and CL of hormone-primed immature rats. By indirect immunofluorescence with specific antibodies, we found SPARC in the cytoplasOFFf granulosa cells and thecal cells of preluteal follicles, in connective tissue cells of the ovarian interstitium, and in the oocyte nucleus. Administration of a luteinizing stimulus (chorionic gonadotropin) increased the expression of SPARC in granulosa cells. TSP was prominent in the basement membranes of growing follicles. Many cells in the early vascularizing CL expressed both SPARC and TSP. Neovascularization of CL was accompanied by expression of SPARC in nascent vessels and concentration of TSP in central avascular areas. In mature CL, steroidogenic luteal cells expressed both SPARC and TSP. Luteal cells of regressing CL retained SPARC to a variable degree but did not express TSP. The observed changes in expression of SPARC and TSP during development of the CL support distinct roles for these matricellular proteins in nonpathological morphogenesis and angiogenesis.

Localization of thrombospondin, CD36 and CD51 during prenatal development of the human mammary gland

Thrombospondin (TSP) is a 450 kDa extracellular matrix glycoprotein expressed in normal, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human breast. In this study, the patterns of expression of TSP were determined during development of the human fetal mammary gland between the 15th and the 39th week of gestation. Using immunohistochemistry, TSP is found in the dense mesenchyme immediately adjacent to the mammary bud, and at the membrane of budding epithelial cells invading the surrounding mesenchyme. As formation of the ductal tree system occurs, TSP is deposited at the myoepithelial-stromal junction of mammary ducts. Such an immunolocalization of TSP in buds and ducts of the fetal mammary gland has been confirmed at the mRNA level using in situ hybridization. Presence of TSP transcripts in nascent breast tissue has been also demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction assay. Comparison of TSP immunolocalization with that of two known TSP cell surface receptors, CD36 and CD51, reveals no codistribution of TSP with these receptors during mammary gland development. As opposed to TSP, CD36 is strongly expressed at the membrane of preadipocytes present in the fat pad tissue, but absent from budding epithelial cells. CD51 is only weakly expressed by malpighian epithelial cells and does not colocalize with TSP. In lactating ducts of a newborn, TSP disappears from the myoepithelial-stromal junction of ducts and is synthesized at the apices of secretory epithelial cells of lactating ducts together with CD36. In conclusion, our findings support the existence of an important role for TSP during development of the human fetal mammary gland.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The growth-supportive effect of thrombospondin (TSP1) and the expression of TSP1 by human MG-63 osteoblastic cells are both inhibited by dexamethasone

Thrombospondin (TSP) is a 450-kDa extracellular matrix glycoprotein which supports the growth of human MG-63 osteoblastic cells [Abbadia et al., FEBS Lett., 329 (1993) 341-346]. In this study, we describe the effect of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on cell proliferation and TSP expression by MG-63 cells. Using a serum-free mitogenesis assay, dexamethasone (25 to 500 nM) caused a dose-dependent decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation by MG-63 cells in culture, reaching 40% inhibition of cell proliferation at a concentration of 250 nM. Similarly, the stimulatory effect of TSP (500 ng/ml) on proliferation of MG-63 cells was totally abolished in the presence of dexamethasone (250 nM). In situ hybridization indicated that TSP mRNA level in dexamethasone-treated MG-63 cells decreased compared to quiescent cells. As judged by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, dexamethasone treatment of MG-63 cells resulted in a 50 to 70% decrease in TSP cell surface expression compared to quiescent cells. Secretion of TSP in the culture fluid of dexamethasone-treated MG-63 cells also decreased by 40% while, under similar experimental conditions, a 180% increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in dexamethasone-treated cells. Because glucocorticoids induce osteoporosis in vivo and reduce proliferation of osteoblasts in vitro, our results argue for an important role of TSP during bone formation.

Thrombospondin (TSP1) mediates in vitro proliferation of human MG-63 osteoblastic cells induced by alpha-thrombin

Thrombospondin (TSP) is a 450-kDa glycoprotein synthesized and secreted by human MG-63 osteoblastic cells. In this study, we have first studied the effect of alpha-thrombin on TSP expression by human MG-63 cells. In situ hybridization indicated that TSP mRNA level in thrombin-treated MG-63 cells was increased when compared to unstimulated cells. As judged by immunofluorescence, thrombin-treatment of MG-63 cells resulted in increased cell surface expression of TSP when compared to quiescent cells. Because thrombin stimulates proliferation of osteoblastic cells, the involvement of TSP in proliferation of thrombin-stimulated osteoblastic cells was then investigated using a serum-free mitogenesis assay. Both alpha-thrombin (0.01 to 0.15 U/ml) and TSP (5 to 600 ng/ml) caused a dose-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation by MG-63 cells. Proliferation of osteoblastic cells induced by alpha-thrombin or TSP was specifically and totally inhibited by anti-TSP monoclonal antibodies (3-10 micrograms/ml) or by indomethacin (1 microM), an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis. Anti-TSP antibodies which inhibited cell proliferation also inhibit TSP expression to the surface of these cells. Our experiments support the existence of a mechanism whereby TSP bound to the cell surface of thrombin-treated MG-63 cells stimulates secretion of prostaglandins which, in turn, allow cell proliferation to proceed.

Human platelet glycoprotein IIIb binds to thrombospondin fragments bearing the C-terminal region, and/or the type I repeats (CSVTCG motif), but not to the N-terminal heparin-binding region

Major blood membrane platelet glycoprotein IIIb (GPIIIb), also termed GPIV or CD365, has been identified as a receptor for thrombospondin (TSP), collagen and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. The aim of the present study was to identify region(s) of TSP involved in binding of GPIIIb. Proteolytic fragments of TSP (M(r) 140 kDa, 120-18 kDa and 27 kDa on SDS/PAGE under reducing conditions) were purified by f.p.l.c. and identified by N-terminal gas-phase sequencing, e.l.i.s.a. and Western blots using monoclonal antibodies directed against defined domains of TSP. The 140 kDa and 120-18 kDa fragments (C-terminal region), but not the 27 kDa fragment (N-terminal region), were shown to bind to GPIIIb by using e.l.i.s.a. and affinity-chromatography systems. TSP binding to a GPIIIb-affinity column was Ca(2+)-dependent and reduced by 45% in the presence of EDTA. Moreover, TSP was only partially eluted with EDTA from a Ca(2+)-equilibrated GPIIIb column. A fragment of 68 kDa, obtained by further digestion of the 140 kDa fragment, bound to the GPIIIb-Sepharose affinity column. This fragment, or stalk-like region, bears the TSP type I repeats that show sequence similarity to regions on properdin, Plasmodium falciparum proteins and antistasin. Peptides (CSVTCG or SVTCGGGV) representing these repeats bound isolated GPIIIb in a Ca(2+)-independent way, but did not completely inhibit the GPIIIb and TSP interaction. These studies indicate that GPIIIb binds to the TSP via the C-terminal region and/or the CSVTCG motif, but not to the N-terminal region. Interaction between GPIIIb and the TSP C-terminal region or the CSVTCG motif is respectively Ca(2+)-dependent and -independent.

Immunochemical properties of Naja naja atra (Taiwan cobra) phospholipase A2 using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies

The immuno-chemical properties of Naja naja atra phospholipase A2 (NNA-PLA2) were studied by using the chemically modified PLA2 derivatives and the PLA2 homologues toward anti-NNA-PLA2 polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. Anti-NNA-PLA2 polyclonal antibodies inhibited the enzymatic activity of NNA-PLA2 and Hemachatus haemachatus DE-I by 87% and 68%, respectively. However, the enzymatic activities of Naja nigricollis CMS-9 and notexin were not significantly affected by the polyclonal antibodies. Competitive enzyme immunoassay revealed that the affinity of NNA-PLA2 for polyclonal antibodies was 330-fold higher than that of Hemachatus haemachatus DE-I. Naja nigricollis CMS-9 and notexin failed to inhibit the binding of NNA-PLA2 to polyclonal antibodies. This implies that the epitope(s) of NNA-PLA2 might comprise some substituted residues in the sequence of PLA2 homologues. Three monoclonal antibodies against NNA-PLA2 were prepared by a hybridoma technique. Two of these monoclonal antibodies inhibited the enzymatic activity of NNA-PLA2, but the other did not. Removal of the N-terminal octapeptide affected the epitope interacting with these monoclonal antibodies. Selective modification of tyrosine residues at positions 3 and 63 or lysine residues at positions 6 and 65 induced a substantial reduction in affinity of NNA-PLA2 for polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. The three monoclonal antibodies failed to recognize PLA2 homologues. The comparison of the sequence of NNA-PLA2 to those of PLA2 homologues showed that most of the amino acid substitutions of PLA2 homologues occur in the spatially nearby region of the N-terminal region and residues at positions 63 and 65.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Osteonectin is an alpha-granule component involved with thrombospondin in platelet aggregation

We previously showed that thrombospondin, a major alpha-granule glycoprotein of human platelets, forms a specific complex with osteonectin, a phosphoglycoprotein originally described in bone that is also present in human platelets. The storage organelles and the function of osteonectin in platelets are still unknown. In this study, using electron microscopy in combination with immunogold staining, the major storage organelle for platelet-secreted proteins, the alpha-granules. Furthermore, osteonectin was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by studying normal platelets and the platelets from a patient with gray platelet syndrome. Gray platelet syndrome is a rare congenital bleeding disorder characterized by a selective deficiency in morphologically recognizable platelet alpha-granules and in the alpha-granule secretory proteins. Binding of an iodinated antiosteonectin monoclonal antibody to gray platelet proteins transferred to nitrocellulose from SDS-polyacrylamide gels showed no band corresponding to osteonectin compared to control platelets. Using a polyclonal antiosteonectin antibody-based radioimmunoassay, gray platelets contained 0.2 +/- 0.03 ng osteonectin per 10(6) platelets, which is only 20% of the normal platelet content of osteonectin (0.93 +/- 0.16 ng per 10(6) platelets). Study of the localization of osteonectin to the surface of human platelets demonstrated that a radioiodinated antiosteonectin polyclonal antibody bound specifically to thrombin-stimulated platelets but not to resting platelets. Binding was concentration-dependent, saturable (1710 +/- 453 binding sites per platelet, Kd = 1 microM), and inhibited by an excess of cold antiosteonectin polyclonal antibody. No binding was observed on the surface of thrombin-stimulated gray platelets. To gain further insights into the role of osteonectin released from activated platelets, the effect of an antiosteonectin polyclonal antibody was tested on the aggregation of washed platelets. F(ab')2 fragments from the antiosteonectin polyclonal antibody inhibited in a dose-dependent manner the aggregation of collagen-stimulated, washed human platelets without affecting collagen-induced platelet serotonin release. To characterize the mechanism through which antiosteonectin F(ab')2 fragments inhibit platelet aggregation, the expression of endogenous thrombospondin (TSP) on the surface of thrombin-activated platelets was studied using 125I-labeled anti-TSP monoclonal antibody P10. The endogenous surface expression of TSP to thrombin-stimulated platelets was significantly inhibited in the presence of antiosteonectin F(ab')2 fragments (6286 +/- 2065 molecules of P10 per platelet) compared to 11,230 +/- 766 molecules of P10 per platelet in the presence of nonimmune F(ab')2 fragments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Thrombospondin-induced adhesion of human platelets

Washed human unactivated platelets attached and spread on thrombospondin (TSP)-coated microtiter plates. Platelet adhesion was promoted by divalent cations Mn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ as compared to buffer having all divalent cations complexed with EDTA. TSP-dependent adhesion was inhibited by anti-TSP fab fragments, an anti-TSP monoclonal antibody, an RGD-containing peptide, complex-specific anti-glycoprotein (GP)IIb-IIIa monoclonal antibodies (A2A9 or AP-2) and anti-VLA-2 monoclonal antibodies (6F1 and Gi9), but not by rabbit preimmune fab fragments, mouse IgG, an anti-GPIIIa monoclonal antibody, or monoclonal antibodies against either the human vitronectin receptor, glycocalicin, or GPIV. At saturating concentrations, anti-GPIIb-IIIa inhibited adhesion by 40-60%. Glanzman's thrombasthenic platelets, which lack GPIIb-IIIa, adhered to TSP to the same extent as anti-GPIIb-IIIa-treated normal platelets or 40-60% as well as untreated normal platelets. Antibody 6F1 (5-10 micrograms/ml) inhibited platelet adhesion of both normal and thrombasthenic platelets by 84-100%. Both VLA-2 antibodies also inhibited collagen-induced platelet adhesion, but had no effect on fibronectin-induced adhesion of normal platelets. These data indicate that platelets specifically adhere to TSP and that this adhesion is mediated through GPIIb-IIIa and/or VLA-2.

Circulating activated platelets in myeloproliferative disorders

Platelet activation in patients with myeloproliferative disorders is often suggested by increased platelet alpha-granule secretion and an acquired storage pool defect of dense granules. To determine whether activated platelets circulate in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders, we evaluated the binding of monoclonal antibodies against activation-dependent epitopes on resting platelets (P 12, CD 63, and CD 62) in 12 patients with prominent megakaryocytic proliferation (8 patients with essential thrombocythemia, 2 with chronic myeloid leukemia, and 2 patients with polycythemia rubra vera). In addition, platelet aggregation in response to collagen, adenosine diphosphate, platelet activating factor, and agglutination with ristocetin was investigated. In 3 patients there was an increased percentage of platelets binding at least 1 activation marker. In 2 other patients, a trend towards increased antibody binding was observed. Binding of the antibody to thrombospondin (P 12) was related to expression of the GMP 140 protein (CD 62, r = 0.76, p = 0.004). There was no correlation of platelet aggregation defects in vitro to increased expression of platelet activation markers or to thrombohaemorrhagic complications. However, circulating activated platelets were detected in three out of five patients with a history of bleeding or thrombotic complications. The results of this preliminary study suggest that some but not all patients with myeloproliferative disorders showed increased amounts of circulating activated platelets. The relation of bleeding and thrombotic complications to the expression of activation-dependent epitopes on platelets in myeloproliferative disorders requires further investigation.

Specific inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation by thrombospondin

Angiogenesis is a multi-step event involving endothelial cell migration, attachment, and proliferation. A thrombospondin (TSP)-like protein has recently been described as a naturally-occurring inhibitor of angiogenesis. We now report that human platelet TSP inhibits the in vitro proliferation of endothelial cells from the rabbit corpus luteum, bovine adrenal cortex and pulmonary artery, and human umbilical vein. The antiproliferative effect of TSP was neutralized by monoclonal antibodies against TSP. The growth arrest seen with TSP was specific for endothelial cells since TSP actually stimulated the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells and human foreskin fibroblasts. These results imply that the angiogenesis-inhibiting effect of TSP is mediated through an inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation. Elucidation of the mechanism of action of TSP on endothelial cell proliferation may lead to potential therapeutic approaches for the control of neovascular diseases.

Flow-cytometric detection of surface membrane alterations and concomitant changes in the cytoskeletal actin status of activated platelets

Occlusive vascular diseases are promoted by a "prethrombotic state" with increased platelet activity. Polymerization of cytoskeletal proteins and exposure of subcellular structures or rebinding of secreted proteins have been characterized as early reactions after platelet activation preceding adhesion and aggregation. Here, we demonstrate the kinetic increase in specific binding of monoclonal antibodies to thrombospondin (P10) and to platelet membrane activation markers CD63 (GP53, a 53 kD lysosomal protein) and CD62 (GMP140, a 140 kD alpha granule protein) by using a flow-cytometric bio-assay and the related change in the actin status by using the DNase-I inhibition assay after stimulation of normal human platelets with 0.2 U/ml thrombin. F-actin was raised from 41% to 51% of total platelet actin content 30 s after stimulation and remained thereafter constant (50% at 60 s). Simultaneously, the percentage of P10, CD63, and CD62 positive platelets was elevated from 5.4%, 24.4%, and 9.1% to 67.4%, 80.2%, and 82.3% respectively. The mean number of P10, CD63, and CD62 antibody binding sites increased from 3,300, 1,715, and 2,146 to 6,400, 6,800, and 9,016 per platelet. Conclusively, changes in the organization of the cytoskeletal protein "actin" and exposure of subcellular structures indicating platelet secretion can be regarded as markers of early platelet activation. Thus, the parallel response in both analytical systems provides further support for the diagnostic concept of flow-cytometric detection of preactivated platelets in the peripheral blood by using fluochrome staining procedures detecting activation dependent structural alterations directly at the cellular level.

Thrombospondin is synthesized and secreted by human osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells. A model to study the different effects of thrombospondin in cell adhesion

In this study we have shown by both immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation techniques that human osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells synthesize and secrete thrombospondin, a 450-kDa glycoprotein initially found in platelets. Immunofluorescence with a mouse monoclonal antibody to human platelet thrombospondin yielded specific granular staining within the cytoplasm of human osteoblasts. SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of immunoprecipitates obtained with polyclonal and monoclonal anti-thrombospondin antibodies allows the identification of thrombospondin in the cellular lysates and the culture media of biosynthetically labelled osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells. Kinetic and dose/response studies of osteoblasts and of two osteosarcoma cell lines (MG-63, SaOs-2) were performed to assess the ability of these cells to adhere to thrombospondin and type-I collagen. Thrombospondin promoted the attachment of human osteoblasts whereas it inhibited the adhesion of MG-63 and SaOs-2 cells, both when it was directly adsorbed to plastic and when it was bound to type-I collagen. Therefore osteoblasts and osteosarcoma cells may be valuable tools to study the role of thrombospondin in cell adhesion.

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.

Identification of platelet membrane thrombospondin binding molecules using an anti-thrombospondin antibody

A rat monoclonal IgG2a antibody, 5G11, was raised against native human platelet thrombospondin (TSP). Western blot analysis revealed that 5G11 bound (i) to TSP before and after disulfide reduction, and (ii) to a 15-kDa fragment released after prolonged trypsin digestion. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis confirmed that the binding epitope was expressed in the presence of Ca2+ and after treatment of TSP with EDTA. Since 5G11 had no effect on platelet aggregation, the antibody was used to immunoprecipitate Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent TSP-binding molecules on the surface of thrombin-activated surface-labeled 125I-platelets. The experimental basis was that ligand-receptor interactions are of high affinity and that anti-ligand antibodies should precipitate the ligand-receptor complex. With platelets activated in the presence of EDTA, 5G11 predominantly precipitated a 125I-labeled band of Mr 88,000, identified as glycoprotein (GP) IV. In contrast, in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+ and 1 mM Mg2+, 5G11 precipitated a complex of five radiolabeled proteins, among which GPIIb, GPIIIa and GPIV were the most prominent.

Complex formation of human thrombospondin with osteonectin

Human thrombospondin, a 450-kDa glycoprotein isolated from platelets and endothelial cells, specifically interacts with osteonectin, a protein of 30 kDa isolated from bovine bones and human platelets. Using ELISA, purified osteonectin binds to solid-phase-adsorbed thrombospondin with a dissociation constant (Kd) of 0.7 nM. Binding of thrombospondin to solid-phase-adsorbed osteonectin was also observed (Kd = 0.86 nM). The interaction of thrombospondin with solid-phase-adsorbed osteonectin was significantly decreased (81% inhibition) when using an excess of fluid-phase osteonectin. Thrombospondin-osteonectin complex formation was calcium-dependent as shown by a 50-80% inhibition in the presence of EDTA. None of the proteins known to interact with thrombospondin (fibrinogen, fibronectin, collagen, plasminogen) had a significant inhibitory effect on thrombospondin-osteonectin complex formation. This selective interaction was confirmed by affinity chromatography. Iodinated osteonectin, previously incubated with purified thrombospondin, specifically bound to an anti-thrombospondin monoclonal antibody (P10) linked to protein-A--Sepharose 4B. Elution of the anti-thrombospondin antibody from protein A allowed the recovery of the thrombospondin-osteonectin complex in the eluate, as judged by SDS/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography. Blotting of purified thrombospondin to osteonectin adsorbed onto nitrocellulose further confirmed complex formation. In addition, when released from thrombin-stimulated platelets, thrombospondin and osteonectin bound to anti-thrombospondin IgG-coated plates indicating that osteonectin was complexed to thrombospondin once the platelet-release reaction has occurred.

Structural and immunological comparison of human thrombospondins isolated from platelets and from culture supernatants of endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Evidence for a thrombospondin polymorphism

Thrombospondin is a 450-kDa glycoprotein secreted by a variety of cells including endothelial cells, fibroblasts and platelets. The aim of this study was to compare the structural and immunological properties of human endothelial, fibroblast and platelet thrombospondins. All three thrombospondins were purified, digested with thermolysin, and the subsequent thermolysin-generated fragments isolated on a Superose 12 gel-permeation column using non-denaturating conditions. Each isolated proteolytic fragment of thrombospondins was then detected using either a radioimmunoassay with a polyclonal antibody or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with three monoclonal antibodies (P10, MA-I, MA-II) directed against different epitopes of whole platelet thrombospondin. The fragmentation pattern of human endothelial thrombospondin consists of six major thermolysin-generated fragments (135-110, 98-82, 54-47, 25-20, 18-15 and 10 kDa) having molecular masses very similar to those observed with human fibroblast thrombospondin (115-100, 92-80, 54-49, 27-21, 17-13 and 12-10 kDa). Treatment of platelet thrombospondin with thermolysin only generated four proteolytic fragments having molecular masses of 110, 50, 25 and 12/10 kDa respectively. All these proteolytic fragments of endothelial, fibroblast and platelet thrombospondins were recognized by a polyclonal antibody. Monoclonal antibodies MA-I and P10 essentially recognized two proteolytic fragments (135-110, 98-82 kDa) of endothelial and fibroblast (115-100, 92-80 kDa) thrombospondins, and the 110-kDa fragment of platelet thrombospondin. Monoclonal antibody MA-II recognized three proteolytic fragments (54-47, 25-20, 18-15 kDa) of endothelial and fibroblast (54-49, 27-21, 17-13 kDa) thrombospondins, and two fragments (50, 25 kDa) of platelet thrombospondin, different from those detected by P10 an MA-I. The results clearly demonstrate that, under non-denaturating conditions, endothelial and fibroblast thrombospondins are structurally different from platelet thrombospondin since two fragments of endothelial thrombospondin (98-82, 18-15 kDa), equivalent to those of fibroblast thrombospondin (92-80, 17-13 kDa), are not released from platelet thrombospondin after thermolysin treatment. These three forms of thrombospondin are, however, immunologically indistinguishable. To investigate further the structural differences observed between platelet and the two other forms of thrombospondin, their degree of polymerization was compared. Prior to thermolysin treatment, the three forms of thrombospondin were separated into several oligomers ranging from 450 kDa to 3300 kDa when injected onto a Superose 6 gel-permeation column.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)