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Nguyen TH, Chen LY, Khan NZ, Lindenbauer A, Bui VC, Zipfel PF, Heinrich D. The Binding of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein to Platelet Factor 4: A Proposed Mechanism for the Generation of Pathogenic Antibodies. Biomolecules 2024; 14:245. [PMID: 38540666 PMCID: PMC10967930 DOI: 10.3390/biom14030245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies contributed to the abnormal coagulation profiles in COVID-19 and vaccinated patients. However, the mechanism of what triggers the body to produce these antibodies has not yet been clarified. Similar patterns and many comparable features between the COVID-19 virus and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) have been reported. Previously, we identified a new mechanism of autoimmunity in HIT in which PF4-antibodies self-clustered PF4 and exposed binding epitopes for other pathogenic PF4/eparin antibodies. Here, we first proved that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) also binds to PF4. The binding was evidenced by the increase in mass and optical intensity as observed through quartz crystal microbalance and immunosorbent assay, while the switching of the surface zeta potential caused by protein interactions and binding affinity of PF4-SP were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and isothermal spectral shift analysis. Based on our results, we proposed a mechanism for the generation of PF4 antibodies in COVID-19 patients. We further validated the changes in zeta potential and interaction affinity between PF4 and SP and found that their binding mechanism differs from ACE2-SP binding. Importantly, the PF4/SP complexes facilitate the binding of anti-PF4/Heparin antibodies. Our findings offer a fresh perspective on PF4 engagement with the SARS-CoV-2 SP, illuminating the role of PF4/SP complexes in severe thrombotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Huong Nguyen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Li-Yu Chen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Institute of Miccrobiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Nida Zaman Khan
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
| | - Annerose Lindenbauer
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Van-Chien Bui
- Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment, Eichsfeldwerke GmbH, 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Peter F. Zipfel
- Institute of Miccrobiology, Friedrich-Schiller-University, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Doris Heinrich
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques (iba), 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institut für Silicatforschung, Neunerplatz, 97082 Würzburg, Germany
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Chen LY, Schirmer U, Widder M, Gruel Y, Rollin J, Zipfel PF, Nguyen TH. Breast cancer cell-based ELISA: a potential material for better detection of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia antibodies. J Mater Chem B 2022; 10:7708-7716. [PMID: 36069407 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb01228f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is caused by newly formed platelet-activating antibodies against complexes formed between platelet factor 4 (PF4) and heparin (H). HIT can result in life-threatening complications; thus, early detection of HIT antibodies is crucial for the treatment of the disease. The enzyme-linked immune absorbance assay (ELISA) for the identification of HIT antibodies is widely used in many laboratories, but in general, this test provides only ∼50% accuracy while other methods show multiple limitations. Here, we developed a new cell-based ELISA to improve the detection of HIT antibodies. Instead of immobilizing PF4 or PF4/H complexes directly onto a plate as in the standard ELISA, we added the complexes on breast cancer cells, i.e., cell line MDA-MB-231, and applied the same protocol for antibody detection. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry for the characterization of bound complexes, we identified two types of HIT-mimicked antibodies (KKO and 1E12), which were able to differentiate from the non-HIT antibody (RTO). PF4-treated MDA-MB-231 cells allowed binding of HIT-mimicked antibodies better than PF4/H complexes. With human sera, the cell-based ELISA allowed better differentiation of clinically relevant from non-clinically relevant HIT antibodies as compared with the standard ELISA. Our findings provide a potential approach that contributes to the development of better assays for the detection of HIT antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yu Chen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heiligenstadt, Germany.,Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Uwe Schirmer
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Miriam Widder
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heiligenstadt, Germany
| | - Yves Gruel
- Université de Tours, EA7501 GICC, Tours, France.,Chu Tours, Laboratoire d'Hématologie-Hémostase, Tours, France
| | - Jérôme Rollin
- Université de Tours, EA7501 GICC, Tours, France.,Chu Tours, Laboratoire d'Hématologie-Hémostase, Tours, France
| | - Peter F Zipfel
- Department of Infection Biology, Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Jena, Germany
| | - Thi-Huong Nguyen
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heiligenstadt, Germany.,Institute for Chemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Technische Universität Ilmenau, 98694 Ilmenau, Germany.
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Nguyen TH, Xu Y, Brandt S, Mandelkow M, Raschke R, Strobel U, Delcea M, Zhou W, Liu J, Greinacher A. Characterization of the interaction between platelet factor 4 and homogeneous synthetic low molecular weight heparins. J Thromb Haemost 2020; 18:390-398. [PMID: 31573759 PMCID: PMC7236814 DOI: 10.1111/jth.14657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heparins are usually produced from animal tissues. It is now possible to synthesize heparins. This provides the abilities to overcome shortages of heparin, to optimize biological effects, and to reduce adverse drug effects. Heparins interact with platelet factor 4 (PF4), which can induce an immune response causing thrombocytopenia. This side effect is called heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). We characterized the interaction of PF4 and HIT antibodies with oligosaccharides of 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-mer size and a hypersulfated 12-mer (S12-mer). METHODS We utilized multiple methodologies including isothermal calorimetry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, single molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS), enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA), and platelet aggregation test to characterize the interaction of synthetic heparin analogs with PF4 and anti-PF4/heparin antibodies. RESULTS The synthetic heparin-like compounds display stronger binding characteristics to PF4 than animal-derived heparins of corresponding lengths. Upon complexation with PF4, 6-mer and S12-mer heparins showed much lower enthalpy, induced less conformational changes in PF4, and interacted with weaker forces than 8-, 10-, and 12-mer heparins. Anti-PF4/heparin antibodies bind more weakly to complexes formed between PF4 and heparins ≤ 8-mer than with complexes formed between PF4 and heparins ≥ 10-mer. Addition of one sulfate group to the 12-mer resulted in a S12-mer, which showed substantial changes in its binding characteristics to PF4. CONCLUSIONS We provide a template for characterizing interactions of newly developed heparin-based anticoagulant drugs with proteins, especially PF4 and the resulting potential antigenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Huong Nguyen
- institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Heiligenstadt, Germany
- ZIK HIKE—Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yongmei Xu
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Eshelman, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sven Brandt
- ZIK HIKE—Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Martin Mandelkow
- ZIK HIKE—Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ricarda Raschke
- institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ulrike Strobel
- institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mihaela Delcea
- ZIK HIKE—Center for Innovation Competence, Humoral Immune Reactions in Cardiovascular Diseases, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Eshelman, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Wen Zhou
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jian Liu
- Institute of Biochemistry, University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Andreas Greinacher
- institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Bui VC, Gebicka P, Hippe H, Raschke R, Nguyen TL, Greinacher A, Nguyen TH. Physicochemical Characteristics of Platelet Factor 4 under Various Conditions are Relevant for Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Testing. J Phys Chem B 2020; 124:1438-1443. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.9b11695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Van-Chien Bui
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Patrycja Gebicka
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
- Chromatec, 17489 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Holger Hippe
- Chromatec, 17489 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Ricarda Raschke
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Thuy-Linh Nguyen
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Andreas Greinacher
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Thi-Huong Nguyen
- Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, University Medicine of Greifswald, 17475 Greifswald, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
- Institute for Bioprocessing and Analytical Measurement Techniques, Rosenhof D, 37308 Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Thuringia, Germany
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The impact of physiological stress conditions on protein structure and trypsin inhibition of serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) and its N34S variant. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2019; 1868:140281. [PMID: 31525466 PMCID: PMC6905150 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2019.140281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
One of the most common mutations in the serine protease inhibitor Kazal type 1 (SPINK1) gene is the N34S variant which is strongly associated with chronic pancreatitis. Although it is assumed that N34S mutation constitutes a high-risk factor, the underlying pathologic mechanism is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the impact of physiological stress factors on SPINK1 protein structure and trypsin inhibitor function using biophysical methods. Our circular dichroism spectroscopy data revealed differences in the secondary structure of SPINK1 and N34S mutant suggesting protein structural changes induced by the mutation as an impairment that could be disease-relevant. We further confirmed that both SPINK1 (KD of 0.15 ± 0.06 nM) and its N34S variant (KD of 0.08 ± 0.02 nM) have similar binding affinity and inhibitory effect towards trypsin as shown by surface plasmon resonance and trypsin inhibition assay studies, respectively. We found that stress conditions such as altered ion concentrations (i.e. potassium, calcium), temperature shifts, as well as environmental pH lead to insignificant differences in trypsin inhibition between SPINK1 and N34S mutant. However, we have shown that the environmental pH induces structural changes in both SPINK1 constructs in a different manner. Our findings suggest protein structural changes in the N34S variant as an impairment of SPINK1 and environmental pH shift as a trigger that could play a role in disease progression of pancreatitis.
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