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Deng L, Costa F, Blake KJ, Choi S, Chandrabalan A, Yousuf MS, Shiers S, Dubreuil D, Vega-Mendoza D, Rolland C, Deraison C, Voisin T, Bagood MD, Wesemann L, Frey AM, Palumbo JS, Wainger BJ, Gallo RL, Leyva-Castillo JM, Vergnolle N, Price TJ, Ramachandran R, Horswill AR, Chiu IM. S. aureus drives itch and scratch-induced skin damage through a V8 protease-PAR1 axis. Cell 2023; 186:5375-5393.e25. [PMID: 37995657 PMCID: PMC10669764 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Itch is an unpleasant sensation that evokes a desire to scratch. The skin barrier is constantly exposed to microbes and their products. However, the role of microbes in itch generation is unknown. Here, we show that Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterial pathogen associated with itchy skin diseases, directly activates pruriceptor sensory neurons to drive itch. Epicutaneous S. aureus exposure causes robust itch and scratch-induced damage. By testing multiple isogenic bacterial mutants for virulence factors, we identify the S. aureus serine protease V8 as a critical mediator in evoking spontaneous itch and alloknesis. V8 cleaves proteinase-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) on mouse and human sensory neurons. Targeting PAR1 through genetic deficiency, small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown, or pharmacological blockade decreases itch and skin damage caused by V8 and S. aureus exposure. Thus, we identify a mechanism of action for a pruritogenic bacterial factor and demonstrate the potential of inhibiting V8-PAR1 signaling to treat itch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liwen Deng
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Flavia Costa
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kimbria J Blake
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Samantha Choi
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Muhammad Saad Yousuf
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Stephanie Shiers
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Daniel Dubreuil
- Departments of Neurology and Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Daniela Vega-Mendoza
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Corinne Rolland
- IRSD, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, INRAe, ENVT, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Celine Deraison
- IRSD, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, INRAe, ENVT, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Tiphaine Voisin
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michelle D Bagood
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lucia Wesemann
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Abigail M Frey
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Joseph S Palumbo
- Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brian J Wainger
- Departments of Neurology and Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Richard L Gallo
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Nathalie Vergnolle
- IRSD, Université de Toulouse, INSERM, INRAe, ENVT, Université Toulouse III-Paul Sabatier (UPS), Toulouse, France
| | - Theodore J Price
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Alexander R Horswill
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Isaac M Chiu
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Turner CT, Zeglinski MR, Boivin W, Zhao H, Pawluk MA, Richardson KC, Chandrabalan A, Bird P, Ramachandran R, Sehmi R, Lima H, Gauvreau G, Granville DJ. Granzyme K contributes to endothelial microvascular damage and leakage during skin inflammation. Br J Dermatol 2023; 189:279-291. [PMID: 36652225 DOI: 10.1093/bjd/ljac017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granzyme K (GzmK) is a serine protease with minimal presence in healthy tissues while abundant in inflamed tissues. Initially thought to play an exclusive role in immune-mediated cell death, extracellular GzmK can also promote inflammation. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of GzmK in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common inflammatory skin disease. METHODS A panel of human AD and control samples was analysed to determine if GzmK is elevated. Next, to determine a pathological role for GzmK in AD-like skin inflammation, oxazolone-induced dermatitis was induced in GzmK-/- and wild-type (WT) mice. RESULTS In human lesional AD samples, there was an increase in the number of GzmK+ cells compared with healthy controls. GzmK-/- mice exhibited reduced overall disease severity characterized by reductions in scaling, erosions and erythema. Surprisingly, the presence of GzmK did not notably increase the overall pro-inflammatory response or epidermal barrier permeability in WT mice; rather, GzmK impaired angiogenesis, increased microvascular damage and microhaemorrhage. Mechanistically, GzmK contributed to vessel damage through cleavage of syndecan-1, a key structural component of the glycocalyx, which coats the luminal surface of vascular endothelia. CONCLUSIONS GzmK may provide a potential therapeutic target for skin conditions associated with persistent inflammation, vasculitis and pathological angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Turner
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Matthew R Zeglinski
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wendy Boivin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Hongyan Zhao
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Megan A Pawluk
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Katlyn C Richardson
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Phillip Bird
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Roma Sehmi
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Hermenio Lima
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Gail Gauvreau
- Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Ontario, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - David J Granville
- International Collaboration On Repair Discoveries (ICORD) Centre, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine; University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- British Columbia Professional Firefighters' Burn and Wound Healing Group, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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3
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Childs M, Chandrabalan A, Hodgson D, Ramachandran R, Luyt LG. Discovery of Ghrelin(1-8) Analogues with Improved Stability and Functional Activity for PET Imaging. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2023; 6:1075-1086. [PMID: 37470019 PMCID: PMC10353549 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.3c00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The highest affinity ghrelin-based analogue for fluorine-18 positron emission tomography, [Inp1,Dpr3(6-FN),1Nal4,Thr8]ghrelin(1-8) amide (1), has remarkable subnanomolar receptor affinity (IC50 = 0.11 nM) toward the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHSR). However, initial in vivo PET imaging and biodistribution of [18F]1 in mice demonstrated an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile with rapid clearance and accumulation in liver and intestinal tissue, prompting concerns about the metabolic stability of this probe. The aims of the present study were to examine the proteolytic stability of ghrelin analogue 1 in the presence of blood and liver enzymes, structurally modify the peptide to improve stability without impeding the strong binding affinity, and measure the presently unknown functional activity of ghrelin(1-8) analogues. The in vitro stability and metabolite formation of 1 in human serum and liver S9 fraction revealed a metabolic soft spot between amino acids Leu5 and Ser6 in the peptide sequence. A focused library of ghrelin(1-8) analogues was synthesized and evaluated in a structure-activity-stability relationship study to further understand the structural importance of the residues at these positions in the context of stability and receptor affinity. The critical nature of l-stereochemistry at position 5 was identified and substitution of Ser6 with l-2,3-diaminopropionic acid led to a novel ligand with substantially improved in vitro stability while maintaining subnanomolar GHSR affinity. Despite the highly modified nature of these analogues compared to human ghrelin, ghrelin(1-8) analogues were found to recruit all G protein subtypes (Gαq/11/13/i1/oB) known to associate with GHSR as well as β-arrestins with low micromolar to nanomolar potencies. The study of these analogues demonstrates the ability to balance desirable ligand properties, including affinity, stability, and potency to produce well-rounded candidate molecules for further in vivo evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina
D. Childs
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, University
of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Derian Hodgson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, University
of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Leonard G. Luyt
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
- Departments
of Medical Imaging and Oncology, University
of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario, N6A 3K7, Canada
- London
Regional Cancer Program, Lawson Health Research
Institute, 800 Commissioners
Road East, London, Ontario, N6A 4L6, Canada
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4
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Chandrabalan A, Ramachandran R. Autocrine Proteinase-Activated Receptor (PAR) signaling in PC3 prostate cancer cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023. [PMID: 37273236 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00382.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) activated by limited N-terminal proteolysis. PARs are highly expressed in many cancer cells including PCa and regulate various aspects of tumor growth and metastasis. Specific activators of PARs in different physiological and pathophysiological contexts remain poorly defined. In this study, we examined the androgen independent human prostatic cancer cell line PC3 and find functional expression of PAR1 and PAR2 but not PAR4. Using genetically encoded PAR cleavage biosensors, we show that PC3 cells secrete proteolytic enzymes that cleave PARs and trigger autocrine signaling. CRISPR/Cas9 targeting of PAR1 and PAR2 combined with microarray analysis revealed genes that are regulated through this autocrine signaling mechanism. We find several genes that are known PCa prognostic factors or biomarker to be differentially expressed in the PAR1-KO and PAR2-KO PC3 cells. We further examined PAR1 and PAR2 regulation of PCa cell proliferation and migration and find that absence of PAR1 promotes PC3 cell migration and suppresses cell proliferation while PAR2 deficiency showed opposite effects. Overall, these results demonstrate that autocrine signaling through PARs is an important regulator of PCa cell function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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5
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Tschirhart BJ, Lu X, Gomes J, Chandrabalan A, Bell G, Hess DA, Xing G, Ling H, Burger D, Feng Q. Annexin A5 Inhibits Endothelial Inflammation Induced by Lipopolysaccharide-Activated Platelets and Microvesicles via Phosphatidylserine Binding. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:837. [PMID: 37375784 DOI: 10.3390/ph16060837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection and is a leading cause of mortality globally. To date, no specific therapeutics are available to treat the underlying septic response. We and others have shown that recombinant human annexin A5 (Anx5) treatment inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production and improves survival in rodent sepsis models. During sepsis, activated platelets release microvesicles (MVs) with externalization of phosphatidylserine to which Anx5 binds with high affinity. We hypothesized that recombinant human Anx5 blocks the pro-inflammatory response induced by activated platelets and MVs in vascular endothelial cells under septic conditions via phosphatidylserine binding. Our data show that treatment with wildtype Anx5 reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated platelets or MVs in endothelial cells (p < 0.01), which was not observed with Anx5 mutant deficient in phosphatidylserine binding. In addition, wildtype Anx5 treatment, but not Anx5 mutant, improved trans-endothelial electrical resistance (p < 0.05) and reduced monocyte (p < 0.001) and platelet (p < 0.001) adhesion to vascular endothelial cells in septic conditions. In conclusion, recombinant human Anx5 inhibits endothelial inflammation induced by activated platelets and MVs in septic conditions via phosphatidylserine binding, which may contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent J Tschirhart
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Xiangru Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Janice Gomes
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Gillian Bell
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - David A Hess
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Guangxin Xing
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Hong Ling
- Department of Biochemistry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Dylan Burger
- Kidney Research Centre, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Qingping Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 5C1, Canada
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6
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Chandrabalan A, Firth A, Litchfield RB, Appleton CT, Getgood A, Ramachandran R. Human osteoarthritis knee joint synovial fluids cleave and activate Proteinase-Activated Receptor (PAR) mediated signaling. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1124. [PMID: 36670151 PMCID: PMC9859807 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28068-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disorder with increasing worldwide incidence. Mechanistic insights into OA pathophysiology are evolving and there are currently no disease-modifying OA drugs. An increase in protease activity is linked to progressive degradation of the cartilage in OA. Proteases also trigger inflammation through a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) called the Proteinase-Activated Receptors (PARs). PAR signaling can trigger pro-inflammatory responses and targeting PARs is proposed as a therapeutic approach in OA. Several enzymes can cleave the PAR N-terminus, but the endogenous protease activators of PARs in OA remain unclear. Here we characterized PAR activating enzymes in knee joint synovial fluids from OA patients and healthy donors using genetically encoded PAR biosensor expressing cells. Calcium signaling assays were performed to examine receptor activation. The class and type of enzymes cleaving the PARs was further characterized using protease inhibitors and fluorogenic substrates. We find that PAR1, PAR2 and PAR4 activating enzymes are present in knee joint synovial fluids from healthy controls and OA patients. Compared to healthy controls, PAR1 activating enzymes are elevated in OA synovial fluids while PAR4 activating enzyme levels are decreased. Using enzyme class and type selective inhibitors and fluorogenic substrates we find that multiple PAR activating enzymes are present in OA joint fluids and identify serine proteinases (thrombin and trypsin-like) and matrix metalloproteinases as the major classes of PAR activating enzymes in the OA synovial fluids. Synovial fluid driven increase in calcium signaling was significantly reduced in cells treated with PAR1 and PAR2 antagonists, but not in PAR4 antagonist treated cells. OA associated elevation of PAR1 cleavage suggests that targeting this receptor may be beneficial in the treatment of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Bone and Joint Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Andrew Firth
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Institute, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Robert B Litchfield
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Institute, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - C Thomas Appleton
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Bone and Joint Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Bone and Joint Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The Dr. Sandy Kirkley Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, London, ON, Canada
| | - Alan Getgood
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Bone and Joint Institute, Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Bone and Joint Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
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7
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Chandrabalan A, Ramachandran R. Molecular mechanisms regulating Proteinase‐Activated Receptors (PARs). FEBS J 2021; 288:2697-2726. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.15829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Arundhasa Chandrabalan
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry University of Western Ontario London Canada
| | - Rithwik Ramachandran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry University of Western Ontario London Canada
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