High molecular mass kininogen inhibits cathepsin G-induced platelet activation by forming a complex with cathepsin G

INTRODUCTION

Preliminary studies have shown that high molecular mass kininogen (HK) inhibits cathepsin G-induced platelet activation. However, the potential mechanism underlying this inhibitory effect remains to be elucidated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Suspensions of washed and gel-filtered platelets were used in radioligand binding and aggregation studies. The amidolytic activity of cathepsin G was measured using specific chromogenic substrate. Western blot technique was utilised to explore the potential complex formation between cathepsin G and HK. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to analyse the cleavage products of HK.

RESULTS

At a concentration of 1 microM, HK completely blocked cathepsin G-induced platelet shape change and secretion of ATP. HK inhibited cathepsin G-induced platelet aggregation in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC(50) of 0.48 microM. Moreover, HK was found to inhibit binding of (125)I-cathepsin G to gel-filtered platelets. (125)I-cathepsin G forms a complex with HK. The complex formation did not affect the amidolytic activity of cathepsin G. HK was proteolysed upon interaction with cathepsin G.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that high molecular mass kininogen down-regulates cathepsin G-induced platelet activation by forming a complex with cathepsin G and thus prevents binding of cathepsin G to platelets. These kininogen-cathepsin G interactions may be potential targets for pharmacological intervention.

High-molecular-mass and low-molecular-mass kininogens block plasmin-induced platelet aggregation by forming a complex with kringle 5 of plasminogen/plasmin

We have previously demonstrated a low-affinity (0.8 microM, non-covalent complex formation between high-molecular-mass kininogen (HK) and plasminogen (Plg) which prevented Plg interaction with glioma and endothelial cells. We have now extended our previous observations by exploring the potential complex formation between Plg and low-molecular-mass kininogen (LK) and between LK and HK with Plg cleaved with human neutrophil elastase (HNE). Plg cleavage by HNE (PlgHNE) yielded kringles 1-3, kringle 4 and mini-plasminogen. PlgHNE was subjected to SDS/PAGE under non-reducing conditions, followed by western blotting, and incubated with either 125I-HK or 125I-LK. Autoradiograms revealed that 125I-HK bound to miniplasminogen and to kringles 1-3 but not to kringle 4 and the presence of 10 mM 6-aminohexanoic acid (Ahx) disrupted only the interaction with kringles 1-3. In contrast, 125I-LK bound to miniplasminogen but not to kringles 1-3 or 4 and Ahx had no effect at all. The complex formation of either HK (0.67 microM) or LK (3 microM) with Plg (1.5 microM) did not affect its conversion to plasmin by tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) (10 U/ml) in the presence of a tissue plasminogen stimulator (0.14 microM). However, the rate of conversion of plasminogen to plasmin by t-PA was affected when platelets were added to the reaction mixture. Since HK (0.83 microM) has been shown to inhibit plasmin-induced platelet aggregation, we investigated whether this inhibitory property is found within the heavy chain shared by HK and LK. We found that LK inhibited plasmin-induced platelet aggregation, but a 4-fold molar excess was required when compared to HK. Compared to plasmin, 3-5-fold molar excess of miniplasmin is required to induce platelet aggregation, indicating the important role of kringles 1-3 for plasmin interactions with these cells. These results indicate that HK and LK-mediated inhibition of plasmin-induced platelet aggregation is likely due to complex formation with kringle 5 without interfering with plasmin's active site. We found an additional interaction between HK and kringles 1-3 enhancing the inhibitory effect, presumably by interfering with plasmin's interaction with platelets. This HK and LK-associated modulation of plasmin-induced platelet aggregation may serve as a template to develop synthetic peptides as novel therapeutic agents to prevent some of the plasmin-associated thrombocytopenia seen during thrombolytic therapy.