scholarly journals Specific inhibition of the activity of the urokinase receptor-mediated cell-surface plasminogen activation system by suramin

1993 ◽  
Vol 296 (2) ◽  
pp. 505-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Ellis ◽  
K Danø

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is involved in generating the proteolytic activity necessary for invasive processes, and is dependent on binding to its specific cellular receptor (uPAR) for efficient function. We report here that the polysulphonated napthylurea compound suramin inhibits the activity of this cell-associated proteolytic system, in a manner independent of its antagonism of the uPA-uPAR interaction [Behrendt, Rønne and Danø (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 5985-5989], occurring at a 25-100-fold-lower suramin concentration. This inhibition was found to be due to effects on the activation of both pro-uPA and plasminogen. Suramin inhibited plasmin activation of pro-uPA by a non-competitive mechanism (Ki approx. 2 micrograms/ml), which did not involve a direct effect on plasmin catalytic activity. Similarly, its effect on plasminogen activation was not due to a direct inhibition of uPA. The inhibition of plasminogen activation, which occurred exclusively with receptor-bound uPA, appeared to be due to a reversal of the favourable kinetics which result from the activation of cell-associated plasminogen, although suramin did not inhibit the cellular binding of 125I-labelled plasminogen. This suggests that this effect is due to interference with interactions between components of this system on the cell surface, and that suramin may be useful in gaining further insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the functional assembly of this proteolytic system. Furthermore the effective inhibition of this system by suramin indicates an anti-invasive potential that may contribute to the anti-tumour effect of suramin in vivo.

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 2236-2236
Author(s):  
Rocco Romagnuolo ◽  
Michael B Boffa ◽  
Marlys L Koschinsky

Abstract Abstract 2236 Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] has been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease. Lp(a) levels vary over 1000-fold within the human population and Lp(a) possesses both proatherogenic and prothrombotic properties due to the LDL-like moiety and apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] components, respectively. Apo(a) is highly homologous to plasminogen and thus can potentially interfere with plasminogen activation. Plasmin generated in the context of fibrin mediates the breakdown of blood clots, which are the causative factors in heart attacks and strokes. Plasmin generated on the surface of vascular cells plays a role in cell migration and proliferation, two of the fibroproliferative inflammatory events that underlie atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested that apo(a) may inhibit pericellular plasminogen activation on the basis of observations that apo(a) decreases plasminogen binding to cells. We have undertaken analysis of the mechanism by which apo(a) may interfere with pericellular plasminogen activation to allow for a more definitive description of the role of Lp(a) within the vasculature. Plasminogen activation was found to be markedly inhibited by the recombinant apo(a) variant 17K, in a dose dependent manner, on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), human monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1), THP-1 macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. The strong lysine binding site in kringle IV type 10, as well as kringle V appear to be required for this effect since apo(a) variants lacking these elements (17KΔAsp and 17KΔV, respectively) failed to inhibit activation. However, the role of lysine-dependent binding of apo(a) itself to the cells is not clear. Carboxypeptidase treatment of cells did not decrease apo(a) binding, and apo(a) does not compete directly for plasminogen binding to the cells. Rather, apo(a) and plasminogen may bind to the cells as a complex. We next attempted to identify the cell-surface receptor(s) that mediate plasminogen activation on the cell surface as well as its inhibition by apo(a). Urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) has been previously shown to bind to urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), vitronectin, and β3 integrins. uPAR is involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) through regulation of plasminogen activation. We found evidence that uPAR is a potential receptor for both plasminogen and apo(a). Knockdown of uPAR in HUVECs results in decreased binding of plasminogen, 17K and, to a lesser extent, 17KΔAsp and 17KΔV. Similar experiments in SMCs revealed no changes in binding. A decrease in tPA-mediated plasminogen activation following uPAR knockdown occurred in HUVECs, and addition of 17K did not result in any further decrease. Overexpression of uPAR in THP-1 macrophages leads to greater than a two fold increase in 17K and plasminogen binding. Plasminogen activation increases over two-fold as a result of overexpression of uPAR, while 17K blunts the effect of uPAR overexpression. These results indicate that uPAR plays a crucial role in both plasminogen and apo(a) binding to the cell surface of specific cells and inhibition by apo(a) of plasminogen activation. Macrophage-1-antigen (Mac-1) receptor consists of CD11b (αM) and CD18 (β2) integrin and has been previously shown to recognize uPA and control migration and adhesion. Furthermore, αVβ3 has been previously shown to bind to vitronectin and the uPA-uPAR complex which promotes cell adhesion through binding of both vitronectin and αVβ3 integrins. We found that blocking the αM, β2, or αVβ3 receptors with monoclonal antibodies in THP-1 cells leads to a decrease in plasminogen activation, as well as a blunting of the inhibitory effects of apo(a) on plasminogen activation. These results indicate a role for Mac-1 and αVβ3 in apo(a) binding and inhibition of plasminogen activation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated, for the first time, the role of specific receptors in binding of apo(a) to vascular cell surfaces and in mediating the inhibitory effect of apo(a) on pericellular plasminogen activation. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2004 ◽  
Vol 384 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-505 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youli HU ◽  
David GONZÁLEZ-MARTÍNEZ ◽  
Soo-Hyun KIM ◽  
Pierre Marc Gilles BOULOUX

Defective function of anosmin-1, the protein encoded by KAL-1, underlies X-linked Kallmann's syndrome (X-KS), a human hereditary developmental disorder. Anosmin-1 appears to play a role in neurite outgrowth and axon branching, although molecular mechanisms of its action are still unknown. Anosmin-1 contains a WAP (whey acidic protein-like) domain and four contiguous FnIII (fibronectin-like type III) repeats; its WAP domain shows similarity to known serine protease inhibitors, whereas the FnIII domains contain HS (heparan sulphate)-binding sequences. To investigate the functional role of these domains, we have generated both wild-type and mutant recombinant anosmin-1 proteins using a Drosophila S2 cell expression system. Here we present the first biochemical evidence demonstrating the high-binding affinity between HS and anosmin-1, as measured by SPR (surface plasmon resonance) (Kd=2 nM). The FnIII domains, particularly the first, are essential for dose-dependent HS binding and HS-mediated cell surface association. Furthermore, we have identified uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator) as an anosmin-1 interactant. Anosmin-1 significantly enhances the amidolytic activity of uPA in vitro; and anosmin-1–HS–uPA co-operation induces cell proliferation in the PC-3 prostate carcinoma cell line. Both the HS interaction and an intact WAP domain are required for the mitogenic activity of anosmin-1. These effects appear to be mediated by a direct protein interaction between anosmin-1 and uPA, since anosmin-1–uPA could be co-immunoprecipitated from PC-3 cell lysates, and their direct binding with high affinity (Kd=6.91 nM) was demonstrated by SPR. We thus propose that anosmin-1 may modulate the catalytic activity of uPA and its signalling pathway, whereas HS determines cell surface localization of the anosmin-1–uPA complex.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Filomena Napolitano ◽  
Nunzia Montuori

The main physiological functions of plasmin, the active form of its proenzyme plasminogen, are blood clot fibrinolysis and restoration of normal blood flow. The plasminogen activation (PA) system includes urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue-type PA (tPA), and two types of plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAI-1 and PAI-2). In addition to the regulation of fibrinolysis, the PA system plays an important role in other biological processes, which include degradation of extracellular matrix such as embryogenesis, cell migration, tissue remodeling, wound healing, angiogenesis, inflammation, and immune response. Recently, the link between PA system and angioedema has been a subject of scientific debate. Angioedema is defined as localized and self-limiting edema of subcutaneous and submucosal tissues, mediated by bradykinin and mast cell mediators. Different forms of angioedema are linked to uncontrolled activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis systems. Moreover, plasmin itself can induce a potentiation of bradykinin production with consequent swelling episodes. The number of studies investigating the PA system involvement in angioedema has grown in recent years, highlighting its relevance in etiopathogenesis. In this review, we present the components and diverse functions of the PA system in physiology and its importance in angioedema pathogenesis.


2015 ◽  
Vol 309 (3) ◽  
pp. F235-F241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mette Stæhr ◽  
Kristian B. Buhl ◽  
René F. Andersen ◽  
Per Svenningsen ◽  
Flemming Nielsen ◽  
...  

In nephrotic syndrome, aberrant glomerular filtration of plasminogen and conversion to active plasmin in preurine are thought to activate proteolytically epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and contribute to sodium retention and edema. The ENaC blocker amiloride is an off-target inhibitor of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) in vitro. It was hypothesized that uPA is abnormally filtered to preurine and is inhibited in urine by amiloride in nephrotic syndrome. This was tested by determination of Na+ balance, uPA protein and activity, and amiloride concentration in urine from rats with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-induced nephrotic syndrome. Urine samples from 6 adult and 18 pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome were analyzed for uPA activity and protein. PAN treatment induced significant proteinuria in rats which coincided with increased urine uPA protein and activity, increased urine protease activity, and total plasminogen/plasmin concentration and Na+ retention. Amiloride (2 mg·kg−1·24 h−1) concentration in urine was in the range 10–20 μmol/l and reduced significantly urine uPA activity, plasminogen activation, protease activity, and sodium retention in PAN rats, while proteinuria was not altered. In paired urine samples, uPA protein was significantly elevated in urine from children with active nephrotic syndrome compared with remission phase. In six adult nephrotic patients, urine uPA protein and activity correlated positively with 24 h urine protein excretion. In conclusion, nephrotic syndrome is associated with aberrant filtration of uPA across the injured glomerular barrier. Amiloride inhibits urine uPA activity which attenuates plasminogen activation and urine protease activity in vivo. Urine uPA is a relevant target for amiloride in vivo.


2014 ◽  
Vol 111 (01) ◽  
pp. 29-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Kousted ◽  
Karsten Skjoedt ◽  
Steen Petersen ◽  
Claus Koch ◽  
Lars Vitved ◽  
...  

SummaryProtease nexin-1 (PN-1) belongs to the serpin family and is an inhibitor of thrombin, plasmin, urokinase-type plasminogen activator, and matriptase. Recent studies have suggested PN-1 to play important roles in vascular-, neuro-, and tumour-biology. The serpin inhibitory mechanism consists of the serpin presenting its so-called reactive centre loop as a substrate to its target protease, resulting in a covalent complex with the inactivated enzyme. Previously, three mechanisms have been proposed for the inactivation of serpins by monoclonal antibodies: steric blockage of protease recognition, conversion to an inactive conformation or induction of serpin substrate behaviour. Until now, no inhibitory antibodies against PN-1 have been thoroughly characterised. Here we report the development of three monoclonal antibodies binding specifically and with high affinity to human PN-1. The antibodies all abolish the protease inhibitory activity of PN-1. In the presence of the antibodies, PN-1 does not form a complex with its target proteases, but is recovered in a reactive centre cleaved form. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we mapped the three overlapping epitopes to an area spanning the gap between the loop connecting α-helix F with β-strand 3A and the loop connecting α-helix A with β-strand 1B. We conclude that antibody binding causes a direct blockage of the final critical step of protease translocation, resulting in abortive inhibition and premature release of reactive centre cleaved PN-1. These new antibodies will provide a powerful tool to study the in vivo role of PN-1’s protease inhibitory activity.


Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1703-1711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Lluı́s ◽  
Josep Roma ◽  
Mònica Suelves ◽  
Maribel Parra ◽  
Gloria Aniorte ◽  
...  

Plasminogen activators urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) are extracellular proteases involved in various tissue remodeling processes. A requirement for uPA activity in skeletal myogenesis was recently demonstrated in vitro. The role of plasminogen activators in skeletal muscle regeneration in vivo in wild-type, uPA-deficient, and tPA-deficient mice is investigated here. Wild-type and tPA−/− mice completely repaired experimentally damaged skeletal muscle. In contrast, uPA−/− mice had a severe regeneration defect, with decreased recruitment of blood-derived monocytes to the site of injury and with persistent myotube degeneration. In addition, uPA-deficient mice accumulated fibrin in the degenerating muscle fibers; however, the defibrinogenation of uPA-deficient mice resulted in a correction of the muscle regeneration defect. A similar severe regeneration deficit with persistent fibrin deposition was also reproducible in plasminogen-deficient mice after injury, suggesting that fibrinolysis by uPA-mediated plasminogen activation plays a fundamental role in skeletal muscle regeneration. In conclusion, the uPA-plasmin system is identified as a critical component of the mammalian skeletal muscle regeneration process, possibly because it prevents intramuscular fibrin accumulation and contributes to the adequate inflammatory response after injury. These studies demonstrate the requirement of an extracellular proteolytic cascade during muscle regeneration in vivo.


2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (11) ◽  
pp. 983-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Massey ◽  
Shinji Tanaka ◽  
Joshua Buckler ◽  
Bo Jiang ◽  
Anton McCourtie ◽  
...  

SummaryUrokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) is expressed at increased levels in stenotic, atherosclerotic human arteries. However, the biological roles of uPA in the artery wall are poorly understood. Previous studies associate uPA with both acute vasoconstriction and chronic vascular remodeling and attribute uPA-mediated vasoconstriction to the kringle – not the catalytic domain of uPA. We used an in-vivo uPA overexpression model to test the hypothesis that uPA-induced vasoconstriction is a reversible vasomotor process that can be prevented – and uPA fibrinolytic activity preserved – by: 1) removing the growth factor and kringle domains; or 2) anchoring uPA to the endothelial surface. To test this hypothesis we constructed adenoviral vectors that express: wild-type rabbit uPA (AduPA); a uPA mutant lacking the NH2-terminal growth-factor and kringle domains (Adu-PAdel); a mutant lacking catalytic activity (AduPAS→A), and a cell-surface anchored mutant (AdTMuPA). uPA mutants were expressed and characterised in vitro and in carotid arteries in vivo. uPAS→A had no plasminogen activator activity. Activity was similar for uPA and uPAdel, whereas AdTMuPA had only cell-associated activity. AduPAS→A arteries were not constricted. AduPA, AduPAdel, and AdTM-uPA arteries were constricted (approximately 30% smaller lumens; p≤0.008 vs. AdNull arteries). Papaverine reversed constriction of AduPA arteries. uPA-mediated arterial constriction is a vasomotor process that is mediated by uPA catalytic activity, not by the NH2-terminal domains. Anchoring uPA to the endothelial surface does not prevent vasoconstriction. uPA catalytic activity, generated by artery wall cells, may contribute to lumen loss in human arteries. Elimination of uPA vasoconstrictor activity requires concomitant loss of fibrinolytic activity.


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