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PubMed2000

Thrombin regulates the expression of proangiogenic cytokines via proteolytic activation of protease-activated receptor-1.

In addition to its central role in blood coagulation and hemostasis, human alpha-thrombin is a growth factor for a variety of cell types, including monocytes and endothelial cells, involved in the control of angiogenesis. Different cytokines produced by mononuclear cells have been implicated in angiogenic processes associated with tissue repair and certain human malignancies. We have previously shown that thrombin enhances proliferative responses in T lymphocytes. More recently, we reported that interferon-gamma-differentiated monocytes have increased expression of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) and increased thrombin binding. Since cytokines may be involved directly and indirectly in angiogenesis, we initiated studies to determine thrombin effects on the induction of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6, in human mononuclear cells. IL-1 and IL-6 protein expression was significantly enhanced by thrombin (P<.05), as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Treating mononuclear cells with the PAR-1 peptide, SFLLRN, has effects similar to those of thrombin. Thus, it appears that these thrombin effects are mediated through activation of PAR-1. These results confirm that thrombin is a strong activator of monocytes and could be involved in angiogenesis by inducing cytokines that could enhance the angiogenic process in tissue repair.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed2001

Anticoagulant activities of a monoclonal antibody that binds to exosite II of thrombin.

A monoclonal IgG isolated from a patient with multiple myeloma has been shown to bind to exosite II of thrombin, prolong both the thrombin time and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) when added to normal plasma, and alter the kinetics of hydrolysis of synthetic peptide substrates. Although the IgG does not affect cleavage of fibrinogen by thrombin, it increases the rate of inhibition of thrombin by purified antithrombin approximately 3-fold. Experiments with plasma immunodepleted of antithrombin or heparin cofactor II confirm that prolongation of the thrombin time requires antithrombin. By contrast, prolongation of the aPTT requires neither antithrombin nor heparin cofactor II. The IgG delays clotting of plasma initiated by purified factor IXa but has much less of an effect on clotting initiated by factor Xa. In a purified system, the IgG decreases the rate of activation of factor VIII by thrombin. These studies indicate that binding of a monoclonal IgG to exosite II prolongs the thrombin time indirectly by accelerating the thrombin-antithrombin reaction and may prolong the aPTT by interfering with activation of factor VIII, thereby diminishing the catalytic activity of the factor IXa/VIIIa complex.

Anions↗
PubMed2000

Biphasic kinetics of activation and signaling for PAR1 and PAR4 thrombin receptors in platelets.

Thrombin activates platelets in an ordered sequence of events that includes shape change, increase in cytoplasmic Ca(2+), activation of the alphaIIbbeta3 integrin, granule secretion, aggregation, and formation of a stable hemostatic plug. Activation of this process has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, stroke, and thrombosis. There are two identified thrombin-activated receptors on the surface of human platelets. PAR1 is a high-affinity thrombin receptor, and PAR4 is a low apparent affinity thrombin receptor of uncertain function. The goal of these studies is to determine the kinetics of thrombin activation of PAR1 and PAR4 and to relate the individual inputs from each receptor to platelet Ca(2+) signaling, secondary autocrine stimulation, and aggregation. Using a combination of PAR-specific peptide ligands and anti-PAR1 reagents, we separated the biphasic thrombin Ca(2+) response of platelets into two discrete components-a rapid spike response caused by PAR1, followed by a slower prolonged response from PAR4. Despite having a 20-70-fold slower rate of activation, PAR4 produces the majority of the integrated Ca(2+) signal that is sustained by the continuous presence of catalytically active thrombin. Surprisingly, PAR4 activation is much more effective than PAR1 activation in mounting secondary autocrine Ca(2+) signals from secreted ADP. The strong ADP response due to activated PAR4, however, requires prior activation of PAR1 as would normally occur during treatment of platelets with thrombin. Thus, the late signal generated by activated PAR4 is not redundant with the early signal from PAR1 and instead serves to greatly extend the high intracellular Ca(2+) levels that support the late phase of the platelet aggregation process.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed2001

Role of thrombin signalling in platelets in haemostasis and thrombosis.

Platelets are critical in haemostasis and in arterial thrombosis, which causes heart attacks and other events triggered by abnormal clotting. The coagulation protease thrombin is a potent activator of platelets ex vivo. However, because thrombin also mediates fibrin deposition and because multiple agonists can trigger platelet activation, the relative importance of platelet activation by thrombin in haemostasis and thrombosis is unknown. Thrombin triggers cellular responses at least in part through protease-activated receptors (PARs). Mouse platelets express PAR3 and PAR4 (ref. 9). Here we show that platelets from PAR4-deficient mice failed to change shape, mobilize calcium, secrete ATP or aggregate in response to thrombin. This result demonstrates that PAR signalling is necessary for mouse platelet activation by thrombin and supports the model that mouse PAR3 (mPAR3) does not by itself mediate transmembrane signalling but instead acts as a cofactor for thrombin cleavage and activation of mPAR4 (ref. 10). Importantly, PAR4-deficient mice had markedly prolonged bleeding times and were protected in a model of arteriolar thrombosis. Thus platelet activation by thrombin is necessary for normal haemostasis and may be an important target in the treatment of thrombosis.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed1997

Protease-activated receptor 3 is a second thrombin receptor in humans.

Thrombin is a coagulation protease that activates platelets, leukocytes, endothelial and mesenchymal cells at sites of vascular injury, acting partly through an unusual proteolytically activated G-protein-coupled receptor. Knockout of the gene encoding this receptor provided definitive evidence for a second thrombin receptor in mouse platelets and for tissue-specific roles for different thrombin receptors. We now report the cloning and characterization of a new human thrombin receptor, designated protease-activated receptor 3 (PAR3). PAR3 can mediate thrombin-triggered phosphoinositide hydrolysis and is expressed in a variety of tissues, including human bone marrow and mouse megakaryocytes, making it a candidate for the sought-after second platelet thrombin receptor. PAR3 provides a new tool for understanding thrombin signalling and a possible target for therapeutics designed selectively to block thrombotic, inflammatory and proliferative responses to thrombin.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

The involvement of a novel mechanism distinct from the thrombin receptor in the vasocontraction induced by trypsin.

1. The vasocontracting effect of a serine protease trypsin and its mechanisms were investigated by monitoring the isometric tension in endothelium-denuded rings of rabbit thoracic aortae and its effects on intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) in dispersed rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells with a Ca2+ indicator fura-2. The actions of trypsin were compared with those of thrombin. 2. Both thrombin and trypsin reversibly contracted aortic rings without endothelium in a concentration-dependent manner. The vasocontraction induced by trypsin was well correlated with the protease activity of trypsin actually added to the tissue baths containing the aortic rings and was completely blocked by soybean trypsin inhibitor and phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF), a serine protease inhibitor. 3. The trypsin-induced contractions of the aortic rings were not the result of irreversible damage to vascular smooth muscle cells, since the contractile responses induced by noradrenaline or 30 mM KCl were unaffected by pretreatment with trypsin. 4. The contractions induced by either thrombin or trypsin were reduced to about 30% of control responses after removal of extracellular Ca2+, indicating that most of the contraction is dependent on extracellular Ca2+. By contrast, the contractions induced by either of the proteases were reduced by an antagonist of L-type voltage-operated Ca2+ channels, nifedipine, to about 70% of control responses, indicating that both nifedipine-sensitive and -resistant Ca2+ channels are involved in these contractions. 5. In the aortic rings precontracted by a maximally effective concentration of thrombin, the second application of thrombin virtually failed to induce contractions but trypsin could still induce contractions amounting to 10% of control values by it's protease activity. 6. After the first application of a maximal concentration of thrombin, the second application of thrombin could not induce an increase in [Ca2+]i, but an application of trypsin could still induce an increase in [Ca2+]i in dispersed rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells. 7. These data suggest that in addition to activation of a thrombin receptor, trypsin can contract rabbit aortae by a proteinase-activated receptor 2 or a novel mechanism.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Heterogeneous mechanisms of endothelium-dependent relaxation for thrombin and peptide activators of protease-activated receptor-1 in porcine isolated coronary artery.

1. Mechanisms of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1)- and PAR2-induced relaxation were investigated in pre-contracted porcine coronary artery ring preparations. 2. Thrombin (0.01 - 0.3 u ml(-1)) and the PAR1-activating peptide SFLLRN (0.1 - 10 microM) caused concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxation. pEC(50)s (-log u ml(-1) for enzymes, -log M for peptides) and maximum relaxations (R(max), %) for thrombin were 1.8+/-0.1 and 93.5+/-2.8% respectively, and for SFLLRN 6.8+/-0.1 and 90.8+/-1.3%. Similar concentration- and endothelium-dependent relaxations occurred with trypsin (pEC(50) 2.3+/-0.2; R(max) 94.1+/-1.9%) and the PAR2-activating peptide SLIGRL (pEC(50) 6.5+/-0.2; R(max) 92.4+/-1.6%). 3. Relaxations to thrombin, SFLLRN, trypsin and SLIGRL were significantly inhibited (P<0.05) to similar extents by the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG; 100 microM) and the NO scavenger oxyhaemoglobin (20 microM), both separately and in combination. 4. In the presence of the L-type voltage-operated calcium channel (L-VOCC) inhibitor nifedipine (0.3 microM), K(+) (67 mM) abolished the L-NOARG-resistant relaxations to thrombin, SFLLRN, trypsin and SLIGRL. However, nifedipine alone significantly (P<0.05) reduced the pEC(50) (1.5+/-0.1) and R(max) (77.5+/-7.0%) for thrombin but had no effect on relaxations to SFLLRN, trypsin or SLIGRL. Furthermore, L-NOARG-resistant relaxations to thrombin were abolished by nifedipine, whereas relaxations to SFLLRN, trypsin or SLIGRL were not further inhibited by combined treatment with nifedipine and L-NOARG, than they were with L-NOARG treatment alone. 5. Similar selective inhibition of the L-NOARG-resistant relaxation to thrombin, but not SFLLRN, occurred with verapamil (1 microM) and diltiazem (3 microM). 6. Our results suggest heterogeneous mechanisms in the NO-independent relaxation to thrombin and peptide activators of PAR1 in the porcine coronary artery.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Protease-activated receptor-4 uses dual prolines and an anionic retention motif for thrombin recognition and cleavage.

Thrombin activation of human platelets is mediated by the high-affinity PAR1 (protease-activated receptor-1) and the low-affinity PAR4 receptor. PAR1 and PAR4 exhibit markedly disparate kinetics of activation that likely reflect differences in the macromolecular association of thrombin with their respective N-terminal extracellular domains (exodomains). Here we examine the mechanism of initial thrombin binding and cleavage of the high- and low-affinity PAR exodomains using steady-state kinetic analyses. We showed that the PAR4 exodomain lacks the functional hirudin-like sequence found in PAR1 and does not bind exosite I to cause allosteric activation or inhibition of thrombin. Instead, PAR4 contains an anionic cluster, Asp(57)...Asp(59) ...Glu(62)...Asp(65) (DDED), in its exodomain, which slows the dissociation of PAR4 from the cationic thrombin. The analogous anionic residues in the PAR1 exodomain do not influence affinity for thrombin. Although PAR4 is cleaved more slowly than PAR1 on the cell surface, peptides containing the PAR4 P(4)-P(1) active-site-interacting sequence, Pro(45)-Ala-Pro-Arg (PAPR), are efficiently cleaved due to the optimal placement of dual prolines at positions P(4) and P(2). In comparison, thrombin has low affinity and slow cleavage rates for peptides that have a P(3) proline as occurs in human PAR3. Thus, to compensate for the lack of exosite I binding, PAR4 utilizes proline residues in its P(4)-P(1) sequence to provide high-affinity interactions with the active site and an anionic cluster to slow dissociation from the cationic thrombin.

Allosteric Regulation↗
PubMed2007

Differential involvement of thrombin receptors in Ca2+ release from two different intracellular stores in human platelets.

Physiological agonists increase cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration to regulate a number of cellular processes. The platelet thrombin receptors, PAR (protease-activated receptor) 1 PAR-4 and GPIb-IX-V (glycoprotein Ib-IX-V) have been described as potential contributors of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Platelets present two separate Ca2+ stores, the DTS (dense tubular system) and acidic organelles, differentiated by the distinct sensitivity of their respective SERCAs (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic-reticulum Ca2+-ATPases) to TG (thapsigargin) and TBHQ [2,5-di-(tert-butyl)-1,4-hydroquinone]. However, the involvement of the thrombin receptors in Ca2+ release from each Ca2+ store remains unknown. Depletion of the DTS using ADP, which releases Ca2+ solely from the DTS, in combination with 10 nM TG, to selectively inhibit SERCA2 located on the DTS reduced Ca2+ release evoked by the PAR-1 agonist, SFLLRN, and the PAR-4 agonist, AYPGKF, by 80 and 50% respectively. Desensitization of PAR-1 and PAR-4 or pre-treatment with the PAR-1 and PAR-4 antagonists SCH 79797 and tcY-NH2 reduced Ca2+ mobilization induced by thrombin, and depletion of the DTS after desensitization or blockade of PAR-1 and PAR-4 had no significant effect on Ca2+ release stimulated by thrombin through the GPIb-IX-V receptor. Converse experiments showed that depletion of the acidic stores using TBHQ reduced Ca2+ release evoked by SFLLRN or AYPGKF, by 20 and 50% respectively, and abolished thrombin-stimulated Ca2+ release through the GPIb-IX-V receptor when PAR-1 and PAR-4 had been desensitized or blocked. Our results indicate that thrombin-induced activation of PAR-1 and PAR-4 evokes Ca2+ release from both Ca2+ stores, while activation of GPIb-IX-V by thrombin releases Ca2+ solely from the acidic compartments in human platelets.

Blood Platelets↗
PubMed1994

Different pathways for control of Na+/H+ exchange via activation of the thrombin receptor.

The aim of the present study was to clarify the control of Na+/H+ exchange in platelets activated via the thrombin receptor. When human BCECF-loaded platelets were stimulated with the thrombin-receptor-activating peptide (TRAP; amino acid sequence SFLLRN), which activates the receptor independently of proteolysis, the cytosolic pH (pHi) rose from 7.13 +/- 0.04 (n = 6) to 7.27 +/- 0.04 (n = 5), followed by a rapid decrease to resting values. Trypsin, which cleaves the receptor, induced a rapid and irreversible rise in pHi to 7.31 +/- 0.06 (n = 5). gamma-Thrombin, which cleaves the receptor but is unable to bind to the hirudin-like domain, induced a slow and irreversible rise in pHi to 7.31 +/- 0.04 (n = 14). alpha-Thrombin, which cleaves the receptor and binds to its hirudin-like domain, induced a rapid and irreversible rise in pHi to 7.31 +/- 0.04 (n = 22). Changes in pHi induced by TRAP, trypsin, gamma- and alpha-thrombin were accompanied by similar changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and 32P-pleckstrin, a substrate of protein kinase C (PKC). The separate chelation of Ca2+i (30 microM BAPTA-AM) or inhibition of PKC (1 microM staurosporine) induced about 50% inhibition of the pHi responses triggered by TRAP, trypsin, gamma- and alpha-thrombin, but the combination induced complete inhibition. Thus the different types of activation of the thrombin receptor control Na+/H+ exchange via the same mechanism. Binding of thrombin to the hirudin-like domain accelerates exchange activation, whereas proteolysis of the receptor is essential for a sustained increase in pHi.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1995

Thrombin receptor activation stimulates astrocyte proliferation and reversal of stellation by distinct pathways: involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation.

Treatment of cultured type-1 astrocytes with thrombin leads to cell proliferation and reversal of stellation. The half-maximal concentrations of thrombin required for each response are 500 and 2 pM, respectively. To test whether they might be mediated by different receptors, we examined the contribution of the G protein-coupled thrombin receptor to these responses in purified rat astrocytes by using the agonist peptide SFLLRNP. In the absence of added growth factors, SFLLRNP fully mimicked the effects of thrombin at half-maximal concentrations of 30 microM for an increase in cell number and DNA synthesis and 100 nM for the reversal of stellation. The role of protein tyrosine phosphorylation in these events was investigated using antiphosphotyrosine antibodies. Thrombin and SFLLRNP at concentrations at least 10-fold greater than those required for half-maximal reversal of stellation but below those required for mitogenesis induced an identical pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation on several proteins of 55-65, 106, 110-115, and 120-130 kDa. The response was rapid (< 1 min) and transient with a peak response after approximately 2 min. The specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A did not affect thrombin- or SFLLRNP-mediated reversal of stellation at concentrations of up to 1 microM. In contrast, 1 microM herbimycin fully inhibited the ability of thrombin and SFLLRNP to increase cell number and stimulate DNA synthesis. Furthermore, this inhibition by 1 microM herbimycin A corresponded to inhibition of receptor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation. Thus, cell proliferation but not reversal of stellation is dependent on thrombin receptor-activated tyrosine kinase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Thrombin-induced platelet PAR4 activation: role of glycoprotein Ib and ADP.

Thrombin activates human platelets via the cleavage of two protease-activated G-protein coupled receptors (PARs), PAR1 and PAR4 that respond to low and high concentrations of thrombin, respectively. The aim of the present study was to examine the relative contributions of GPIbalpha and ADP receptors in response to thrombin-induced PAR1 and PAR4 stimulation. Platelet responses (aggregation, secretion and calcium mobilization) elicited by low thrombin concentrations were impaired when thrombin interaction with GPIbalpha was blocked. In contrast, blockade of thrombin interaction with GPIbalpha had no effect when PAR4-coupled responses were specifically elicited by high thrombin concentrations in the presence of PAR1 antagonists or after PAR1 desensitization. These results confirmed that unlike PAR1, PAR4 does not require GPIbalpha as a cofactor for thrombin-mediated activation. Both apyrase and selective antagonists of P2Y1 and P2Y12 inhibited PAR1-coupled responses but did not modify PAR4-coupled responses, indicating that in contrast to PAR1, PAR4 signals are not reinforced by ADP secretion and binding to the platelets. These results provide the direct evidence that, in human platelets, GPIbalpha and ADP act in synergy to amplify PAR1 coupled responses while PAR4 is activated independently of GPIbalpha and ADP.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗
PubMed2004

Role of thrombin in angiogenesis and tumor progression.

Clinical, laboratory, histopathological, and pharmacological evidence support the notion that the coagulation system, which is activated in most cancer patients, plays an important role in tumor biology. Our laboratory has provided evidence that thrombin activates angiogenesis, a process which is essential in tumor growth and metastasis. This event is independent of fibrin formation. At the cellular level many actions of thrombin can contribute to activation of angiogenesis: (1). Thrombin decreases the ability of endothelial cells to attach to basement membrane proteins. (2). Thrombin greatly potentiates vascular endothelial growth factor- (VEGF-) induced endothelial cell proliferation. This potentiation is accompanied by up-regulation of the expression of VEGF receptors (kinase insert domain-containing receptor [KDR] and fms-like tyrosine kinase [Flt-1]). (3). Thrombin increases the mRNA and protein levels of alpha (v)beta (3) integrin and serves as a ligand to this receptor. Furthermore, thrombin increases the secretion of VEGF and enhances the expression and protein synthesis of matrix metalloprotease-9 and alpha (v)beta (3) integrin in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. These results could explain the angiogenic and tumor-promoting effect of thrombin and provide the basis for development of thrombin receptor mimetics or antagonists for therapeutic application.

Endothelium, Vascular↗
PubMed1995

Evidence for the presence of a protease-activated receptor distinct from the thrombin receptor in human keratinocytes.

Thrombin receptor activation was explored in human epidermal keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts, cells that are actively involved in skin tissue repair. The effects of thrombin, trypsin, and the receptor agonist peptides SFLLRN and TFRIFD were assessed in inositolphospholipid hydrolysis and calcium mobilization studies. Thrombin and SFLLRN stimulated fibroblasts in both assays to a similar extent, whereas TFRIFD was less potent. Trypsin demonstrated weak efficacy in these assays in comparison with thrombin. Results in fibroblasts were consistent with human platelet thrombin receptor activation. Keratinocytes, however, exhibited a distinct profile, with trypsin being a far better activator of inositolphospholipid hydrolysis and calcium mobilization than thrombin. Furthermore, SFLLRN was more efficacious than thrombin, whereas no response was observed with TFRIFD. Since our data indicated that keratinocytes possess a trypsin-sensitive receptor, we addressed the possibility that these cells express the human homologue of the newly described murine protease-activated receptor, PAR-2 [Nystedt, S., Emilsson, K., Wahlestedt, C. & Sundelin, J. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 91, 9208-9212]. PAR-2 is activated by nanomolar concentrations of trypsin and possesses the tethered ligand sequence SLIGRL. SLIGRL was found to be equipotent with SFLLRN in activating keratinocyte inositolphospholipid hydrolysis and calcium mobilization. Desensitization studies indicated that SFLLRN, SLIGRL, and trypsin activate a common receptor, PAR-2. Northern blot analyses detected a transcript of PAR-2 in total RNA from keratinocytes but not fibroblasts. Levels of thrombin receptor message were equivalent in the two cell types. Our results indicate that human keratinocytes possess PAR-2, suggesting a potential role for this receptor in tissue repair and/or skin-related disorders.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Thrombin induces proteinase-activated receptor-1 gene expression in endothelial cells via activation of Gi-linked Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

We addressed the mechanisms of restoration of cell surface proteinase-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) by investigating thrombin-activated signaling pathways involved in PAR-1 re-expression in endothelial cells. Exposure of endothelial cells transfected with PAR-1 promoter-luciferase reporter construct to either thrombin or PAR-1 activating peptide increased the steady-state PAR-1 mRNA and reporter activity, respectively. Pretreatment of reporter-transfected endothelial cells with pertussis toxin or co-expression of a minigene encoding 11-amino acid sequence of COOH-terminal Galphai prevented the thrombin-induced increase in reporter activity. Pertussis toxin treatment also prevented thrombin-induced MAPK phosphorylation, indicating a role of Galphai in activating the downstream MAPK pathway. Expression of constitutively active Galphai2 mutant or Gbeta1gamma2 subunits increased reporter activity 3-4-fold in the absence of thrombin stimulation. Co-expression of dominant negative mutants of either Ras or MEK1 with the reporter construct inhibited the thrombin-induced PAR-1 expression, whereas constitutively active forms of either Ras or MEK1 activated PAR-1 expression in the absence of thrombin stimulation. Expression of dominant negative Src kinase or inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase also prevented the MAPK activation and PAR-1 expression. We conclude that thrombin-induced activation of PAR-1 mediates PAR-1 expression by signaling through Gi1/2 coupled to Src and phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and thereby activating the downstream Ras/MAPK cascade.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

Unique pathway of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation mediated by glycoprotein Ib.

Thrombin plays a central role in normal and abnormal hemostatic processes. It is assumed that alpha-thrombin activates platelets by hydrolyzing the protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1, thereby exposing a new N-terminal sequence, a tethered ligand, which initiates a cascade of molecular reactions leading to thrombus formation. This process involves cross-linking of adjacent platelets mediated by the interaction of activated glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa with distinct amino acid sequences, LGGAKQAGDV and/or RGD, at each end of dimeric fibrinogen molecules. We demonstrate here the existence of a second alpha-thrombin-induced platelet-activating pathway, dependent on GP Ib, which does not require hydrolysis of a substrate receptor, utilizes polymerizing fibrin instead of fibrinogen, and can be inhibited by the Fab fragment of the monoclonal antibody LJIb-10 bound to the GP Ib thrombin-binding site or by the cobra venom metalloproteinase, mocarhagin, that hydrolyzes the extracellular portion of GP Ib. This alternative alpha-thrombin pathway is observed when PAR-1 or GP IIb/IIIa is inhibited. The recognition sites involved in the cross-linking of polymerizing fibrin and surface integrins via the GP Ib pathway are different from those associated with fibrinogen. This pathway is insensitive to RGDS and anti-GP IIb/IIIa antibodies but reactive with a mutant fibrinogen, gamma407, with a deletion of the gamma-chain sequence, AGDV. The reaction is not due to simple trapping of platelets by the fibrin clot, since ligand binding, signal transduction, and second messenger formation are required. The GP Ib pathway is accompanied by mobilization of internal calcium and the platelet release reaction. This latter aspect is not observed with ristocetin-induced GP Ib-von Willebrand factor agglutination nor with GP Ib-von Willebrand factor-polymerizing fibrin trapping of platelets. Human platelets also respond to gamma-thrombin, an autoproteolytic product of alpha-thrombin, through PAR-4. Co-activation of the GP Ib, PAR-1, and PAR-4 pathways elicit synergistic responses. The presence of the GP Ib pathway may explain why anti-alpha-thrombin/anti-platelet regimens fail to completely abrogate thrombosis/restenosis in the cardiac patient.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2001

Activation of endogenous thrombin receptors causes clustering and sensitization of epidermal growth factor receptors of swiss 3T3 cells without transactivation.

The G protein-coupled thrombin receptor can induce cellular responses in some systems by transactivating the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. This is in part due to the stimulation of ectoproteases that generate EGF receptor ligands. We show here that this cannot account for the stimulation of proliferation or migration by thrombin of Swiss 3T3 cells. Thrombin has no direct effect on the activation state of the EGF receptor or of its downstream effectors. However, thrombin induces the subcellular clustering of the EGF receptor at filamentous actin-containing structures at the leading edge and actin arcs of migrating cells in association with other signaling molecules, including Shc and phospholipase Cgamma1. In these thrombin-primed cells, the subsequent migratory response to EGF is potentiated. Thrombin did not potentiate the EGF-stimulated EGF receptor phosphorylation. Thus, in Swiss 3T3 cells the G protein-coupled thrombin receptor can potentiate the EGF tyrosine kinase receptor response when activated by EGF, and this appears to be due to the subcellular concentration of the receptor with downstream effectors and not to the overall ability of EGF to induce receptor transphosphorylation. Thus, the EGF receptor subcellular localization which is altered by thrombin appears to be an important determinant of the efficacy of downstream EGF receptor signaling in cell migration.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed2001

Immunologic impact and clinical outcomes after surgical exposure to bovine thrombin.

OBJECTIVE: To determine prospectively the immunologic response and adverse clinical events in surgical patients exposed to bovine thrombin during cardiac surgical procedures. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Topical bovine thrombin is used extensively as a hemostatic agent during cardiovascular surgery. Antibodies developing after exposure to bovine thrombin have been anecdotally associated with hemorrhagic complications. METHODS: One hundred fifty-one patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures were prospectively recruited for this study before surgical exposure with topical bovine thrombin. Immunoassays were used to determine antibody levels against both bovine and human coagulation proteins before and after exposure to bovine thrombin. Alterations in coagulation assay parameters and adverse clinical events were followed in all patients enrolled in the study. RESULTS: Baseline elevated antibody levels to one or more bovine coagulation proteins were observed most frequently in patients with a prior history of a surgical procedure during which bovine thrombin is frequently used. More than 95% of patients developed a seropositive response to bovine coagulation proteins, and 51% manifested elevated antibody levels to the corresponding human coagulation proteins after bovine thrombin exposure. Postoperative coagulation abnormalities were more common in patients with antibodies to human coagulation proteins. Patients with multiple elevated antibody levels to bovine proteins before surgery were more likely to sustain an adverse clinical outcome after surgery. Using a logistic regression model, the adjusted odds ratio for sustaining an adverse event with multiple elevated antibody levels to bovine proteins before surgery was 5.40. CONCLUSIONS: Bovine thrombin preparations are highly immunogenic and appear to be associated with an increased risk for adverse clinical outcomes during subsequent surgical procedures. The clinical safety of these commonly used preparations needs to be reassessed, and reexposure to these agents should likely be avoided.

Administration, Topical↗