Crassostrea gigas-Based Bioactive Peptide Protected Thrombin-Treated Endothelial Cells against Thrombosis and Cell Barrier Dysfunction

Abstract

The activation of thrombin-treated endothelial cells resulted in disruption of the vascular tissues. A novel oyster-derived bioactive dodecapeptide (IEELEELEAER, P-2-CG) was reported to protect the human umbilical vein endothelial cells and their barrier function via the decrease of VE-cadherin disruption and the restoration of the F-actin arrangement. The promotion of the extrinsic pathway in this case triggers the release of tissue factors that occurs on the surface of the endothelial cells, thus changing the antithrombotic to prothrombotic. P-2-CG induced accordingly a prolongation of plasma clotting time and thrombin generation time, following the alteration of the antithrombotic phenotype. Furthermore, the antithrombotic activity of P-2-CG was also supported by the reduction of FXa and the inhibition of other factors release, for instance, inflammation factors, ROS, etc. In addition to its antithrombogenic role, P-2-CG displayed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties via the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades and central signaling pathways as shown in an in vitro model of endothelial dysfunction.