Endothelial Platelet-endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Research Articles

Novel Locally Acting Dual Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant (APAC) Targets Multiple Sites of Vascular Injury in an Experimental Porcine Model

Vascular binding of dual antiplatelet and anticoagulant (APAC) was assessed in surgically created femoral arteriovenous fistula (AVF) and iliac and carotid artery injury in porcine models. Three models of collagen exposing injury were used: 1) femoral AVF, 2) invivo iliac and carotid artery balloon angioplasty injury, and 3) invitro femoral artery endothelial denudation injury. Biotinylated APAC (0.5mg/mL) was incubated with the injury site before releasing blood flow. APAC, von Willebrand factor (vWF), laminin, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), and podocalyxin were detected in histological sections using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy and Manders' co-localisation coefficient (M1). APAC bound to AVF at anastomosis and to both invivo and invitro injured arteries. APAC co-localised with matrix vWF (M1≥0.66) and laminin (M1≥0.60), but less so if endothelial PECAM-1 or podocalyxin was present (M1≤0.25). APAC targeted and penetrated the injured vessel wall, especially the AVF vein. APAC, compatible with its high negative charge, rapidly targets injured vessels co-localizing with matrix vWF and laminin, but not with endothelial PECAM-1 and podocalyxin. This localising feature may have potential antithrombotic implications for vascular interventions.

TRPC6 is the endothelial calcium channel that regulates leukocyte transendothelial migration during the inflammatory response.

Leukocyte transendothelial migration (TEM) is a tightly regulated, multistep process that is critical to the inflammatory response. A transient increase in endothelial cytosolic free calcium ion concentration (↑[Ca(2+)]i) is required for TEM. However, the mechanism by which endothelial ↑[Ca(2+)]i regulates TEM and the channels mediating this ↑[Ca(2+)]i are unknown. Buffering ↑[Ca(2+)]i in endothelial cells does not affect leukocyte adhesion or locomotion but selectively blocks TEM, suggesting a role for ↑[Ca(2+)]i specifically for this step. Transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6), a Ca(2+) channel expressed in endothelial cells, colocalizes with platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM) to surround leukocytes during TEM and clusters when endothelial PECAM is engaged. Expression of dominant-negative TRPC6 or shRNA knockdown in endothelial cells arrests neutrophils apically over the junction, similar to when PECAM is blocked. Selectively activating endothelial TRPC6 rescues TEM during an ongoing PECAM blockade, indicating that TRPC6 functions downstream of PECAM. Furthermore, endothelial TRPC6 is required for trafficking of lateral border recycling compartment membrane, which facilitates TEM. Finally, mice lacking TRPC6 in the nonmyeloid compartment (i.e., endothelium) exhibit a profound defect in neutrophil TEM with no effect on leukocyte trafficking. Our findings identify endothelial TRPC6 as the calcium channel mediating the ↑[Ca(2+)]i required for TEM at a step downstream of PECAM homophilic interactions.

ICAM-1–activated Src and eNOS signaling increase endothelial cell surface PECAM-1 adhesivity and neutrophil transmigration

AbstractPolymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) extravasation requires selectin-mediated tethering, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)–dependent firm adhesion, and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1)–mediated transendothelial migration. An important unanswered question is whether ICAM-1–activated signaling contributes to PMN transmigration mediated by PECAM-1. We tested this concept and the roles of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Src activated by PMN ligation of ICAM-1 in mediating PECAM-1–dependent PMN transmigration. We observed that lung PMN infiltration in vivo induced in carrageenan-injected WT mice was significantly reduced in ICAM-1−/− and eNOS−/− mice. Crosslinking WT mouse ICAM-1 expressed in human endothelial cells (ECs), but not the phospho-defective Tyr518Phe ICAM-1 mutant, induced SHP-2–dependent Src Tyr530 dephosphorylation that resulted in Src activation. ICAM-1 activation also stimulated phosphorylation of Akt (p-Ser473) and eNOS (p-Ser1177), thereby increasing NO production. PMN migration across EC monolayers was abolished in cells expressing the Tyr518Phe ICAM-1 mutant or by pretreatment with either the Src inhibitor PP2 or eNOS inhibitor L-NAME. Importantly, phospho–ICAM-1 induction of Src signaling induced PECAM-1 Tyr686 phosphorylation and increased EC surface anti–PECAM-1 mAb-binding activity. These results collectively show that ICAM-1–activated Src and eNOS signaling sequentially induce PECAM-1–mediated PMN transendothelial migration. Both Src and eNOS inhibition may be important therapeutic targets to prevent or limit vascular inflammation.

Transmural flow modulates cell and fluid transport functions of lymphatic endothelium.

Lymphatic transport of peripheral interstitial fluid and dendritic cells (DCs) is important for both adaptive immunity and maintenance of tolerance to self-antigens. Lymphatic drainage can change rapidly and dramatically on tissue injury or inflammation, and therefore increased fluid flow may serve as an important early cue for inflammation; however, the effects of transmural flow on lymphatic function are unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that lymph drainage regulates the fluid and cell transport functions of lymphatic endothelium. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrated that lymphatic endothelium is sensitive to low levels of transmural flow. Basal-to-luminal flow (0.1 and 1 mum/sec) increased lymphatic permeability, dextran transport, and aquaporin-2 expression, as well as DC transmigration into lymphatics. The latter was associated with increased lymphatic expression of the DC homing chemokine CCL21 and the adhesion molecules intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin. In addition, transmural flow induced delocalization and downregulation of vascular endothelial cadherin and PECAM-1 (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1). Flow-enhanced DC transmigration could be reversed by blocking CCR7, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, or E-selectin. In an experimental model of lymphedema, where lymphatic drainage is greatly reduced or absent, lymphatic endothelial expression of CCL21 was nearly absent. These findings introduce transmural flow as an important regulator of lymphatic endothelial function and suggest that flow might serve as an early inflammatory signal for lymphatics, causing them to regulate transport functions to facilitate the delivery of soluble antigens and DCs to lymph nodes.

K+ channels on resting duct cells from rat pancreas

The ductal system of the exocrine pancreas produces HCO(3)(-)-rich fluid in response to secretin and other stimuli. HCO(3)(-) efflux across the luminal membrane is mediated by a Cl(-)-HCO(3)(-) exchanger operating in parallel with the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl(-) channel. Basolateral K(+) channels provide an exit pathway for K(+) and play a vital role in maintaining the membrane potential, which is a crucial component of the driving force for anion secretion. Measurements of membrane potential with intracellular microelectrodes suggested that Ba(2+)-sensitive K(+) conductance accounts for more than 60% of the total basolateral ionic conductance in resting ducts (1). To identify the Ba(2+)-sensitive K(+) channels, we isolated ducts from normal rat pancreas by collagenase digestion. We first demonstrated that the ducts did not express a vascular endothelial marker PECAM-1 (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1), but expressed cytokeratin 20, a marker of duct cells (2), using immunofluorescent staining. In addition, monoclonal anti-CFTR antibody was detected near the luminal membrane of these cells. In cell-attached single-channel recordings, we observed three types of K(+) channels on basolateral membrane in unstimulated duct cells. The 40 pS K(+) channels are likely to mediate whole-cell inwardly rectifying K(+) (Kir) currents, which were blocked by extracellular Ba(2+) in a voltage-dependent manner. The properties of 90 pS and 170 pS K(+) channels are similar to those of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels. We then identified Kir2.0 and SK4/IK1 (intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel) subunits as molecular candidates of the K(+) channels using RT-PCR analysis. The present results suggest that these subunits may mediate native K(+) currents in resting duct cells. Further functional studies with specific blockers are required to evaluate which of these K(+) channels contribute to the resting membrane potential and might be involved in HCO(3)(-) secretion.

Endocytosis pathways in endothelium: how many?

vascular endothelium is a cellular monolayer with the organization of a simple squamous epithelium that lines the entire cardiovascular system and constitutes a regulatable barrier between blood and tissues ([9][1], [17][2]). By its location, it is easily accessible to blood-borne drugs or imaging

The antidiabetic agent, gliclazide, reduces high insulin-enhanced neutrophil-transendothelial migration through direct effects on the endothelium.

Many lines of evidence indicate that hyperinsulinemia might be associated with coronary atherosclerosis, and, currently, there are no effective strategies for preventing this. We previously reported that high insulin enhances neutrophil-transendothelial migration, a process that involves increased surface presentation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) through a mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase-dependent event. In this current study, we examined if antidiabetic agents, especially K(ATP) channel blockers, might similarly protect against the leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions enhanced by high insulin. Neutrophils transmigration across umbilical vein endothelial cells (in high insulin medium) with or without K(ATP) channel blockers was performed. Neutrophil migration was quantified by measuring myeloperoxidase, and surface expression of endothelial PECAM-1 was examined using cell-surface enzyme immunoassay. Neutrophil-transendothelial migration and PECAM-1 expression were enhanced by insulin (100 micro U/mL, 24 h) and were attenuated by gliclazide (20 micro M), but not by other K(ATP) channel blockers (glibenclamide, nateglinide, and glimepiride). Neutrophil migration and PECAM-1 expression were also increased by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activator, anisomycin (1 micro M), and also attenuated by gliclazide. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors did not modify either gliclazide effect. Our results suggest that the K(ATP) channel blocker, gliclazide, blocks high insulin-mediated neutrophil migration and PECAM-1 expression. These gliclazide effects may be mediated through the inhibition of MAP kinase activation and are unrelated to NO production.

Adenosine A2A analogue ATL-146e reduces systemic tumor necrosing factor-α and spinal cord capillary platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 expression after spinal cord ischemia

Objective: Inflammation is likely a major contributor to spinal cord reperfusion injury after aortic reconstruction. Systemic 4-{3-[6-amino-9-(5-ethylcarbamoyl-3,4-dihydroxy-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl]-prop-2-ynyl}-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid methyl ester (ATL-146e), a selective adenosine A2A agonist, has been shown to reduce paralysis after spinal cord ischemia. We hypothesized that ATL-146e reduces cytokine production during spinal cord reperfusion, curtailing inflammation and decreasing spinal cord capillary platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) expression. Study design: New Zealand White rabbits sustained spinal cord ischemia with 45-minute cross-clamping of the infrarenal aorta. One group of animals received intravenous ATL-146e at 0.06 μg/kg/min for 3 hours during reperfusion, beginning after 30 minutes of ischemia. A second group received saline solution vehicle alone for 3 hours, serving as an ischemic control. A third group served as sham-operated animals, undergoing laparotomy with anesthesia. Serum was assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for tumor necrosing factor-α (TNF-α). Animals were allowed to recover for 48 hours and were evaluated for hind-limb motor function with the Tarlov (0 to 5) scoring system. At necropsy, animals from each group yielded spinal cords for immunohistochemical staining for PECAM-1. Data are expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean, with statistical analysis with Student t test and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test. Results: Markedly improved Tarlov scores were seen in rabbits with ATL-146e (P <.001) during spinal cord reperfusion as compared with ischemic control animals. A significant reduction was found in TNF-α in the sera of rabbits with ATL-146e infusion (P <.01) as compared with ischemic control animals. Significantly reduced endothelial PECAM-1 staining intensity (P <.05) was seen in microscopic spinal cord sections from rabbits with ATL-146e. Conclusion: ATL-146e, an adenosine A2A agonist, reduces spinal cord reperfusion injury. The mechanism of the protection may involve a reduction in circulating TNF-α during a critical 3-hour reperfusion interval and reduction in spinal cord endothelial PECAM-1 upregulation. (J Vasc Surg 2002;35:994-8.)

Isolation of Endothelial Cells from Brain, Lung, and Kidney: Expression of the Multidrug Resistance P-Glycoprotein Isoforms

Endothelial cells (EC) were isolated from brain, lung, and renal cortex using magnetic microbeads cross-linked to an antibody directed against the platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). Levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and PECAM-1 were measured by Western blots and both were enriched in the positively selected EC fractions. The multidrug resistance P-glycoprotein (P-gp) was strongly enriched (59-fold) in the EC fraction from brain and was absent in the negative fraction, in which the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocyte marker, was present. Lower P-gp levels were detected in EC from renal cortex and lung. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the mdr1a gene was preferentially expressed in EC fraction from the brain. The mdr1b gene was found in EC from renal cortex whereas both mdr1 genes were detected in EC from lung. Our results indicate that EC can be isolated using microbeads and that the isoform of P-gp found in brain is mostly mdr1a, associated with EC.

Endothelial cell E- and P-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 function as signaling receptors.

Previous studies have shown that polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) adherence to endothelial cells (EC) induces transient increases in EC cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) that are required for PMN transit across the EC barrier (Huang, A.J., J.E. Manning, T. M. Bandak, M.C. Ratau, K.R. Hanser, and S.C. Silverstein. 1993. J. Cell Biol. 120:1371-1380). To determine whether stimulation of [Ca2+]i changes in EC by leukocytes was induced by the same molecules that mediate leukocyte adherence to EC, [Ca2+]i was measured in Fura2-loaded human EC monolayers. Expression of adhesion molecules by EC was induced by a pretreatment of the cells with histamine or with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and [Ca2+]i was measured in single EC after the addition of mAbs directed against the EC adhesion proteins P-selectin, E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), or platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). Both anti-P- and anti-E-selectin mAb, as well as anti-VCAM-1 mAb, induced transient increases in EC [Ca2+]i that were comparable to those induced by 200 microM histamine. In contrast, no effect was obtained by mAbs directed against the endothelial ICAM-1 or PECAM-1. PMN adherence directly stimulated increases in [Ca2+]i in histamine- or LPS-treated EC. mAbs directed against leukocyte CD18 or PECAM-1, the leukocyte counter-receptors for endothelial ICAM-1 and PECAM-1, respectively, did not inhibit PMN-induced EC activation. In contrast, mAb directed against sialyl Lewis x (sLex), a PMN ligand for endothelial P- and E-selectin, completely inhibited EC stimulation by adherent PMN. Changes in EC [Ca2+]i were also observed after adherence of peripheral blood monocytes to EC treated with LPS for 5 or 24 h. In these experiments, the combined addition of mAbs to sLex and VLA-4, the leukocyte counter-receptor for endothelial VCAM-1, inhibited [Ca2+]i changes in the 5 h-treated EC, whereas the anti-VLA-4 mAb alone was sufficient to inhibit [Ca2+]i changes in the 24 h-treated EC. Again, no inhibitory effect was observed with an anti-CD18 or anti-PECAM-1 mAb. Of note, the conditions that induced changes in EC [Ca2+]i, i.e. , mAbs directed against endothelial selectins or VCAM-1, and PMN or monocyte adhesion to EC via selectins or VCAM-1, but not via ICAM-1 or PECAM-1, also induced a rearrangement of EC cytoskeletal microfilaments from a circumferential ring to stress fibers. We conclude that, in addition to their role as adhesion receptors, endothelial selectins and VCAM-1 mediate endothelial stimulation by adhering leukocytes.

Platelet/Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Serves as a Costimulatory Agonist Receptor That Modulates Integrin-Dependent Adhesion and Aggregation of Human Platelets

Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) is a 130-kD member of the Ig gene superfamily that is expressed on the surface of circulating platelets, monocytes, neutrophils, and selective T-cell subsets. It is also a major component of the endothelial cell intercellular junction. Previous studies have shown that cross-linking PECAM-1 on the surface of leukocytes results in the activation of adhesion molecules of both the β1 and β2integrin family. In addition, the process of leukocyte transendothelial migration appears to be mediated, at least in part, by homophilic adhesive interactions that take place between leukocyte and endothelial cell junctional PECAM-1 molecules. However, little is known about the functional role of this membrane glycoprotein in human platelets. In the present study, we examined the effects of PECAM-1 engagement on integrin-mediated platelet-extracellular matrix or platelet-platelet interactions. Bivalent, but not monovalent, anti–PECAM-1 monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for membrane-proximal Ig-homology domain 6 significantly augmented platelet deposition (increased surface coverage) and aggregation (increased average size) onto extracellular matrix, under both oscillatory or defined low shear flow conditions (200 s−1) in a modified cone and plate viscometer. Moreover, bivalent anti-domain 6 MoAbs were capable of serving as costimulatory agonists to markedly enhance both adenosine diphosphate (ADP)- and platelet activating factor (PAF)-induced platelet aggregation responses. These antibodies appeared to act via outside-in signal transduction through PECAM-1, as evidenced by the fact that their binding (1) led to conformational changes in the αIIbβ3 integrin complex, (2) induced surface expression of P-selectin, and (3) resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1. Together, these data support a role for PECAM-1 in cellular activation and suggest that PECAM-1 may serve as a costimulatory agonist receptor capable of modulating integrin function in human platelets during adhesion and aggregation.

Interleukin-1 induces major phenotypic changes in human skin microvascular endothelial cells.

To determine the role of the pleiotropic cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-1) on the activation of endothelial cells during inflammation and angiogenesis, pure populations of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC) were obtained by immunoaffinity purification using Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) antibody. Exposure of HDMEC to IL-1beta induced morphologic and physiologic changes characterized by 1) phenotypic modulation of endothelial cells from epithelioid to spindle-shaped cells accompanied by reorganization of vimentin filaments; 2) gradual decrease to a complete absence of the endothelial cell markers von Willebrand factor (vWf) and PECAM-1; and 3) increased capability to form tubule-like structures when overlaid with collagen gels. The IL-1 effect on cell morphology, growth, and decrease of endothelial cell antigens was potentiated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Similar results were observed in mitotically arrested gamma-irradiated cells demonstrating that the spindle-shaped cells observed after IL-1 stimulation were derived from epithelioid endothelial cells and that DNA synthesis was not required to effect these changes. Immunostaining with an antibody specific for human fibroblasts was negative and further confirmed the endothelial cell origin of the spindle-shaped cells. These data demonstrate that IL-1 can induce phenotypic changes in HDMEC from epithelioid to spindle-shaped, mesenchymal-like cells, that these cells are more susceptible to stimulation by bFGF, and that they lose biochemical and functional properties characteristic of epithelioid HDMEC.