Integrin-associated Protein Research Articles

CD47 associates with alpha 5 integrin and regulates responses of human articular chondrocytes to mechanical stimulation in an in vitromodel

BackgroundRecent studies provide evidence of roles for integrins in mechanical signalling in bone and cartilage. Integrin signalling is modulated by various mechanisms, including interaction with other transmembrane proteins. We aimed to identify whether one such protein, integrin-associated protein (CD47/IAP), is expressed by chondrocytes and whether it may regulate integrin-dependent mechanotransduction.MethodsChondrocytes, isolated from macroscopically normal and osteoarthritic articular cartilage of human knee joints, were studied in a resting state or following mechanical stimulation at 0.33 Hz. CD47/IAP expression and associations were confirmed by immunohistology, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunoprecipitation. Roles in mechanotransduction were studied by assessing effects of function-blocking antibodies on a range of electrophysiological, cellular, and molecular responses of primary chondrocytes and responses of CD47/IAP-null cell lines transfected with CD47/IAP.ResultsHuman articular chondrocytes were shown to express CD47/IAP, predominantly the type 2 isoform. Immunoprecipitation showed association of CD47/IAP with α5 integrin and thrombospondin but not SIRPα (signal-regulatory protein-alpha). The function-blocking anti-CD47/IAP antibody Bric 126 inhibited changes in membrane potential, tyrosine phosphorylation, and elevation of relative levels of aggrecan mRNA induced by mechanical stimulation, whereas in the presence of B6H12, an antibody that has partial agonist activity, a membrane depolarisation rather than a membrane hyperpolarisation response was induced by mechanical stimulation. CD47-null cell lines did not show changes in cell membrane potential following mechanical stimulation. Changes in cell membrane potential following mechanical stimulation were seen when CD47-null cells were transfected with CD47/IAP expression vectors but were not seen following mechanical stimulation of cells transfected with vectors for the extracellular immunoglobulin variable (IgV) domain of CD47/IAP in the absence of the transmembrane and intracellular domains.ConclusionCD47/IAP is necessary for chondrocyte mechanotransduction. Through interactions with α5β1 integrin and thrombospondin, CD47/IAP may modulate chondrocyte responses to mechanical signals.

Integrin-linked Kinase Regulates N-WASp-mediated Actin Polymerization and Tension Development in Tracheal Smooth Muscle

The contractile stimulation of smooth muscle tissues stimulates the recruitment of proteins to membrane adhesion complexes and the initiation of actin polymerization. We hypothesized that integrin-linked kinase (ILK), a beta-integrin-binding scaffolding protein and serine/threonine kinase, and its binding proteins, PINCH, and alpha-parvin may be recruited to membrane adhesion sites during contractile stimulation of tracheal smooth muscle to mediate cytoskeletal processes required for tension development. Immunoprecipitation analysis indicted that ILK, PINCH, and alpha-parvin form a stable cytosolic complex and that the ILK.PINCH.alpha-parvin complex is recruited to integrin adhesion complexes in response to acetylcholine (ACh) stimulation where it associates with paxillin and vinculin. Green fluorescent protein (GFP)-ILK and GFP-PINCH were expressed in tracheal muscle tissues and both endogenous and recombinant ILK and PINCH were recruited to the membrane in response to ACh stimulation. The N-terminal LIM1 domain of PINCH binds to ILK and is required for the targeting of the ILK-PINCH complex to focal adhesion sites in fibroblasts during cell adhesion. We expressed the GFP-PINCH LIM1-2 fragment, consisting only of LIM1-2 domains, in tracheal smooth muscle tissues to competitively inhibit the interaction of ILK with PINCH. The PINCH LIM1-2 fragment inhibited the recruitment of endogenous ILK and PINCH to integrin adhesion sites and prevented their association of ILK with beta-integrins, paxillin, and vinculin. The PINCH LIM1-2 fragment also inhibited tension development, actin polymerization, and activation of the actin nucleation initiator, N-WASp. We conclude that the recruitment of the ILK.PINCH.alpha-parvin complex to membrane adhesion complexes is required to initiate cytoskeletal processes required for tension development in smooth muscle.

Two LIM Domain Proteins and UNC-96 Link UNC-97/PINCH to Myosin Thick Filaments inCaenorhabditis elegansMuscle

By yeast two-hybrid screening, we found three novel interactors (UNC-95, LIM-8, and LIM-9) for UNC-97/PINCH in Caenorhabditis elegans. All three proteins contain LIM domains that are required for binding. Among the three interactors, LIM-8 and LIM-9 also bind to UNC-96, a component of sarcomeric M-lines. UNC-96 and LIM-8 also bind to the C-terminal portion of a myosin heavy chain (MHC), MHC A, which resides in the middle of thick filaments in the proximity of M-lines. All interactions identified by yeast two-hybrid assays were confirmed by in vitro binding assays using purified proteins. All three novel UNC-97 interactors are expressed in body wall muscle and by antibodies localize to M-lines. Either a decreased or an increased dosage of UNC-96 results in disorganization of thick filaments. Our previous studies showed that UNC-98, a C2H2 Zn finger protein, acts as a linkage between UNC-97, an integrin-associated protein, and MHC A in myosin thick filaments. In this study, we demonstrate another mechanism by which this linkage occurs: from UNC-97 through LIM-8 or LIM-9/UNC-96 to myosin.

Regulation of IGF-I Signaling in Retinal Endothelial Cells by Hyperglycemia

To investigate the role of hyperglycemia in regulating the proliferative response of retinal endothelial cells (RECs) to insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. The regulation of IGF-I signaling by glucose concentration was assessed by biochemical analysis of primary RECs grown in media containing normal (5 mM) and high (25 mM) glucose. Cell counting was used to asses the proliferative response to IGF-I. Glucose (25 mM) enhanced the proliferative response of RECs to IGF-I. Phosphorylation of the adaptor protein Shc (Src homology 2 domain containing) transforming protein 1) was increased in RECs grown in high glucose. For Shc to be phosphorylated, it must be recruited to the cytoplasmic domain of the transmembrane protein SHPS-1 (SHP substrate-1). Shc recruitment to SHPS-1 was increased when RECs were grown in high glucose. The difference in Shc recruitment to SHPS-1 was attributable to a difference in SHPS-1 phosphorylation that is required for Shc recruitment. This, in turn, was attributable to an increase in SHPS-1 association with integrin-associated protein (IAP), which is necessary for SHPS-1 phosphorylation. The difference in response under the two different glucose conditions appeared to be attributable to changes in the activation of the integrin alphaVbeta3, since blocking alphaVbeta3 in high glucose inhibited the response to IGF-I, whereas addition of the active region of vitronectin to RECs grown in normal glucose enhanced their response. This study demonstrates that hyperglycemic conditions enhance the response of RECs to IGF-I by increasing the association of IAP with SHPS-1 permitting the formation of the SHPS-1-Shc signaling complex, which is required for the proliferative response to IGF-I.

Dual Regulation of SIRPα Phosphorylation by Integrins and CD47

Signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPalpha, SHPS-1) is a plasma membrane receptor for CD47 and a key regulator of phagocytosis, growth factor signaling, and migration. Phosphorylation of immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs in its cytoplasmic tail is essential for the functional effects of SIRPalpha, at least in part, because the phosphorylated immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motifs recruit Src homology 2 domain-containing tyrosine phosphatases. Ligation by CD47 and integrin engagement both have been thought to regulate SIRPalpha phosphorylation. However, their distinct contributions have not been distinguished. Here, we show that the importance of CD47 varies with cell type, since ligation of CD47 is not necessary for SIRPalpha phosphorylation in myeloid cells, whereas it is required in endothelial cells. In contrast, integrin-mediated adhesion is required for SIRPalpha phosphorylation in both cell types. This shows that SIRPalpha phosphorylation is dually regulated and demonstrates a new mechanism for functional cooperation between integrins and the integrin-associated protein CD47.

Phylogenetic Divergence of CD47 Interactions with Human Signal Regulatory Protein α Reveals Locus of Species Specificity: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE BINDING SITE

Cell-cell interactions between ubiquitously expressed integrin-associated protein (CD47) and its counterreceptor signal regulatory protein (SIRPalpha) on phagocytes regulate a wide range of adhesive signaling processes, including the inhibition of phagocytosis as documented in mice. We show that CD47-SIRPalpha binding interactions are different between mice and humans, and we exploit phylogenetic divergence to identify the species-specific binding locus on the immunoglobulin domain of human CD47. All of the studies are conducted in the physiological context of membrane protein display on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Novel quantitative flow cytometry analyses with CD47-green fluorescent protein and soluble human SIRPalpha as a probe show that neither human CD47 nor SIRPalpha requires glycosylation for interaction. Human CD47-expressing CHO cells spread rapidly on SIRPalpha-coated glass surfaces, correlating well with the spreading of primary human T cells. In contrast, CHO cells expressing mouse CD47 spread minimally and show equally weak binding to soluble human SIRPalpha. Further phylogenetic analyses and multisite substitutions of the CD47 Ig domain show that human to cow mutation of a cluster of seven residues on adjacent strands near the middle of the domain decreases the association constant for human SIRPalpha to about one-third that of human CD47. Direct tests of cell-cell adhesion between human monocytes and CD47-displaying CHO cells affirm the species specificity as well as the importance of the newly identified binding locus in cell-cell interactions.

Receptor communication within the lymphocyte plasma membrane: a role for the thrombospondin family of matricellular proteins.

Lymphocytes, the principal cells of the immune system, carry out immune surveillance throughout the body by their unique capacity to constantly reposition themselves between a free-floating vascular state and a tissue state characterized by migration and frequent adhesive interactions with endothelial cells and components of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, mechanisms co-ordinating adhesion and migration with signals delivered through antigen recognition probably play a pivotal role for the regulation of lymphocyte behaviour and function. Endogenous thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) seems to be the hub in such a mechanism for autocrine regulation of T cell adhesion and migration. TSP-1 functions as a mediator of cis interaction of vital receptors within the T lymphocyte plasma membrane, including integrins, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, calreticulin and integrin-associated protein.

Expression of CD47, CD35, CD55 and CD59 on Red Cells from Patients with Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is defined as an increased destruction of red cells (RBC) in the presence of anti-RBC autoantibodies. CD47 is an integrin-associated protein expressed on all cells including RBCs. Animal models show that CD47 deficiency contributes to accelerated development of AIHA, while CD35 (CR1- complement receptor 1), CD55 (decay accelerating factor), and CD59 (membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis) are complement inhibitory proteins. Using flow cytometry analysis, in this study we evaluated the expression of CD47, CD35, CD55, and CD59 on RBCs of patients with warm AIHA before any treatment had been initiated. The study population consisted of 12 patients with active AIHA [M:F = 6:6, median age: 32 yrs (3 – 73)], and 20 healthy controls [M:F = 9:11, median age: 36 yrs (25 – 71)]. Ten patients presented idiopathic AIHA while 2 subjects had secondary AIHA (systemic lupus erythematosus and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma). At presentation the median Hb level was 6.6 mg/dL (range: 2.9 to 10 mg/dL), and the median absolute reticulocyte count was 324 × 109/L (range: 215 to 756 × 109/L). At the time of the analyses, all 12 patients had a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT), 12 (100%) had IgG on their RBCs, 5 (41.7%) had IgG plus C3, and none had C3 alone. The strength of agglutination of all positive DATs showed a strong reaction. The RBC eluates prepared by a dichloromethane technique from the cell samples were positive in all 12 patients, but the retrieved autoantibodies were pan-reactive showing no specific reactivity. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the expression of CD47, CD35 and CD55 on RBCs of AIHA patients and healthy individuals were not statistically different (CD47 = 464.4 and 464.4; CD35 = 186.8 and 194.3; CD55 = 396.9 and 381.1, respectively). Four patients with life-threatening AIHA were treated with high dose of steroids and RBC transfusions, but 3 patients evolved to death. Two patients who died presented low CD55 expression on their RBCs at diagnosis. AIHA patients showed significant lower CD59 expression on RBCs than healthy controls (MFI = 512.3 ± 28.0 and 553.7 ± 36.6, P = .03). Although CD59 expression in patients that evolved to remission was not significantly different from healthy controls (MFI = 538.5 ± 14.4 and 553.7 ± 36.6), the expression of CD59 on RBCs of 3 AHAI patients who died were significantly lower than that seen on RBCs of healthy controls (MFI = 433.6 ± 69.6 and 553.7 ± 36.6, P = .0001). Although experimental studies have suggested that CD47 has a profound influence on the severity of AIHA in mice, our preliminary data on 12 patients with AIHA did not demonstrate difference on the expression of CD47 on RBCs of patients with warm AIHA or healthy indibiduals. On the other hand, complement regulatory proteins (CD35, CD55, and CD59) may play an important role in protecting RBC destruction through the activation of complement. Our results suggest that patients with life-threatening warm AIHA may present significant CD59 deficiency on their RBCs that may increase the susceptibility of cells to complement-mediated lysis resulting in severe clinical hemolysis.

Expression of the self-marker CD47 on dendritic cells governs their trafficking to secondary lymphoid organs

Dendritic cells (DCs) capture and process Ag in the periphery. Thus, traffic through lymphatic vessels is mandatory before DCs relocate to lymph nodes where they are dedicated to T-cell priming. Here, we show that the ubiquitous self-marker CD47 selectively regulates DC, but not T and B cell trafficking across lymphatic vessels and endothelial barriers in vivo. We find an altered skin DC migration and impaired T-cell priming in CD47-deficient mice at steady state and under inflammatory conditions. Competitive DC migration assays and active immunization with myeloid DCs demonstrate that CD47 expression is required on DCs but not on the endothelium for efficient DC trafficking and T-cell responses. This migratory defect correlates with the quasi-disappearance of splenic marginal zone DCs in nonmanipulated CD47-deficient mice. Nonetheless, CCR7 expression and CCL19-driven chemotaxis remain intact. Our data reveal that CD47 on DCs is a critical factor in controlling migration and efficient initiation of the immune response.

Endogenous thrombospondin-1 is a cell-surface ligand for regulation of integrin-dependent T-lymphocyte adhesion

AbstractLymphocyte adhesion to cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) via integrins plays a pivotal role for the function of the immune system. We show here that endogenous thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a cell-surface ligand for cis interaction of surface receptors in T lymphocytes controlled by integrins and the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR/CD3). Stimulation of CD3 triggers rapid surface expression of TSP-1 in quiescent T cells, whereas activated cells express TSP-1 constitutively. Endogenous TSP-1 is attached to lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1/CD91) and calreticulin (CRT) on the cell surface through its NH2-terminal domain. Adhesion via integrins to ICAM-1 or ECM components up-regulates TSP turnover dramatically from a low level in nonadherent cells, whereas CD3 stimulation inhibits TSP turnover through interference with CD91/CRT-mediated internalization. Integrin-associated protein (IAP/CD47) is essential for TSP turnover and adhesion through interaction with the C-terminal domain of TSP-1 in response to triggering signals delivered at the NH2-terminal. These results indicate that endogenous TSP-1 connects separate cell-surface receptors functionally and regulates T-cell adhesion.

Role of Integrin Cross-Regulation in Parvovirus B19 Targeting

Most viral vectors used for gene therapy lack the ability to target a defined cell population. Parvovirus B19 has a restricted tropism for human erythroid progenitor cells and uses activated alpha5beta1 integrins as coreceptors for entry [Weigel-Kelley, K.A., Yoder, M.C., and Srivastava, A. (2003). Blood 102, 3927-3933]. In this study we examined the role of coexpressed integrins in alpha5beta1 integrin coreceptor function. Antibody-mediated cross-linking of beta1, beta2, and beta3 integrins and the integrin-associated protein (IAP) increased parvovirus B19 entry into nontarget K562 cells. Functional silencing of one integrin group, however, reduced the virus uptake- promoting function of a subsequently activated integrin group, indicating that the three integrins did not operate in isolation but through shared signaling pathways. This was further corroborated by direct competition between simultaneously clustered beta2 and beta1 integrins that could be overcome by stabilizing clustered beta1 integrins in a high-affinity conformation. In contrast, parvovirus B19 entry into primary erythroid progenitor cells was characterized by strong clustering-induced beta1 integrin coreceptor activity that was not abolished by subsequent beta2 and beta3 integrin activation and was, in fact, substantially increased in the presence of preclustered beta2 and beta3 integrins. Thus, integrin function is regulated in a cell type-specific manner through coexpressed integrins and preferential parvovirus B19 entry into erythroid progenitor cells is promoted by a robust beta1 integrin response that is enhanced through stable preclustering of coexpressed integrins. These results have implications for other viral vectors that use integrins as receptors/coreceptors and for gene therapy of hematopoietic progenitor cells using parvovirus B19 vectors.

Alveolar Epithelial Cells Direct Monocyte Transepithelial Migration upon Influenza Virus Infection: Impact of Chemokines and Adhesion Molecules

Influenza A virus pneumonia is characterized by severe lung injury and high mortality. Early infection elicits a strong recruitment of monocytes from the peripheral blood across the endo-/epithelial barrier into the alveolar air space. However, it is currently unclear which of the infected resident lung cell populations, alveolar epithelial cells or alveolar macrophages, elicit monocyte recruitment during influenza A virus infection. In the current study, we investigated whether influenza A virus infection of primary alveolar epithelial cells and resident alveolar macrophages would elicit a basal-to-apical monocyte transepithelial migration in vitro. We found that infection of alveolar epithelial cells with the mouse-adapted influenza A virus strain PR/8 strongly induced the release of monocyte chemoattractants CCL2 and CCL5 followed by a strong monocyte transepithelial migration, and this monocytic response was strictly dependent on monocyte CCR2 but not CCR5 chemokine receptor expression. Analysis of the adhesion molecule pathways demonstrated a role of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, integrin-associated protein (CD47), and junctional adhesion molecule-c on the epithelial cell surface interacting with monocyte beta(1) and beta(2) integrins and integrin-associated protein in the monocyte transmigration process. Importantly, addition of influenza A virus-infected alveolar macrophages further enhanced monocyte transmigration across virus-infected epithelium in a TNF-alpha-dependent manner. Collectively, the data show an active role for virus-infected alveolar epithelium in the regulation of CCL2/CCR2-dependent monocyte transepithelial migration during influenza infection that is essentially dependent on both classical beta(1) and beta(2) integrins but also junctional adhesion molecule pathways.

Txr1: a transcriptional regulator of thrombospondin-1 that modulates cellular sensitivity to taxanes

Using transcripts initiated at a chromosomally integrated retrovirus-based promoter to perturb gene expression randomly in human prostate cancer cells, we isolated cell clones resistant to taxane lethality and discovered the role of a previously uncharacterized gene, txr1, in this phenotype. We show that txr1 impedes taxane-induced apoptosis in tumor cells by transcriptionally down-regulating the production of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1)--known earlier for both its anti-angiogenic and proapoptotic actions. Decrease of Txr1 or treatment with TSP-1 or TSP-1 mimetic peptide sensitized cells to taxane cytotoxicity by activating signaling through the CD47 receptor (also known as the integrin-associated protein), whereas interference with CD47 function reduced taxane-induced cell death. Cellular abundance of Txr1 and TSP-1 varied inversely, and alteration of the level of both proteins correlated highly with taxol resistance in 13 of 19 NCI-60 cancer cell lines. Our results reveal a hitherto unsuspected mechanism of taxane resistance, elucidate the role of txr1 in this resistance, and identify txr1 as a regulator of TSP-1 production and an agent for its chemotherapeutic modulation.

CD47 regulation of epithelial cell spreading and migration, and its signal transduction

CD47 is an integrin-associated penta-transmembrane protein that possesses an immunoglobulin-like domain in its extracellular region. We have now investigated the role of CD47 in the regulation of epithelial cell spreading and migration. CD47 is colocalized with E-cadherin at cell-cell adhesion sites of epithelial cells. A Ca2+ switch experiment showed that CD47 was endocytosed and then relocalized to cell-cell adhesion sites in a similar manner to E-cadherin. Such polarized localization of CD47 required the multiple spanning region of this protein. Forced expression of CD47 induced cell spreading with marked lamellipodium formation and resulted in both partial disruption of cell-cell adhesion and enhancement of the hepatocyte growth factor-stimulated scattering of Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. The CD47-induced cell spreading was blocked by inhibition of Src and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase. Thus, these results suggest that CD47 participates in the regulation of cell-cell adhesion and cell migration through reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in epithelial cells. This function of CD47 is mediated by the activation of Src and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase.

Membrane mobility and clustering of Integrin Associated Protein (IAP, CD47)—Major differences between mouse and man and implications for signaling

Integrin Associated Protein (IAP, CD47) is a ubiquitous integral membrane protein implicated in processes (in mice) that range from inhibiting clearance by phagocytes [Oldenborg et al., Science 2000; Gardai et al., Cell 2005] to neutrophil motility [Lindberg et al., Science 1996]. SIRPα is CD47's main receptor on phagocytes plus a number of other cell types, and SIRPα-CD47 interactions in clusters are believed to mediate signaling. However, considerable species differences in CD47 sequence as well as differences in CD47 extractability from mouse cells versus man motivate a characterization of mobility, clusterability, and kinetics under force of CD47-SIRPα. Despite similar levels of CD47 on red cells from mouse and man, we find an effective avidity of SIRPα-CD47 for mouse appears higher than for human. Both mouse and human CD47 show clustering by multivalent SIRPα complexes, but only mouse cells aggregate with CD47 concentrating at cell–cell contacts. This proves consistent with fluorescence imaged micro-deformation, which indicates near-complete mobility of CD47 on mouse cells compared to only about 30–40% mobility on normal human cells. To qualify the method, we also show that disrupting cellular F-actin dramatically increases the mobility of integral membrane proteins. Furthermore, atomic force microscopy probing of cell membranes with human SIRPα confirms the species-specific interactions and provides evidence of clustering and adhesion on short time scales, but it also shows surprisingly strong forces in detachment for a signaling complex. The results thus highlight major species differences in CD47-SIRPα interactions and CD47 integration, suggesting that signaling by CD47 in man may be qualitatively different from mouse.

Target cell CD47 regulates macrophage activation and erythrophagocytosis

The ubiquitously expressed cell surface glycoprotein CD47 (integrin-associated protein, IAP) was originally identified as a regulator of integrin-dependent leukocyte responses to extracellular matrix proteins. However, it has been shown that CD47 has several important functions in addition to regulating integrin activation. Extensive studies in murine systems have shown that CD47 on erythrocytes and other cells can function as a regulator of target cell phagocytosis, by binding to the inhibitory receptor SIRPα on macrophages. In this way, macrophages are less likely to phagocytose an autoimmune sensitized cell with CD47 on its surface than a CD47-deficient cell where this inhibitory mechanism will not be engaged. The CD47–SIRPα interaction seems to be important in limiting destruction of host cells in experimental models of autoimmune diseases like autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) or immune thrombocytopenia, where macrophages destroy antibody or complement opsonized cells.

Thrombospondin-1 C-terminal-derived peptide protects thyroid cells from ceramide-induced apoptosis through the adenylyl cyclase pathway

Thrombospondin-1, a multi-modular matrix protein is able to interact with a variety of matrix proteins and cell-surface receptors. Thus it is multifunctional. In this work, we examined the role of thrombospondin-1 in ceramide-induced thyroid apoptosis. We focused on the VVM containing sequence localized in the C-terminal domain of the molecule. Primary cultured thyroid cells synthesize thrombospondin-1 depending on their morphological organization. As it leads thyrocytes to organize into monolayers before inducing apoptosis ceramide can modulate this organization. Here, we established that C 2-ceramide treatment decreased thrombospondin-1 expression by interfering with the adenylyl cyclase pathway, thus leading to apoptosis. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the thrombospondin-1-derived peptide 4N1 (RFYVVMWK) abolished ceramide-induced thyroid cell death by preventing intracellular cAMP levels from dropping. Finally, we reported that 4N1-mediated inhibition of ceramide-induced apoptosis was consistently associated with a down-regulation of the caspase-3 processing. Integrin-associated protein receptor (IAP or CD47) was identified as a molecular relay mediating the observed 4N1 effects. Taken together, our results shed light for the first time on anti-apoptotic activities of the thrombospondin-1-derived peptide 4N1 and provide new information on how thrombospondin-1 may control apoptosis of non-tumoral cells.

Heptahelical and Other G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) Signaling

Heptahelical receptors are coupled to heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins) which transduce most signals through their alpha and betagamma subunits to effectors, enzymes and ion channels. Of the 367 heptahelical receptors for endogenous ligands, about 330 are potential targets for drug discovery with agonist, antagonist or inverse agonist properties. The term G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a broader functional definition rather than a structural one referring to heptahelical receptors specifically. Non-heptahelical putative GPCRs include some transmembrane receptors with tyrosine-kinase activity on their cytosolic endings (EGF, insulin and IGF-1 receptors), other transmembrane receptors (mannose-6-phosphate/IGF-2 receptor and integrin-associated protein IAP or CD47), and some receptors belonging to the class of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins and located on the outer face of the plasma membrane. Also, activators of G-protein signaling (AGS) proteins that regulate vesicular trafficking activate heterotrimeric G-proteins in the Golgi independently of receptor activation. Main effectors activated through their direct interactions with alpha subunits or betagamma dimers of heterotrimeric G-proteins include adenylylcyclases, cGMP-phosphodiesterase, phospholipases Cbeta, phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma, Ca(V2) calcium channels, GIRK/Kir3 potassium channels, and guanine nucleotide exchange factors RasGEF and RhoGEF leading to small G-proteins and MAP-kinases activation. Current signaling cascades leading to final cell responses are depicted.

Calreticulin Serves as an "Eat Me" Signal

Apoptotic cells are removed by phagocytosis upon recognition of the dying cells. The exact signals for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells remain to be determined. Gardai et al. suggest that on apoptotic cells, cell surface calreticulin (Crt), although it is also present on healthy cells, becomes recognized by the engulfing cells, thereby contributing to the phagocytosis signal. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells was decreased if the cells were first exposed to an antibody against Crt. Furthermore, Crt-deficient apoptotic cells were not phagocytosed efficiently in vitro or in vivo. In vitro phagocytosis of the Crt-deficient apoptotic cells was restored if the Crt was added exogenously. Both professional (macrophages) and nonprofessional (fibroblasts) phagocytic cells were dependent on cell surface Crt for recognition of apoptotic cells. Crt is known to bind LRP [low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-related protein], and exposure of macrophages to an antibody against the extracellular, but not the intracellular, domain of LRP inhibited phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. Crt also stimulated macropinocytosis and membrane ruffling through activation of Rac in macrophages, and these responses were absent in LRP –/– mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), which also did not phagocytose apoptotic cells and did not bind exogenously added Crt. Receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a known antagonist of LRP, and treatment of macrophages with exogenous RAP inhibited engulfment of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, RAP and Crt reciprocally displaced each other from the surface of macrophages, which suggests competitive binding for the LRP. Because Crt is present on the surface of nonapoptotic cells, a mechanism must exist to allow the Crt "eat me" signal to be recognized at the proper time. One difference is that Crt was more abundant on the surface and redistributed into patches that were also abundant in phosphatidylserine and the ganglioside GM1 on the surface of apoptotic cells. Also, CD47 (also known as integrin-associated protein), which interacts with SIRPα (signal regulatory protein α) to inhibit phagocytosis, was either decreased at the surface of apoptotic cells or redistributed to patches away from the patches containing Crt. Thus, the "eat me" and "don't eat me" signals appear to segregate in apoptotic cells, which may allow the "eat me" signals to prevail. S. J. Gardai, K. A. McPhillips, S. C. Frasch, W. J. Janssen, A. Starefeldt, J. E. Murphy-Ullrich, D. L. Bratton, P.-A. Oldenborg, M. Michalak, P. M. Henson, Cell-surface calreticulin initiates clearance of viable or apoptotic cells through trans -activation of LRP on the phagocyte. Cell 123 , 321-334 (2005). [PubMed]

Cell-Surface Calreticulin Initiates Clearance of Viable or Apoptotic Cells through trans-Activation of LRP on the Phagocyte

Apoptotic-cell removal is critical for development, tissue homeostasis, and resolution of inflammation. Although many candidate systems exist, only phosphatidylserine has been identified as a general recognition ligand on apoptotic cells. We demonstrate here that calreticulin acts as a second general recognition ligand by binding and activating LDL-receptor-related protein (LRP) on the engulfing cell. Since surface calreticulin is also found on viable cells, a mechanism preventing inadvertent uptake was sought. Disruption of interactions between CD47 (integrin-associated protein) on the target cell and SIRPalpha (SHPS-1), a heavily glycosylated transmembrane protein on the engulfing cell, permitted uptake of viable cells in a calreticulin/LRP-dependent manner. On apoptotic cells, CD47 was altered and/or lost and no longer activated SIRPalpha. These changes on the apoptotic cell create an environment where "don't eat me" signals are rendered inactive and "eat me" signals, including calreticulin and phosphatidylserine, congregate together and signal for removal.