Tissue Plasminogen Activator Secretion Research Articles

Effects of IgG from the serum of ischemic stroke patients on hemostasis

Ischemic stroke is among the top diseases leading to mortality and disability in the world. The detailed investigation of the mechanisms underlying this pathology and especially mediating the tendency to relapse during the first year after stroke incident undoubtedly belongs to important tasks of modern medicine and biology. The current study aims to analyze the influence of IgG derived from the blood serum of ischemic stroke patients on some hemostasis factors. In total, 123 participants with IS, 62 with atherothrombotic ischemic stroke, 61 with cardioembolic ischemic stroke, and 57 subjects as control have been examined. The same patients have participated in the research a year after stroke. IgG from serum was isolated by affinity chromatography on protein A Sepharose column. The activity of key hemostasis factors under the influence of IgG was analyzed. Obtained results revealed that IgG of stroke patients but not healthy subjects caused the inhibition of the amidolytic activity of endogenously generated thrombin, protein C, factor Xa, and led to an increase in the degree of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. The reduction of clotting time in the test "Thrombin time" by IgG of patients at the acute phase of disease was also observed; IgG of healthy subjects mediated the opposite effect. In contrast to acute ischemic stroke IgG, IgG of patients one year after both atherothrombotic and cardioembolic ischemic stroke influenced only the activity of endogenously generated thrombin and factor Xa resulting in inhibition of their activities. It was also established that IgG of ischemic stroke patients, as well as healthy subjects, stimulated the secretion of tissue plasminogen activator by endotheliocytes.

Cytokine and estrogen stimulation of endothelial cells augments activation of the prekallikrein-high molecular weight kininogen complex: Implications for hereditary angioedema

When the prekallikrein-high molecular weight kininogen complex is bound to endothelial cells, prekallikrein is stoichiometrically converted to kallikrein because of release of heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90). Although bradykinin formation is typically initiated by factor XII autoactivation, it is also possible to activate factor XII either by kallikrein, thus formed, or by plasmin. Because attacks of hereditary angioedema can be related to infection and/or exposure to estrogen, we questioned whether estrogen or cytokine stimulation of endothelial cells could augment release of Hsp90 and prekallikrein activation. We also tested release of profibrinolytic enzymes, urokinase, and tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) as a source for plasmin formation. Cells were stimulated with agonists, and secretion of Hsp90, urokinase, and TPA was measured in the culture supernatants by ELISA. Activation of the prekallikrein-HK complex was measured by using pro-phe-arg-p-nitroanilide reflecting kallikrein formation. Hsp90 release was stimulated with optimal doses of estradiol, IL-1, and TNF-α (10ng/mL) from 15minutes to 120minutes. TPA release was not augmented by any of the agonists tested but urokinase was released by IL-1, TNF-α, and thrombin (positive control), but not estrogen. Augmented activation of the prekallikrein-HK complex to generate kallikrein was seen with each agonist that releases Hsp90. Addition of 0.1% factor XII relative to prekallikrein-HK leads to rapid formation of kallikrein; factor XII alone does not autoactivate. IL-1, TNF-α, and estrogen stimulate release of Hsp90 and augment activation of the prekallikrein-HK complex to generate kallikrein and bradykinin. IL-1 and TNF-α stimulate release of urokinase, which can convert plasminogen to plasmin and represents a possible source for plasmin generation in all types of hereditary angioedema, but particularly hereditary angioedema with normal C1 inhibitor with a factor XII mutation. Both kallikrein and plasmin activate factor XII; kallikrein is 20 times more potent on a molar basis.

Control of extracellular cleavage of ProBDNF by high frequency neuronal activity

Pro- and mature neurotrophins often elicit opposing biological effects. For example, mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (mBDNF) is critical for long-term potentiation induced by high-frequency stimulation, whereas proBDNF facilitate long-term depression induced by low-frequency stimulation. Because mBDNF is derived from proBDNF by endoproteolytic cleavage, mechanisms regulating the cleavage of proBDNF may control the direction of BDNF regulation. Using methods that selectively detect proBDNF or mBDNF, we show that low-frequency stimulation induced predominant proBDNF secretion in cultured hippocampal neurons. In contrast, high-frequency stimulation preferentially increased extracellular mBDNF. Inhibition of extracellular, but not intracellular cleavage of proBDNF greatly reduced high-frequency stimulation-induced extracellular mBDNF. Moreover, high-frequency, but not low-frequency stimulation selectively induced the secretion of tissue plasminogen activator, a key protease involved in extracellular proBDNF to mBDNF conversion. Thus, high-frequency neuronal activity controls the ratio of extracellular proBDNF/mBDNF by regulating the secretion of extracellular proteases. Our study demonstrates activity-dependent control of extracellular proteolytic cleavage of a secretory protein, and reveals an important mechanism that controls diametrically opposed functions of BDNF isoforms.

Glycation Does Not Alter LDL‐Induced Secretion of Tissue Plasminogen Activator and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor‐1 from Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Diabetes may induce both quantitative and qualitative changes in lipoproteins, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Effects of LDL glycation on endothelial cell secretion of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) have not been fully elucidated. Human aortic endothelial cell (HAEC) tPA and PAI-1 production were determined after incubation with LDL (50 to 500 microg/mL protein, 24 h) from three sources: (1) nondiabetic LDL (N-LDL) modified in vitro to form six preparations: native, nonmodified (N); glycated (G); minimally oxidized (MO); minimally oxidized and glycated (MOG); heavily oxidized (HO); and heavily oxidized and glycated (HOG); (2) in vivo glycated and relatively nonglycated LDL subfractions from type 1 diabetic patients; (3) LDL from type 1 diabetic patients and matched controls, which was subfractionated using density gradient ultracentrifugation. In experiments using LDL modified in vitro, the rate of tPA release by HAECs incubated with N-LDL (83 +/- 4 ng/mg cell protein/24 h) did not differ significantly from those incubated with G-LDL (73 +/- 7), MO-LDL (74 +/- 13), or MOG-LDL (66 +/- 15) and was not influenced by LDL concentration. The rate of PAI-1 release was similar in HAECs incubated with N-LDL (5.7 +/- 0.6 mug/mg cell protein/24 h), G-LDL (5.7 +/- 0.7), MO-LDL (5.5 +/- 0.8), or MOG-LDL (5.7 +/- 0.9) and was not influenced by LDL concentration. In contrast, tPA release was significantly decreased in cells incubated with LDL (10 microg/mL) modified extensively by oxidation, and averaged 45.2 +/- 5.0 and 43.7 +/- 9.9 ng/mg/24 h for HO-LDL and HOG-LDL, respectively, and was further decreased with increasing concentrations of the heavily oxidized LDL preparations. PAI-1 release was not significantly decreased relative to N-LDL in cells incubated with low concentrations (5 to 50 microg/mL) of HO-LDL and HOG-LDL, but was decreased to 3.2 +/- 0.5 and 3.1 +/- 0.7 microg/mg/24 h for HO-LDL and HOG-LDL at 200 microg/mL, respectively. Results using in vivo glycated versus nonglycated LDL showed that tPA and PAI-1 release did not differ between subfractions. Release of tPA averaged 5.11 +/- 0.6 and 5.12 +/- 0.7 ng/mg/24 h, whereas release of PAI-1 averaged 666 +/- 27 ng/mg/24 h and 705 +/- 30 ng/mg/24 h for nonglycated and glycated LDL subfractions, respectively. Using LDL of different density subclasses, tPA and PAI-1 release in response to LDL from diabetic patients compared with control subjects did not differ when HAECs were incubated with LDLs of increasing density isolated from each subject pair. We conclude that oxidation of LDL, but not glycation, may contribute to the altered fibrinolysis observed in diabetes.

A bicistronic DNA vaccine containing apical membrane antigen 1 and merozoite surface protein 4/5 can prime humoral and cellular immune responses and partially protect mice against virulent Plasmodium chabaudi adami DS malaria.

The ultimate malaria vaccine will require the delivery of multiple antigens from different stages of the complex malaria life cycle. In order to efficiently deliver multiple antigens with use of DNA vaccine technology, new antigen delivery systems must be assessed. This study utilized a bicistronic vector construct, containing an internal ribosome entry site, expressing a combination of malarial candidate antigens: merozoite surface protein 4/5 (MSP4/5) (fused to a monocyte chemotactic protein 3 chemoattractant sequence) and apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) (fused to a tissue plasminogen activator secretion signal). Transfection of COS 7 cells with bicistronic plasmids resulted in production and secretion of both AMA-1 and MSP4/5 in vitro. Vaccination of BALB/c mice via intraepidermal gene gun and intramuscular routes against AMA-1 and MSP4/5 resulted in antibody production and significant in vitro proliferation of splenocytes stimulated by both AMA-1 and MSP4/5. Survival of BALB/c mice vaccinated with bicistronic constructs after lethal Plasmodium chabaudi adami DS erythrocytic-stage challenge was variable, although significant increases in survival and reductions in peak parasitemia were observed in several challenge trials when the vaccine was delivered by the intramuscular route. This study using a murine model demonstrates that the delivery of malarial antigens via bicistronic vectors is feasible. Further experimentation with bicistronic delivery systems is required for the optimization and refinement of DNA vaccines to effectively prime protective immune responses against malaria.

Thyrotropin stimulates production of procoagulant and vasodilative factors in human aortic endothelial cells.

vasodilative Thyroid diseases have been associated with pathophysiological changes in the vasculature that may result from altered thyroid hormone production or to direct effect of elevated thyrotropin (TSH) levels on smooth muscle cells. A direct effect of TSH on vascular endothelium has not been considered. In the present study a strain of human aortic endothelial cells has been stimulated with TSH, and vascular parameters correlated with the atherosclerotic process have been analyzed. Addition of TSH induced an increase of cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentration in human aortic endothelial cells. Furthermore it induced a decrease of endothelin (from 30 +/- 2.5 to 13 +/- 1 fmol/mL) and of tissue plasminogen activator secretion (from 2,800 +/- 200 to 1,600 +/- 150 ng/mL). On the other hand, it increased nitric oxide (from 148 +/- 8 to 211 +/- 12 microM). TSH did not affect plasminogen activator inhibitor 1. Similar results were obtained when immunoglobulin Gs (IgGs) from Graves' disease patients were used. In conclusion, our findings suggest that TSH and IgGs from Graves' disease patients could stimulate endothelial cells, increasing the secretion of procoagulant and vasodilative factors, and that cAMP is involved in the transduction pathway. These findings are consistent with modifications of the fibrinolytic system reported in hypothyroidism and in Graves' disease. On the other hand, the increase of vascular resistance found in patients with hypothyroidism may be due to the altered thyroid hormone production and not to TSH directly, or to a different effect of TSH on peripheral vessels.

Growth factor regulation of secreted matrix metalloproteinase and plasminogen activators in prostate cancer cells, normal prostate fibroblasts and normal osteoblasts.

We assessed the relative levels of secreted matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasminogen activators (PAs) in PC-3 cells, prostate fibroblasts and osteoblasts in the presence and absence of VEGF, TGF beta1 and bFGF. Fibroblasts and osteoblasts secreted more MMPs -1 and -2 than did PC-3 cells, while PC-3 s contributed the majority of PAs. MMP-1 expression was downregulated by transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta1) treatment in prostate fibroblasts and upregulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in both stromal lines. In PC-3 cells, TGF beta1 and bFGF increased urokinase plasminogen activator secretion. TGF beta1 decreased tissue plasminogen activator secretion in all cell lines. Prostate cancer cells associated with fibroblasts or osteoblasts have a variety of MMPs and PAs to facilitate matrix degradation.

Secretion of tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 during cardiopulmonary bypass

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with elevated tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels during CPB and increased plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels post-operatively. The goal of this study was to estimate the rate of t-PA and PAI-1 secretion in vivo, before, during and after CPB. Materials and methods: Estimated rates of t-PA and PAI-1 secretion were based on measured levels of active and total t-PA, and active and total PAI-1, obtained before, during and after CPB from nine males, combined with a computer model of each patient's vascular system that continuously accounted for secretion, clearance, hemodilution, blood loss and transfusion. Results and conclusions: At baseline, the average t-PA and PAI-1 secretion rates were 0.74±0.33 and 1.28±0.74 pmol/s, respectively. Within 5 min of CPB initiation, t-PA secretion increased six-fold to 4.41±2.58 pmol/s, while PAI-1 secretion was unchanged, resulting in a six-fold increase in active t-PA levels. t-PA secretion remained elevated throughout CPB and into the early post-operative period. Average PAI-1 secretion did not start to increase until the end of CPB. By 2 h after surgery, average PAI-1 secretion had increased 15-fold to 19.60±17.10 pmol/s, resulting in reduced levels of active t-PA even though t-PA secretion was still elevated. We conclude that CPB induces an immediate sustained increase in t-PA secretion followed by a delayed progressive increase in PAI-1 production. Variations in the level of active t-PA are a function of the relative rates of t-PA versus PAI-1 secretion at different times during and after surgery.

Regulation of calcium to tissue plasminogen activator secretion in mouse epidermal keratinocytes

The amounts of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) of culture supernatants, cell surfaces as well as intracellular spaces of the mouse keratinocytes cultured in calcium-free medium or in the presence of low or high calcium concentration medium were tested using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results indicated that cultured keratinocytes could secrete tPA into extracellular space and respond to the addition of high calcium concentration with a time-dependent increase of tPA secretion, and the peak value of tPA secretion appeared after 24 h of keratinocytes culture. Furthermore, comparing the amount of tPA in culture supernatants with that in cell surfaces, it was found that after culture for 24 h, the secreted tPA could bind to the surfaces of the keratinocytes through the lysine sites within its molecule, and this process was enhanced by high calcium concentration. On the basis of these data we assumed that in mouse keratinocytes, tPA firstly secretes into extracellular space and then binds to the keratinocytes surface, and calcium regulates tPA secretion and its following binding to the surface of keratinocytes, which may correlate with the differentiation of keratinocytes.

Enhanced secretion of tissue plasminogen activator by simultaneous use of retinoic acid and ascorbic acid from tissue cultured gastroepiploic artery

Tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is a key enzyme in the fibrinolysis system and the regulation of its expression has been extensively studied in cultured vascular endothelial cells. Many kinds of supplements including growth factors are needed, however, to keep endothelial cells viable, which leads the culture condition far from the physiological milieu. Using a new device of amorphous calcium phosphate coated culture plate, we succeeded in culturing ring-cut gastroepiploic artery in a basic medium of RPMI 1640 containing 10 % fetal calf serum. The overall normal vessel architecture and the antigenicity of von Willebrand factor, tPA and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) were retained for at least 9 days. tPA was constantly secreted into the conditioned medium at least up to day 12. Employing this organ culture technique, we analyzed the effects of two well-known pro-fibrinolytic vitamins of retinoic acid (Vit. A) and ascorbic acid (Vit. C) on the release of tPA and PAI-1. The cultured artery responded well and the tPA secretion was enhanced by factors of 1.5 fold by Vit. A, 1.7 fold by Vit C and 3.2 fold by their combination, whereas none of these stimuli increased PAI-1 secretion. These results suggested that the cultured ring-cut artery retained functional endothelial cells for at least 9 days and was suitable in analyzing the regulatory mechanism of protein synthesis and secretion from the vascular wall. Using this method, vitamins A and C were shown to lead the intra-vascular condition to a profibrinolytic state.

Elevated intraluminal pressure inhibits vascular tissue plasminogen activator secretion and downregulates its gene expression.

We recently discovered that patients with essential hypertension have a markedly impaired capacity for stimulated release of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) from vascular endothelium. This defect may reduce the chance of timely spontaneous thrombolysis in case of an atherothrombotic event. We now investigated whether increased intraluminal pressure as such may depress vascular tPA release or downregulate its gene expression. Segments of human umbilical veins were studied in a new computerized vascular perfusion model under steady laminar flow conditions for 3 or 6 hours. Paired segments were perfused at high or physiological intraluminal pressure (40 versus 20 mm Hg) under identical shear stress (10 dyne/cm(2)). Quantitative immunohistochemical evaluation of cellular tPA immunoreactivity was performed on paraffin-embedded 5-microm vascular sections. tPA mRNA in endothelial cells was quantified with reverse transcription real-time TaqMan polymerase chain reaction with GAPDH as endogenous control. Secretion of tPA into perfusion medium was evaluated with SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, followed by densitometric quantification. High-pressure perfusion downregulated tPA gene expression with a 38% decrease in tPA mRNA levels (P=0.01) compared with vessels perfused under normal intraluminal pressure. tPA release into the perfusion medium was markedly suppressed by high pressure (P<0.01 ANOVA). The intracellular storage pool of tPA was reduced after 6 but not 3 hours. Thus, elevated intraluminal pressure downregulates tPA gene and protein expression and inhibits its release from the endothelium independently of shear stress. The defective capacity for stimulated tPA release that we demonstrated in patients with essential hypertension might thus be an effect of the elevated intraluminal pressure per se.

Effect of Lead on the Synthesis of Tissue Plasminogen Activator by Vascular Endothelial Cells in Culture

To investigate the effect of lead on the synthesis of fibrinolytic proteins by vascular endothelial cells, cells obtained from human umbilical vein were exposed to the metal in a culture system. It was found that the secretion of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) is inhibited by lead but that of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) was unaffected by the metal. However, gene expression of t-PA as well as PAI-1 was unaffected by lead when evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The inhibition of t-PA secretion by lead was observed even in the presence of actinomycin D, an inhibitor of mRNA synthesis. The inhibition of t-PA secretion by lead was also observed in the presence of the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin but was suppressed and disappeared in the presence of either 8-bromo adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate that is a congener of adenosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate which is resistant to degradation by phosphodiesterase or the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 1-methyl-3-isobutylxanthine. On the other hand, both the incorporation of [ 14C] leucine into the acid-insoluble fraction of endothelial cells and the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase from the cells were unchanged by lead, indicating that the metal did not cause inhibition of general protein synthesis and nonspecific cell damage. The present data suggest that lead selectively inhibits t-PA synthesis by vascular endothelial cells at the post-transcriptional level and the inhibition is mediated by activation of the cyclic AMP-dependent pathway as a result of a lower activity of phosphodiesterase.

The role of platelets in the early and late vascular responses initiated by mechanical vascular injury

Summary Endothelium is the nonthrombogenic interface separating highly-reactive elements circulating in blood from highly-thrombogenic constituents comprising subendothelial vascular and adventitial connective tissues. Mechanical vascular disruption initiates complex hemostatic interactions among platelets, coagulation, and fibrinolysis that are regulated by endothelium. Platelets attach to bared subendothelial matrix adhesive proteins via an array of receptors. Exposed membrane-bound tissue factor (TF) forms a tight complex with Factor VII/VIIa that catalytically activates Factors IX and Factor X, giving rise to the explosive production of thrombin via the assembly of the enzyme-cofactor prothrombinase complex on activated phospholipid surfaces. Thrombin activates platelets, cleaves fibrinogen and Factor XIII, producing fibrin-stabilized hemostatic plugs. Activated platelets express fibrinogen receptors by altering membrane aIIbβ3, leading to platelet cohesion via interplatelet fibrinogen linkages. Platelet recruitment is mediated by at least three independent, interrelated agonists: thrombin (physiologically the most important), adenosine phosphate (ADP), and thromboxane A2. Endothelial mechanisms limit the extension of hemostatic plug formation and inhibit thrombotic complications, including: (1) rapid binding of thrombin to thrombomodulin on intact endothelium, leading to the production of activated protein C and its subsequent inactivation of activated factor V, a critical cofactor in thrombin production; (2) thrombin-regulated endothelial generation of antiaggregatory prostacyclin and nitric oxide; (3) thrombin-enhanced endothelial secretion of tissue plasminogen activator; (4) thrombin inactivation by endothelial heparin sulfate-facilitated complexing with plasma antithrombin; (5) inactivation of platelet-secreted ADP by endothelial ecto-ADPase. Genetic and acquired abnormalities involving these protective mechanisms predispose patients to hemostatic and thrombotic disorders.

Antifibrinolytic properties of the vascular wall. Dependence on the history of smooth muscle cell doublings in vitro and in vivo.

Increased expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) mRNA in atherosclerotic human arteries suggests a linkage between PAI-1 gene expression and cellular proliferation, the fundamental feature of atherosclerosis. To investigate whether smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation influences overall fibrinolytic properties of the vascular wall, we examined the effect of serial in vitro passaging of human SMCs on tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) and PAI-1 synthesis levels as well as the ability to modulate TPA and PAI-1 synthesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). As in vivo correlates for such late-passage cells in culture, SMCs derived from human atherosclerotic plaques were used, because they are thought to have already undergone numerous cell doublings. We observed an increase of PAI-1 secretion (from 591 +/- 106 to 2952 +/- 290 ng PAI-1.10(5) cells-1.24 h-1) with a concomitant fourfold to fivefold increase of PAI-1 mRNA levels, as well as a decrease of TPA secretion (from 118 +/- 34 to 8 +/- 1.3 ng TPA.10(5) cells-1.24 h-1) and a twofold to threefold decrease of TPA mRNA levels with increasing in vitro passage number (from passage 3 to 11) of normal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) (P < .05). SMCs derived from atherosclerotic plaques of coronary arteries (CASMCs) displayed higher levels of PAI-1 antigen synthesis (3093 +/- 507 ng PAI-1.10(5) cells-1.24 h-1) with an approximately twofold increase of PAI-1 mRNA levels, as well as decreased levels of TPA antigen synthesis (10 +/- 1.6 ng TPA.10(5) cells-1.24 h-1) with an approximately 1.5- to 2-fold decrease of TPA mRNA levels in passage 1, compared with their counterparts derived from normal-appearing arterial tissue of the same vessel (1794 +/- 525 ng PAI-1.10(5) cells-1.24 h-1; 17 +/- 5 ng TPA.10(5) cells-1.24 h-1) (P < .001; P < .01). Incubation of HUVEC cultures with the 24-hour conditioned media (CM) of early-passage PASMCs decreased endothelial PAI-1 antigen synthesis by approximately 42% (P < .001) and endothelial PAI-1 mRNA levels about twofold to threefold (P < .001), whereas by incubation with the 24-hour CM of late-passage PASMCs, endothelial PAI-1 antigen synthesis was upregulated by 68% (P = .001), with a concomitant twofold increase of endothelial PAI-1 mRNA levels (P < .001). The apparent MW of this heat- and acid-stable PAI-1 upregulating factor appears to be between 50 and 100 kD, as judged by ultrafiltration. Incubation of HUVEC cultures with the 24-hour CM of early-passage CASMCs derived from normal-appearing arterial tissue showed no significant influence on endothelial PAI-1 synthesis, whereas incubation with late-passage normal CASMCs, as well as early-passage atherosclerotic CASMCs from the same vessel, increased endothelial PAI-1 antigen secretion by 45% and 48% (P < .001), with a concomitant 1.5 fold to 2-fold increase of endothelial PAI-1 mRNA levels (P < .05). No significant change in endothelial TPA synthesis was observed by incubation with CM of either PASMCs (early or late passage) or CASMCs (atherosclerotic or normal). These data suggest that SMC proliferation is associated with (1) increased SMC PAI-1 synthesis as well as decreased TPA synthesis and (2) upregulation of endothelial PAI-1 synthesis by SMC CM. This phenomenon is observed with either late passages of normal PASMCs and CASMCs or early passages of atherosclerotic plaque CASMCs. This suggests that proliferating SMCs are a major regulator of the fibrinolytic potential within the vessel wall, thereby contributing to the thrombotic risk associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

Membrane depolarization induces calcium-dependent secretion of tissue plasminogen activator

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a serine protease that converts inactive plasminogen to active plasmin, is produced in the rat and mouse hippocampus and participates in neuronal plasticity. To help define the role of tPA in the nervous system, we have analyzed the regulation of its expression in the neuronal cell line PC12. In control cultures, tPA activity is exclusively cell-associated, and no activity is measurable in the culture medium. When the cells are treated with depolarizing agents, such as KCI, tPA activity becomes detectable in the medium. The increased secreted tPA activity is not accompanied by an increase in tPA mRNA levels, and it is not blocked by protein synthesis inhibitors. In contrast, tPA release is abolished by Ca2+ channel blockers, suggesting that chemically induced membrane depolarization stimulates the secretion of preformed enzyme. Moreover, KCI has a similar effect in vivo when administered to the murine brain via an osmotic pump: tPA activity increases along the CA2-CA3 regions and dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. These results demonstrate a neuronal activity-dependent secretory mechanism that can rapidly increase the amount of tPA in neuronal tissue.

The circulatory regulation of TPA and UPA secretion, clearance, and inhibition during exercise and during the infusion of isoproterenol and phenylephrine.

Exercise to exhaustion and infusions of isoproterenol and phenylephrine were used to study interactions between plasminogen activator regulation and the control of regional blood flow in 10 healthy males. Experimental measurements of cardiac output, heart rate, tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), urokinase plasminogen activator (UPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), C1-inhibitor, and TPA/C1-inhibitor complex during the infusions and exercise were used to develop a comprehensive fluid-phase model of the circulatory regulation of fibrinolysis. alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists increased TPA and UPA in plasma by different mechanisms: Phenylephrine decreased hepatic blood flow and thus clearance while isoproterenol stimulated increased secretion of TPA and UPA. Exercise to exhaustion increased TPA and UPA through a combination of increased secretion and decreased clearance. The time course of UPA and TPA release were similar, but the magnitude of their secretion responses differed. In vivo, C1-inhibitor bound to TPA at a rate of 553 mol-1.s-1. C1-inhibitor contributed equally with PAI-1 to TPA inhibition when active PAI-1 levels were low (20 to 50 pmol/L) but was less important when active PAI-1 levels were high. We conclude that secretion, inhibition, clearance, and regional blood flow effects must all be taken into account when evaluating changes in plasminogen activator levels.

Retinoids and fibrinolysis.

Vitamin A and its analogues have been reported to increase the release of tissue plasminogen activator in vitro. The aim of the present study was to reevaluate these findings and to investigate whether retinoids in doses used in dermatological therapy could enhance the release of endothelial fibrinolytic factors. Our results showed that endothelial cells incubated in vitro with retinoic acid increased the release of tissue plasminogen activator to the supernatant without concomitant secretion of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. In patients treated with isotretinoin or etretinate these findings were confirmed, showing enhanced baseline tissue plasminogen activator concentrations in plasma in association with unchanged levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and von Willebrand factor. These findings are consistent with chronically augmented tissue plasminogen activator secretion without evidence of endothelial cell damage and may be of importance for the interpretation of the safety of lon-term therapy with regard to retinoid-induced hyperlipemia and the development of cardiovascular disease.

Lipoproteins inhibit the secretion of tissue plasminogen activator from human endothelial cells.

We studied the effect of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) secretion from human endothelial cells. At 1 mumol/L, Lp(a) inhibited constitutive TPA secretion by 50% and phorbol myristate acetate- and histamine-enhanced TPA secretion by 40%. LDL and HDL also depressed TPA secretion by 45% and 35% (constitutive) and 40% to 60% (stimulated). TPA mRNA levels were also examined and found to change in parallel with antigen secretion. In contrast to TPA, plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 secretion and mRNA levels were not affected by any of the three lipoproteins. These results suggest that the interaction of lipoproteins with certain cell-surface binding sites may interfere with the proper production and/or secretion of TPA.

Down-regulation of retinoic acid receptor activity associated with decreased alpha and gamma isoforms expression in F9 embryonal carcinoma cells differentiated by retinoic acid.

F9 embryonal carcinoma cells differentiate in response to retinoic acid (RA). To investigate the regulation of RA receptors (RARs) expression during this process, cDNA probes specific for the major RAR isoforms were used. In contrast to the level of RAR beta 2 mRNA which was high in cells treated 5 days with RA and below detection in untreated cells, as previously described, the steady state levels of RAR alpha 1, alpha 2, gamma 1, and gamma 2 mRNAs were markedly decreased in the RA-differentiated cells as compared to untreated cells. The down-regulation of the RA-responsive system in differentiated cells was also evident in gel shift assays as a marked decrease in binding capacity to a retinoid acid response element (beta 2RARE), as well as in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays as a sixfold decrease in RA-mediated transacting activity via this element. The down-regulation of RAR DNA-binding and transacting activity coincided with the burst in tissue plasminogen activator secretion and thus, occurred at the hinge between early and late differentiation. The down-regulation of RA responsiveness may constitute an important event in the transition between early and late differentiation stage in F9 cells.

Involvement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase isozymes in tissue plasminogen activator secretion by rat Sertoli cells stimulated with follicle-stimulating hormone in vitro

This study was undertaken to investigate, in freshly isolated rat Sertoli cells, the physiological function of the type I and type II cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase isozymes in tissue-type plasminogen activator secretion and the regulation of this cAMP process by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Follicle-stimulating hormone-induced tissue-type plasminogen activator secretion depends upon intracellular cAMP levels. The changes in cAMP amounts required to activate maximally the tissue-type plasminogen activator secretion are extremely small, a cAMP threshold having to be reached for triggering the tissue-type plasminogen activator output. Intact Sertoli cells were incubated with combinations of cAMP analogs specific for each cAMP-dependent protein kinase type and complementary in their cAMP binding site on the cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulatory subunits: 8-aminohexylamino-cAMP = type 1, site 1; 8-thiomethyl-cAMP = type II, site 1 and N6-benzoyl-cAMP = types I/II, site 2. This allowed us to activate selectively each cAMP-dependent protein kinase type in a synergistic manner and then to evaluate their respective influence in the specific tissue-type plasminogen activator response. We establish that both of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase types are present and functional; the activity of the type I isozyme is preponderant (60%) in the cAMP-dependent tissue-type plasminogen activator secretion. Likewise, when these cAMP analogs were coupled with endogenously generated cAMP by FSH or forskolin, both of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase types were involved in the tissue-type plasminogen activator production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)