Mark H. Ginsberg

Arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD): a cell adhesion motif

The tripeptide Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) was originally identified as the sequence within fibronectin that mediates cell attachment. The RGD motif has now been found in numerous other proteins and supports cell adhesion in many, but not all, of these. The integrins, a family of cell-surface proteins, act as receptors for cell adhesion molecules. A subset of the integrins recognize the RGD motif within their ligands, the binding of which mediates both cell-substratum and cell-cell interactions. RGD peptides and mimetics, in addition to providing insights into the fundamental mechanisms of cell adhesion, are potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases such as thrombosis and cancer.

Ligands "activate" integrin αIIbβ3 (platelet GPIIb-IIIa)

Abstract Integrin α IIb β 3 (platelet GPllb-Illa) binds fibrinogen via recognition sequences such as Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD). Fibrinogen binding requires agonist activation of platelets, whereas the binding of short synthetic RGD peptides does not. We now find that RGD peptide binding leads to changes in α IIb β 3 that are associated with acquisition of high affinity fibrinogen-binding function (activation) and subsequent platelet aggregation. The structural specificities for peptide activation and for inhibition of ligand binding are similar, indicating that both are consequences of occupancy of the same site(s) on α IIb β 3 Thus, the RGD sequence is a trigger of high affinity ligand binding to α IIb β 3 and certain RGD-mimetics are partial agonists as well as competitive antagonists of integrin function.

Lipoproteins containing apoprotein B are a major regulator of neutrophil responses to monosodium urate crystals.

The inflammatory response to intraarticular urate crystals is known to be variable in gouty arthritis. One source of variability may be the modulation of cellular responses by crystal-bound proteins. We have identified three apolipoproteins among the polypeptides bound to urate crystals exposed to plasma. Identification was first based on their coelectrophoresis with polypeptides from isolated lipoproteins and diminution in the protein coat of crystals exposed to lipoprotein-depleted plasma. The apoproteins were immunochemically identified by the Western blotting technique as apoprotein A-I, apoprotein B (apo B), and apoprotein E. Because neutrophils play a central role in acute gout, we investigated the potential effects of lipoproteins on neutrophil-urate crystal interactions. Plasma profoundly inhibited urate crystal-induced neutrophil luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL). Lipoprotein depletion by KBr density gradient centrifugation completely abrogated the inhibitory effect of plasma on urate-induced CL. The inhibitory activity of lipoprotein-depleted plasma was restored by adding back the d less than or equal to 1.25 g/cm3 lipoprotein fraction. Plasma also inhibited urate crystal-induced neutrophil superoxide generation and cytolysis (lactic dehydrogenase loss). This inhibition was significantly diminished by lipoprotein depletion, indicating that the lipoprotein effect was not limited to CL. Lipoprotein-depleted plasma reconstituted with very low, intermediate, and low density lipoproteins (LDL) inhibited crystal-induced CL. High density lipoprotein reconstitution was without effect. Immunodepletion from plasma of all apo B lipoproteins by agarose-bound apo B-specific antibody also removed all inhibitory activity for urate-induced CL. Thus, apo B lipoproteins were shown to be the inhibitory species in plasma. Binding of apo B lipoproteins to urate crystals and inhibition of CL was also seen in the absence of other plasma proteins. In addition, the binding of whole lipoprotein particles to the crystals was verified by detection of crystal-associated cholesterol in addition to the apoprotein. The effects of LDL on urate crystal-induced CL were stimulus specific. Coincubation of urate crystals and neutrophils in the presence of 10 micrograms/ml LDL resulted in 83% inhibition. In contrast, CL responses to a chemotactic hexapeptide, opsonized zymosan, and Staphylococcus aureus were not inhibited by LDL. The effects of depletion of apo B lipoproteins on plasma suppression of urate crystal-induced CL appeared to be unique. Plasma or sera depleted of other urate crystal-binding proteins including fibrinogen, fibronectin, C1q, and IgG retained virtually all their CL inhibitory activity. Lipoproteins containing apo B are thus a major regulator of neutrophil responses to urate crystals. These lipoproteins are present in variable concentration in synovial fluid and may exert an important influence on the course of gout.

Centripetal myosin redistribution in thrombin-stimulated platelets: Relationship to platelet factor 4 secretion

We have examined the F-actin and myosin distribution in resting and thrombin-activated platelets by double label immunofluorescence microscopy. In resting, discoid platelets, F-actin and myosin staining was distributed in a diffuse pattern throughout the interior of the cell with slight accentuation at the cell periphery. In contrast, platelet factor 4 antigen (PF4) was more centrally localized in a fine punctate distribution which is consistent with its localization in alpha-granules. Within 5 sec after thrombin stimulation both F-actin and myosin staining were increased at the periphery of the now spherical platelets. Subsequently, a myosin-containing spherical structure decreased in diameter closely surrounding a phase-dense central zone. In contrast, F-actin staining continued to be accentuated at the cell periphery and was prominent in filopodia and blebs. As previously shown, PF4 staining was localized after 30 sec within large intracellular masses that corresponded to closed vacuolar structures at the ultrastructural level. Morphometric analysis of electron micrographs showed that formation of these vacuolar structures kinetically paralleled alpha-granule disappearance and preceded PF4 release. These PF4-containing structures translocated to the cell periphery after 1-3 min, where they appeared to fuse with the plasma membrane. Ultrastructural analysis of thin sections showed that the myosin-rich spherical structure spatially and temporally correlated with a band of microfilaments that closely surrounded the organelle-rich central zone of the cell. Morphometric analysis of these micrographs showed that the absolute volume of this central zone decreased with time after thrombin addition, showing a significant change after 15 sec and reaching a maximum value after 3-5 min. Changes in the volume of this compartment kinetically preceded PF4 release. On the basis of these data, we propose that an actomyosin contractile force is generated which centripetally redistributes the myosinrich structure and organelle zone. Conceivably this inward force may not only accelerate granule-granule fusion to form intracellular secretory vacuoles, but may also provide aid in their extrusion toward the platelet plasma membrane.

Platelets and Response to Injury

Our understanding of the participatory role of platelets in biologic processes other than hemostasis and coagulation is rapidly evolving. Platelets are implicated in the maintenance of capillary integrity and wound healing. Platelets may also contribute to the acceleration of atherogenesis, as the activation of these cells promotes vascular injury and platelets promote cholesterol accumulation within smooth muscle cells and macrophages. This chapter addresses the structure, function, and modes of activation of platelets as they relate to the potential role of these cells in certain immunologically mediated and inflammatory diseases in which alterations of blood vessel function and integrity occur.

FIBRINOGEN AND PLATELET FUNCTION

Formation of efficient plugs at sites of injury of a vessel wall is contingent upon modifications of the adhesive properties of the membrane of platelets. These alterations are generally accomplished via a multi steps mechanism encompassing: 1) adhesion and spreading of the cells to the subendothelial matrix; 2) activation of the platelet by specific agonists; and 3) interaction of the activated platelet with cofactors which modify the adhesive properties of the cell, to form aggregates. A number of biochemical events have been associated with this phenomenon. This includes calcium distribution, prostaglandin synthesis, actin polymerization, microtubules disassembly, and changes in adenylate cyclase activity. While these reactions have been identified their sequence and interrelationship in the transition reaction between a circulating and an aggregating platelet have yet to be delineated. It is well established, however that a specific stimulus and an exogenous cofactor with adhesive properties are necessary for aggregation to occur. Early studies on patients with congenital afibrinogenemia have provided evidences that fibrinogen fulfills the role of essential cofactor in this reaction. Platelets from these patients fail to aggregate or aggregate weakly in response to ADP or epinephrine and normal aggregation is restored upon addition of fibrinogen in the plasma of these patients.