A model for interstitial collagen catabolism by mammalian collagenases.

Mammalian collagenases cleave all three alpha chains of native, triple-helical types I, II, and III collagens after the Gly residue of the partial sequence Gly-[Ile or Leu]-[Ala or Leu] at a single locus approximately three-fourths from the amino terminus. There are an additional 31 sites in the triple-helical regions of types I, II, III, and IV collagens that contain the same partial sequence but are not hydrolyzed. A model has been developed to explain this remarkable specificity. The mammalian collagenase cleavage site in interstitial collagens is distinguished by: (a) a low side-chain molal volume-, high imino acid (greater than 33%)-containing region that is tightly triple-helical, consisting of four Gly-X-Y triplets preceding the cleavage site, (b) a low imino acid-containing (less than 17%), loosely triple-helical region consisting of four Gly-X-Y triplets following the cleavage site, and (c) a maximum of one charged residue for the entire 25 residue cleavage site region, which is always an Arg that follows the cleavage site in subsite P'5 or P'8. In addition, the high imino acid-containing region cannot have an imino acid adjacent to the cleaved Gly-[Ile or Leu] bond (i.e. in subsite P2). Careful scrutiny of the 31 non-cleaved sequences reveals that none of those sites shares all of the characteristics of the cleavage site. The criterion of this model thus explain both cleaved and non-cleaved sequences in the triple-helical regions of types I, II, III, and IV collagen, and are supported by all known experimental and theoretical results on collagen catabolism and structure.     

Cleavage of type VII collagen by interstitial collagenase and type IV collagenase (gelatinase) derived from human skin

Type VII collagen is the major structural protein of anchoring fibrils, which are believed to be critical for epidermal-dermal adhesion in the basement membrane zone of the skin. To elucidate possible mechanisms for the turnover of this protein, we examined the capacities of two proteases, human skin collagenase, which degrades interstitial collagens, and a protease with gelatinolytic and type IV collagenase activities, to cleave type VII collagen. At temperatures below the denaturation temperature, pepsin cleaves type VII collagen into products of approximately 95 and approximately 75 kDa. Human skin collagenase cleaved type VII collagen into two stable fragments of approximately 83 and approximately 80 kDa, and the type IV collagenase (gelatinase) produced a broad band of approximately 80 kDa as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Cleavage of type VII collagen was linear with time and enzyme concentration for both enzymes. Although the Km values were similar for both enzymes, the catalytic rate of cleavage by type IV collagenase is much faster than by interstitial collagenase, and shows a greater rate of increase with increasing temperature. Sequence analysis of the cleavage products from both enzymes showed typical collagenous sequences, indicating a relaxation in the helical part of the type VII collagen molecule at physiological temperature which makes it susceptible to gelatinolytic degradation. Interstitial collagenase from both normal skin cells and cells from patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, a severe hereditary blistering disease in which both an anchoring fibril defect and excessive production of collagenase can be observed, produced identical cleavage products from type VII collagen. These data suggest a pathophysiological link between increased enzyme levels and the observed decrease or absence of anchoring fibrils.     

Type X collagen contains two cleavage sites for a vertebrate collagenase

Type X collagen was cleaved at two sites by a purified human skin collagenase. Two experimental approaches were used to identify the location of the cleavage sites. First, native type X collagen was digested with the enzyme, and the rotary-shadowed products were visualized in the electron microscope. The major collagenase fragment of type X contained the epitope recognized by a monoclonal antibody (X-AC9). The antibody was used as a point of reference to locate the position of the cleavage fragment within the native molecule. Second, the digestion of radiolabeled type X collagen substrates was analyzed by gel electrophoresis. The complete cleavage of type X generated three products with 32-, 18-, and 9-kDa chains. The 32-kDa peptides were present in a triple-helical conformation and demonstrated a midpoint denaturation temperature of 43 degrees C in CD experiments. The 18-kDa peptide contained the tyrosine-rich globular domain of the molecule. The 9-kDa peptide was derived from the triple-helical end of the native molecule. Type X collagen was cleaved more rapidly by the vertebrate collagenase than was type II collagen in in vitro solution studies.     

Molecular cloning of murine 72-kDa type IV collagenase and its expression during mouse development.

We report the isolation of a cDNA clone providing the first and complete sequence of mouse 72-kDa type IV collagenase. The clone contains 2800 nucleotides with a 1986-nucleotide open reading frame coding for 662 amino acids. The amino acid sequence includes a 29-residue signal peptide, an 80-residue propeptide, and a 553-residue enzyme proper. The sequence identity between the mouse and human enzymes is 96% with all cysteine residues conserved. The carboxyl-terminal domain of the mouse enzyme contains two more residues than the human enzyme. Northern hybridization analysis revealed considerable expression of the enzyme gene in newborn mouse lung, heart, kidney, and psoas muscle tissues, whereas only weak or no signals were observed in liver, spleen, and brain. Expression of the gene was substantially reduced in the same tissues of 3-month-old mice. In situ hybridization analysis of 72-kDa type IV collagenase expression in 10-15-day-old mouse embryos showed that the gene was intensely expressed in mesenchymal cells. Brain and surface ectoderm were completely negative. The epithelial tissue component of developing organs was negative with the exception of salivary gland. Although the expression varied somewhat between different mesenchymal tissues, no temporal or spatial changes could be associated with the advancement of epithelial branching morphogenesis. These findings together with our previous data on the expression of 72-kDa type IV collagenase in human tumors indicate that this enzyme has some very specific roles both in the physiological and pathological degradation of extracellular matrix. Furthermore, it has become clear that the closely related 92-kDa type IV collagenase differs completely with respect to expression pattern as well as gene regulation. The mouse cDNA clones reported in this study may provide important tools unraveling the actual roles of these enzymes in vivo.     

Purification and characterization of human 72-kDa gelatinase (type IV collagenase). Use of immunolocalisation to demonstrate the non-coordinate regulation of the 72-kDa and 95-kDa gelatinases by human fibroblasts.

Human gingival fibroblast gelatinase (type IV collagenase) has been purified to homogeneity using a combination of ion exchange chromatography, gel filtration and affinity chromatography. The purified proenzyme electrophoresed under reducing conditions as a single band of 72 kDa which could be activated to a species of 65 kDa. Gelatinase was activated by organomercurials by a process apparently initiated by a conformational change and involving self-cleavage. It was not activated by trypsin or plasmin unlike the other family members, collagenase and stromelysin. Gelatinase otherwise exhibited properties typical of the metalloproteinases: it was inhibited by metal chelating agents and by the specific inhibitor TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases). Its major substrate was shown to be denatured collagen although it was also able to degrade native type IV and V collagens. A polyclonal antibody was raised in a sheep using the purified enzyme as antigen. The antiserum recognised and specifically inhibited the 72-kDa gelatinase but not a 95-kDa gelatinase from pig leukocytes. It was used in immunolocalisation studies on human fibroblasts to investigate the regulation of the production of the two Mr forms of gelatinase. These studies clearly demonstrate that human fibroblasts constitutively synthesize and secrete 72-kDa gelatinase but that 95-kDa gelatinase was inducible by agents such as cytokines. The significance of these results in relation to the likely in vivo r?le of gelatinases is discussed.     

Interleukin 4 inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis blocks interstitial collagenase and 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase production by human monocytes.

Activation of human monocytes results in the production of interstitial collagenase through a prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-cAMP-dependent pathway. Inasmuch as interleukin 4 (IL-4) has been shown to inhibit PGE2 synthesis by monocytes, we examined the effect of IL-4 on the production of human monocyte interstitial collagenase. Additionally, we also assessed the effect of IL-4 on the production of 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) by monocytes. The inhibition of PGE2 synthesis by IL-4 resulted in decreased interstitial collagenase protein and activity that could be restored by exogenous PGE2 or dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Bt2cAMP). IL-4 also suppressed ConA-stimulated 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase protein and zymogram enzyme activity that could be reversed by exogenous PGE2 or Bt2cAMP. Moreover, indomethacin suppressed the ConA-induced production of 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase. These data demonstrate that, like monocyte interstitial collagenase, the conA-inducible monocyte 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase is regulated through a PGE2-mediated cAMP-dependent pathway. In contrast to ConA stimulation, unstimulated monocytes released low levels of 92-kDa type IV collagenase/gelatinase that were not affected by IL-4, PGE2, or Bt2cAMP, indicating that basal production of this enzyme is PGE2-cAMP independent. IL-4 inhibition of both collagenases was not a result of increased TIMP expression since Western analysis of 28.5-kDa TIMP-1 revealed that IL-4 did not alter the increased TIMP-1 protein in response to ConA. These data indicate that IL-4 may function in natural host regulation of connective tissue damage by monocytes.     

Human 92- and 72-kilodalton type IV collagenases are elastases.

Elastin is critical to the structural integrity of a variety of connective tissues. Only a select group of enzymes has thus far been identified capable of cleaving insoluble elastin. Recently, we observed that human alveolar macrophages secrete elastase activity that is largely inhibited by the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP). This finding suggested that one or more of the metalloproteinases released by alveolar macrophages has elastase activity. Accordingly, we tested pure human interstitial collagenase, stromelysin, 92-kDa type IV collagenase, and 72-kDa type IV collagenase for elastolytic activity using kappa-elastin zymography and insoluble 3H-labeled elastin. The 92- and 72-kDa type IV collagenases were found to be elastolytic in both assay systems. A recombinant preparation of 92-kDa type IV collagenase with gelatinolytic activity was also found to be elastolytic. Organomercurial activation was essential to detect elastolytic activity of the native 92- and 72-kDa type IV collagenases and enhanced the elastase activity of the recombinant 92-kDa enzyme. On a molar basis the recombinant 92-kDa type IV collagenase was approximately 30% as active as human leukocyte elastase in solubilizing 3H-labeled elastin. Exogenously added TIMP in significant molar excess abolished the elastase activity of the 92- and 72-kDa type IV collagenases. Stromelysin and interstitial collagenase showed no significant elastolytic activity, although both were catalytically active against susceptible substrates. Conditioned media from cultures of human mononuclear phagocytes containing the 92-kDa enzyme produced a distinct zone of lysis in the kappa-elastin zymograms at this molecular mass. These results definitively extend the spectrum of human proteinases with elastolytic activity to metalloproteinases and suggest the enzymatic basis for elastase activity observed with certain cell types such as human alveolar macrophages.     

On the structure and chromosome location of the 72- and 92-kDa human type IV collagenase genes.

The 72- and 92-kDa type IV collagenases are members of a group of secreted zinc metalloproteases. Two members of this family, collagenase and stromelysin, have previously been localized to the long arm of chromosome 11. Here we assign both of the two type IV collagenase genes to human chromosome 16. By sequencing, the 72-kDa gene is shown to consist of 13 exons, 3 more than have been reported for the other members of this gene family. The extra exons encode the amino acids of the fibronectin-like domain which has so far been found in only the 72- and 92-kDa type IV collagenase. The evolutionary relationship among the members of this gene family is discussed.     

Monoclonal antibodies to type IV collagenase recognize a protein with limited sequence homology to interstitial collagenase and stromelysin

Type IV collagenase is a metalloproteinase associated with metastatic tumor cells. It specifically cleaves the triple helical basement membrane (type IV) collagen molecule at a single site. Monoclonal antibodies which block the activity of the human type IV collagenase were developed and used to purify this antigen. The purified type IV collagenase was partially sequenced following cyanogen bromide and trypsin cleavage. The amino acid sequence of the human type IV collagenase fragments revealed a region homologous to the human interstitial collagenase and stromelysin. However, several sequences in type IV collagenase were identified which are distinct from the latter. Polyclonal antibodies were raised against a synthetic peptide derived from such a sequence. Following affinity purification, the antibodies recognized the denatured human type IV collagenase in Western immunoblotting. These data indicate that type IV collagenase is a distinct member of a general family of metalloproteinases.     

Studies on the ability of 65-kDa and 92-kDa tumor cell gelatinases to degrade type IV collagen

Two major gelatinolytic metalloproteinases (gelatinases) of 65 kDa and 92 kDa were purified from a tumor cell line. Analysis of collagen degradation showed that native full-length Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) type IV collagen was not cleaved by the purified gelatinases under conditions where native pepsin-extracted human placental type IV and V collagen and heat-denatured collagens were markedly degraded. However, EHS type IV collagen degradation was noted at 37 degrees C, i.e., under conditions that would favor denaturation of the collagen molecule in solution. The pattern of degradation of human placental type IV and V collagen appeared similar for both gelatinases. Zymogram analysis of gelatinase activity in the absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (to eliminate possible SDS-mediated denaturation of type IV collagen) confirmed the inability of 65 and 92-kDa gelatinases to degrade native full-length EHS type IV collagen. Under the same conditions and in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis zymograms the gelatinases degraded pepsin-predigested EHS type IV collagen and pepsin-extracted human placental type IV collagen. These data suggest that the 65- and 92-kDa tumor cell gelatinases are not true type IV collagenases. Their ability to degrade pepsin-solubilized, or denatured, type IV collagen suggests a specificity for telopeptide precleaved or conformationally altered forms of this molecule.     

Interaction of 92-kDa type IV collagenase with the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases prevents dimerization, complex formation with interstitial collagenase, and activation of the proenzyme with stromelysin.

Secreted metalloproteases initiating proteolytic degradation of collagens and proteoglycans play a critical role in remodeling of the connective tissue. Activation of the secreted proenzymes and interaction with their specific inhibitors TIMP and TIMP-2 are responsible for regulation of enzyme activity in extracellular space. We have previously demonstrated that 92- and 72-kDa Type IV procollagenases, in contrast to interstitial collagenase (ClI), form specific complexes with TIMP and the related inhibitor TIMP-2, respectively. The physiologic significance of the proenzyme-inhibitor complex and the mechanism of activation of Type IV collagenases remained unclear. Here, we demonstrate that in the absence of TIMP, 92-kDa Type IV procollagenase (92T4Cl) can form a covalent homodimer and a novel complex with ClI. In the presence of TIMP, the formation of a 92T4Cl proenzyme complex with TIMP prevents dimerization, formation of the complex with ClI, and activation of the 92T4Cl proenzyme by stromelysin, a related metalloprotease. The proenzyme homodimer is unable to form a complex with TIMP. All TIMP-free forms of the proenzyme can be activated by stromelysin. The 92T4Cl-ClI complex can be activated to yield a complex active against both gelatin and fibrillar Type I collagen, suggesting a mechanism for cooperative action of two enzymes in reducing collagen fibrils to small peptides under physiologic conditions.     

Evidence for the involvement of type II domains in collagen binding by 72 kDa type IV procollagenase

The fibronectin-related region of the 72 kDa type IV procollagenase has been expressed in E. coli as a beta-galactosidase fusion product. The fragment containing the three type II units of the protein was found to have affinity for denatured collagen, suggesting that these domains may be responsible for the collagen-affinity of type IV collagenase. We have also shown that segment Ala-Ala-His-Glu of type IV collagenase (residues 372-375), which is similar to a fibronectin-segment previously implicated in collagen-binding, is not essential for binding activity.     

Stimulation of collagenase production by collagen in mammalian cell cultures.

In this study, we investigated the possible regulatory role of collagen in collagenase production by cultured human skin fibroblasts and human and rabbit synovial cells. Addition of types I, II or III collagen in solution to the culture media markedly stimulated trypsin-activable collagenase activity in these cultures. In the human cell cultures the stimulatory effect of collagen was further enhanced by a soluble factor isolated from human monocyte culture media (Dayer, Russell and Krane, 1977). Both native and denatured forms of collagen stimulated enzyme production; their relative efficacy varied among the different types. The native form of both types I and II collagen showed a greater effect on collagenase production than the corresponding denatured form, whereas with type III collagen the denatured form was more effective.     

Differences in the degradation of native collagen by two microbial collagenases.

The early stages of degradation of native collagen by two bacterial collagenases were studied by electron microscopy and by automatic Edman degradation. The purified collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum was shown to cleave native collagen at several sites, but not progressively from the N-terminus, as had been previously suggested. The homogeneous collagenase from Achromobacter iophagus cleaves native collagen preferentially at two sites corresponding to the interbands 33-34 and 41-42. The latter lies within the region cleaved by the eukaryotic collagenases.     

Increased type II collagen cleavage by cathepsin K and collagenase activities with aging and osteoarthritis in human articular cartilage

Introduction

The intra-helical cleavage of type II collagen by proteases, including collagenases and cathepsin K, is increased with aging and osteoarthritis (OA) in cartilage as determined by immunochemical assays. The distinct sites of collagen cleavage generated by collagenases and cathepsin K in healthy and OA human femoral condylar cartilages were identified and compared.

Methods

Fixed frozen cartilage sections were examined immunohistochemically, using antibodies that react with the collagenase-generated cleavage neoepitopes, C2C and C1,2C, and the primary cleavage neoepitope (C2K) generated in type II collagen by the action of cathepsin K and possibly by other proteases, but not by any collagenases studied to date.

Results

In most cases, the staining patterns for collagen cleavage were similar for all three epitopes: weak to moderate mainly pericellular staining in non-OA cartilage from younger individuals and stronger, more widespread staining in aging and OA cartilages that often extended from the superficial to the mid/deep zone of the tissue. In very degenerate OA specimens, with significant disruption of the articular surface, staining was distributed throughout most of the cartilage matrix.

Conclusions

Cleavage of collagen by proteases usually arises pericellularly around chondrocytes at and near the articular surface, subsequently becoming more intense and extending progressively deeper into the cartilage with aging and OA. The close correspondence between the distributions of these products suggests that both collagenases and cathepsin K, and other proteases that may generate this distinct cathepsin K cleavage site, are usually active in the same sites in the degradation of type II collagen.     

Differential effects of laminin, intact type IV collagen, and specific domains of type IV collagen on endothelial cell adhesion and migration

Laminin and type IV collagen were compared for the ability to promote aortic endothelial cell adhesion and directed migration in vitro. Substratum-adsorbed IV promoted aortic endothelial cell adhesion in a concentration dependent fashion attaining a maximum level 141-fold greater than controls within 30 min. Aortic endothelial cell adhesion to type IV collagen was not inhibited by high levels (10(-3) M) of arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine. In contrast, adhesion of aortic endothelial cells on laminin was slower, attaining only 53% of the adhesion observed on type IV collagen by 90 min. Type IV collagen when added to the lower well of a Boyden chamber stimulated the directional migration of aortic endothelial cells in a concentration dependent manner with a maximal response 6.9-fold over control levels, whereas aortic endothelial cells did not migrate in response to laminin at any concentration (.01-2.0 X 10(-7) M). Triple helix-rich fragments of type IV collagen were nearly as active as intact type IV collagen in stimulating both adhesion and migration whereas the carboxy terminal globular domain was less active at promoting adhesion (36% of the adhesion promoted by intact type IV collagen) or migration. Importantly, aortic endothelial cells also migrate to substratum adsorbed gradients of type IV collagen suggesting that the mechanism of migration is haptotactic in nature. These results demonstrate that the aortic endothelial cell adhesion and migration is preferentially promoted by type IV collagen compared with laminin, and has a complex molecular basis which may be important in angiogenesis and large vessel repair.     

Structural properties of a collagenous heterotrimer that mimics the collagenase cleavage site of collagen type I

Collagens contain sequence- and conformation-dependent epitopes responsible for their digestion by collagenases at specific loci. A synthetic heterotrimer construct containing the collagenase cleavage site of collagen type I was found to mimic perfectly native collagen in terms of selectivity and mode of enzymatic degradation. The NMR conformational analysis of this molecule clearly revealed the presence of two structural domains, i.e. a triple helix spanning the Gly-Pro-Hyp repeats and a less ordered portion corresponding to the collagenase cleavage site where the three chains are aligned in extended conformation with loose interchain contacts. These structural properties allow for additional insights into the very particular mechanism of collagen digestion by collagenases.