Identification of a novel integrin beta subunit expressed on cultured monocytes (macrophages). Evidence that one alpha subunit can associate with multiple beta subunits.

The vitronectin receptor (VnR) is one member of a subset of cell adhesion receptors within the integrin supergene family which shares the beta 3 subunit (IIIa). We show here that the VnR is absent from the surface of monocytes freshly isolated from blood but is expressed on these cells after a period of in vitro culture. Such cultured monocytes (macrophages) from a patient with type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia, however, failed to express the VnR. Instead, immunoprecipitation with a monoclonal antibody directed to the VnR alpha chain (alpha v) revealed a novel integrin comprising alpha v associated noncovalently with a 100-kDa beta subunit (beta 3b), immunologically unrelated to the VnR beta subunit (beta 3a). This same novel integrin complex was also identified on 10-day-old macrophages from healthy donors, but on these cells, the beta 3b subunit was co-expressed with the classical VnR complex of alpha v beta 3a. The novel beta 3b subunit was not identified by monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies to IIIa (beta 3a) nor by a monoclonal antibody to the classical VnR complex. The beta 3b subunit could be distinguished from beta 3a by its relatively greater migration on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after reduction, by its distinct isoelectric point upon two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and by one-dimensional peptide mapping. Neither platelets nor B lymphoblasts from this patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia expressed any VnR on their surface, whereas control cells from a normal donor expressed the classical VnR but not the beta 3b subunit. The two beta chains, and hence also the combined receptor complexes, appeared to be differentially regulated. These findings provide the first example of an integrin alpha chain complexed with more than a single beta chain in the same cell. Furthermore, the differential regulation of expression of the different beta subunits that associate with the VnR alpha chain on cultured monocytes suggests a role for the novel receptor complex during monocyte/macrophage differentiation.     

Actin Inhibition Increases Megakaryocyte Proplatelet Formation through an Apoptosis-Dependent Mechanism

Background

Megakaryocytes assemble and release platelets through the extension of proplatelet processes, which are cytoplasmic extensions that extrude from the megakaryocyte and form platelets at their tips. Proplatelet formation and platelet release are complex processes that require a combination of structural rearrangements. While the signals that trigger the initiation of proplatelet formation process are not completely understood, it has been shown that inhibition of cytoskeletal signaling in mature megakaryocytes induces proplatelet formation. Megakaryocyte apoptosis may also be involved in initiation of proplatelet extension, although this is controversial. This study inquires whether the proplatelet production induced by cytoskeletal signaling inhibition is dependent on activation of apoptosis.

Methods

Megakaryocytes derived from human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells were treated with the actin polymerization inhibitor latrunculin and their ploidy and proplatelet formation were quantitated. Apoptosis activation was analyzed by flow cytometry and luminescence assays. Caspase activity was inhibited by two compounds, ZVAD and QVD. Expression levels of pro-survival and pro-apoptosis genes were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Protein levels of Bcl-XL, Bax and Bak were measured by western blot. Cell ultrastructure was analyzed by electron microscopy.

Results

Actin inhibition resulted in increased ploidy and increased proplatelet formation in cultured umbilical cord blood-derived megakaryocytes. Actin inhibition activated apoptosis in the cultured cells. The effects of actin inhibition on proplatelet formation were blocked by caspase inhibition. Increased expression of both pro-apoptotic and pro-survival genes was observed. Pro-survival protein (Bcl-x_L) levels were increased compared to levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and Bax. Despite apoptosis being activated, the megakaryocytes underwent minimal ultrastructural changes during actin inhibition.

Conclusions

We report a correlation between increased proplatelet formation and activation of apoptosis, and that the increase in proplatelet formation in response to actin inhibition is caspase dependent. These findings support a role for apoptosis in proplatelet formation in this model.     

Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists induce apoptosis in rat cardiomyocytes by caspase-3 activation

The platelet integrin glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa, which mediates platelet aggregation, has been the target for novel antiplatelet agents, the GPIIb/IIIa antagonists. Several GPIIb/IIIa antagonists have been developed based on the peptide RGDS present in adhesion proteins, including the principle ligand fibrinogen. The apoptosis enzyme, procaspase-3, contains an RGD-recognition sequence and is activated by RGDS. We examined the effects of RGDS and several GPIIb/IIIa antagonists on cell death and procaspase-3 activation in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. These antagonists do not recognize rat integrins, yet RGDS, orbofiban, and xemilofiban induced dose-dependent apoptosis and procaspase-3 activation in cardiomyocytes over 72 h, particularly under hypoxic conditions. Scrambled peptide, the monoclonal antibody 7E3 or integrelin (a peptide containing a KGD sequence), had little or no effect. Immunoprecipitation of procaspase-3 followed by treatment with the compounds showed that procaspase-3 was activated directly by RGDS, orbofiban, xemilofiban, and by monoclonal 7E3 antibody, the latter demonstrating that compounds must enter cells to induce apoptosis through caspase activation. Integrelin had no effect. Binding studies with (3)H-SC52012B, a GPIIb/IIIa antagonist analogue of orbofiban, showed no specific binding to cardiomyocytes, but the radioligand accumulated intracellularly over 72 h. (3)H-SC52012B also bound directly to human recombinant caspase-3 (K(d), 59 +/- 2 nm), and this was prevented by orbofiban, xemilofiban, and the monoclonal 7E3 antibody but not by integrelin. Finally confocal microscopy showed that RGDS co-localized with caspase-3 inside the cell. These data show that RGDS and its mimetics induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis by direct activation of procaspase-3.     

In vitro megakaryocyte differentiation and proplatelet formation in Ph-negative classical myeloproliferative neoplasms: distinct patterns in the different clinical phenotypes

Background

Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are clonal disorders that include primary myelofibrosis (PMF), polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET). Although the pathogenesis of MPNs is still incompletely understood, an involvement of the megakaryocyte lineage is a distinctive feature.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We analyzed the in vitro megakaryocyte differentiation and proplatelet formation in 30 PMF, 8 ET, 8 PV patients, and 17 healthy controls (CTRL). Megakaryocytes were differentiated from peripheral blood CD34⁺ or CD45⁺ cells in the presence of thrombopoietin. Megakaryocyte output was higher in MPN patients than in CTRL with no correlation with the JAK2 V617F mutation. PMF-derived megakaryocytes displayed nuclei with a bulbous appearance, were smaller than ET- or PV-derived megakaryocytes and formed proplatelets that presented several structural alterations. In contrast, ET- and PV-derived megakaryocytes produced more proplatelets with a striking increase in bifurcations and tips compared to both control and PMF. Proplatelets formation was correlated with platelet counts in patient peripheral blood. Patients with pre-fibrotic PMF had a pattern of megakaryocyte proliferation and proplatelet formation that was similar to that of fibrotic PMF and different from that of ET.

Conclusions/Significance

In conclusion, MPNs are associated with high megakaryocyte proliferative potential. Profound differences in megakaryocyte morphology and proplatelet formation distinguish PMF, both fibrotic and prefibrotic, from ET and PV.     

Binding and Uptake of RGD-Containing Ligands to Cellular α v β 3 Integrins

The cyclic peptide, cRGDf[N(me)]V, binds to the α _v β ₃ integrin and can disrupt binding of the integrin to its natural ligands in the extracellular matrix. In this work, the ability of a water-soluble, fluorescently labeled variant of the RGD-containing peptide (cRGDfK-488) to bind to integrins on human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) and subsequently undergo endocytosis was characterized. This information was compared to the binding and uptake properties of an α _v β ₃ integrin-specific monoclonal antibody, LM609X. The specificity of the RGD-containing peptide is assessed by comparison with control peptide that does not bind to the α _v β ₃ integrin, cRADfK-488. Using a high purity construct, it is shown that the RGD ligand exhibits dissociation constants in the micromolar range whereas LM609X exhibits dissociation constants in the nanomolar range. However, the RGD ligand showed greater uptake following incubation at temperatures which permit endocytosis. A 7.4-fold increase in uptake of the RGD peptide was observed following a 1 h incubation with HUVEC at 37°C (an endocytosis permissive temperature), as compared to that at 4°C (an endocytosis prohibitive temperature). In contrast, only a 1.9-fold increase in cell-associated fluorescence was observed for similar incubations with LM609X. Results from fluorescence microscopy supports the notion that the RGD peptide is rapidly endocytosed at 37°C as compared to LM609X. These results are discussed with regard to previous work indicating that RGD ligands enter cells by integrin-independent pathways. These studies provide well-controlled measures of how RGD ligands stimulate endocytosis. This may be of considerable interest for intracellular delivery of ligand-associated drugs in anti-angiogenic applications.     

Beta 1 integrins signal lipid second messengers required during cell adhesion.

Clustering of integrin receptors during cell adhesion stimulates signal transduction across the cell membrane. Second messengers are generated, activating cytosolic proteins and causing cytoskeletal assembly and rearrangement. HeLa cell adhesion to a collagen substrate has been shown to initiate an arachidonic acid-mediated signaling pathway, leading to the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and cell spreading. To determine the role of integrin receptors in triggering this signaling pathway, monoclonal antibodies to beta 1 integrins were used to either cluster integrins on the cell surface or to provide an integrin-dependent substrate for cell adhesion. Using this approach, we have defined a pathway required for cell spreading that can be initiated by the ligation of integrins and leads to the activation of PKC. Specifically, our results indicate that clustering beta 1 integrins results in the activation of phospholipase A2 leading to the production of arachidonic acid and the activation of PKC.     

Purification and characterization of a new RGD/KGD-containing dimeric disintegrin, piscivostatin, from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus: the unique effect of piscivostatin on platelet aggregation

Piscivostatin, a novel dimeric disintegrin containing Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) and Lys-Gly-Asp (KGD) sequences, was isolated from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus. The molecule consisted of two chains designated as the alpha and beta chains, comprising 65 and 68 amino acid residues, respectively. Piscivostatin had two binding motifs recognized by platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (GPIIb/IIIa), and the biological activity of dimeric disintegrin piscivostatin toward platelet aggregation differed from those of other monomeric disintegrins such as trimestatin and echistatin. We measured platelet aggregation by the laser light scattering method during the process of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Both dimeric and monomeric disintegrins inhibited the formation of small (9 to 25 microm in diameter), medium-sized and large aggregates (25 to 70 microm in diameter) in a dose-dependent manner. The platelet aggregates disaggregated after reaching a maximal number on either treatment with ADP alone or monomeric disintegrin/ADP. However, the small aggregates did not disaggregate on treatment with piscivostatin/ADP even when applied over time. When washed platelets were incubated with an anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibody, PT25-2, which induces conformational changes of GPIIb/IIIa to a form accessible to fibrinogen and other adhesion proteins without platelet activation, piscivostatin induced a platelet shape change alone with no aggregate formation. The present study indicated that piscivostatin has two unique contradictory activities; acting as a double inhibitor of platelet aggregation and platelet aggregate dissociation.     

The effect of cytokines on the ploidy of megakaryocytes

The effects of recombinant cytokines on the ploidy of human megakaryocytes derived from megakaryocyte progenitors were studied using serum-free agar cultures. Nonadherent and T cell-depleted marrow cells were cultured for 14 days. Megakaryocyte colonies were identified in situ by the alkaline phosphatase anti-alkaline phosphatase technique, using monoclonal antibody against platelet IIb/IIIa. The ploidy of individual megakaryocytes in colonies was determined by microfluorometry with DAPI (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) staining. Recombinant human interleukin 3 (rhIL-3) and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhGM-CSF) supported megakaryocyte colony formation in a dose-dependent manner. However, both rhIL-3 and rhGM-CSF had no definite ability to increase the ploidy values. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEpo) or recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhM-CSF) by itself did not stimulate the growth of megakaryocyte progenitors. rhEpo or rhM-CSF, however, stimulated increases in the number, size and ploidy values of megakaryocyte colonies in the presence of rhIL-3 or rhGM-CSF. Recombinant human interleukin 6 (rhIL-6) showed no capacity to generate or enhance megakaryocyte colony formation when added to the culture alone or in combination with rhIL-3. rhIL-6, however, increased the ploidy values in colonies when added with rhIL-3. These results show that rhEpo, rhM-CSF and rhIL-6 affect endomitosis and that two factors are required for megakaryocyte development.     

Rasa3 Controls Megakaryocyte Rap1 Activation,Integrin Signaling and Differentiation into Proplatelet

Rasa3 is a GTPase activating protein of the GAP1 family which targets Ras and Rap1. Ubiquitous Rasa3 catalytic inactivation in mouse results in early embryonic lethality. Here, we show that Rasa3 catalytic inactivation in mouse hematopoietic cells results in a lethal syndrome characterized by severe defects during megakaryopoiesis, thrombocytopenia and a predisposition to develop preleukemia. The main objective of this study was to define the cellular and the molecular mechanisms of terminal megakaryopoiesis alterations. We found that Rasa3 catalytic inactivation altered megakaryocyte development, adherence, migration, actin cytoskeleton organization and differentiation into proplatelet forming megakaryocytes. These megakaryocyte alterations were associated with an increased active Rap1 level and a constitutive integrin activation. Thus, these mice presented a severe thrombocytopenia, bleeding and anemia associated with an increased percentage of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, bone marrow fibrosis, extramedular hematopoiesis, splenomegaly and premature death. Altogether, our results indicate that Rasa3 catalytic activity controls Rap1 activation and integrin signaling during megakaryocyte differentiation in mouse.     

GPIIb and GPIIIa amino acid sequences deduced from human megakaryocyte cDNAs

Platelet GPIIbIIIa is only synthesized in megakaryocyte or in cell lines with megakaryocytic features. The sequence for GPIIb and GPIIIa have recently been derived from cDNAs obtained from HEL cells. The sequence of these proteins produced by the megakaryocyte, has however, not been determined yet. This study describes full length cDNAs for GPIIb and GPIIIa isolated from megakaryocyte cDNA libraries. The cDNA sequences indicate the presence of nucleotide differences, between the sequence of the GPIIIa cDNAs from HEL cells, endothelial cells and megakaryocytes. One difference was also observed between HEL and megakaryocyte GPIIb at position 633 where a cystein in the megakaryocyte GPIIb, is replaced by a serine in the HEL sequence. The mRNA species for GPIIb (3.4kb) and GPIIIa (6.1 kb) were of the same size in HEL cells and human megakaryocytes.     

RhoA Is Essential for Maintaining Normal Megakaryocyte Ploidy and Platelet Generation

RhoA plays a multifaceted role in platelet biology. During platelet development, RhoA has been proposed to regulate endomitosis, proplatelet formation, and platelet release, in addition to having a role in platelet activation. These processes were previously studied using pharmacological inhibitors in vitro, which have potential drawbacks, such as non-specific inhibition or incomplete disruption of the intended target proteins. Therefore, we developed a conditional knockout mouse model utilizing the CRE-LOX strategy to ablate RhoA, specifically in megakaryocytes and in platelets to determine its role in platelet development. We demonstrated that deleting RhoA in megakaryocytes in vivo resulted in significant macrothrombocytopenia. RhoA-null megakaryocytes were larger, had higher mean ploidy, and exhibited stiff membranes with micropipette aspiration. However, in contrast to the results observed in experiments relying upon pharmacologic inhibitors, we did not observe any defects in proplatelet formation in megakaryocytes lacking RhoA. Infused RhoA-null megakaryocytes rapidly released platelets, but platelet levels rapidly plummeted within several hours. Our evidence supports the hypothesis that changes in membrane rheology caused infused RhoA-null megakaryocytes to prematurely release aberrant platelets that were unstable. These platelets were cleared quickly from circulation, which led to the macrothrombocytopenia. These observations demonstrate that RhoA is critical for maintaining normal megakaryocyte development and the production of normal platelets.     

Role of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains in the assembly and surface exposure of the platelet integrin GPIIb/IIIa.

Integrins are alpha beta heterodimers that play a major role in cell-cell contacts and in interactions between cells and extracellular matrices. Identification of structural domains that are critical for the expression of such receptors at the cell surface in a functional conformation is one of the major issues that has not yet been resolved. In the present study, the role of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of each of the subunits has been examined using platelet GPIIb/IIIa as a prototypic integrin. GPIIb/IIIa (alpha IIb/beta 3) is a member of the integrin family and functions as a receptor for fibrinogen, fibronectin, von Willebrand factor, and vitronectin at the surface of activated platelets. Human megakaryocyte GPIIb and GPIIIa cDNAs were used to create a GPIIb mutant coding for the extracellular GPIIb heavy chain alone (GPIIb delta 1) and a GPIIIa mutant lacking the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains (GPIIIa delta m). Full length and mutant cDNAs were subcloned into the expression vector pECE and used to transfect COS cells. The formation of heterodimers and their cellular localization was analyzed by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence labeling using anti-platelet GPIIb/IIIa antibodies. We show here that the extracellular domains of alpha and beta subunits are able to form a heterodimer, although with a lower efficiency, in the absence of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. The presence of the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains in the alpha subunit is, however, necessary for expression at the surface of the cell whereas the corresponding domains of the beta subunit are not required.     

Integrin-mediated muscle cell spreading. The role of protein kinase c in outside-in and inside-out signaling and evidence of integrin cross-talk.

Muscle cell survival depends upon the presence of various integrins with affinities for different extracellular matrix proteins. The absence of either alpha(5) or alpha(7) integrins leads to degenerative disorders of skeletal muscle, muscular dystrophies. To understand the cell survival signals that are mediated by integrin engagement with matrix proteins, we studied the early signaling events initiated by the attachment of muscle cells to fibronectin, an interaction that is mediated primarily by alpha(5) integrins. Cells that express alpha(5) integrin rapidly spread on fibronectin, and this process is associated with the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Cells deficient in alpha(5) integrin failed to spread or promote FAK phosphorylation when plated on fibronectin. For alpha(5)-expressing cells, both spreading and FAK phosphorylation could be blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), indicating that PKC is necessary for this "outside-in signaling" mediated by alpha(5) integrin. Surprisingly, activators of PKC could promote spreading and FAK phosphorylation in alpha(5)-deficient muscle cells plated on fibronectin. This PKC-induced cell spreading appeared to be due to activation of alpha(4) integrins ("inside-out signaling") since it could be blocked by peptides that specifically inhibit alpha(4) integrin binding to fibronectin. A model of integrin signaling in muscle cells is presented in which there is a positive feedback loop involving PKC in both outside-in and inside-out signaling, and the activation of this cycle is essential for cell spreading and downstream signaling to promote cell survival. In addition, the data indicate a cross-talk that occurs between integrins in which the outside-in signaling via one integrin can promote the activation of another integrin via inside-out signaling.     

Intracellular calcium requirements for β1 integrin activation

Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) express β1 integrins that mediate adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins following stimulation with agonists that induce an increase in intracellular calcium. The purpose of these studies was to determine the contribution made by alterations in intracellular calcium ([Ca⁺⁺]_i) to inside-out activation of β1 integrins using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-differentiated granulocytic HL60 cells as a model of human PMNs. Activation of β1 integrins was determined by measuring the expression of an activation-dependent epitope on the β1 subunit that is recognized by monoclonal antibody (mAb) 15/7. Exposure of granulocytic HL60 cells to calcium ionophore ionomycin (800 nM) alone did not increase the binding of mAb 15/7 to the cell surface, nor did it increase β1 integrin-mediated adhesion of the cells to fibronectin. Similarly, exposure of the cells to the direct protein kinase C (PKC) activator, dioctanoylglycerol (di-C₈) at 100 μM, neither increased binding of mAb 15/7 to these cells nor adhesion to fibronectin. Simultaneous addition of di-C₈ and ionomycin, however, caused a significant increase in the expression of the 15/7 epitope and cell adhesion, suggesting synergy between elevating [Ca⁺⁺]_i and stimulating PKC in β1 integrin activation. Chelation of [Ca⁺⁺]_i with Quin-2 and EGTA reduced both basal (unstimulated) expression of the 15/7 epitope and basal adhesion of granulocytic HL60 cells to fibronectin. In addition, chelation of [Ca⁺⁺]_i caused a significant decrease in 15/7 binding and adhesion stimulated by low (1 ng/ml) concentrations of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The inhibitory effect of [Ca⁺⁺]_i chelation on β1 integrin activation was reversed by repleting [Ca⁺⁺]_i with ionomycin in a Ca⁺⁺-containing buffer, or by the addition of higher concentrations of PMA (10 ng/ml). These data suggest a role for [Ca⁺⁺]_i in inside-out activation of β1 integrins, probably through a synergistic effect with PKC activation. J. Cell. Physiol. 175:193–202, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

IGF-1 increases macrophage motility via PKC/p38-dependent αvβ3-integrin inside-out signaling

Macrophage migration is a key aspect in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 is highly expressed in macrophages in human atheroma. Its function in macrophage motility, however, remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of IGF-1 on macrophage migration, its signaling pathways and the involvement of integrins and/or matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

Results

Migration checker-box experiments demonstrated that IGF-1 induced chemotaxis in human THP-1/macrophages. IGF-1 induced migration was inhibited by RGD-containing peptides and the αvβ3-blocking antibody LM609, but was unaffected by the MMP-inhibitor GM6001. Immunoblotting demonstrated that IGF-1 did not affect the activation of MMPs or TIMPs, nor did it increase αv-integrin protein levels. However, IGF-1 induced recruitment of αvβ3, as well as trans-location of the integrin adaptor protein phospho-paxillin to focal adhesion sites. Pharmacological blocking experiments with specific inhibitors of Akt, PKC and p38 MAP-kinase revealed that IGF-1-dependent activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, and consecutively IGF-1 facilitated migration, required IGF-1/IGF-1R-mediated PI3-kinase/PKC/p38-dependent integrin inside-out signaling.

Conclusion

IGF-1 plays a vital role in macrophage migration critically implicated in tissue inflammation. This involves activation of integrins and focal adhesion formation via inside-out PI3-kinase/PKC/p38-dependent signaling, but does not require MMP activation.     

Immunochemical and amino-terminal sequence comparison of two cytoadhesins indicates they contain similar or identical beta subunits and distinct alpha subunits

Platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa is functionally and antigenically related to proteins present on many cell types, suggesting that it is a member of the proposed cytoadhesin family of membrane proteins. We have compared the purified tissue vitronectin receptor (VnR) with GP IIb-IIIa. Anti-VnR immunoprecipitated GP IIb-IIIa and a related endothelial cell protein. In immunoblots, GP IIIa reacted with anti-VnR and the beta subunit of the VnR reacted with poly and monoclonal anti-GP IIIa. In contrast, the alpha subunit of the VnR failed to react either with a polyclonal anti-GP IIb or with monoclonal anti-GP IIb. Furthermore, the amino-terminal sequence of GP IIIa and the beta subunit of VnR were identical at determined residues while the alpha subunit and the GP IIb were different, but showed 33% identity. These data indicate the identity or close homology of GP IIIa and the beta subunit of the VnR. In contrast, the alpha subunit and GP IIb are distinct polypeptides which may be homologous. Since GP IIb-IIIa and the VnR differ in ligand recognition specificity, the data also suggest that this specificity may be governed by the alpha subunit of cytoadhesins.     

Site-specific Phosphorylation of Kindlin-3 Protein Regulates Its Capacity to Control Cellular Responses Mediated by Integrin αIIbβ3

The contributions of integrins to cellular responses depend upon their activation, which is regulated by binding of proteins to their cytoplasmic tails. Kindlins are integrin cytoplasmic tail binding partners and are essential for optimal integrin activation, and kindlin-3 fulfills this role in hematopoietic cells. Here, we used human platelets and human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, which express integrin α_IIbβ₃, to investigate whether phosphorylation of kindlin-3 regulates integrin activation. When HEL cells were stimulated with thrombopoietin or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), α_IIbβ₃ became activated as evidenced by binding of an activation-specific monoclonal antibody and soluble fibrinogen, adherence and spreading on fibrinogen, colocalization of β₃ integrin and kindlin-3 in focal adhesions, and enhanced β₃ integrin-kindlin-3 association in immunoprecipitates. Kindlin-3 knockdown impaired adhesion and spreading on fibrinogen. Stimulation of HEL cells with agonists significantly increased kindlin-3 phosphorylation as detected by mass spectrometric sequencing. Thr⁴⁸² or Ser⁴⁸⁴ was identified as a phosphorylation site, which resides in a sequence not conserved in kindlin-1 or kindlin-2. These same residues were phosphorylated in kindlin-3 when platelets were stimulated with thrombin. When expressed in HEL cells, T482A/S484A kindlin-3 decreased soluble ligand binding and cell spreading on fibrinogen compared with wild-type kindlin-3. A membrane-permeable peptide containing residues 476–485 of kindlin-3 was introduced into HEL cells and platelets; adhesion and spreading of both cell types were blunted compared with a scrambled control peptide. These data identify a role of kindlin-3 phosphorylation in integrin β₃ activation and provide a basis for functional differences between kindlin-3 and the two other kindlin paralogs.     

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase associates with membrane skeleton in thrombin-exposed platelets.

Human platelets undergo a rapid, major reorganization of the cytoskeletal matrix upon exposure to thrombin, and accumulate 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides in a protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent manner. These phosphoinositides have been suggested to be involved in actin polymerization/depolymerization. We reasoned that, if newly generated 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositide modulates cytoskeletal reorganization, a prerequisite for such action would be generation near cytoskeletal proteins. We have found that, after platelet activation, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphatidylinositol(4)P 3-kinase activities, antibody-detectable phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and PKC become markedly and specifically enriched in a Triton X-100-insoluble cytoskeletal fraction that contains GPIIb/IIIa (integrin) and pp60c-src. The cytoskeletal fraction then accounts for up to 70% of total phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity, a function of recruited activated enzyme. These proteins are not occluded or directly associated with newly polymerized actin, since blockage by cytochalasin D of actin polymerization, and consequent inhibition of accumulation of about 40% of incremental protein and actin in this fraction, has no effect on its content of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, GPIIb/IIIa, pp60c-src, or PKC. Depolymerization of actin with DNase I, or inhibition of ligand binding to GPIIb/IIIa by RGDS, however, in combination with cytochalasin D, further depletes actin and significantly decreases sedimentability of GPIIb/IIIa as well as phosphoinositide 3-kinase, pp60c-src, and PKC, without inhibiting total 3-kinase activity. Our results suggest that, as a function of platelet activation, enzymes that regulate the synthesis of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides rapidly associate with the membrane skeleton and that skeletally associated phosphoinositide 3-kinase is more active than the Triton-soluble form.     

Demonstration of feline and canine platelet glycoproteins by immuno- and lectin histochemistry

Canine and feline platelet cytocentrifuge preparations (CCPs), cryostat and paraffin-embedded bone marrow sections were used in this study. We evaluated whether platelets, megakaryocytes and megakaryocyte precursor cells could be labelled by monoclonal antibodies (Y2/51, CLB-thromb/1, HPL1) against human platelet membrane glycoprotein GP IIIa and the GP IIb/IIIa complex or by the following 10 biotinylated lectins: concanavalin A (Con A), Lens culinaris agglutinin (LCA), Pisum sativum agglutinin (PsA), wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), peanut agglutinin (PNA), Phaseolus vulgaris lectin (PHA-L), Ricinus communis agglutinin 120 (RCA₁₂₀), Ulex europaeus agglutinin — I(UEA-1), soybean agglutinin (SBA) and Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA). Monoclonal antibodies Y2/51 and HPL1 cross reacted with platelets and megakaryocytic cells from both species, whereas CLB-thromb/1 was unreactive with canine preparations. Only Y2/51 labelled megakaryocytic cells in paraffin-embedded samples. LCA, PSA, WGA and PHA-L labelled feline and canine platelets and different numbers of morphologically identifiable megakaryocytes and numerous other, mostly myeloid, cells. Immunoblots of dog and cat platelet lysates using Y2/51 visualized a single protein of 95 kDa (unreduced), a mol·wt value within the range of those reported for GP IIIa. Some of the platelet (but not necessarily megakaryocyte) glycoproteins reacting with LCA, PSA and WGA could be identified in lectin blots following one- or two (nonreduced/reduced)-dimensional sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Thus in dogs and cats, the immunohistochemical detection of GP IIIa (and eventually GP IIb/IIIa) rather than lectin binding patterns could be important for the diagnosis of megakaryoblastic leukaemias.