Downregulation of GMP-140 (CD62 or PADGEM) expression on platelets by N,N-dimethyl and N,N,N-trimethyl derivatives of sphingosine.

GMP-140 (CD62 or PADGEM), a member of the selectin family, is a membrane glycoprotein in secretory granules of platelets and endothelial cells. When these cells are activated by agonists such as thrombin or AMP, GMP-140 is rapidly redistributed to the cell surface. The carbohydrate epitope defined by GMP-140 was identified as sialosyl-Le(x) (as for ELAM-1), which may play an essential role in adhesion of leukocytes or tumor cells on endothelial cells, through aggregation with platelets. Redistribution of GMP-140 from alpha-granules of platelets to the cell surface, induced by thrombin and PMA, was strongly inhibited by preincubation of platelets with N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS) or N,N,N-trimethylsphingosine (TMS) at 10-20 microM concentration for a brief period (5 min). Inhibition of GMP-140 redistribution to the cell surface by DMS or TMS was also detected by a cell adhesion assay using HL60 cells, which highly express sialosyl-Le(x); i.e., HL60 cells adhered on platelets activated by thrombin or PMA but not on platelets which were briefly preincubated with DMS or TMS followed by activation. The inhibitory effect of DMS or TMS on GMP-140 redistribution is not due to cytotoxicity, since the TMS-treated platelets were fully capable of aggregating in the presence of ristocetin. Sphingosine (SPN) and protein kinase C inhibitors such as H-7 and calphostin C showed weaker inhibitory activity than DMS and TMS. Our results indicate that both DMS and TMS could be useful reagents to inhibit cell surface expression of crucial selectins which promote adhesion of Le(x-) or sialosyl-Le(x)-expressing cells with platelets and endothelial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Structural and biosynthetic studies of the granule membrane protein, GMP-140, from human platelets and endothelial cells

GMP-140 is an integral membrane glycoprotein of apparent Mr = 140,000 located in secretory storage granules of platelets and vascular endothelial cells. When these cells are activated, GMP-140 redistributes from the membrane of the granules to the plasma membrane. To gain insight into the potential function of GMP-140, we examined aspects of its structure and biosynthesis. The amino acid composition of platelet GMP-140 revealed elevated numbers of cystinyl (6.1%), prolinyl (7.2%), and tryptophanyl (2.1%) residues. GMP-140 contained 28.8% carbohydrate by weight, distributed among N-acetylneuraminic acid, neutral sugar, and N-acetylglucosamine residues. Enzymatic removal of N-linked oligosaccarides reduced the protein's apparent Mr by more than 50,000. The biosynthesis of GMP-140 in HEL cells, which share biochemical features with megakaryocytes, was studied by pulse-chase labeling with [35S]cysteine followed by immunoprecipitation. HEL cells synthesized a heterogeneous GMP-140 precursor of 98-125 kDa which converted to a mature 140-kDa form within 40-60 min. Removal of high mannose oligosaccarides by endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase H treatment reduced the apparent Mr of the precursor but not the mature protein. Tunicamycin-treated HEL cells synthesized three to four precursors of 80-92 kDa, suggesting the possibility of heterogeneity of GMP-140 at the protein level. Exposure of activated platelets to proteases followed by Western blotting indicated that most of the mass of GMP-140 was located on the extracytoplasmic side of the membrane. Our studies indicate that GMP-140 is a cysteine-rich, heavily glycosylated protein with a large extracytoplasmic domain. These features are compatible with a receptor function for the molecule when it is exposed on the surface of activated platelets and endothelial cells.     

Selective and signal-dependent recruitment of membrane proteins to secretory granules formed by heterologously expressed von Willebrand factor

von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a large, multimeric protein secreted by endothelial cells and involved in hemostasis. When expressed in AtT-20 cells, vWF leads to the de novo formation of cigar-shaped organelles similar in appearance to the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells in which vWF is normally stored before regulated secretion. The membranes of this vWF-induced organelle, termed the pseudogranule, are uncharacterized. We have examined the ability of these pseudogranules, which we show are secretagogue responsive, to recruit membrane proteins. Coexpression experiments show that the Weibel-Palade body proteins P-selectin and CD63, as well as the secretory organelle membrane proteins vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 and synaptotagmin I are diverted away from the endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone-containing secretory granules to the vWF-containing pseudogranules. However, transferrin receptor, lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1, and sialyl transferase are not recruited. The recruitment of P-selectin is dependent on a tyrosine-based motif within its cytoplasmic domain. Our data show that vWF pseudogranules specifically recruit a subset of membrane proteins, and that in a process explicitly driven by the pseudogranule content (i.e., vWF), the active recruitment of at least one component of the pseudogranule membrane (i.e., P-selectin) is dependent on residues of P-selectin that are cytosolic and therefore unable to directly interact with vWF.     

Properties of GMP-140, an inducible granule membrane protein of platelets and endothelium.

GMP-140 is an integral membrane glycoprotein with an apparent Mr of 140,000 located in secretory granules of human platelets and endothelial cells. When these cells are stimulated, the protein is rapidly redistributed to the plasma membrane; therefore, monoclonal antibodies to GMP-140 are useful markers of activated platelets and endothelium. GMP-140 is cysteine-rich and heavily glycosylated. The cDNA-derived amino acid sequence indicates that it contains a number of modular domains that are likely to fold independently. Beginning at the N-terminus, these comprise a "lectin" domain, an "EGF" domain, nine tandem consensus repeats similar to those in complement-binding proteins, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic tail. Some cDNAs also predict variant forms of GMP-140, including a putative soluble form lacking the transmembrane domain that appears to arise from alternative splicing of mRNA. The domain organization of GMP-140 is strikingly similar to two other vascular cell surface structures: ELAM-1, a cytokine-inducible endothelial cell receptor that binds neutrophils, and a lymphocyte-homing receptor that mediates the adherence of lymphocytes to high endothelial venules of peripheral lymph nodes. These "selectins" constitute a new gene family of receptors with related structure and potentially related function.     

P-selectin, a granule membrane protein of platelets and endothelial cells, follows the regulated secretory pathway in AtT-20 cells

P-selectin (PADGEM, GMP-140, CD62) is a transmembrane protein specific to alpha granules of platelets and Weibel-Palade bodies of endotheial cells. Upon stimulation of these cells, P-selectin is translocated to the plasma membrane where it functions as a receptor for monocytes and neutrophils. To investigate whether the mechanism of targeting of P-selectin to granules is specific for megakaryocytes and endothelial cells and/or dependent on von Willebrand factor, a soluble adhesive protein that is stored in the same granules, we have expressed the cDNA for P-selectin in AtT-20 cells. AtT-20 cells are a mouse pituitary cell line that can store proteins in a regulated fashion. By double-label immunofluorescence, P-selectin was visible as a punctate pattern at the tips of cell processes. This pattern closely resembled the localization of ACTH, the endogenous hormone produced and stored by the AtT-20 cells. Fractionation of the transfected cells resulted in the codistribution of P-selectin and ACTH in cellular compartments of the same density. Immunoelectron microscopy using a polyclonal anti-P-selectin antibody demonstrated immunogold localization in dense granules, morphologically indistinguishable from the ACTH granules. Binding experiments with radiolabeled monoclonal antibody to P-selectin indicated that there was also surface expression of P-selectin on the AtT-20 cells. After stimulation with the secretagogue 8-Bromo-cAMP the surface expression increased twofold, concomitant with the release of ACTH. In contrast, the surface expression of P-selectin transfected into CHO cells, which do not have a regulated pathway of secretion, did not change with 8-Br-cAMP treatment. In conclusion, we provide evidence for the regulated secretion of a transmembrane protein (P-selectin) in a heterologous cell line, which indicates that P-selectin contains an independent sorting signal directing it to storage granules.     

Complement proteins C5b-9 induce secretion of high molecular weight multimers of endothelial von Willebrand factor and translocation of granule membrane protein GMP-140 to the cell surface

The effect of immune activation of the serum complement system on the secretory response of human endothelial cells was examined. Exposure of antibody sensitized cultured umbilical vein endothelial cells to human serum resulted in secretion of very high molecular weight multimers of von Willebrand factor which coincided with new surface expression of the intracellular granule membrane protein GMP-140. This response required complement activation through deposition of C5b-9 and was not observed with cells exposed to antibody plus C8-deficient serum or to membrane C5b-8 (in the absence of C9). This C5b-9-induced secretion was observed with minimal cell lysis, as assessed by the release of lactic dehydrogenase. Delayed addition of C8 and C9 to cells exposed to antibody plus C8-deficient serum revealed a rapid decay of membrane C8 binding sites accompanied by loss of the secretory response, suggesting a process of removal or inactivation of nascent C5b67 complexes deposited on the endothelial surface. Membrane assembly of C5b-9 complexes caused an increase in endothelial cytosolic [Ca2+], due to influx across the plasma membrane. This C5b-9-dependent increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] and concomitant von Willebrand factor secretion were both abolished by removal of external calcium. In addition to being linked to the level of external Ca2+, the C5b-9-induced secretory response was partially inhibited by the protein kinase inhibitor, sphingosine. The capacity of the C5b-9 proteins to stimulate endothelial cells to secrete a platelet adhesive protein provides one mechanism for increased platelet deposition at sites of inflammation, and suggests the potential for other functional changes in endothelium exposed to C5b-9 during intravascular complement activation.     

Cloning of GMP-140, a granule membrane protein of platelets and endothelium: sequence similarity to proteins involved in cell adhesion and inflammation

GMP-140 is an integral membrane glycoprotein found in secretory granules of platelets and endothelial cells. After cellular activation, it is rapidly redistributed to the plasma membrane. The cDNA-derived primary structure of GMP-140 predicts a cysteine-rich protein with multiple domains, including a "lectin" region, an "EGF" domain, nine tandem consensus repeats related to those in complement-binding proteins, a transmembrane domain, and a short cytoplasmic tail. Some cDNAs also predict a soluble protein with a deleted transmembrane segment. The domain organization of GMP-140 is similar to that of ELAM-1, a cytokine-inducible endothelial cell receptor that binds neutrophils. This similarity suggests that GMP-140 belongs to a new family of inducible receptors with related structure and function on vascular cells.     

Cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin (CD62) contains the signal for sorting into the regulated secretory pathway.

P-selectin (CD62), formerly called GMP-140 or PADGEM, is a membrane protein located in secretory storage granules of platelets and endothelial cells. To study the mechanisms responsible for the targeting of P-selectin to storage granules, we transfected its cDNA into COS-7 and CHO-K1 cells, which lack a regulated exocytic pathway, or into AtT20 cells, which are capable of regulated secretion. P-selectin was expressed on the plasma membrane of COS-7 and CHO-K1 cells but was concentrated in storage granules of AtT20 cells. Immunogold electron microscopy indicated that the electron-dense granules containing P-selectin in AtT20 cells also stored the endogenous soluble hormone ACTH. Activation of AtT20 cells with 8-Br-cAMP increased the surface expression of P-selectin, consistent with agonist-induced fusion of granule membranes with the plasma membrane. Deletion of the last 23 amino acids of the 35-residue cytoplasmic domain resulted in delivery of P-selectin to the plasma membrane of AtT20 cells. Replacement of the cytoplasmic tail of tissue factor, a plasma membrane protein, with the cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin redirected the chimeric molecule to granules. We conclude that the cytoplasmic domain of P-selectin is both necessary and sufficient for sorting of membrane proteins into the regulated pathway of secretion.     

Oxygen radicals induce human endothelial cells to express GMP-140 and bind neutrophils

The initial step in extravasation of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes [PMNs]) to the extravascular space is adherence to the endothelium. We examined the effect of oxidants on this process by treating human endothelial cells with H2O2, t-butylhydroperoxide, or menadione. This resulted in a surface adhesive for PMN between 1 and 4 h after exposure. The oxidants needed to be present only for a brief period at the initiation of the assay. Adhesion was an endothelial cell-dependent process that did not require an active response from the PMN. The adhesive molecule was not platelet-activating factor, which mediates PMN adherence when endothelial cells are briefly exposed to higher concentrations of H2O2 (Lewis, M. S., R. E. Whatley, P. Cain, T. M. McIntyre, S. M. Prescott, and G. A. Zimmerman. 1988. J. Clin. Invest. 82:2045-2055), nor was it ELAM-1, an adhesive glycoprotein induced by cytokines. Oxidant-induced adhesion did not require protein synthesis, was inhibited by antioxidants, and, when peroxides were the oxidants, was inhibited by intracellular iron chelators. Granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140) is a membrane-associated glycoprotein that can be translocated from its intracellular storage pool to the surface of endothelial cells where it acts as a ligand for PMN adhesion (Geng, J.-G., M. P. Bevilacqua, K. L. Moore, T. M. McIntyre, S. M. Prescott, J. M. Kim, G. A. Bliss, G. A. Zimmerman, and R. P. McEver. 1990. Nature (Lond). 343:757-760). We found that endothelial cells exposed to oxidants expressed GMP-140 on their surface, and that an mAb against GMP-140 or solubilized GMP-140 completely blocked PMN adherence to oxidant-treated endothelial cells. Thus, exposure of endothelial cells to oxygen radicals induces the prolonged expression of GMP-140 on the cell surface, which results in enhanced PMN adherence.     

Polar secretion of von Willebrand factor by endothelial cells

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on a collagen lattice were used to study the polarity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) secretion. Endothelial cells cultured under these conditions allow direct measurements of substances released at both the apical and basolateral surface. The constitutive secretion of vWF was compared to the release of vWF from their storage granules after stimulation (regulated secretion). The basal, constitutive release of vWF occurs into both the apical and subendothelial direction. The rate of accumulation of vWF to the subendothelial direction is about three times higher than the amount of vWF secreted into the lumenal medium per unit of time. However, upon stimulation of confluent endothelial cell monolayers with phorbol myristate acetate, endothelial cells predominantly secrete vWF at the lumenal surface. Under these conditions, vWF does not accumulate in the collagen matrix. Thus, endothelial cells are able to organize themselves into a polarized monolayer, in such a way that vWF secreted by the regulated pathway accumulates at the lumenal site, whereas resting endothelial cells release vWF predominantly at the opposite, basolateral surface.     

Ca2+ -regulated secretion of tissue-type plasminogen activator and von Willebrand factor in human endothelial cells

von Willebrand factor (vWF) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) are products of endothelial cells which are secreted into the bloodstream upon a stimulus-induced rise in intracellular Ca(2+). Although the release of both factors appears to be regulated similarly, they exhibit opposing physiological effects in the vasculature with vWF inducing coagulation and platelet aggregation and tPA triggering fibrinolysis and thrombolysis. To analyze possible differences in the regulated secretion of vWF and tPA in more detail, we recorded the Ca(2+)-triggered exocytosis of both factors in cultured human endothelial cells. We demonstrate that vWF and tPA which are stored in different granules within endothelial cells are released with different kinetics following endothelial stimulation with histamine or the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187. While the stimulus-induced release of vWF increases with time over a course of 30 min, maximal acute secretion of tPA is observed 5 min following stimulation and subsequently drops to background levels. In the case of vWF, secretion can also be monitored indirectly through an antibody-reinternalization assay which indicates an incomplete release of vWF during single exocytotic fusion events. Our data thus point to differences in the Ca(2+)-triggered secretion of vWF and tPA which could allow a fine-tuning of their release thereby ensuring a balanced physiological action.     

GMP-140 binding to neutrophils is inhibited by sulfated glycans.

GMP-140 is a 140-kDa granule membrane glycoprotein localized to the alpha-granules of platelets and the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Expression of GMP-140 on the activated cell surface has been shown to mediate the adhesion of thrombin-activated platelets to neutrophils and monocytes and the transient adhesion of neutrophils to endothelium. In contrast, fluid-phase GMP-140 strongly inhibits the CD18-dependent adhesion of tumor necrosis factor alpha-activated neutrophils to endothelium suggesting that GMP-140 can also serve an anti-adhesive function. In the present report, it is demonstrated that fluid-phase GMP-140 which exists predominantly as a tetramer binds to a single class of high affinity receptor on neutrophils and HL60 cells. Binding of 125I-labeled GMP-140 to neutrophils and HL60 cells and the rosetting of neutrophils and HL60 cells by thrombin-activated platelets were inhibited by EDTA, excess unlabeled fluid-phase GMP-140, Fab fragments of an affinity-purified rabbit anti-GMP-140 antibody, and by the murine anti-GMP-140 monoclonal antibody, AK 4. Both neutrophil and HL60 GMP-140 binding and platelet rosetting were strongly inhibited by heparin, fucoidin, and dextran sulfate 500,000, were partially inhibited by dextran sulfate 5,000 and lambda- and kappa-carrageenan, but were not inhibited by chondroitins 4- and 6-sulfate. Since this sulfated glycan specificity is identical to that previously reported by us for GMP-140, the present results suggest that the sulfated glycan binding site and the neutrophil receptor binding site on GMP-140 are either identical or proximal.     

Secretion Pores in Human Endothelial Cells during Acute Hypoxia

Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) are endothelial vesicles that store von Willebrand factor (vWF), involved in the early phase of hemostasis. In the present study we investigated the morphodynamics of single WPB plasma membrane fusion events upon hypoxic stimulation by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Simultaneously, we measured vWF release from endothelial cells to functionally confirm WPB exocytosis. Exposing human endothelial cells to hypoxia (pO2 = 5 mm Hg) we found an acute (within minutes) release of vWF. Despite acute vWF release, potential cellular modulators of secretion, such as intracellular pH and cell volume, remained unchanged. We only detected a slight instantaneous increase of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. Although overall cell morphology remained virtually unchanged, high resolution AFM images of hypoxic endothelial cells disclosed secretion pores, most likely the loci of WPB exocytosis on luminal plasma membrane. We conclude that short-term hypoxia barely alters overall cell morphology and intracellular milieu. However, at nanometer scale, hypoxia instantaneously switches the smooth luminal plasma membrane to a rough activated cell surface, covered with secretion pores that release vWF to the luminal cell surface.     

细胞骨架对凝血酶诱导人血小板分泌反应的调节(英文)

本文利用血小板表面外露的GMP-140为血小板分泌反应的特异性标志,通过放射免疫分析法定量测定血小板表面GMP-140分子数,研究了细胞骨架抑制剂对凝血酶诱导血小板分泌反应的影响。结果表明,凝血酶激活使血小板表面GMP-140的外露明显增加,反应迅速,并在一定范围内呈剂量和时间依赖性;而ADP刺激则几乎不引起GMP-140外露的增加。凝血酶激活前加入不同的细胞骨架抑制剂处理可产生不同的效应:细胞松驰素B(肌动蛋白微丝抑制剂)可明显上调凝血酶诱导的GMP-140外露;而秋水仙素(微管抑制剂)则下调GMP-140的外露;两者同时处理仍呈现明显的上调作用。提示凝血酶作为一种强激活剂,不仅可通过受体-G蛋白-第二信使的途径启动血小板分泌反应,而且可能经诱导肌动蛋白微丝的形成对分泌反应起反馈性负调节作用。微管的存在则可能对凝血酶诱导的分泌反应起促进作用。虽然两种细胞骨架的作用相反,但以微丝的作用为主,两者间无相互拮抗现象。     

A platelet alpha-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) is expressed on the plasma membrane after activation

We have previously characterized a monoclonal antibody, S12, that binds only to activated platelets (McEver, R.P., and M.N. Martin, 1984, J. Biol. Chem., 259:9799-9804). It identifies a platelet membrane protein of Mr 140,000, which we have designated as GMP-140. Using immunocytochemical techniques we have now localized this protein in unstimulated and thrombin-stimulated platelets. Polyclonal antibodies to purified GMP-140 were used to enhance the sensitivity of detection. Nonpermeabilized, unstimulated platelets, incubated with anti-GMP-140 antibodies, and then with IgG-gold probes, showed very little label for GMP-140 along their plasma membranes. In contrast, thrombin-stimulated platelets exhibited at least a 50-fold increase in the amount of label along the plasma membrane. On frozen thin sections of unstimulated platelets we observed immunogold label along the alpha-granule membranes. We also employed the more sensitive technique of permeabilizing with saponin unstimulated platelets in suspension, and then incubating the cells with polyclonal anti-GMP-140 antibodies and Fab-peroxidase conjugate. Alpha-granule membranes showed heavy reaction product, but no other intracellular organelles were specifically labeled. These results demonstrate that GMP-140 is an alpha-granule membrane protein that is expressed on the platelet plasma membrane during degranulation.     

Coexpression of GMP-140 and PAF by endothelium stimulated by histamine or thrombin: a juxtacrine system for adhesion and activation of neutrophils

The adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to vascular endothelial cells (EC) is an early and fundamental event in acute inflammation. This process requires the regulated expression of molecules on both the EC and PMN. EC stimulated with histamine or thrombin coexpress two proadhesive molecules within minutes: granule membrane protein 140 (GMP-140), a member of the selectin family, and platelet-activating factor (PAF), a biologically active phospholipid. Coexpression of GMP-140 and PAF is required for maximal PMN adhesion and the two molecules act in a cooperative fashion. The component of adhesion mediated by EC-associated PAF requires activation of CD11/CD18 integrins on the PMN and binding of these heterodimers to counterreceptors on the EC. GMP-140 also binds to a receptor on the PMN; however, it tethers the PMN to the EC without requiring activation of CD11/CD18 integrins. This component of the adhesive interaction is blocked by antibodies to GMP-140 or by GMP-140 in the fluid phase. Experiments with purified GMP-140 indicate that binding to its receptor on the PMN does not directly induce PMN adhesiveness but that it potentiates the CD11/CD18-dependent adhesive response to PAF by a mechanism that involves events distal to the PAF receptor. Tethering of the PMN to the EC by GMP-140 may also be required for efficient interaction of PAF with its receptor on the PMN. These observations define a complex cell recognition system in which tethering of PMNs by a selectin, GMP-140, facilitates juxtacrine activation of the leukocytes by a signaling molecule, PAF. The latter event recruits the third component of the adhesive interaction, the CD11/CD18 integrins.     

GMP-140 binds to a glycoprotein receptor on human neutrophils: evidence for a lectin-like interaction

GMP-140 is a rapidly inducible receptor for neutrophils and monocytes expressed on activated platelets and endothelial cells. It is a member of the selectin family of lectin-like cell surface molecules that mediate leukocyte adhesion. We used a radioligand binding assay to characterize the interaction of purified GMP-140 with human neutrophils. Unstimulated neutrophils rapidly bound [125I]GMP-140 at 4 degrees C, reaching equilibrium in 10-15 min. Binding was Ca2+ dependent, reversible, and saturable at 3-6 nM free GMP-140 with half-maximal binding at approximately 1.5 nM. Receptor density and apparent affinity were not altered when neutrophils were stimulated with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Treatment of neutrophils with proteases abolished specific binding of [125I]GMP-140. Binding was also diminished when neutrophils were treated with neuraminidase from Vibrio cholerae, which cleaves alpha 2-3-, alpha 2-6-, and alpha 2-8-linked sialic acids, or from Newcastle disease virus, which cleaves only alpha 2-3- and alpha 2-8-linked sialic acids. Binding was not inhibited by an mAb to the abundant myeloid oligosaccharide, Lex (CD15), or by the neoglycoproteins Lex-BSA and sialyl-Lex-BSA. We conclude that neutrophils constitutively express a glycoprotein receptor for GMP-140, which contains sialic acid residues that are essential for function. These findings support the concept that GMP-140 interacts with leukocytes by a lectin-like mechanism.     

Rab3D and annexin A2 play a role in regulated secretion of vWF, but not tPA, from endothelial cells

von-Willebrand factor (vWF) and tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) are products of endothelial cells acutely released into the vasculature following cell activation. Both factors are secreted after intraendothelial Ca2+ mobilization, but exhibit opposing physiological effects with vWF inducing coagulation and tPA triggering fibrinolysis. To identify components that could regulate differentially the release of pro- and antithrombogenic factors, we analyzed the contribution of Rab3D and the annexin A2/S100A10 complex, proteins implicated in exocytotic events in other systems. We show that mutant Rab3D proteins interfere with the formation of bona fide Weibel-Palade bodies (WPbs), the principal storage granules of multimeric vWF, and consequently the acute, histamine-induced release of vWF. In contrast, neither appearance nor exocytosis of tPA storage granules is affected. siRNA-mediated downregulation of annexin A2/S100A10 and disruption of the complex by microinjection of peptide competitors result in a marked reduction in vWF but not tPA secretion, without affecting the appearance of WPbs. This indicates that distinct mechanisms underlie the acute secretion of vWF and tPA, enabling endothelial cells to fine-regulate the release of thrombogenic and fibrinolytic factors.