Epigenetic plasticity of hTERT gene promoter determines retinoid capacity to repress telomerase in maturation-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia cells.

The expression of hTERT gene, encoding the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is a feature of most cancer cells. Changes in the chromatin environment of its promoter and binding of transcriptional factors have been reported in differentiating cells when its transcription is repressed. However, it is not clear whether these changes are directly involved in this repression or only linked to differentiation. In a maturation-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cell line (NB4-LR1), we have previously identified a new pathway of retinoid-induced hTERT repression independent of differentiation. Using a variant of this cell line (NB4-LR1(SFD)), which resists to this repression, we show that although distinct patterns of histone modifications and transcription factor binding at the proximal domain of hTERT gene promoter could concur to modulate its expression, this region is not sufficient to the on/off switch of hTERT by retinoids. DNA methylation analysis of the hTERT promoter led to the identification of two distinct functional domains, a proximal one, fully unmethylated in both cell lines, and a distal one, significantly methylated in NB4-LR1(SFD) cells, whose methylation was further re-enforced by retinoid treatment. Interestingly, we showed that the binding to this distal domain of a known hTERT repressor, WT1, was defective only in NB4-LR1(SFD) cells. We propose that epigenetic modifications targeting this distal region could modulate the binding of hTERT repressors and account either for hTERT reactivation and resistance to retinoid-induced hTERT downregulation.

Re-expression of DNA methylation-silenced CD44 gene in a resistant NB4 cell line: rescue of CD44-dependent cell death by cAMP.

In the acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line, NB4, activation of the CD44 receptor triggers apoptosis. This pathway does not operate in the retinoid-maturation-resistant NB4-LR1 subclone. In this work, we show that the CD44 gene is silenced in these cells. The molecular defect involves DNA methylation of cytosine phosphate guanine (CpG) island and underacetylation of histone H3 at CD44 promoter. The methylating inhibitor 5-aza-CdR and cyclic AMP (cAMP) reverse the CD44 gene silencing. Contrary to 5-aza-CdR, cAMP does not induce DNA demethylation or histone modification at the CD44 promoter, whereas an H3pS10/AcK14 dual modification is observed on a global level. cAMP also induces the expression of c-Jun transcription factor and its recruitment at the CD44 promoter. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further show the association of brahma (Brm), a subunit of SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complex involved in the crosstalk between transcription and RNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) processing, as well as the binding of phosphorylated RNA Pol II to the proximal promoter region of CD44. Finally, our study reveals that cAMP re-establishes the CD44-mediated cell death signalling. We propose that one of the actions of cAMP in restoring normal cell phenotype of leukaemia cells may consist in a broad trans-reactivation of silenced genes, despite marked hypermethylation of their promoters, as illustrated here with CD44 re-expression.

Subcellular localization of RhoA and ezrin at membrane ruffles of human endothelial cells: differential role of collagen and fibronectin.

Endothelial cells and the regulation of their migration are of prime importance in many physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis. RhoA, an important Rho family member known to trigger actin reorganization, has been shown to mediate the formation of focal adhesions and stress fibers in quiescent fibroblasts. However, recent studies have emphasized its functional diversity and its implication in migration or metastatic processes in different cell types other than fibroblasts. Its role in endothelial cells is little known. In this study, we were interested by analyzing in human endothelial cells the subcellular redistribution of endogenous RhoA and the reorganization of cytoskeletal actin induced by two important extracellular matrix proteins, collagen and fibronectin. This paper shows a translocation of RhoA and its association with cortical actin in focal contact domains at membrane ruffles and at lamellipodia of spread or migrating endothelial cells, in the absence of any soluble mitogen stimulation. Furthermore, RhoA was found colocalized with ezrin, a member of the ERM family proteins newly described as important membrane-actin cytoskeleton linkers, at early membrane ruffles of endothelial cells spread on collagen but not on fibronectin. The present study points out that extracellular matrix, depending on the nature of its components, may promote distinct assemblies of focal contact constitutive proteins and strongly suggests that endothelial RhoA, like Rac1, may be an important mediator of matrix signaling pathway regulating endothelial cell adhesiveness and motility, independently of growth factor stimulation.

Identification of small GTP-binding rab proteins in human platelets: thrombin-induced phosphorylation of rab3B, rab6, and rab8 proteins.

The activation of platelets by specific agonists is a tightly regulated mechanism that leads to the secretion of the dense- and alpha-granule contents. Platelets have been shown to possess small GTP-binding proteins thought to be involved in central biological processes; however, no rab proteins, which may regulate the exocytic process at different stages, have been reported. This study has shown that rab1, rab3B, rab4, rab6, and rab8 proteins, but not rab3A protein, were present in platelets and in endothelial cells. To probe their functional significance in platelets, rab3B, rab6, and rab8 proteins were further characterized with regard to their intracellular localization and their phosphorylation properties. Whereas rab3B protein was found to be mainly cytosolic, rab6 and rab8 proteins were preferentially targeted to the plasma membrane and to the alpha granules. The activation of platelets by thrombin, a potent inducer of secretion, resulted in the phosphorylation of rab3B, rab6, and rab8 proteins, whereas no phosphorylation was observed in the presence of prostaglandin E1, which stimulates cAMP-dependent protein kinase and inhibits the secretion process. These findings provide evidence that members of the subfamily of rab proteins, rab6 and rab8, are localized in platelets to one type of specific secretory vesicle, the alpha granule, and would suggest their possible implication in the secretion process through phosphorylation mechanisms.

Collagen-induced platelet activation mainly involves the protein kinase C pathway.

This study analyses early biochemical events in collagen-induced platelet activation. An early metabolic event occurring during the lag phase was the activation of PtdIns(4,5)P2-specific phospholipase C. Phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) formation, phosphorylation of P43 and P20, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) synthesis and platelet secretion began after the lag phase, and were similarly time-dependent, except for TXB2 synthesis, which was delayed. Collagen induced extensive P43 phosphorylation, whereas P20 phosphorylation was weak and always lower than with thrombin. The dose-response curves of P43 phosphorylation and granule secretion were similar, and both reached a peak at 7.5 micrograms of collagen/ml, a dose which induced half-maximal PtdOH and TXB2 formation. Sphingosine, assumed to inhibit protein kinase C, inhibited P43 phosphorylation and secretion in parallel. However, sphingosine was not specific for protein kinase C, since a 15 microM concentration, which did not inhibit P43 phosphorylation, blocked TXB2 synthesis by 50%. Sphingosine did not affect PtdOH formation at all, even at 100 microM, suggesting that collagen itself induced this PtdOH formation, independently of TXB2 generation. The absence of external Ca2+ allowed the cleavage of polyphosphoinositides and the accumulation of InsP3 to occur, but impaired P43 phosphorylation, PtdOH and TXB2 formation, and secretion; these were only restored by adding 0.11 microM-Ca2+. In conclusion, stimulation of platelet membrane receptors for collagen initiates a PtdInsP2-specific phospholipase C activation, which is independent of external Ca2+, and might be the immediate receptor-linked response. A Ca2+ influx is indispensable to the triggering of subsequent platelet responses. This stimulation predominantly involves the protein kinase C pathway associated with secretion, and appears not to be mediated by TXB2, at least during its initial stage.

Effect of a collagen-derived octapeptide on phosphoinositide turnover and 43K protein phosphorylation in collagen-activated platelets.

A collagen-derived octapeptide KPGEPGPK which specifically inhibits the activation of platelets by collagen has been tested for its ability to affect the collagen-induced phosphoinositide breakdown and protein phosphorylations. Collagen produced a transient decrease followed by a rapid resynthesis of [32P]-phosphatidyl 4-5 bisphosphate (PIP2) and 4-mono phosphate (PIP). Octapeptide, at a concentration preventing aggregation but allowing shape change, did not impair the phosphoinositide breakdown, whereas the P43 phosphorylation was strongly inhibited. Higher concentrations of peptide which did not permit any shape change were needed to hinder the PIP2 and PIP decrease. Therefore, the octapeptide appears to affect early events of the collagen-induced platelet activation involving the P43 phosphorylation, independently of its effect on the receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis.

Evidence that a collagen derived octapeptide inhibits fibrinogen binding to platelets stimulated by collagen and not by ADP.

A synthetic octapeptide derived from type III collagen which specifically inhibits the activation and aggregation of platelets by collagen without affecting their adhesion was assayed on the collagen and ADP dependent fibrinogen binding to platelets. With 20 micrograms/ml collagen, the octapeptide (6 mM) inhibited by 68% the fibrinogen binding: this inhibition was correlated (p less than 0.01) to a decrease in the velocity of aggregation, suggesting that the fibrinogen binding might influence this parameter. The octapeptide did not affect the ADP-induced platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding. This indicates that the octapeptide does not inhibit the binding of fibrinogen to its receptor directly, but interferes with some step(s) preceding the collagen-induced expression of the fibrinogen receptor.

Collagen derived octapeptide inhibits platelet procoagulant activity induced by the combined action of collagen and thrombin.

Platelet prothrombin converting activity was measured in a system using washed human platelets and purified coagulation factors Xa, Va and prothrombin. Exposure of platelet prothrombin converting activity evoked by collagen or the combined action of collagen and thrombin was effectively inhibited when a collagen derived octapeptide was added prior to platelet activation. Half maximal inhibition of prothrombinase activity of platelets stimulated by collagen plus thrombin- or collagen alone was obtained at 0.9 mM and 0.5 mM octapeptide, respectively. This suggests a modifying effect of thrombin on the platelet-collagen interaction. Octapeptide either alone or in combination with thrombin was unable to enhance platelet procoagulant activity. The increased prothrombin converting activity seen upon treatment of platelets with ionophore A23187 was not affected by octapeptide, added either before or after treatment with ionophore. It is concluded that octapeptide specifically interferes with the platelet-collagen interaction required to generate a procoagulant surface which enhances the rate of thrombin formation.

Inhibition of some activities of thrombin by a collagen-derived octapeptide.

The effect of a collagen-derived octapeptide on some properties of thrombin is presented. This peptide provoked a dose- and time-dependent prolongation of the thrombin-induced plasma and fibrinogen clotting time and inhibited the polymerization of fibrin generated from fibrinogen by thrombin. It did not affect the polymerization of fibrin monomers; it was also without effect on the coagulation of plasma or fibrinogen by reptilase. The prolongation of the fibrinogen clotting time depended on the duration of the incubation of thrombin and the octapeptide and not on the duration of the incubation of fibrinogen and the octapeptide. The inhibition was therefore ascribed to an interference with thrombin, rather than with fibrinogen. A preincubation of the octapeptide with thrombin resulted in an inhibition of the thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. The effect of the octapeptide on thrombin has been related to the presence of positively and negatively charged groups, because uncharged analogue sequences were without effect on these activities of thrombin.

Effect of a collagen derived octapeptide on different steps of the platelet/collagen interaction.

The interaction of platelets with collagen involves short aminoacid sequences which recur along the fibres. Platelet aggregation by collagen and serotonin release is inhibited by a synthetic octapeptide LYS-PRO-GLY-GLU- PRO-GLY-PRO-LYS- derived from type III collagen. In contrast, this octapeptide inhibits only weakly the retention of platelets labelled with 111Indium to collagen, suggesting that it has a limited effect on platelet adhesion. Preincubation of the octapeptide with platelets inhibits the rise of cAMP level caused by activating adenylate cyclase by various concentrations of PGI2. The octapeptide at 5 mM reverses the inhibition by PGI2 of the adhesion of platelets to collagen. These results suggest that the octapeptide affects the intrinsic activity (manifested as platelet aggregation and secretion) more than the recognition of collagen by its receptor (manifested by adhesion).

[Collagen nonapeptide, a trap for platelets]. / Nonapeptide du collagène, leurre pour les plaquettes.

Biochemical methods involving chemical and enzymatic cleavage of type III collagen (characteristic of arterial subendothelium) have led to the identification of a nonapeptide common to different overlapping collagen fragments capable of interacting with platelets. This nonapeptide has been synthesized; it specifically inhibits platelet aggregation and secretion of endogenous platelet serotonin by type III collagen from which it originates. Its effect on platelet adhesion is moderate. In view of its specificity in the platelet-collagen interaction, its use as a mean of preventing thrombosis can be envisaged.

The molecular interaction between platelet and vascular wall.

Two different subendothelial macromolecules have been identified as being thrombogenic: collagen and the microfibrils associated with elastin. The interaction between platelets and collagen involves the binding of platelet membrane receptors by numerous sites repeatedly staggered along a collagen fiber: this explains why the preservation of ordered structures (quaternary and tertiary structures) is so important in the reactivity of collagen towards platelets. In the case of Type III collagen, a nonapeptide has been identified as possibly being part of these repetitive sites. The microfibrils have not yet been characterized, although the biochemical data presently available show that they are acidic glycoproteins resistant to collagenase. Microfibrils extracted from human placenta or bovine aorta induce the aggregation of platelets in a reaction which involves platelet glycoprotein Ib and FVIII/vWF. A general model proposed for explaining platelet adhesion to subendothelium suggests that two different mechanisms should be envisaged depending on the thrombogenic macromolecules (collagen, microfibrils) involved.

A comparison of the inhibitory effects of prostacyclin and carbacyclin on platelet adhesion to collagen.

The effect of carbacyclin, a chemically stable analogue of prostacyclin (PGI2), on the adhesion of platelets to collagen has been examined. The compound was compared to PGI2 which is unstable and rapidly hydrolysed to the inactive derivative, 6-oxo-PGF 1 alpha. The adhesion of 111Indium-labelled human platelets to collagen in the absence of platelet aggregation and secretion was measured. The cAMP level in the platelets was also monitored. Both PGI2 and carbacyclin inhibited platelet-collagen adhesion and caused a rise in the platelet cAMP level. Carbacyclin was approximately 15-fold less effective than PGI2, however, its effect was longer lasting, remaining constant for at least 30 minutes.

Prostaglandins: specific inhibition of platelet adhesion to collagen and relationship with cAMP level.

The effect of 3 prostaglandins (PG's) (I2, D2 and E1) on the adhesion of platelets to purified type III collagen has been investigated. A quantitative method for a specific evaluation of the adhesion has been applied and has revealed an inhibition of adhesion by low concentrations (10(-10)M) of PGs added before collagen; the effect varied as a function of the dose of PGs (maximum at 10(-6)M) which also induced an increase in the level of platelet cAMP. The inhibition of adhesion and the elevation of platelet cAMP followed the same time course and were either of short duration (rapid decrease in the induced effects after 15 and 45 seconds in the case of PGE1) or longer lasting (maximum effect maintained for 5 minutes in the case of PGI2 and D2). These effects were potentiated by a phosphodiesterase inhibitor such as theophylline (10(-3)M). The addition of PGs after collagen resulted in a reduction of the enhancement of cAMP, associated with a decrease in the inhibition of adhesion. Moreover, the addition of exogenous cAMP (dibutyryl N6-02' cAMP) induced a comparable inhibition. A correlation between the adhesion of platelets to collagen and the level of either endogenous or exogenous cAMP has been established. The PGs also inhibited the platelet release reaction from the alpha granules (beta TG) and the dense bodies. (5-HT and ADP). A greater inhibition of release than of adhesion was observed for the same doses of PGs added.

[Thrombogenicity of the vessel: role of microfibrils and of collagen]. / Thrombogénicité du vaisseau: rôle des mcirofibrilles et du collagène.

Thrombogenicity of the vessel wall: role of the microfibrils and collagen. The study of platelet adhesion to rabbit aortic subendothelium preincubated with highly specific collagenase has revealed that platelets adhere to the microfibrils of the elastic lamina. To certify that an interaction between microfibrils and platelets can occur, microfibrils from two different origins were isolated: placental microfibrils extracted from the villi of human placenta, and aortic microfibrils extracted from adult bovine aorta. Both preparations were histologically homogeneous, and differed in their amino acid composition with an acidic character more pronounced for placental than for aortic microfibrils. Both preparations were able to induce platelet aggregation in plasma, but not after platelet isolation and resuspension in buffer. An interesting feature was the fact that when normal platelets were isolated, washed and resuspended in plasma from severe VWD patients, they were not aggregated by placental or aortic microfibrils. This defect was corrected after perfusion of cryoprecipitate to one patient. Moreover, monoclonal antibody directed against platelet glycoprotein Ib inhibited the aggregation of platelets to microfibrils, not to collagen; this suggested that an axis platelet GPI-FVIII/VWF-microfibrils could represent a pathway for platelet/subendothelium interaction. The adhesion of platelets to collagen seems to involve the staggering of a short amino acid sequence along a collagen fibre. This possibility arises from the requirement for the preservation of the quaternary structure of collagen in the induction of platelet adhesion/aggregation in vitro, and also from the identification and synthesis of a nonapeptide derived from type III collagen, which is also to specifically inhibit the aggregation of platelets by collagen, following its binding to platelet membrane.

[The adhesion of blood platelets to collagen: molecular features of collagen (author's transl)]. / Adhésion des plaquettes sanguines au collagène. Caractéristiques moléculaires du collagène.

This review deals with some structural features of the collagen molecules involved in the adhesion of platelets representing the initial step of hemostasis, thrombosis, and (partly) atherosclerosis. The adhesion occurs at the level of a vascular lesion or deendothelialized area, whatever the genetic type of collagen. In vitro experiments with purified collagens have shown that vascular interstitial collagens (types I and III, the latter present in subendothelium) as well as basement membrane-derived collagens (types IV and V) induce an adhesion of platelets, provided that an ordered arrangement linked to the quaternary and tertiary structures of their molecule is preserved. Whatever the quaternary structure, the important point seems to be the size of the fibers and more precisely the availability of an optimal number of adhesion sites on multimerized fibers. Various direct or indirect proofs (for example, the occurrence of the impairment of collagen multimerization on platelet adhesion/aggregation) are reviewed. Our recent studies on interstitial collagens have shown the involvement of certain specific amino-acid sequences obtained after cyanogen bromide cleavage of collagen. These are the C-terminal alpha1 (I) CB6 peptide of the alpha 1 chains of type I collagen (216 amino acids) and the central alpha1 (III) CB4 peptide from type III collagen (149 amino acids) Cleavage of this last peptide by chymotrypsin, hydroxylamine, and trypsin has suggested the possibility that a nonapeptide (sequence gly-lys-hyp-gly-glu-hyp-gly-pro-lys) is a minimum site of adhesion for platelets. This assumption has been reinforced by the fact that a synthetic nonapeptide with this sequence specifically inhibits the aggregation of platelets to collagen in vitro. The adhesion of platelets may consequently be due to the repetitive staggering of short amino acid sequences (such as this nonapeptide from type III collagen) along the rigid structure formed by a multimerized collagen fiber.