The family of kallikrein-related peptidases and kinin peptides as modulators of epidermal homeostasis.

The epidermis is the outermost skin layer and is part of one of the largest organs in the body; it is supported by the dermis, a network of fibrils, blood vessels, pilosebaceous units, sweat glands, nerves, and cells. The skin as a whole is a protective shield against numerous noxious agents, including microorganisms and chemical and physical factors. These functions rely on the activity of multiple growth factors, peptide hormones, proteases, and specific signaling pathways that are triggered by the activation of distinct types of receptors sited in the cell membranes of the various cell types present in the skin. The human kallikrein family comprises a large group of 15 serine proteases synthesized and secreted by different types of epithelial cells throughout the body, including the skin. At this site, they initiate a proteolytic cascade that generates the active forms of the proteases, some of which regulate skin desquamation, activation of cytokines, and antimicrobial peptides. Kinin peptides are formed by the action of plasma and tissue kallikreins on kininogens, two plasma proteins produced in the liver and other organs. Although kinins are well known for their proinflammatory abilities, in the skin they are also considered important modulators of keratinocyte differentiation. In this review, we summarize the contributions of the kallikreins and kallikrein-related peptidases family and those of kinins and their receptors in skin homeostasis, with special emphasis on their pathophysiological role.

The involvement of proteoglycans in the human plasma prekallikrein interaction with the cell surface.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of human plasma prekallikrein assembly and processing in cells and to determine whether proteoglycans, along with high molecular weight kininogen (H-kininogen), influence this interaction. METHODS: We used the endothelial cell line ECV304 and the epithelial cell lines CHO-K1 (wild type) and CHO-745 (deficient in proteoglycans). Prekallikrein endocytosis was studied using confocal microscopy, and prekallikrein cleavage/activation was determined by immunoblotting using an antibody directed to the prekallikrein sequence C364TTKTSTR371 and an antibody directed to the entire H-kininogen molecule. RESULTS: At 37°C, prekallikrein endocytosis was assessed in the absence and presence of exogenously applied H-kininogen and found to be 1,418.4±0.010 and 1,070.3±0.001 pixels/cell, respectively, for ECV304 and 1,319.1±0.003 and 631.3±0.001 pixels/cell, respectively, for CHO-K1. No prekallikrein internalization was observed in CHO-745 in either condition. Prekallikrein colocalized with LysoTracker in the absence and presence of exogenous H-kininogen at levels of 76.0% and 88.5%, respectively, for ECV304 and at levels of 40.7% and 57.0%, respectively, for CHO-K1. After assembly on the cell surface, a plasma kallikrein fragment of 53 kDa was predominant in the incubation buffer of all the cell lines studied, indicating specific proteolysis; plasma kallikrein fragments of 48-44 kDa and 34-32 kDa were also detected in the incubation buffer, indicating non-specific cleavage. Bradykinin free H-kininogen internalization was not detected in CHO-K1 or CHO-745 cells at 37°C. CONCLUSION: The prekallikrein interaction with the cell surface is temperature-dependent and independent of exogenously applied H-kininogen, which results in prekallikrein endocytosis promoted by proteoglycans. Prekallikrein proteolysis/activation is influenced by H-kininogen/glycosaminoglycans assembly and controls plasma kallikrein activity.

Gene expression analysis by ESTs sequencing of the Brazilian frog Phyllomedusa nordestina skin glands.

The subfamily Phyllomedusinae has attracted a great interest of many researchers mainly due to the high diversity of these frog species and plethora of pharmacological activities frequently observed for their skin secretions. Despite of this fact, mainly for new species, limited information is available regarding the molecular composition of these skin secretions and the cellular components involved in their production. Phyllomedusa nordestina is a recently described Brazilian frog species also popularly known as 'tree-frogs'. Aiming at contributing to the biological knowledge of this species, we show here the gene expression profile of this frog skin secretion using a global ESTs analysis of a cDNA library. The marked aspect of this analysis revealed a significant higher transcriptional level of the opioid peptide dermorphins in P. nordestina skin secretion than in Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis, which is its closest related species, belonging both to the same phylogenetic group. Precursors of bioactive peptides as dermaseptins, phylloseptins, tryptophyllins, and bradykinin-like peptideswere also found in this library. Transcripts encoding proteins related to ordinary cellular functions and pathways were also described. Some of them are chiefly involved in the production of the skin secretion. Taken together, the data reported here constitute a contribution to the characterization of the molecular diversity of gene-encoded polypeptides with potential possibility of pharmacological exploitation. The transcriptional composition of the skin secretion may also help to give the necessary support for the definition of P. nordestina as a new species, which actually relies basically on frog morphological characteristics and geographical distribution.

S(1)' and S(2)' subsite specificities of human plasma kallikrein and tissue kallikrein 1 for the hydrolysis of peptides derived from the bradykinin domain of human kininogen.

The S(1)' and S(2)' subsite specificities of human tissue kallikrein 1 (KLK1) and human plasma kallikrein (HPK) were examined with the peptide series Abz-GFSPFRXSRIQ-EDDnp and Abz-GFSPFRSXRIQ-EDDnp [X=natural amino acids or S(PO(3)H(2))]. KLK1 efficiently hydrolyzed most of the peptides except those containing negatively charged amino acids at P(1)' and P(2)' positions. Abz-GFSPFRSSRIQ-EDDnp, as in human kininogen, is the best substrate for KLK1 and exclusively cleaved the R-S bond. All other peptides were cleaved also at the F-R bond. The synthetic human kininogen segment Abz-MISLMKRPPGFSPFRS(390)S(391)RI-NH(2) was hydrolyzed by KLK1 first at R-S and then at M-K bonds, releasing Lys-bradykinin. In the S(390) and S(391) phosphorylated analogs, this order of hydrolysis was inverted due to the higher resistance of the R-S bond. Abz-MISLMKRPPG-FSPFRSS(PO(3)H(2))(391)RI-NH(2) was hydrolyzed by KLK1 at M-K and mainly at the F-R bond, releasing des-(Arg(9))-Lys-Bk which is a B1 receptor agonist. HPK cleaved all the peptides at R and showed restricted specificity for S in the S(1)' subsite, with lower specificity for the S(2)' subsite. Abz-MISLMKRPPGFSPFRSSRI-NH(2) was efficiently hydrolyzed by HPK under bradykinin release, while the analogs containing S(PO(3)H(2)) were poorly hydrolyzed. In conclusion, S(1)' and S(2)' subsite specificities of KLK1 and HPK showed peculiarities that were observed with substrates containing the amino acid sequence of human kininogen.

High molecular weight kininogen as substrate for cathepsin B.

We investigated the influence of pH and divalent cations (Zn2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+) on high molecular weight kininogen processing by cathepsin B. At pH 6.3, high molecular weight kininogen is hydrolyzed by cathepsin B at three sites generating fragments of 80, 60 and 40 kDa. Cathepsin B has kininogenase activity at this pH which is improved in the absence of divalent cations. At pH 7.35, high molecular weight kininogen is slightly cleaved by cathepsin B into fragments of 60 kDa, and cathepsin B kininogenase activity is impaired. Our results suggest that high molecular weight kininogen is a substrate for cathepsin B under pathophysiological conditions.

High molecular mass kininogen inhibits metalloproteinases of Bothrops jararaca snake venom.

High molecular mass kininogen (HK) purified from Bothrops jararaca (Bj) plasma was tested on activities of the Bj venom in vivo and in vitro. Results showed that, when incubated with BjHK, the Bj venom presented inhibition on hemorrhagic, edema forming, myotoxic, and coagulant activities. It is well known that metalloproteinases are directly or indirectly involved in these activities. Similarly, human HK inhibits the hemorrhagic effect of the Bj venom as well as hemorrhagic and enzymatic effects of jararhagin, a hemorrhagic metalloproteinase isolated from Bj venom. Complex between HK and jararhagin was not detected by gel filtration. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of the hemorrhagic activity of the venom was only partial when HK was pre-incubated with 0.4mM ZnCl(2) or with 0.45mM CaCl(2). These data suggest that the inhibitory effect depends, at least partially, on the competition for ions between kininogen and metalloproteinases of the venom.

Met-Lys-bradykinin-Ser, the kinin released from human kininogen by human pepsin.

This study was carried out to show the site in kininogen, using synthetic substrates, that is cleaved by a purified human pepsin component with a molecular weight of 35,000 daltons. The study used 4 (four) intramolecularly quenched fluorogenic substrates containing N- and C-terminal sequences around the methionyl-lysyl-bradykinin (MLBK) region of kininogen: Abz-LMKRP-Eddnp, Abz-MISLMKRP-Eddnp, Abz-FRSSR-Eddnp and Abz-RPPGFSPFRSSRQ-Eddnp. The hydrolysis on N-terminal sequences Abz-LMKRP-Eddnp and Abz-MISLMKRP-EDDnp occurred at L-M linkage and on C-terminal sequences Abz-FRSSR-Eddnp, and Abz-RPPGFSPFRSSRQ-Eddnp occurred at S-S linkage. The released peptide Abz-RPPGFSPFRS was able to contract rat uterus muscle. The results suggest that Met-Lys-Bradykinin-Ser, should be the peptide released from human kininogen by a purified human pepsin component.

Evaluation of the extent of the binding site in human tissue kallikrein by synthetic substrates with sequences of human kininogen fragments.

We have synthesized internally quenched peptides spanning the Met379-Lys380 or Arg389-Ser390 bonds of human kininogen (hkng) that flank lysyl-bradykinin and have studied the kinetics of their hydrolysis by human tissue kallikrein. The kinetic data for the hydrolysis of the Met-Lys bond in substrates with an N-terminal extension showed that interactions up to position residue P10 contribute to the efficiency of cleavage. In contrast, there were no significant variations in the kinetic data for the hydrolysis of substrates with C-terminal extensions at sites P'4 to P'11. A similar pattern was observed for the cleavage of substrates containing an Arg-Ser bond because substrates extended up to residue P6 were hydrolysed with the highest kcat/Km values in the series, whereas those extended to P'11 on the C-terminal side had a lower susceptibility to hydrolysis. Time-course studies of hydrolysis by human and porcine tissue kallikreins of a Leu373 to Ile393 human kininogen fragment containing omicron-aminobenzoic acid (Abz) at the N-terminus and an amidated C-terminal carboxyl group Abz-Leu-Gly-Met-Ile-Ser-Leu-Met-Lys-Arg- Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Ser-Pro-Phe-Arg-Ser-Ser-Arg-Ile-NH2 (Abz-[Leu373-Ile393]-hkng-NH2) indicated that the cleavage of Met-Lys and Arg-Ser bonds in the same molecule occurs via the formation of independent enzyme-substrate complexes. The hydrolysis of Abz-F-R-S-S-R-Q-EDDnp [where EDDnp is N-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)ethylenediamine] and Abz-M-I-S-L-M-K-R-P-Q-EDDnp by human tissue kallikrein had maximal kcat/Km values at pH 9-9.5 for both substrates. The pH-dependent variations in this kinetic parameter were almost exclusively due to variations in kcat. A significant decrease in kcat/Km values was observed for the hydrolysis of Arg-Ser and Met-Lys bonds in the presence of 0.1 M NaCl. Because this effect was closely related to an increase in Km, it is likely that sodium competes with the positive charges of the substrate side chains for the same enzyme subsites.

Structure-function correlates of human high molecular weight kininogen.

1. The first documented mutation responsible for total human kininogen deficiency has been characterized as a single base change from CGA to TGA in exon 5, resulting in an Arg-->Stop mutation inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. 2. The surface binding domain (D5) of high molecular weight kininogen (HK) was mapped by deletion mutagenesis into two regions, the first rich in histidine and glycine, and the second in histidine, glycine and lysine. 3. The structural requirements of domain 2 to inhibit calpain have been mapped using affinity labels and conformationally constrained peptides. The surface loops consist of a binding region QVVAG and an inhibitory region C-terminal consisting of a sequence containing the sequence NAYI. 4. Domain 3 contains structural components capable of inhibiting the binding of thrombin to platelets. 5. Each domain of HK has a unique function which contributes to different aspects of the inflammatory reactions mediated by plasma protein and blood cells.

Insights on monoclonal antibodies to kininogens' heavy chain which influence kininogens' binding to platelets.

Purified domains of low molecular weight kininogen (LK) can be used directly to determine the epitopes of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that have been shown to influence kininogen function. LK, purified from plasma by carboxymethyl-papain-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography and kaolin adsorption, was digested by trypsin and chymotrypsin. The domains of LK were then separated by gel filtration followed by carboxymethyl-papain-Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Using the purified domains of LK's heavy chain, the regions on kininogens' heavy chain which various monoclonal antibodies are directed to were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting. MAb 2B5 which neutralized kininogens' ability to inhibit calpain cross-reacted with domains 2 and 3. MAb HKH8 which reacted with kininogens' domain 1 and 2 was found to inhibit 125I-HK binding to platelets. At two-fold molar excess, mAb HKH8 was a better inhibitor of 125I-HK binding to platelets than higher concentrations, where the antibody was shown to cause increased binding to platelets. Alternatively, HKH8 F(ab')2 completely inhibited 125I-HK binding to platelets even at high concentrations of antibody. These studies indicate that purified domains of kininogens' heavy chain can be used to rapidly localize epitopes for antibodies. Further, mAb HKH8 should be a valuable probe to understand the mechanisms of kininogens' binding to platelets.

High molecular weight kininogen binds to platelets by its heavy and light chains and when bound has altered susceptibility to kallikrein cleavage.

The unstimulated platelet surface contains a specific and saturable binding site for high molecular weight kininogen (HK) and low molecular weight kininogen (LK). Investigations were performed with purified heavy and light chains of HK to determine which portion(s) of the HK molecule binds to the platelet surface. Purified 64-Kd heavy chain of HK and 56-Kd light chain of HK, independently, inhibited 125I-HK binding to unstimulated platelets with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 84 nmol/L (apparent Ki, 30 nmol/L) and 30 nmol/L (apparent Ki, 11 nM), respectively. The ability of each of the purified chains of HK to independently inhibit 125I-HK binding was not due to cleavage, reduction, and alkylation of the protein, because two-chain HK, produced by treating HK the same way as purifying the separate chains, inhibited binding similarly to intact HK. Further, purified LK alone inhibited 125I-HK binding to platelets (Ki, 17 +/- 1 nmol/L, n = 7). The 64-Kd heavy chain of HK was a competitive inhibitor on a reciprocal plot of 125I-HK-platelet binding with an apparent Ki of 28 +/- 6 nmol/L (n = 4). Independently, purified 56-Kd light chain of HK was also found to be a competitive inhibitor of 125I-HK-platelet binding, with an apparent Ki of 11 +/- 3 nmol/L (mean +/- SEM, n = 4). These indirect studies indicated that HK binds to platelets by two portions of the molecule, one on the heavy chain and another on the light chain. Studies with 125I-light chain of HK showed that it specifically bound directly to platelets in the presence of zinc, since it was blocked by HK, light chain of HK, or EDTA, but not by LK, C1s, C1 inhibitor, plasmin, factor XIII, or fibrinogen. Purified light chain of HK did not inhibit direct 125I-LK binding to platelets. HK was found to bind to platelets in an unmodified form. HK bound to platelets was cleaved by plasma or urinary kallikrein at a slower rate than the same concentration of soluble HK or HK bound and subsequently eluted from the platelet surface. Cleavage of platelet-bound HK correlated with bradykinin liberation. These studies indicate that HK has two domains on its molecule that bind to platelets. Further, platelet-bound HK is protected from kallikreins' proteolysis. This latter finding suggests that cell binding may modify the rate of bradykinin liberation from HK.

Immunovisualization of high (HK) and low (LK) molecular weight kininogens on isolated human neutrophils.

An immunocytochemical study was performed to examine the cellular localization and the subcellular distribution of kininogens in human blood cells. Kininogens were visualised using the immunogold-silver staining method and confocal scanning laser microscopy. We confirmed the existence of high molecular weight kininogen in human neutrophils and describe for the first time the presence of low molecular weight kininogen on these cells. Both high and low molecular weight kininogens were restricted to the neutrophils where they localized as clusters of immunogold particles on the cell membrane. No labeling was observed intracellularly in organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and azurophilic or specific granules after permeabilization of the neutrophils with Triton X-100, a procedure that permitted the visualization of elastase in the azurophilic granules. Clusters of high molecular weight kininogen molecules attached to the neutrophil surface could serve as receptors for plasma kallikrein and/or be the source of substrate for a discrete and circumscribed formation of kinins that may in turn facilitate the local diapedesis of neutrophils and the transudation of plasma constituents during acute inflammation.

Caiman kininogen-like cysteine proteinase inhibitor.

Kininogens are the major mammalian plasma cysteine proteinase inhibitors; a kininogen-like protein was also found in the snake Bothrops jararaca plasma. This communication describes a kininogen-like protein in plasma of Caiman crocodilus vacare. Caiman crude plasma, unlike snake plasma, contains a detectable cysteine proteinase inhibitor. The inhibitor was purified by DEAE-Sephadex ion-exchange chromatography and chromatography on carboxy-methylated-papain-Sepharose. The estimated molecular weight of Caiman cysteine proteinase inhibitor is 70,000. Caiman plasma also hydrolyzes plasma kallikrein synthetic substrates and inhibits trypsin. Reptilian kininogen may lack the site for interaction with plasma prokallikrein, and the sequence of the released kinin may be distinct from bradykinin. The poor effectiveness of bradykinin on reptile smooth muscle shows that the reptile kinin receptors may be adapted to a specific kinin.

Cellular localization of human kininogens.

An immunocytochemical screening using polyclonal and monoclonal antikininogen antibodies was performed in various human tissues including blood cells. By comparing the spatial relationship between the cellular localizations of tissue kallikrein and kininogens it was evident that in some tissues both enzyme and substrate were present establishing a close anatomical relationship whereas in others only one of the components could be detected. This pattern of distribution suggests that within various tissues (cells) the major function of either tissue kallikrein (kininogenase, processing enzyme) or kininogen (kinin precursor, cysteine protease inhibitor, kallikrein acceptor molecule) could be different and probably specific to each cell type.