Fever-like temperature modification differentially affects in vitro signaling of bradykinin B-1 and B-2 receptors

The bradykinin (BK) B-2 and B-1 receptors (B2R, B1R) belong to the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and are involved in (patho)physiological processes such as blood pressure regulation or inflammation. They mediate the effects of the pro-inflammatory peptides bradykinin/kallidin and desArg(9)-BK/desArg(10)-kallidin, respectively. Whereas the B2R is constitutively expressed and gets internalized upon activation, the B1R is especially induced by inflammatory mediators and responds to stimulation with increased surface receptor numbers. Stimulation of both receptors activates phospholipase C beta (PLC beta) and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Because inflammatory processes are characterized by heat (fever), we analyzed the effect of increased temperature (41 degrees C vs. 37 degrees C) on B1R and B2R signaling in HEK 293 and IMR 90 cells. Our results show that signaling of both receptors is temperature-sensitive, however to a different extent and with regard to the investigated pathways. Comparing PLCb activity and Ca2+-regulated signals, a temperature-dependent increase was only observed for B1R but not for B2R activation, whereas MAPK activities were doubled at 41 degrees C for both receptors. Taken together, our findings suggest that the observed temperature sensitivity of B1R-induced PLCb activation is B1R-specific. In contrast, the enhanced stimulation of MAPK activity under hyperthermic conditions appears to be a common phenomenon for GPCRs

Kinin-generating cellular model obtained from human glioblastoma cell line U-373

Kinins, a group of important pro-inflammatory peptides, are abundantly found in tissues and biological fluids of cancer patients. Bradykinin, the major representative of kinins, induces vascular permeability and, in consequence, promotes tumor expansion. Additionally, the kinin-induced inflammatory responses, especially those mediated by kinin metabolites without the C-terminal arginine residue, lead to enhanced tumor growth. The present study aimed at analyzing the ability of the human glioblastoma cell line U-373, derived from a malignant tumor, to produce kinin peptides. The proteins involved in kinin generation, i.e., the kininogens and the kallikreins, were shown to be expressed in these cells. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor α, a proinflammatory cytokine that mediates tumorigenesis, was found to enhance the expression of enzymes associated with kinin production. The strong binding of kininogen to the cell surface and the enzymatic degradation of this protein by cells suggest the activation of kinin-generating systems. Indeed, glioblastoma cells, pre-treated with tumor necrosis factor α, released kinin peptides from exogenous kininogen. The expression of kinin receptors in these cells was also shown to increase under the influence of this cytokine. Our results suggest that the human glioblastoma cell line U-373 constitutes a good cellular model that can be helpful in cancer research focused on kinin-induced inflammation. Furthermore, our findings can contribute to new approaches in cancer treatment with the use of kinin receptor antagonists and inhibitors of kinin production

Reporter gene HEK 293 cells and WNT/Frizzled fusion proteins as tools to study WNT signaling pathways

WNT/Frizzled receptor (FZD) signaling pathways are pivotal for physiological and pathophysiological processes. In humans, the complexity of WNT/FZD signaling is based on 19 WNTs, 10 FZDs and at least two (co)receptors (LRP5/6) mediating supposably four different signaling cascades. The detailed investigation of the specific function of the different initiating components is primarily hampered by the lack of most WNT proteins in a purified form. Therefore, we constructed and examined a chimeric protein of WNT3a and FZD4 as a suitable approach to overcome this obstacle for future studies of the specificity of other WNT/FZD combinations. Furthermore, we produced four different reporter HEK 293 cell lines to quantify the induced activation of the proposed signaling cascades, the beta-catenin-, the NFAT-, the AP-1- and the CRE-regulated pathways. The chimera WNT3aFZD4 efficiently induced beta-catenin-mediated luciferase activity. This activity was increased 40-fold compared with basal when LRP6 was stably cotransfected, proving that the chimera WNT3aFZD4 can also interact efficiently with LRP6. Our results demonstrate that the approach of using reporter gene cell lines in combination with WNT/FZD chimeras is efficient to study the beta-catenin-mediated pathway and should also allow clarifying the specificity of WNT/FZD combinations in the activation of the other pathways

Extracellular aspartic protease SAP2 of Candida albicans yeast cleaves human kininogens and releases proinflammatory peptides, Met-Lys-bradykinin and des-Arg(9)-Met-Lys-bradykinin

Bradykinin-related peptides, universal mediators of inflammation collectively referred to as the kinins, are often produced in excessive amounts during microbial infections. We have recently shown that the yeast Candida albicans, the major fungal pathogen to humans, can exploit two mechanisms to enhance kinin levels at the sites of candidial infection, one depending on adsorption and activation of the endogenous kinin-generating system of the host on the fungal cell wall and the other relying on cleavage of kinin precursors, the kininogens, by pathogen-secreted proteases. This work aimed at assigning this kininogenase activity to the major secreted aspartic protease of C. albicans (SAP2). The purified SAP2 was shown to cleave human kininogens, preferably the low molecular mass form (LK) and optimally in an acidic environment (pH 3.5-4.0), and to produce two kinins, Met-Lys-bradykinin and its derivative, {[}Hydroxyproline(3)]-Met-Lys-bradykinin, both of which are capable of interacting with cellular bradykinin receptors of the B2 subtype. Additionally, albeit with a lower yield, des-Arg(9)-Met-Lys-bradykinin, an effective agonist of B1-subtype receptors, was released. The pathophysiological potential of these kinins and des-Arg-kinin was also proven by presenting their ability to stimulate human promonocytic cells U937 to release proinflammatory interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and IL-6

Bradykinin receptors in GtoPdb v.2021.3

Bradykinin (or kinin) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR subcommittee on Bradykinin (kinin) Receptors [91]) are activated by the endogenous peptides bradykinin (BK), [des-Arg9]bradykinin, Lys-BK (kallidin), [des-Arg10]kallidin, [Phospho-Ser6]-Bradykinin, T-kinin (Ile-Ser-BK), [Hyp3]bradykinin and Lys-[Hyp3]-bradykinin. Variation in pharmacology and activity of B1 and B2 receptor antagonists at species orthologs has been documented. icatibant (Hoe140, Firazir) is approved in North America and Europe for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema

Bradykinin receptors in GtoPdb v.2023.1

Bradykinin (or kinin) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR subcommittee on Bradykinin (kinin) Receptors [92]) are activated by the endogenous peptides bradykinin (BK), [des-Arg9]bradykinin, Lys-BK (kallidin), [des-Arg10]kallidin, [Phospho-Ser6]-Bradykinin, T-kinin (Ile-Ser-BK), [Hyp3]bradykinin and Lys-[Hyp3]-bradykinin. Variation in pharmacology and activity of B1 and B2 receptor antagonists at species orthologs has been documented. icatibant (Hoe140, Firazir) is approved in North America and Europe for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema. Inhibition of bradykinin with icatibant in COVID-19 infection is under clinical evaluation, with trial NCT05407597 expected to complete in mid 2023

Bradykinin receptors (version 2019.4) in the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology Database

Bradykinin (or kinin) receptors (nomenclature as agreed by the NC-IUPHAR subcommittee on Bradykinin (kinin) Receptors [76]) are activated by the endogenous peptides bradykinin (BK), [des-Arg9]bradykinin, Lys-BK (kallidin), [des-Arg10]kallidin, [Phospho-Ser6]-Bradykinin, T-kinin (Ile-Ser-BK), [Hyp3]bradykinin and Lys-[Hyp3]-bradykinin. Variation in pharmacology and activity of B1 and B2 receptor antagonists at species orthologs has been documented. icatibant (Hoe140, Firazir) is approved in North America and Europe for the treatment of acute attacks of hereditary angioedema

Differential Inhibition of Human Atherosclerotic Plaque-Induced Platelet Activation by Dimeric GPVI-Fc and Anti-GPVI Antibodies: Functional and Imaging Studies.

BACKGROUND: Glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is the essential platelet collagen receptor in atherothrombosis, but its inhibition causes only a mild bleeding tendency. Thus, targeting this receptor has selective antithrombotic potential. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to compare compounds interfering with platelet GPVI-atherosclerotic plaque interaction to improve current antiatherothrombotic therapy. METHODS: Human atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation was measured in anticoagulated blood under static and arterial flow conditions (550/s, 1,100/s, and 1,500/s). Inhibition by dimeric GPVI fragment crystallizable region of IgG (Fc) masking GPVI binding sites on collagen was compared with that of 3 anti-GPVI antibodies: BLO8-1, a human domain antibody; 5C4, a fragment antigen-binding (Fab fragment) of monoclonal rat immunoglobulin G; and m-Fab-F, a human recombinant sFab against GPVI dimers. RESULTS: GPVI-Fc reduced plaque-triggered platelet aggregation in static blood by 51%, BLO8-1 by 88%, and 5C4 by 93%. Under arterial flow conditions, BLO8-1 and 5C4 almost completely inhibited platelet aggregation while preserving platelet adhesion on plaque. Inhibition by GPVI-Fc, even at high concentrations, was less marked but increased with shear rate. Advanced optical imaging revealed rapid persistent GPVI-Fc binding to collagen under low and high shear flow, upstream and downstream of plaque fragments. At low shear particularly, platelets adhered in plaque flow niches to GPVI-Fc-free segments of collagen fibers and recruited other platelets onto aggregates via ADP and TxA2 release. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-GPVI antibodies inhibit atherosclerotic plaque-induced platelet aggregation under static and flow conditions more effectively than GPVI-Fc. However, potent platelet inhibition by GPVI-Fc at a higher shear rate (1,500/s) suggests localized antithrombotic efficacy at denuded or fissured stenotic high-risk lesions without systemic bleeding. The compound-specific differences have relevance for clinical trials targeting GPVI-collagen interaction combined with established antiplatelet therapies in patients with spontaneous plaque rupture or intervention-associated plaque injury.The study was supported by grants from advanceCOR GmbH (JJ), the August-Lenz foundation, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB1123/Z01 (MB), and the British Heart Foundation (SMJ and RWF; grants RG/09/003/27122 and PG/10/011/28199). Two-photon laser scanning microscopy experiments have been supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (INST 409/97-1) and the LMU.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2015.03.57

Chemokines and galectins form heterodimers to modulate inflammation

Chemokines and galectins are simultaneously upregulated and mediate leukocyte recruitment during inflammation. Until now, these effector molecules have been considered to function independently. Here, we tested the hypothesis that they form molecular hybrids. By systematically screening chemokines for their ability to bind galectin‐1 and galectin‐3, we identified several interacting pairs, such as CXCL12 and galectin‐3. Based on NMR and MD studies of the CXCL12/galectin‐3 heterodimer, we identified contact sites between CXCL12 β‐strand 1 and Gal‐3 F‐face residues. Mutagenesis of galectin‐3 residues involved in heterodimer formation resulted in reduced binding to CXCL12, enabling testing of functional activity comparatively. Galectin‐3, but not its mutants, inhibited CXCL12‐induced chemotaxis of leukocytes and their recruitment into the mouse peritoneum. Moreover, galectin‐3 attenuated CXCL12‐stimulated signaling via its receptor CXCR4 in a ternary complex with the chemokine and receptor, consistent with our structural model. This first report of heterodimerization between chemokines and galectins reveals a new type of interaction between inflammatory mediators that can underlie a novel immunoregulatory mechanism in inflammation. Thus, further exploration of the chemokine/galectin interactome is warranted