Specificities of heparin-binding sites from the amino-terminus and type 1 repeats of thrombospondin-1.

Interactions of heparin with intact human thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and with two heparin-binding fragments of TSP1 were characterized using chemically modified heparins, a vascular heparan sulfate proteoglycan, and a series of heparin oligosaccharides prepared by partial deaminative cleavage. The avidity of TSP1 binding increased with oligosaccharide size, with plateaus at 4 to 6 and at 8 to 10 monosaccharide units. The dependence on oligosaccharide size for binding to the recombinant amino-terminal heparin-binding domain of TSP1 was the same as that of the intact TSP1 molecule but differed from that of a synthetic heparin-binding peptide from the type 1 repeats, suggesting that the interaction between intact TSP1 and heparin is primarily mediated by the amino-terminal domain. Based on activities of chemically modified heparins, binding to TSP1 depended primarily on 2-N- and 6-O-sulfation of glucosamine and to a lesser degree on 2,3-O-sulfation and the carboxyl residues of the uronic acids. In contrast, all of these modifications were required for binding of heparin to the type 1 repeat peptides. Affinity purification of heparin octasaccharides on immobilized TSP1 type 1 repeat peptides revealed a preference for oligosaccharides containing the disaccharide sequence IdoA(2-OSO(3))alpha1-4-GlcNS(6-OSO(3)). Binding of these oligosaccharides to the peptide required the Trp residues. These data demonstrate that the heparin-binding specificities of intact TSP1 and peptides from the type 1 repeats overlap with that of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) and are consistent with the ability of these TSP1-derived molecules to inhibit FGF2-stimulated angiogenesis.

Identification of an alpha(3)beta(1) integrin recognition sequence in thrombospondin-1.

A synthetic peptide containing amino acid residues 190-201 of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) promoted adhesion of MDA-MB-435 breast carcinoma cells when immobilized and inhibited adhesion of the same cells to TSP1 when added in solution. Adhesion to this peptide was enhanced by a beta(1) integrin-activating antibody, Mn(2+), and insulin-like growth factor I and was inhibited by an alpha(3)beta(1) integrin function-blocking antibody. The soluble peptide inhibited adhesion of cells to the immobilized TSP1 peptide or spreading on intact TSP1 but at the same concentrations did not inhibit attachment or spreading on type IV collagen or fibronectin. Substitution of several residues in the TSP1 peptide with Ala residues abolished or diminished the inhibitory activity of the peptide in solution, but only substitution of Arg-198 completely inactivated the adhesive activity of the immobilized peptide. The essential residues for activity of the peptide as a soluble inhibitor are Asn-196, Val-197, and Arg-198, but flanking residues enhance the inhibitory activity of this core sequence, either by altering the conformation of the active sequence or by interacting with the integrin. This functional sequence is conserved in all known mammalian TSP1 sequences and in TSP1 from Xenopus laevis. The TSP1 peptide also inhibited adhesion of MDA-MB-435 cells to the laminin-1 peptide GD6, which contains a potential integrin-recognition sequence Asn-Leu-Arg and is derived from a similar position in a pentraxin module. Adhesion studies using recombinant TSP1 fragments also localized beta1 integrin-dependent adhesion to residues 175-242 of this region, which contain the active sequence.

Pro-adhesive and chemotactic activities of thrombospondin-1 for breast carcinoma cells are mediated by alpha3beta1 integrin and regulated by insulin-like growth factor-1 and CD98.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) is a matricellular protein that displays both pro- and anti-adhesive activities. Binding to sulfated glycoconjugates mediates most high affinity binding of soluble TSP1 to MDA-MB-435 cells, but attachment and spreading of these cells on immobilized TSP1 is primarily beta1 integrin-dependent. The integrin alpha3beta1 is the major mediator of breast carcinoma cell adhesion and chemotaxis to TSP1. This integrin is partially active in MDA-MB-435 cells but is mostly inactive in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, which require beta1 integrin activation to induce spreading on TSP1. Integrin-mediated cell spreading on TSP1 is accompanied by extension of filopodia containing beta1 integrins. TSP1 binding activity of the alpha3beta1 integrin is not stimulated by CD47-binding peptides from TSP1 or by protein kinase C activation, which activate alphavbeta3 integrin function in the same cells. In MDA-MB-231 but not MDA-MB-435 cells, this integrin is activated by pertussis toxin, whereas serum, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and ligation of CD98 increase activity of this integrin in both cell lines. Serum stimulation is accompanied by increased surface expression of CD98, whereas insulin-like growth factor-1 does not increase CD98 expression. Thus, the pro-adhesive activity of TSP1 for breast carcinoma cells is controlled by several signals that regulate activity of the alpha3beta1 integrin.

Antiproliferative and antitumor activities of D-reverse peptides derived from the second type-1 repeat of thrombospondin-1.

The extracellular matrix glycoprotein thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) inhibits angiogenesis, endothelial cell growth, motility and adhesion. Peptides from the type I repeats of TSP1 mimic the adhesive and growth inhibitory activities of the intact protein and specifically interact with heparin and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta). To define the structural basis for the antiangiogenic activities of these peptides, we prepared analogs of the TSP1 peptide KRFKQDGGWSHWSPWSSC. L-forward, L-reverse, and D-reverse (retro-inverso) analogs displayed identical activities for binding to heparin, demonstrating a lack of stereospecificity for heparin binding. The L-reverse and D-reverse peptides, however, had somewhat decreased abilities to activate latent TGF beta. Conjugation of the forward peptides through a C-terminal thioether and the reverse peptides through an N-terminal thioether to polysucrose abolished the adhesive activity of the peptides and enhanced their antiproliferative activities for endothelial and breast carcinoma cells stimulated by fibroblast growth factor-2. Their antiproliferative activities were independent of latent TGF beta activation, because substitution of an Ala residue for the essential Phe residue in the TSP1 type-1 repeat peptide increased their potency for inhibiting TSP1 binding to heparin and for inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation. Although the conjugated peptides were inactive in vivo, an unconjugated retro-inverso analog of the native TSP peptide inhibited breast tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Thus, these TSP-derived peptide analogs antagonize endothelial growth through their heparin-binding activity rather than through activation of latent TGF beta or increasing cell adhesion. These stable analogs may therefore be useful as therapeutic inhibitors of angiogenesis stimulated by fibroblast growth factor-2.

Apolipoprotein E: a potent inhibitor of endothelial and tumor cell proliferation.

Recombinant human apolipoprotein E3 (apoE), purified from E. coli, inhibited the proliferation of several cell types, including endothelial cells and tumor cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ApoE inhibited both de novo DNA synthesis and proliferation as assessed by an increase in cell number. Maximal inhibition of cell growth by apoE was achieved under conditions where proliferation was dependent on heparin-binding growth factors. Thus, at low serum concentrations (0-2.5%) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulated the proliferation of bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cells severalfold. The bFGF-dependent proliferation was dramatically inhibited by apoE with an IC50 approximately 50 nM. Under conditions where cell proliferation was mainly serum-dependent, apoE also suppressed growth but required higher concentrations to be effective (IC50 approximately 500 nM). ApoE also inhibited growth of bovine corneal endothelial cells, human melanoma cells, and human breast carcinoma cells. The IC50 values obtained with these cells were generally 3-5 times higher than with BAE cells. Inhibition of cell proliferation by apoE was reversible and dependent on the time of apoE addition to the culture. In addition, apoE inhibited the chemotactic response of endothelial cells that were induced to migrate by a gradient of soluble bFGF. Inhibition of cell proliferation by apoE may be mediated both by competition for growth factor binding to proteoglycans and by an antiadhesive activity of apoE. The present results demonstrate that apoE is a potent inhibitor of proliferation of several cell types and suggest that apoE may be effective in modulating angiogenesis, tumor cell growth, and metastasis.

Specific simple sugars promote chemotaxis and chemokinesis of corneal endothelial cells.

Bovine corneal endothelial cells showed a strong migratory response to specific simple sugars (D-glucose and sucrose, but not L-glucose, sorbitol, lactose, or D-galactose) at concentrations above 10 mM. Checkerboard analysis of the migratory responses in modified Boyden chambers indicated both chemotactic and chemokinetic effects. Serum starvation of the cultures increased the chemotaxis towards D-glucose and 2-deoxy-D-glucose, but not towards sucrose. Migration to sucrose and glucose was inhibited by chelation of extracellular calcium or by inhibition of Na+, K+ ATPase with ouabain. To date, this migratory response has been found only in corneal endothelial cells. Neither human melanoma cells, human breast carcinoma cells, bovine aortic endothelial cells, nor bovine microvascular endothelial cells migrated towards simple sugars, although all cell types migrated toward fibronectin in chemotaxis assays. After 16-19 passages in culture, bovine corneal endothelial cells retained their ability to migrate towards fibronectin, but lost their ability to migrate towards sugars. This loss of migratory response was accompanied by a sevenfold decrease in Na+, K+ ATPase activity. Although loss of Na+, K+ ATPase activity accompanied the loss of migratory response, pretreatment of cell cultures with 25 mM glucose did not stimulate, but rather lowered Na+, K+ ATPase activity in low or high passage cultures.

Modulation of endothelial cell proliferation, adhesion, and motility by recombinant heparin-binding domain and synthetic peptides from the type I repeats of thrombospondin.

Thrombospondin is an inhibitor of angiogenesis that modulates endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation, and motility. Synthetic peptides from the second type I repeat of human thrombospondin containing the consensus sequence-Trp-Ser-Pro-Trp- and a recombinant heparin binding fragment from the amino-terminus of thrombospondin mimic several of the activities of the intact protein. The peptides and heparin-binding domain promote endothelial cell adhesion, inhibit endothelial cell chemotaxis to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and inhibit mitogenesis and proliferation of aortic and corneal endothelial cells. The peptides also inhibit heparin-dependent binding of bFGF to corneal endothelial cells. The antiproliferative activities of the peptides correlate with their ability to bind to heparin and to inhibit bFGF binding to heparin. Peptides containing amino acid substitutions that eliminate heparin-binding do not alter chemotaxis or proliferation of endothelial cells. Inhibition of proliferation by the peptide is time-dependent and reversible. Thus, the antiproliferative activities of the thrombospondin peptide and recombinant heparin-binding domain result at least in part from competition with heparin-dependent growth factors for binding to endothelial cell proteoglycans. These results suggest that both the Trp-Ser-Xaa-Trp sequences in the type I repeats and the amino-terminal domain play roles in the antiproliferative activity of thrombospondin.

Heparin-binding peptides from the type I repeats of thrombospondin. Structural requirements for heparin binding and promotion of melanoma cell adhesion and chemotaxis.

Synthetic peptides derived from the type I repeats of human platelet thrombospondin containing a consensus sequence Trp-Ser-Xaa-Trp bind to heparin, promote cell adhesion, and inhibit heparin-dependent interactions of melanoma cells with extracellular matrix components (Guo, N. H., Krutzsch, H. C., Nègre, E., Vogel, T., Blake, D. A., and Roberts, D. D. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 89, 3040-3044). In the present study, we further examined the structural requirements for activity of these peptides. The minimal active sequence for heparin or sulfatide binding based on inhibition studies is Trp-Ser-Pro-Trp, although an octapeptide is required for optimal activity. The 2 Trp residues and the Ser residue are essential. Peptides with more than 2 residues between the Trp residues are inactive. The Pro residue is essential for activity of the pentapeptide Trp-Ser-Pro-Trp-Ser, but some larger peptides with substitutions for the Pro residue are active. For direct high affinity binding to heparin, both the consensus sequence and a flanking sequence of basic amino acids are essential. Peptides containing the consensus sequence promote cell adhesion and act cooperatively with the adjacent basic amino acid sequence to promote cell spreading. Chemical modification of the Trp residues in the peptides with amino-terminal basic amino acids abolished both cell adhesion and heparin-binding. Peptides containing the consensus sequence and basic amino acids are chemotactic for A2058 human melanoma cells. The functional importance of this novel heparin and sulfatide-binding motif is suggested by its conservation in other members of the thrombospondin gene family, complement components, and in many members of the cytokine receptor and transforming growth factor beta superfamilies.

Interactions of a laminin-binding peptide from a 33-kDa protein related to the 67-kDa laminin receptor with laminin and melanoma cells are heparin-dependent.

A laminin-binding peptide (peptide G), predicted from the cDNA sequence for a 33-kDa protein related to the 67-kDa laminin receptor, specifically inhibits binding of laminin to heparin and sulfatide. Since the peptide binds directly to heparin and inhibits interaction of another heparin-binding protein with the same sulfated ligands, this inhibition is due to direct competition for binding to sulfated glycoconjugates rather than an indirect effect of interaction with the binding site on laminin for the 67-kDa receptor. Direct binding of laminin to the peptide is also inhibited by heparin. This interaction may result from contamination of the laminin with heparan sulfate, as binding is enhanced by the addition of substoichiometric amounts of heparin but inhibited by excess heparin and two heparin-binding proteins. Furthermore, laminin binds more avidly to a heparin-binding peptide derived from thrombospondin than to the putative receptor peptide. Adhesion of A2058 melanoma cells on immobilized peptide G is also heparin-dependent, whereas adhesion of the cells on laminin is not. Antibodies to the beta 1-integrin chain or laminin block adhesion of the melanoma cells to laminin but not to peptide G. Thus, the reported inhibition of melanoma cell adhesion to endothelial cells by peptide G may result from inhibition of binding of laminin or other proteins to sulfated glycoconjugate receptors rather than from specific inhibition of laminin binding to the 67-kDa receptor.

Heparin- and sulfatide-binding peptides from the type I repeats of human thrombospondin promote melanoma cell adhesion.

Peptides from the three type I repeats of human endothelial cell thrombospondin, containing the consensus sequence-Trp-Ser-Xaa-Trp-, bind to sulfated glycoconjugates including heparin and sulfatide. The peptides are potent inhibitors for the binding of thrombospondin, laminin, or apolipoprotein E to these ligands. The thrombospondin peptides that inhibit heparin binding, but not adjacent peptides from the thrombospondin sequence containing the previously identified adhesive motif Val-Thr-Cys-Gly, promote melanoma cell adhesion when immobilized on plastic. Melanoma cell adhesion to the immobilized peptides is inhibited by soluble recombinant heparin-binding fragment of thrombospondin. The peptides also inhibit heparin-dependent binding of thrombospondin or laminin to human melanoma cells. The active peptides lack any previously identified heparin-binding consensus sequences and most do not contain any basic amino acids. Studies with homologous peptides showed that the tryptophan residues are required for binding. Adjacent basic residues in the second type I repeat enhance binding to heparin but not to sulfatide. Thus the type I peptides of thrombospondin define a distinct class of heparin-binding peptides.

Monoclonal antibody AA4, which inhibits binding of IgE to high affinity receptors on rat basophilic leukemia cells, binds to novel alpha-galactosyl derivatives of ganglioside GD1b.

Mouse monoclonal antibody AA4 inhibits the binding of IgE to high affinity IgE receptors on the rat basophilic leukemia cell line RBL-2H3. As shown by immunostaining of thin layer chromatograms, antibody AA4 binds avidly to two disialogangliosides (antigen I and antigen II) that occur in this cell line. The two antigens were purified by anion exchange chromatography followed by short-bed continuous thin-layer chromatography. About 230 micrograms of antigen I and 60 micrograms of antigen II were obtained from 20 g (wet weight) of leukemia cells. The structures of both purified antigens were determined to be alpha-galactosyl derivatives of the ganglioside GD1b by fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry, by chemical ionization-mass spectrometry of permethylated samples, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of partially methylated alditol acetates, and by treatment with exoglycosidases and mild acid hydrolysis. The structure of antigen I is: (formula; see text) Antigen II has an additional alpha-galactosyl residue as follows: (formula; see text) The ceramide of antigen I contains approximately equal amounts of C24:0, C22:0, C20:0, C18:0, and C16:0 N-acyl fatty acids. The ceramide base is predominantly sphingosine along with a small amount of dihydrosphingosine. In contrast, the ceramide of antigen II contains mainly C24:0 N-acyl fatty acid with much lower amounts of C22:0, C20:0, and C18:0 fatty acids. Moreover, the ceramide base is approximately 55% sphingosine and 45% dihydrosphingosine. No unsaturated N-acyl fatty acids were detected in either antigen.