Regulation of glycosaminoglycan function by osmotic potentials. Measurement of water transfer during antithrombin activation by heparin.

The sulfated glycosaminoglycan heparin is an important anticoagulant, widely used to treat and to prevent arterial thrombosis. Heparin triggers conformational changes in, and the functional activation of, the serine proteinase inhibitor antithrombin. We investigated water-transfer reactions during the activation process to explore the possibility that functional interaction between antithrombin and sulfated glycosaminoglycans can be regulated by osmotic potentials. Volume of water transferred upon heparin binding was measured from differences in free energy change, Delta(Delta G), with osmotic stress, pi. Osmotic stress was induced with chemically inert probes that are geometrically excluded from the water-permeable spaces of antithrombin and from intermolecular spaces formed during the association reaction. The free energy change, Delta G, for the antithrombin/heparin interaction was calculated from the dissociation constant, determined by functional titrations of heparin with antithrombin at fixed concentrations of the coagulation protease factor Xa. The effect of osmotic stress was independent of the chemical nature of osmotic probes but correlated with their radius up to radius >17 A. In mixtures including a large and a small probe, the effect of the large probe was not modified by the small probe added at a large molar excess. With an osmotic probe of 4-A radius, the Delta(Delta G)/pi slope corresponds to a transfer of 119 +/- 25 water molecules to bulk solution on formation of the complex. Analytical characterization of water-permeable volumes in x-ray-derived bound and free antithrombin structures revealed complex surfaces with smaller hydration volumes in the bound relative to the free conformation. The residue distribution in, and atomic composition of, the pockets containing atoms from residues implicated in heparin binding were distinct in the bound versus free conformer. The results demonstrate that the heparin/antithrombin interaction is linked to net water transfer and, therefore, can be regulated in biological gels by osmotic potentials.

Surface-dependent coagulation enzymes. Flow kinetics of factor Xa generation on live cell membranes.

The initial surface reactions of the extrinsic coagulation pathway on live cell membranes were examined under flow conditions. Generation of activated coagulation factor X (fXa) was measured on spherical monolayers of epithelial cells with a total surface area of 41-47 cm(2) expressing tissue factor (TF) at >25 fmol/cm(2). Concentrations of reactants and product were monitored as a function of time with radiolabeled proteins and a chromogenic substrate at resolutions of 2-8 s. At physiological concentrations of fVIIa and fX, the reaction rate was 3.05 +/- 0.75 fmol fXa/s/cm(2), independent of flux, and 10 times slower than that expected for collision-limited reactions. Rates were also independent of surface fVIIa concentrations within the range 0.6-25 fmol/cm(2). The transit time of fX activated on the reaction chamber was prolonged relative to transit times of nonreacting tracers or preformed fXa. Membrane reactions were modeled using a set of nonlinear kinetic equations and a lagged normal density curve to track the expected surface concentration of reactants for various hypothetical reaction mechanisms. The experimental results were theoretically predicted only when the models used a slow intermediate reaction step, consistent with surface diffusion. These results provide evidence that the transfer of substrate within the membrane is rate-limiting in the kinetic mechanisms leading to initiation of blood coagulation by the TF pathway.

Adsorption of vitamin K-dependent proteins to live cell membranes measured under flow conditions.

Mechanisms mediating initial adsorption of coagulation proteins to live cells were investigated. Adsorption kinetics were examined under varying flow conditions using tracer-dilution techniques in perfused spherical monolayers of cells expressing tissue factor. At biologically relevant time and concentration ranges, rates exceeded by 2-12 fold the theoretical maximum calculated for steady-state diffusion. Rates were correlated with aqueous-phase flux of reactants and were found to be largely independent of the density of reactive sites on the membrane. Average adsorption rate of factor VIIa at 4 etaM and flow velocity of 0.8 etam s(-1) was 5 x 10(7) s(-1) cm(-2). Adsorption rates of homologous coagulation factors IX and X under similar conditions were 5 and 9 x 10(7) s(-1)cm(-2). Results indicate that flow can effectively increase the rate of coagulation factor adsorption to the membrane of live cells. They also imply that factors affecting blood flow velocity and vessel permeability influence the rate of membrane-dependent coagulation reactions.

Electrostatic interactions during activation of coagulation factor IX via the tissue factor pathway: effect of univalent salts.

Interaction between the Gla-domain of coagulation proteins and negatively charged phospholipid membranes is essential for blood coagulation reactions. The interaction is calcium-dependent and mediated both by electrostatic and hydrophobic forces. This report focuses on the electrostatic component of factor IX activation via the extrinsic pathway. Effective charges during the reaction are measured by ionic titration of activity, according to the Debye-Huckel and Gouy-Chapman models. Rates of activation decrease with ionic strength independently of the type of monovalent salt used to control ionic strength. Moreover, the effect of ionic strength decreases at concentrations of charged phospholipid approaching saturation levels, indicating that membrane charges participate directly in the ionic interaction measured. The effective charge on calcium-bound factor IX during activation on phospholipid membranes is 0.95+/-0.1. Possible sites mediating contacts between the Gla-domain and membranes are selected by geometrical criteria in several metal-bound Gla-domain structures. A pocket with a solvent opening-pore of area 24-38 A2 is found in the Gla-domain of factors IX, VII, and prothrombin. The pocket contains atoms with negative partial charges, including carboxylate oxygens from Gla residues, and has a volume of 57-114 A3, sufficient to accommodate additional calcium atoms. These studies demonstrate that electrostatic forces modify the activity coefficient of factor IX during functional interactions and suggest a conserved pocket motif as the contact site between the calcium-bound Gla-domain and charged membranes.

Hydration structure of antithrombin conformers and water transfer during reactive loop insertion.

The serine protease inhibitor antithrombin undergoes extensive conformational changes during functional interaction with its target proteases. Changes include insertion of the reactive loop region into a beta-sheet structure in the protein core. We explore the possibility that these changes are linked to water transfer. Volumes of water transferred during inhibition of coagulation factor Xa are compared to water-permeable volumes in the x-ray structure of two different antithrombin conformers. In one conformer, the reactive loop is largely exposed to solvent, and in the other, the loop is inserted. Hydration fingerprints of antithrombin (that is, water-permeable pockets) are analyzed to determine their location, volume, and size of access pores, using alpha shape-based methods from computational geometry. Water transfer during reactions is calculated from changes in rate with osmotic pressure. Hydration fingerprints prove markedly different in the two conformers. There is an excess of 61-76 water molecules in loop-exposed as compared to loop-inserted conformers. Quantitatively, rate increases with osmotic pressure are consistent with the transfer of 73 +/- 7 water molecules. This study demonstrates that conformational changes of antithrombin, including loop insertion, are linked to water transfer from antithrombin to bulk solution. It also illustrates the combined use of osmotic stress and analytical geometry as a new and effective tool for structure/function studies.

Effective electrostatic charge of coagulation factor X in solution and on phospholipid membranes: implications for activation mechanisms and structure-function relationships of the Gla domain.

Electrostatic interactions during activation of coagulation factor X were analysed by comparing effects of ionic strength on reaction rates with predictions of classical electrostatic theory. Geometrical correlations were investigated using alpha-shape-based computations on the crystal structure of Ca-fragment 1 of prothrombin. The ionic strength of the reaction environment was controlled with different univalent salts including NaCl, KCl, CsCl, LiCl, NaI, NaBr and KI. Reactions were assembled in three different environments: aqueous phase, cell membranes and synthetic TF/PS/PC (tissue factor relipidated in 30% phosphatidylserine, 70% phosphatidylcholine) vesicles. Reaction rates were measured at pH 7. 2, 4 mM CaCl2 and 33 degrees C, using chromogenic substrate to follow factor Xa generation. Rates decreased with increasing concentration of univalent salt, and the magnitude of the decrease was independent of salt type. On the basis of electrostatic relationships on PS/PC vesicles, the effective charge on factor X was +1.5, and the PS/factor X stoichiometry was 2.28. Structural analysis of the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) domain revealed three surface pockets, forming potential sites for Ca2+ binding, with distinct spatial orientations. Interpreted together, the results of the geometric analysis and the measured effective charges suggest an efficient electrostatic mechanism for capture and retention of substrates by procoagulant membranes. Non-specific and delocalized interaction between the membrane and each one of the charged facets of the Gla domain can increase the probability of substrate binding, while allowing rotational and translational mobility of substrate for specific interaction with the enzyme.

Time-dependent changes of inflammatory mediators in the lungs of humans exposed to 0.4 ppm ozone for 2 hr: a comparison of mediators found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid 1 and 18 hr after exposure.

Acute exposure of humans to ozone results in reversible respiratory function decrements and cellular and biochemical changes leading to the production of substances which can mediate inflammation and acute lung injury. While pulmonary function decrements occur almost immediately after ozone exposure, it is not known how quickly the cellular and biochemical changes indicative of inflammation occur in humans. Increased bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid levels of neutrophils (PMNs) and prostaglandins (PGE2) have been reported in humans as early as 3 hr and as late as 18 hr after exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a broad range of inflammatory mediators are elevated in BAl fluid within 1 hr of exposure. We exposed eight healthy volunteers twice: once to 0.4 ppm ozone and once to filtered air. Each exposure lasted for 2 hr during which the subjects underwent intermittent heavy exercise (66 liters/min). BAL was performed 1 hr after the exposure. Ozone induced rapid increases in PMNs, total protein, LDH, alpha-1 antitrypsin, fibronectin, PGE2, thromboxane B2, C3a, tissue factor, and clotting factor VII. In addition, there was a decrease in the recovery of total cells and alveolar macrophages, and decreased ability of alveolar macrophages to phagocytize Candida albicans. A comparison of these changes with changes observed in an earlier study in which subjects underwent BAL 18 hr after an identical exposure regimen indicates that IL-6 and PGE2 levels were higher 1 hr after exposure than 18 hr after exposure, fibronectin and tissue-plasminogen activator levels were higher 18 hr after exposure, and that PMNs, protein, and C3a were present at essentially the same levels at both times. These results indicate that (i) several inflammatory mediators are already elevated 1 hr after exposure; (ii) some mediators achieve their maximal levels in BAL fluid at different times following exposure. These data suggest that the inflammatory response is complex, depending on a cascade of timed events, and that depending on the mediator of interest one must choose an appropriate sampling time.

Specific regulation of procoagulant activity on monocytes. Intrinsic pathway inhibition by chondroitin 4,6-disulfate.

Hypercoagulability of blood, monocytic infiltration, and changes in pericellular and extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are observed in atherosclerosis, inflammation, and neoplasia. In the present studies, monocyte procoagulants and different GAGs including chondroitin sulfate (CS) A, CSB, CSC, CSD, CSE, and heparan sulfate, were tested either in clotting assays with whole plasma or in chromogenic assays with purified coagulation proteases. Procoagulant activity in plasma was inhibited by three of the seven GAGs, including heparan sulfate, CSE, and CSB. In contrast, activity of purified coagulation protease was inhibited only by CSE, and the inhibition was observed with intrinsic (factor VIIIa/IXa) but not extrinsic (tissue factor/factor VII) components. Reciprocal titration experiments with enzyme and substrate and Scatchard type analyses were consistent with concentration-dependent inhibitory interactions between CSE and sites on both factor VIIIa and IXa. On purified phospholipids, CSE concentration resulting in half-maximal inhibition (Ki) was 5 ng/ml for interaction with factor IXa and > 500 ng/ml for interaction with factor VIIIa. The Ki values were lower for reactions on purified lipid than for reactions on monocyte surfaces and for reactions on resting than on endotoxin-stimulated monocytes. Experiments with CSE oligosaccharides of defined size indicated that the smallest CSE fragment capable of inhibitory activity was composed of 12-18 monosaccharide units. Collectively, these results indicate that factor X-activating reactions are inhibited by GAGs expressed on monocyte membranes. Inhibition is specific with respect to the structure of both the GAG and the activating protease. Lack of inhibition by added CSA, CSB, and CSC in contrast to CSE strongly suggests a direct role of 4,6-di-O-sulfated N-acetylgalactosamine GAG structures in the inhibition of intrinsic pathway protease. These findings also suggest potential pharmacologic use of CSE as specific anticoagulant in the management of prothrombotic states mediated by intrinsic pathway coagulation reactions.

Protein hydration during generation of coagulation factor Xa in aqueous phase and on phospholipid membranes.

The energetic contribution of protein solvation-desolvation reactions to generation of coagulation activated factor X (FXa) by the extrinsic pathway protease complex was determined using the technique of osmotic stress. The initial rate of FXa generation by limited proteolysis of human FX was measured in reaction mixtures with human tissue factor (TF) and factor VIIa (FVIIa) assembled either in aqueous phase or on phospholipid membranes. Osmotic stress was induced on the surface of reacting proteins with either polyethylene glycol, or dextran of 6000 and 500,000 molecular weight, respectively. These inert polymers are sterically excluded from the solvation shells of proteins and thus increase the water activity in the excluded spaces. The volume of water transferred either to or from the excluded spaces during formation of reaction intermediates was calculated from the ratio of change in free energy of activation with change in osmotic pressure, delta G*/delta II. For aqueous phase-assembled reactions, delta G* values decreased with delta II at ratios of -2.36 +/- 0.38 and -2.26 +/- 0.26 kcal/mol/atm for polyethylene glycol and dextran, respectively. These values correspond to 5488 +/- 883 and 5255 +/- 604 mol of water transferred from the reacting protein surfaces per mol of FXa generated. At a physiologic osmotic pressure of 7 atm the work of transfer corresponded to 16 kcal/mol, approximately 70% of delta G*. The observed osmotic effects were independent of the viscosity, temperature, and ionic strength of solutions. For reactions assembled on phospholipid membranes, delta G* increased with delta II at a ratio of 0.35 +/- 0.05 kcal/mol/atm, corresponding to 814 +/- 116 mol of water tansferred from bulk solution to protein surfaces. At physiologic osmotic pressure the work of transfer is 2.45 kcal/mol, approximately 12% of delta G*. Results indicate that for factor Xa generation in aqueous phase the work of desolvation is a significant component of the free energy of activation. Results also suggest that phospholipid membranes catalyze the reaction by reducing the desolvation component of the free energy of activation.

Expression of beta 1 integrins by cultured articular chondrocytes and in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Expression of beta 1 integrins was studied in vitro as articular chondrocytes reestablished a matrix in culture and in situ in a nonhuman primate model of osteoarthritis in order to investigate a potential role for integrins in mediating cell-extracellular matrix interactions in cartilage. Chondrocytes were found to express alpha 1 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, and alpha 5 beta 1 integrins both in vitro and in situ. Cell surface expression of beta 1 integrins increased as chondrocytes were maintained in cultured from 3 to 7 days. Increased beta 1 integrin expression was also observed in osteoarthritic cartilage compared with normal cartilage. The greatest relative increase in both systems was noted for the alpha 1 beta 1 integrin. The increase in chondrocyte beta 1 integrin expression in vitro was noted in both monolayer and alginate cultures and occurred prior to detectable changes in the differentiated phenotype of the chondrocyte. Disruption of the cytoskeleton with the drug dihydrocytochalasin B inhibited the cell culture induced increase in integrin expression, while treatment of cultured cells with TGF-beta resulted in increased expression of the alpha 5 beta 1 integrin. The modulation of beta 1 integrin expression noted in vitro and in situ indicates that chondrocytes are capable of regulated expression of beta 1 integrins and suggests that beta 1 integrins may play an important role in mediating chondrocyte-extracellular matrix interactions in cartilage.

Simultaneous expression of tissue factor and tissue factor pathway inhibitor by human monocytes. A potential mechanism for localized control of blood coagulation.

Cells of monocytic lineage can initiate extravascular fibrin deposition via expression of blood coagulation mediators. This report is about experiments on three mechanisms with the potential to modulate monocyte-initiated coagulation. Monocyte procoagulant activity was examined as a function of lipid cofactor, protein cofactor, and specific inhibitor expression during short-term culture in vitro. Lipid cofactor activity was measured as the initial rate of factor X activation by intrinsic-pathway components, the assembly of which depends on this cofactor. Lipid cofactor activity levels changed by < 30% during 48-h culture. Protein cofactor, i.e., tissue factor (TF) antigen was measured by enzyme immunoassay. It increased from 461 pg/ml to a maximum value of 3,550 pg/ml at 24 h and remained at 70% of this value. Specific TF activity, measured as factor VII-dependent factor X activation rate, decreased from 54 to 18 nM FXa/min between 24 and 48 h. TF activity did not correlate well with either lipid cofactor or TF protein levels. In contrast, the decrease in TF activity coincided in time with maximal expression of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) mRNA, which was determined using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and with maximal TFPI protein levels measured by immunoassay. The number of mRNA copies coding for TFPI and TF in freshly isolated blood monocytes were 46 and 20 copies/cells, respectively. These values increased to 220 and 63 copies/cell during short-term cell culture in the presence of endotoxin. Results demonstrate concomitant expression by monocytes of genes coding for both the essential protein cofactor and the specific inhibitor of the extrinsic coagulation pathway. Together with functional and antigenic analyses, they also imply that the initiation of blood clotting by extravascular monocyte/macrophages can be modulated locally by TFPI independently of plasma sources of the inhibitor.

Diffusion control in blood coagulation. Activation of factor X by factors IXa/VIIIa assembled on human monocyte membranes.

This study examines mechanisms that regulate the activation of blood coagulation proteases on intact cell membranes. The activation of factor X by factors IXa and VIIIa assembled on viable monocytes is presented as a biologically relevant model for membrane-dependent proteolysis of coagulation zymogens. The hypothesis that this reaction is limited by diffusion was tested by comparing predicted with observed concentration dependence, temperature dependence, and effective rate coefficient. Rates of factor X catalysis were measured using a chromogenic substrate specific for the product, factor Xa. The value of KR and of K1/2, i.e. concentrations giving half-maximal rates in reciprocal functional titrations with substrate and enzyme, respectively, were directly correlated with the concentration of the titrated component. Arrhenius plots constructed over temperatures encompassing 10-35 degrees C were biphasic with downward concavity. Apparent activation energies were 6.01 +/- 0.93 and 35.84 +/- 8.9 kcal/mol for the interval above and below the inflection point, respectively. The effective rate coefficient calculated from apparent kinetic parameters was 3.58 +/- 0.1 x 10(12) M-1 s-1. This rate is similar to the maximal rate of collision between factor X molecules and the monocyte, i.e. 2.9 x 10(12) M-1 s-1 estimated from the steady-state von Smoluchowski equation for uniformly reacting spherical particles. The observed agreement between predicted and experimental results indicates that under biologically relevant conditions, the rate of factor X activation by the intrinsic protease is controlled by diffusion of factor X toward the catalytic site.

Functional assembly of intrinsic coagulation proteases on monocytes and platelets. Comparison between cofactor activities induced by thrombin and factor Xa.

Generation of coagulation factor Xa by the intrinsic pathway protease complex is essential for normal activation of the coagulation cascade in vivo. Monocytes and platelets provide membrane sites for assembly of components of this protease complex, factors IXa and VIII. Under biologically relevant conditions, expression of functional activity by this complex is associated with activation of factor VIII to VIIIa. In the present studies, autocatalytic regulatory pathways operating on monocyte and platelet membranes were investigated by comparing the cofactor function of thrombin-activated factor VIII to that of factor Xa-activated factor VIII. Reciprocal functional titrations with purified human factor VIII and factor IXa were performed at fixed concentrations of human monocytes, CaCl2, factor X, and either factor IXa or factor VIII. Factor VIII was preactivated with either thrombin or factor Xa, and reactions were initiated by addition of factor X. Rates of factor X activation were measured using chromogenic substrate specific for factor Xa. The K1/2 values, i.e., concentration of factor VIIIa at which rates were half maximal, were 0.96 nM with thrombin-activated factor VIII and 1.1 nM with factor Xa-activated factor VIII. These values are close to factor VIII concentration in plasma. The Vsat, i.e., rates at saturating concentrations of factor VIII, were 33.3 and 13.6 nM factor Xa/min, respectively. The K1/2 and Vsat values obtained in titrations with factor IXa were not significantly different from those obtained with factor VIII. In titrations with factor X, the values of Michaelis-Menten coefficients (Km) were 31.7 nM with thrombin-activated factor VIII, and 14.2 nM with factor Xa-activated factor VIII. Maximal rates were 23.4 and 4.9 nM factor Xa/min, respectively. The apparent catalytic efficiency was similar with either form of factor VIIIa. Kinetic profiles obtained with platelets as a source of membrane were comparable to those obtained with monocytes. These kinetic profiles are consistent with a 1:1 stoichiometry for the functional interaction between cofactor and enzyme on the surface of monocytes and platelets. Taken together, these results indicate that autocatalytic pathways connecting the extrinsic, intrinsic, and common coagulation pathways can operate efficiently on the monocyte membrane.

Report of a fatal thiamylal intoxication.

A fatality due to the intravenous administration of thiamylal is reported. Quantitation of the drug was accomplished by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and confirmation was by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Postmortem tissue concentrations of thiamylal were as follow: 129 mg/L in blood, 366 mg/kg in liver, and 116 mg/kg in brain. Thiamylal was not detected in the urine, gastric contents, or bile. Analytical caveats involving the quantitation of thiamylal are also discussed.

Functional difference between intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. Kinetics of factor X activation on human monocytes and alveolar macrophages.

Activation of coagulation factor X via the intrinsic pathway requires the assembly of factors IXa and VIII on lipid membranes. It is known that the platelet expresses membrane sites for assembly of factors IXa/VIII and promotes efficient factor X activation. We now show that human blood monocytes, but not lymphocytes or polymorphonuclear leukocytes, also express appropriate sites for factors IXa/VIII assembly. The maximal rate of factor X activation by factors IXa (0.75 nM) and VIII (1 unit/ml) assembled on monocytes is similar to the maximal rate on platelets. This rate, adjusted per micromole of lipid phosphorus, is 1636 +/- 358 nM factor Xa/min on monocyte, and 1569 +/- 54 nM factor Xa/min on platelets. At physiologic concentrations of factors X and VIII, the activation rate increases with factor IXa concentration asymptotically approaching a maximum. Half-maximal rate is achieved with 1.0 +/- 0.16 nM factor IXa. Monocytes and macrophages, but not platelets, can express membrane tissue factor and thus promote simultaneous assembly of two distinct factor X-activating protease complexes. In these studies, blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages are used as membrane sources in kinetic experiments comparing factor X activation by intrinsic (factor IXa/VIII) versus extrinsic (factor VII/tissue factor) protease complexes. At plasma concentration of factors VIII and VII, apparent Km on the monocyte is 14.6 +/- 1.4 nM for intrinsic and 117.0 +/- 10.1 nM for extrinsic activation. The apparent Km on alveolar macrophages is 12.1 +/- 1.9 and 90.6 +/- 10.2 nM for intrinsic and extrinsic activation, respectively. Maximal rates on monocytes at saturating concentration of factors IXa, VIII, and VII are 48.0 +/- 11.2 nM factor Xa/min, for intrinsic activation, and 16.5 +/- 5.5 nM factor Xa/min, for extrinsic activation. These data show that the monocyte/macrophage is the only blood-derived cell type with membrane sites for both intrinsic and extrinsic pathway assembly. We have exploited this characteristic of the monocyte/macrophage membrane to demonstrate that factor X activation by the intrinsic pathway protease is more efficient than activation via the extrinsic pathway protease complex.

Tissue factor and factor VII messenger RNAs in human alveolar macrophages: effects of breathing ozone.

This study was performed to determine if genes for tissue factor and factor VII proteins are expressed and regulated in vivo in lung macrophages during inflammation. Human alveolar macrophages and alveolar fluids were obtained 18 hours after healthy male adults were exposed, for 2 hours during intermittent exercise, to either air or air with 0.4 ppm ozone, added as a model toxic respiratory agent. Messenger RNA (mRNA) for both tissue factor and factor VII were demonstrated in macrophages isolated after subjects were exposed to unpolluted control air. With the same subjects examined after breathing ozone, the following changes were observed: tissue factor mRNA concentration in macrophages increased 2.6 +/- 0.47-fold. Factor VII mRNA concentration was reduced 0.64 +/- 0.24-fold. Total numbers of macrophages recovered did not change significantly. Ratios of nuclear:cytoplasmic areas of cytocentrifuged macrophages were augmented by 24.8% +/- 3%, giving morphometric evidence that immature cell forms increased in the population. In the lavage, tissue factor activity was increased 2.1 +/- 0.3-fold, while amounts of lipid phosphorous, which estimate total membrane lipids, and estimated volumes of alveolar fluid were not significantly changed. Factor VII activity and fibrinopeptide A levels in lavage were increased approximately twofold. These results using rapidly isolated, noncultured cells indicate that tissue factor and factor VII mRNA are synthesized in the alveolar macrophage population in vivo. In addition, evidence was found that as a result of breathing ozone, a shift in alveolar macrophage maturity occurred in association with tissue factor mRNA, tissue factor activity, and factor VII activity increases, and with formation of fibrinopeptide A in alveolar fluids.

Initiation of the extrinsic pathway of coagulation by human and rabbit alveolar macrophages: a kinetic study.

We examined assembly and expression of the factor X activating complex on human and rabbit alveolar macrophages. Kinetic parameters of the factor X activating reaction were determined by functional titrations of factors VII and X with macrophage tissue factor (TF) added. We found rapid activation of factor X to Xa on alveolar macrophage surfaces. Detection of rapid factor Xa formation on macrophages required addition of exogenous factors VII and X. At plasma concentrations of the purified factors, factor Xa was formed on freshly isolated macrophages at approximately 5.4 pmol/min/10(6) cells. After macrophage maturation in culture for 20 hours with LPS (endotoxin) added, the factor X activation rate was increased two- to sixfold. The km' (apparent km) of TF-factor VII enzymatic complexes assembled on alveolar macrophages for factor X were (258 +/- 55 and 475 +/- 264 nmol/L for human and rabbit cells, respectively). The km' did not change during macrophage maturation in culture, but V'max (apparent Vmax) was consistently increased. The K1/2 of human factor VII (concentrations giving half maximal rates of factor X activation) for the interaction with human and rabbit alveolar macrophage TF were 0.191 +/- 0.096 and 1.7 +/- 0.7 etamol/L, respectively. The K1/2 were not significantly changed after maturation, whereas rates of Xa formation at saturation with factor VII were increased. The fast rates of factor X activation observed at physiologic concentrations of plasma-derived factors VII and X indicate that TF on alveolar macrophages is likely to provide sites for binding of factor VII and activation of factor X in vivo during clotting reactions associated with alveolar edema and inflammation.

Identification of mRNA coding for factor VII protein in human alveolar macrophages--coagulant expression may be limited due to deficient postribosomal processing.

Clotting factors synthesized by monocytes and macrophages may initiate coagulation reactions during inflammation. Functional vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors have been found to be associated with human monocytes/macrophages, but there are no reports identifying mRNA coding for vitamin K-dependent proteins in these cells. In the present studies, factor VII mRNA was found in total RNA extracted from freshly isolated human alveolar macrophages using hybridization with a complementary DNA probe. On the other hand, vitamin K-dependent carboxylase activity which is required for postribosomal modification of the protein, was not detectable in the macrophages before or after culture, and human blood mononuclear leukocytes also lacked this enzyme activity. Control human and rat hepatoma cells exhibited high levels of carboxylase activity within the same experiments. Using sensitive kinetic assays, no increase in factor VII activity was detected during culture of alveolar macrophages under conditions promoting 1.78 +/- .24 (n = 8) fold increases of tissue factor activity. These findings with freshly isolated cells demonstrate that alveolar macrophages synthesize factor VII mRNA in vivo. However, the mRNA was found in the absence of evidence for gamma-carboxylase activity or processing of the factor into a functional clotting enzyme. The results imply that functional expression of any synthesized coagulation factor VII in alveolar macrophages may be limited or prevented due to a cellular deficiency at the level of postribosomal processing.

Ozone-induced inflammation in the lower airways of human subjects.

Although ozone (O3) has been shown to induce inflammation in the lungs of animals, very little is known about its inflammatory effects on humans. In this study, 11 healthy nonsmoking men, 18 to 35 yr of age (mean, 25.4 +/- 3.5), were exposed once to 0.4 ppm O3 and once to filtered air for 2 h with intermittent exercise. Eighteen hours later, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and the cells and fluid were analyzed for various indicators of inflammation. There was an 8.2-fold increase in the percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in the total cell population, and a small but significant decrease in the percentage of macrophages after exposure to O3. Immunoreactive neutrophil elastase often associated with inflammation and lung damage increased by 3.8-fold in the fluid while its activity increased 20.6-fold in the lavaged cells. A 2-fold increase in the levels of protein, albumin, and IgG suggested increased vascular permeability of the lung. Several biochemical markers that could act as chemotactic or regulatory factors in an inflammatory response were examined in the BAL fluid (BALF). The level of complement fragment C3 alpha was increased by 1.7-fold. The chemotactic leukotriene B4 was unchanged while prostaglandin E2 increased 2-fold. In contrast, three enzyme systems of phagocytes with potentially damaging effects on tissues and microbes, namely, NADPH-oxidase and the lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, were increased neither in the lavaged fluid nor cells. In addition, the amounts of fibrogenic-related molecules were assessed in BALF.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Assembly of the prothrombin activator complex on rabbit alveolar macrophage high-affinity factor Xa receptors. A kinetic study.

Efficient prothrombin activation occurs after assembly of factors Va, Xa, and phospholipid surface cofactor as a multimolecular complex. These components are provided by platelets and plasma within the vascular space, but molecules and membranes for prothrombin activator assembly in extravascular spaces have not been identified. In the present study, purified alveolar macrophages were found to produce high-affinity factor Xa receptors that mediate formation of enzymatic prothrombinase complexes and rapid prothrombin to thrombin conversion in the absence of exogenous factor V/Va or platelets. Thus, in reaction mixtures with alveolar macrophages cultured for 20 h in serum-free medium, the thrombin formation rate was 152 nM/min/0.66 X 10(6) cells, after adding prothrombin (1.5 microM), Ca2+ (5 mM), and factor Xa (3.7 nM). The observed Kd of factor Xa interaction with macrophage receptors is 2.1 +/- 0.94 X 10(-10) M. Kinetic analysis and inhibition studies using isolated factor V and anti-factor V antibody show that macrophage Xa receptors are functionally and antigenically similar to plasma factor V. By contrast, freshly isolated cells lacked receptors promoting prothrombin conversion at high rates. Inhibitors of protein synthesis and glycosylation, puromycin and monensin, respectively, abrogated production of Xa receptors in culture. Additionally, subcellular fractionation and enzyme-marker studies (alkaline phosphodiesterase I) indicate that internal and external membranes of alveolar macrophages have phospholipid surface cofactor activity required for prothrombinase complexes. Pulmonary surfactant is also shown to express this cofactor activity. Alveolar macrophages and surfactant comprise an efficient prothrombin activator system that is independent of plasma factor V. This system may facilitate rapid extravascular alveolar thrombin formation even at very low concentrations of factor Xa during lung defense reactions to inflammation or edema.