Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: EC:3.4.21.5 (thrombin)
33,306 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

We have previously reported that thrombin, the ultimate serine protease in the coagulation cascades, is a proinflammatory agent that causes proliferation and activation of brain microglial cells. However, participation of its principal receptor, the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) appears to be limited to promoting microglial proliferation and not induction of inflammatory mediators. In the present study, we now report that thrombin action in promoting inflammatory mediators from brain microglia is mediated through another thrombin receptor, PAR4. Here we show that the PAR4 agonist peptide (PAR4AP, GYPGKF), but not the PAR1AP (TRAP, SFLLRN), induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production not only in cultured murine microglial cells in vitro but also in rat cortex in vivo. Down-regulation of PAR4 expression in microglial cultures by a specific antisense, but not a sense, oligonucleotide reduced PAR4AP-induced TNF-alpha. Mechanistic studies indicated that, in comparison with PAR1 signaling, prolonged increase of [Ca2+]i and phosphorylation of p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinases, as well as NFkappaB activation may be responsible for PAR4AP-induced TNF-alpha production in microglia. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PAR4 activation mediates the potentially detrimental effects of thrombin on microglia, implying that perspectives of exploiting PAR1 as a potential anti-inflammatory target should be shifted toward PAR4 as a much more specific therapeutic target in brain inflammatory conditions associated with neurotrauma and neurodegenerations.
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PMID:Persistent protease-activated receptor 4 signaling mediates thrombin-induced microglial activation. 1277 17

Receptors for the serine protease thrombin and for lysophospholipids are coupled to G proteins and control a wide range of cellular functions, including mitogenesis. Activators of these receptors are present in blood, and can enter the brain during central nervous system (CNS) injury. Reactive astrogliosis, a prominent component of CNS injury with potentially harmful consequences, may involve proliferation of astrocytes. In this study, we have examined the expression and activation of protease activated receptors (PARs), lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors, and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors on murine astrocytes. We show that activation of these three receptor classes can lead to astrogliosis in vivo and proliferation of astrocytes in vitro. Cultured murine cortical astrocytes express mRNA for multiple receptor subtypes of PAR (PAR-1-4), LPA (LPA-1-3) and S1P (S1P-1, -3, -4, and -5) receptors. Comparison of the intracellular signaling pathways of glial PAR-1, LPA, and S1P receptors indicates that each receptor class activates multiple downstream signaling pathways, including Gq/11-directed inositol lipid/Ca2+ signaling, Gi/o activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and stress activated protein kinase/c-jun N-terminal kinase, but not p38), and activation of Rho pathways. Furthermore, activation of these different receptor classes can differentially regulate two transcription factor pathways, serum response element and nuclear factor of activated T cells. Blockade of Gi/o signaling with pertussis toxin, MAPK activation with 1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(2-aminophynyltio)butadiene (U0126), or Rho kinase signaling with R-(+)-trans-N-(4-pyridyl)-4-(1-aminoethyl)-cyclohexane carboxamide (Y27632) can markedly reduce the proliferative response of glial cells to PAR-1, LPA, or S1P receptor activation, suggesting that each of these pathways is important in coupling of receptor activation to glial proliferation.
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PMID:Common signaling pathways link activation of murine PAR-1, LPA, and S1P receptors to proliferation of astrocytes. 1457 70

Thrombin has been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and restenosis, in which migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is a crucial event. Thrombin-stimulated VSMC migration is associated with increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and production of growth factors and chemoattractants. In this study, we examined the interrelation of these signals to determine the pathway controlling thrombin-directed migration of human VSMC. Our results show that thrombin stimulated the production of ROS and activation of p38 MAPK. ROS were required for thrombin-induced VSMC migration since both generation of ROS and cell migration were significantly attenuated by inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and apocynin (Apo.), and by the hydrogen peroxide scavenger, catalase (Cat.). Activation of p38 MAPK by thrombin was inhibited by DPI, Apo. and Cat., indicating ROS are used as messengers for activating this kinase. p38 MAPK is an important step since SB 203580, a selective inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suppressed the cell migration induced by thrombin. Furthermore, thrombin increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a chemoattractant for VSMC, and this expression was inhibited by DPI, Apo., Cat. and SB 203580. Addition of anti-VEGF antibody significantly attenuated thrombin-induced migration. Collectively, the data presented here show that thrombin has stimulated VSMC migration and VEGF expression through an ROS-sensitive p38 MAPK pathway. VEGF synthesized and released by the cell served as a secondary mediator in thrombin-directed migration.
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PMID:Reactive oxygen species-sensitive p38 MAPK controls thrombin-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. 1473 41

Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) express protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) at high levels. In cultured HGFs, we studied the signaling pathway of thrombin-induced interleukin-6 (IL-6) production. The PAR-1 agonist peptide SFLLRN mimicked the thrombin-induced IL-6 production in the presence of amastatin, an aminopeptidase inhibitor. Thrombin or a combination of SFLLRN and amastatin also strikingly induced the expression of IL-6 mRNA. Although continuous exposure of HGFs to thrombin rapidly desensitized Ca(2+) signaling, the cells did not lose their ability to produce IL-6 in response to thrombin. Similarly, although treatment of HGFs with BAPTA-AM [1,2-bis(O-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester], an intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, markedly attenuated the thrombin-induced increase in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, the same treatment did not suppress the thrombin-induced IL-6 production. However, thrombin-induced IL-6 production was strongly inhibited by the p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and Western blotting analyses showed that thrombin stimulates p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation. Specific inhibitors that inhibit extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and RhoA kinase also partially suppressed the thrombin-induced IL-6 production, but the effects were smaller than those of the p38 MAP and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Thus, thrombin induces HGFs to produce IL-6 by activating PAR-1, and the tyrosine kinase- and p38 MAP kinase-dependent pathways, rather than the Ca(2+) signaling pathway, may play a crucial role in the IL-6 production.
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PMID:Signaling mechanisms involved in protease-activated receptor-1-mediated interleukin-6 production by human gingival fibroblasts. 1521 Aug 34

In a previous report we have presented evidence that thrombin interacts with alpha(v)beta(3) integrin in endothelial cells at the molecular and cellular level. This interaction was shown to be of functional significance in vitro and in vivo and contributed to activation of angiogenesis by thrombin. In the present study, we have used a synthetic thrombin peptide, TP508, which represents residues 183 to 200 of human thrombin. This peptide lacks the catalytic site of thrombin but contains the thrombin RGD sequence. Immobilized (surface-coated) TP508 peptide, like thrombin, supported alpha(v)beta(3) integrin-dependent endothelial cell attachment and haptotactic migration. These effects were specific (a scrambled TP508 peptide was without effect), and dosedependent. The RGD sequence was essential since a modified TP508 peptide, which contained RAD sequence instead of RGD, was inactive. Immobilized TP508 peptide stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and focal adhesion kinase, the signal transduction pathways characteristic for integrin activation. On the other hand, TP508 peptide, when in solution, did not mimic other thrombin-promoted angiogenic effects, such as that of activation gelatinase A, upregulation of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor mRNA or prostacyclin PGI(2) release in endothelial cells. On the contrary, soluble TP508 acted as an antagonist for the aforementioned effects of thrombin. TP508 peptide inhibited these thrombin-induced effects through a RGD and alpha(v)beta(3)-related mechanism. The antagonism with thrombin or thrombin receptor activating peptide was specific and involved at least in part mitogen-activated protein kinases activation. These results point to the importance of RGD sequence of thrombin in mediating effects on endothelial cells and angiogenesis.
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PMID:On the mode of action of thrombin-induced angiogenesis: thrombin peptide, TP508, mediates effects in endothelial cells via alphavbeta3 integrin. 1546 17

We previously reported that thrombin stimulates the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 27 via p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation in aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system on the thrombin-stimulated induction of HSP27 in A10 cells. Forskolin, a direct activator of adenylyl cyclase, reduced the thrombin-induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, and significantly suppressed the thrombin-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. However, dideoxyforskolin, a forskolin derivative that does not activate cAMP, failed to suppress the HSP27 accumulation. Furthermore, dibutyryl-cAMP (DBcAMP), a permeable analog of cAMP, significantly suppressed the accumulation of HSP27. On the other hand, calphostin C, an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), reduced the thrombin-induced p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, and significantly suppressed the thrombin-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. Moreover, forskolin reduced the p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation induced by the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a PKC-activating phorbol ester, and significantly suppressed the TPA-stimulated accumulation of HSP27. These results indicate that adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system has an inhibitory role in thrombin-stimulated HSP27 induction in aortic smooth muscle cells, and the effect seems to be exerted on the thrombin-induced PKC- p38 MAP kinase signaling pathway.
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PMID:Adenylyl cyclase-cAMP system inhibits thrombin-induced HSP27 in vascular smooth muscle cells. 1554 59

Prolidase [E.C. 3.4.13.9] is a cytosolic imidodipeptidase that plays an important role in collagen biosynthesis. The enzyme contributes to the recovery of proline from protein degradation products (mainly collagen) for collagen resynthesis. Prolidase activity and collagen biosynthesis are supposed to be regulated by beta(1)-integrins, which initiate a signaling pathway in which several kinases and intracellular proteins are involved, including focal adhesion kinase pp125(FAK) (FAK), Src, Shc, growth factor receptor bound protein 2 (Grb-2), son of sevenless protein (SOS), Ras, Raf and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), extracellular-signal regulated kinase 1 (ERK(1)) and kinase 2 (ERK(2)). We studied the effects of echistatin, a well-known disintegrin and thrombin, a serine protease capable of activation of platelet integrin alpha(2)beta(1) receptor on collagen production, prolidase activity, expression of prolidase, beta(1)-integrin receptor, FAK, SOS-protein and phosphorylated MAP-kinases (ERK(1) and ERK(2)) in confluent human dermal fibroblasts. It has been found that treatment of the cells with 100nM echistatin contributes to inhibition of collagen production, as well as prolidase activity and expression compared to control cells. These phenomena were accompanied by a decrease in the expression of FAK, SOS-protein and phosphorylated MAP-kinases, ERK(1) and ERK(2). An opposite phenomenon was observed in fibroblasts treated with 0.1IU thrombin. In this case, a significant increase in collagen production and prolidase activity, accompanied by a distinct raise in the expression of prolidase, FAK and phosphorylated MAP-kinases and a slight increase in expression of SOS compared to controls were found. The results suggest that regulation of prolidase activity and collagen biosynthesis in human dermal fibroblasts may involve beta(1)-integrin-dependent signaling.
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PMID:Differential effects of echistatin and thrombin on collagen production and prolidase activity in human dermal fibroblasts and their possible implication in beta1-integrin-mediated signaling. 1566 71

We have recently shown that in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 11-keto boswellic acids (KBAs) induce Ca2+ mobilisation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Here we addressed the effects of BAs on central signalling pathways in human platelets and on various platelet functions. We found that beta-BA (10 microM), the 11-methylene analogue of KBA, caused a pronounced mobilisation of Ca2+ from internal stores and induced the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)2, and Akt. These effects of beta-BA were concentration dependent, and the magnitude of the responses was comparable to those obtained after platelet stimulation with thrombin or collagen. Based on inhibitor studies, beta-BA triggers Ca2+ mobilisation via the phospholipase (PL)C/inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate pathway, and involves Src family kinase signalling. Investigation of platelet functions revealed that beta-BA (> or =10 microM) strongly stimulates the platelet-induced generation of thrombin in an ex-vivo in-vitro model, the liberation of arachidonic acid (AA), and induces platelet aggregation in a Ca2+-dependent manner. In contrast to beta-BA, the 11-keto-BAs (KBA or AKBA) evoke only moderate Ca2+ mobilisation and activate p38 MAPK, but fail to induce phosphorylation of ERK2 or Akt, and do not cause aggregation or significant generation of thrombin. In summary, beta-BA potently induces Ca2+ mobilisation as well as the activation of pivotal protein kinases, and elicits functional platelet responses such as thrombin generation, liberation of AA, and aggregation.
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PMID:Induction of central signalling pathways and select functional effects in human platelets by beta-boswellic acid. 1608 30

Changes in astrocyte shape and function are known to occur in association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) dementia (HIVD). However, the causes and consequences of such changes are not completely understood. In vitro data suggest that changes in the expression of aquaporin 4 (AQP4), the aquaporin subtype expressed by astrocytes, can significantly influence cell shape and physiology. In the present study, the authors therefore investigated the possibility that AQP4 levels may be altered in HIVD. Using Western blot, the authors show that immunoreactivity for AQP4 is elevated in brain homogenates from the mid frontal gyrus of patients who died with HIVD (P < .005 HIV seronegative versus HIVD). Of interest, a significant increase was also observed in homogenates from HIV-infected individuals without dementia (P < .05 HIV seronegative versus neurologically normal HIV seropositive). In the present study the authors also examined the stimulated expression of AQP4 in cultured cells. Previous in vitro studies have shown that AQP4 expression may be increased by stimuli that induce cytoskeletal changes and/or the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. The authors therefore focused on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, which has been linked to p38 MAP kinase activation, and thrombin, which may also induce changes in the actin cytoskeleton. Both may be elevated with HIVD. Again using Western blot, the authors show an increase in both AQP4 and phosphorylated p38 MAP kinase in homogenates from TNF-alpha- and thrombin-stimulated organotypic cerebellar and spinal cord cultures. Together, these studies suggest that AQP4 expression may be altered in HIVD and/or in response to exogenous proteinases. Additional studies may be warranted to determine whether altered AQP4 expression represents a protective and/or maladaptive response to central nervous system (CNS) inflammation.
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PMID:Aquaporin 4 is increased in association with human immunodeficiency virus dementia: implications for disease pathogenesis. 1633 47

Activated microglia are considered to play important roles in degenerative processes of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Here we examined mechanisms of neurotoxicity of thrombin, a protease known to trigger microglial activation, in organotypic midbrain slice cultures. Thrombin induced a progressive decline in the number of dopaminergic neurons, an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production, and whole tissue injury indicated by lactate dehydrogenase release and propidium iodide uptake. Microglia expressed inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in response to thrombin, and inhibition of iNOS rescued dopaminergic neurons without affecting whole tissue injury. Inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) attenuated thrombin-induced iNOS induction and dopaminergic cell death. Whole tissue injury was also attenuated by inhibition of ERK and p38 MAPK. Moreover, depletion of resident microglia from midbrain slices abrogated thrombin-induced NO production and dopaminergic cell death, but did not inhibit tissue injury. Finally, antioxidative drugs prevented thrombin-induced dopaminergic cell death without affecting whole tissue injury. Hence, NO production resulting from MAPK-dependent microglial iNOS induction is a crucial event in thrombin-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration, whereas damage of other midbrain cells is MAPK-dependent but is NO-independent.
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PMID:Nitric oxide-producing microglia mediate thrombin-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in rat midbrain slice culture. 1663 23


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