Gut microbiota regulate hepatic von Willebrand factor synthesis and arterial thrombus formation via Toll-like receptor-2.
The symbiotic gut microbiota play pivotal roles in host physiology and the development of cardiovascular diseases, but the microbiota-triggered pattern recognition signaling mechanisms that impact thrombosis are poorly defined. In this article, we show that germ-free (GF) and Toll-like receptor-2 (Tlr2)-deficient mice have reduced thrombus growth after carotid artery injury relative to conventionally raised controls. GF Tlr2-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were indistinguishable, but colonization with microbiota restored a significant difference in thrombus growth between the genotypes. We identify reduced plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) and reduced VWF synthesis, specifically in he…
A bacterial metabolite, trimethylamine N-oxide, disrupts the hemostasis balance in human primary endothelial cells but no coagulopathy in mice
: The gut microbial metabolite, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), was previously reported to induce platelet hypersensitivity, which leads to thrombotic risk. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of TMAO on endothelial cells (EC), which is the primary vessel wall contact with the lumen, remains unclear. Here, we investigated the impact of TMAO on procoagulant activity (PCA) in EC and mice, for a possible link between microbiota and coagulation. To test the PCA of TMAO in EC, we performed one-stage clotting assays and converted into PCA. Antitissue factor (TF) antibody was used to test the TF role in PCA. Quantitative PCR was performed to measure the TF, thrombomodulin, IL-6,…
Fatal neuroinvasion and SARS-CoV-2 tropism in K18-hACE2 mice is partially independent on hACE2 expression
ABSTRACTAnimal models recapitulating distinctive features of severe COVID-19 are critical to enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis. Transgenic mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) under the cytokeratin 18 promoter (K18-hACE2) represent a lethal model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The precise mechanisms of lethality in this mouse model remain unclear. Here, we evaluated the spatiotemporal dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infection for up to 14 days post-infection. Despite infection and moderate pneumonia, rapid clinical decline or death of mice was invariably associated with viral neuroinvasion and direct neuronal injury (including brain and spinal neurons). Neuroinv…
Advocacy of targeting protease‐activated receptors in severe coronavirus disease 2019
Identifying drug targets mitigating vascular dysfunction, thrombo-inflammation and thromboembolic complications in COVID-19 is essential. COVID-19 coagulopathy differs from sepsis coagulopathy. Factors that drive severe lung pathology and coagulation abnormalities in COVID-19 are not understood. Protein-protein interaction studies indicate that the tagged viral bait protein ORF9c directly interacts with PAR2, which modulates host cell IFN and inflammatory cytokines. In addition to direct interaction of SARS-CoV-2 viral protein with PARs, we speculate that activation of PAR by proteases plays a role in COVID-19-induced hyperinflammation. In COVID-19-associated coagulopathy elevated levels of…
Distinct contributions of complement factors to platelet activation and fibrin formation in venous thrombus development
Expanding evidence indicates multiple interactions between the hemostatic system and innate immunity, and the coagulation and complement cascades. Here we show in a tissue factor (TF)-dependent model of flow restriction-induced venous thrombosis that complement factors make distinct contributions to platelet activation and fibrin deposition. Complement factor 3 (C3) deficiency causes prolonged bleeding, reduced thrombus incidence, thrombus size, fibrin and platelet deposition in the ligated inferior vena cava, and diminished platelet activation in vitro. Initial fibrin deposition at the vessel wall over 6 hours in this model was dependent on protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and TF expressi…
Post-transcriptional, post-translational and pharmacological regulation of tissue factor pathway inhibitor.
: Tissue factor (TF) pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is an endogenous natural anticoagulant that readily inhibits the extrinsic coagulation initiation complex (TF-FVIIa-Xa) and prothrombinase (FXa, FVa and calcium ions). Alternatively, spliced TFPI isoforms (α, β and δ) are expressed by vascular and extravascular cells and regulate thrombosis and haemostasis, as well as cell signalling functions of TF complexes via protease-activated receptors (PARs). Proteolysis of TFPI plays an important role in regulating physiological roles of the TF pathway in host defense and possibly haemostasis. Elimination of TFPI inhibition has therefore been proposed as an approach to improve haemostasis in haemophilia …
Procoagulant activity during viral infections.
The abundance of evidence suggest that inflammation of immune and non-immune cells may lead to an imbalance of the pro- and anti-coagulant state during viral infections. During systemic infections, the endothelium plays a critical role in regulating hemostasis, and severe imbalances of endothelial function and activation can contribute to organ failure. Viral infections may elevate plasma levels of procoagulant markers such as TAT and D-dimer TF-positive MPs as well as von Willebrand factor (vWF). Although multiple clinical studies are showing the association of viral infection and increased prothrombotic risk, the pathological mechanisms have not been fully identified for most viral infect…
The Microbiota Promotes Arterial Thrombosis in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Deficient Mice
Our results demonstrate a functional role for the commensal microbiota in atherothrombosis. In a ferric chloride injury model of the carotid artery, GF C57BL/6J mice had increased occlusion times compared to colonized controls. Interestingly, in late atherosclerosis, HFD-fed GF Ldlr−/− mice had reduced plaque rupture-induced thrombus growth in the carotid artery and diminished ex vivo thrombus formation under arterial flow conditions.
Innate Effector-Memory T-Cell Activation Regulates Post-Thrombotic Vein Wall Inflammation and Thrombus Resolution
Rationale: Immune cells play an important role during the generation and resolution of thrombosis. T cells are powerful regulators of immune and nonimmune cell function, however, their role in sterile inflammation in venous thrombosis has not been systematically examined. Objective: This study investigated the recruitment, activation, and inflammatory activity of T cells in deep vein thrombosis and its consequences for venous thrombus resolution. Methods and Results: CD4 + and CD8 + T cells infiltrate the thrombus and vein wall rapidly on deep vein thrombosis induction and remain in the tissue throughout the thrombus resolution. In the vein wall, recruited T cells largely consist of effect…
Platelet proteome analysis reveals an early hyperactive phenotype in SARS-CoV-2-infected humanized ACE2 mice
AbstractCoronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) provokes a hypercoagulable state with increased incidence of thromboembolism and mortality. Platelets are major effectors of thrombosis and hemostasis. Suitable animal models are needed to better understand COVID-19-associated coagulopathy (CAC) and underlying platelet phenotypes. Here, we assessed K18-hACE2 mice undergoing a standardized SARS-CoV-2 infection protocol to study dynamic platelet responses via mass spectrometry-based proteomics. In total, we found significant changes in >1,200 proteins. Strikingly, protein alterations occurred rapidly by 2 days post-infection (dpi) and preceded outward clinical signs of severe disease. Pathway enr…