Factor Xa interacts with two sites on monocytes with different functional activities

Studies were performed to elucidate the functional significance of factor Xa interactions at the monocyte membrane in the presence and absence of factor Va, with respect to prothrombin and factor IX cleavage. Factor Xa-catalyzed prothrombin activation at the monocyte surface was absolutely dependent on the addition of factor Va, indicating that thrombin was generated solely by a membrane-bound complex of factors Va and Xa. In contrast, in the absence of added factor Va, factor Xa bound to monocytes catalyzed the cleavage of factor IX to the nonenzymatic intermediate factor IX alpha through a reaction that was dependent on both monocyte and factor Xa concentration. At limiting factor Xa concentration, added factor Va inhibited the factor Xa-catalyzed cleavage of factor IX, suggesting that a monocyte-bound complex of factors Va and Xa did not recognize factor IX as a substrate. These combined data suggest that factor Xa interacts with the monocyte through two sites which can be distinguished by their requirement for added factor Va and their expression of different functional activities. Both functional sites could be distinguished also by their differential susceptibility to inhibition by a monoclonal antibody directed against the light chain of factor Va (alpha-HFV1). At the monocyte surface, the factor Va/Xa-catalyzed activation of prothrombin was maximally inhibited with 0.25 mumol/L alpha-HFV1, whereas 1.0 mumol/L alpha-HFV1 was required to effect 50% inhibition of the factor Xa-catalyzed cleavage of factor IX. The ability of factor Va to modulate factor Xa substrate specificity was investigated further. Factor Xa bound to thrombin-activated platelets either through platelet-released factor Va or added factor Va did not cleave factor IX. Consistent with this result, a plasma concentration of factor IX had no effect on thrombin generation catalyzed by a platelet-bound complex of factors Va and Xa. In marked contrast, factor Xa bound to phospholipid vesicles either independently or in complex with factor Va catalyzed factor IX cleavage with equal efficiency. These combined data indicate that factor Va bound to cell surfaces modulates factor Xa substrate specificity, whereas no discriminatory effect is conferred by factor Va bound to phospholipid vesicles. Thus, by providing two distinct sites at its membrane surface, the monocyte modulates factor Xa binding and the functional activity expressed by the bound enzyme, depending on the availability of factor Va.