Phosphatidylserine as an anchor for plasminogen and its plasminogen receptor, histone H2B, to the macrophage surface

R Das1, E F Plow

  • 1Department of Molecular Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Joseph J. Jacobs Center for Thrombosis and Vascular Biology, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.

Abstract

Insights

Histone H2B (H2B) binds to macrophage surfaces via phosphatidylserine (PS) interaction, facilitated by L-type Ca(2+) channels. This PS-H2B complex enhances plasminogen (Plg) binding, crucial for cell migration.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Immunology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cell surface plasminogen (Plg) receptors (Plg-Rs) mediate Plg activation and macrophage migration.
  • Histone H2B (H2B) functions as a Plg-R, with its surface expression increased during monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation.
  • This differentiation pathway involves L-type Ca(2+) channels and intracellular Ca(2+).

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the mechanism of H2B retention on the macrophage surface, as H2B lacks a transmembrane domain.
  • Elucidate the role of phosphatidylserine (PS) in H2B cell surface anchoring.
  • Determine the involvement of L-type Ca(2+) channels in H2B surface expression and Plg binding.

Main Methods:

  • THP-1 monocytoid cells were differentiated or induced into apoptosis.
  • Flow cytometry and cell surface biotinylation followed by Western blotting were employed.
  • Interactions between Plg binding, H2B surface expression, and PS exposure were quantified.

Main Results:

  • H2B directly binds to PS through electrostatic interactions.
  • Inhibition of PS binding (using anti-PS, annexin V, or protein S) reduced H2B-PS interaction and Plg binding.
  • L-type Ca(2+) channels significantly influenced PS exposure, H2B surface expression, and Plg binding during differentiation and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • H2B tethers to differentiated or apoptotic cell surfaces via PS interaction.
  • L-type Ca(2+) channels regulate PS exposure on these cells.
  • Exposed PS serves as a binding site for H2B, subsequently facilitating Plg binding.

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