The disulfide isomerase ERp72 supports arterial thrombosis in mice

Several CGHC motif-containing disulfide isomerases support thrombosis. We here report that endoplasmic reticulum protein 72 (ERp72), with 3 CGHC redox-active sites (a^o, a, and a'), supports thrombosis. We generated a new conditional knockout mouse model and found that Tie2-Cre/ERp72^fl/fl mice with blood and endothelial cells lacking ERp72 had prolonged tail bleeding times and decreased platelet accumulation in laser-induced cremaster arteriole injury and FeCl₃-induced mesenteric arterial injury. Fibrin deposition was decreased in the laser injury model. Both platelet and fibrin accumulation defects were fully rescued by infusion of recombinant ERp72 containing functional a and a' CGHC motifs (ERp72(oo-ss-ss)). Infusion of ERp72 containing inactivated a and a' CGHC motifs (ERp72(ss-oo-oo)) inhibited platelet accumulation and fibrin deposition in wild-type mice. Infusion of ERp72(oo-ss-ss) into β3-null mice increased fibrin deposition in the absence of platelets. ERp72-null platelets had defective aggregation, JON/A binding, P-selectin expression, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) secretion. The aggregation and ATP secretion defects were fully rescued by ERp72(oo-ss-ss) but partially rescued by ERp72(ss-oo-ss) and ERp72(ss-ss-oo). Aggregation and ATP secretion of human platelets was potentiated by ERp72(oo-ss-ss) but inhibited by ERp72(ss-oo-ss) and ERp72(ss-ss-oo). These data suggest that both the a and a' active sites are required for platelet function. ERp72 bound poorly to β3-null mouse platelets, and the addition of ERp72(oo-ss-ss) to human platelets generated thiols in αIIbβ3, suggesting a direct interaction of ERp72 with αIIbβ3. Defective aggregation of ERp72-null platelets was recovered by ERp72, but not other thiol isomerases. In summary, ERp72 plays a critical role in platelet function and coagulation through the a and a' CGHC motifs.