Neuroserpin, a thrombolytic serine protease inhibitor (serpin), blocks transplant vasculopathy with associated modification of T-helper cell subsets.
Thrombolytic serine proteases not only initiate fibrinolysis, but also are up-regulated in vascular disease and acute inflammatory responses. Although the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is considered a main regulator of thrombolysis, PAI-1 is also associated with vascular inflammation. The role of other serpins that target thrombolytic proteases, PAI-2, PAI-3, and neuroserpin (NSP), in vascular inflammation is, however, less well defined. NSP is a mammalian serpin that, similar to PAI-1, inhibits urokinase- and tissue-type plasminogen activators (uPA and tPA, respectively) and has been most closely associated with the nervous system, with a demonstrated protective role after cerebral infarction in mouse models. However, the role of NSP in systemic arterial inflammation and plaque growth is not known. Serp-1 is a myxoma viral serpin that also inhibits tPA and uPA, as well as additionally inhibiting plasmin and factor Xa (fXa). Serp-1 has proven highly potent anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activity. Here we assess the effects of NSP treatment on plaque growth and T-helper (Th) lymphocyte activity in a mouse aortic allograft transplant model, with comparison to Serp-1. NSP and Serp-1 both significantly reduced plaque growth and T-cell invasion. T-bet (a Th1 differentiation marker) was significantly reduced in transplanted aorta with associated reductions in Th1 and Th17, but not Th2, in splenocytes. NSP had additional Th modifying activity in non-transplanted mice. In summary, this is the first report that NSP possesses anti-inflammatory activity in systemic arteries, modifying Th cell responses and significantly reducing plaque growth in mouse aortic allografts.
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32610-0277, USA.
Ganesh
G
Munuswamy-Ramanujam
Erbin
E
Dai
Liying
L
Liu
Mira
M
Shnabel
Yun Ming
YM
Sun
Mee
M
Bartee
David A
DA
Lomas
Alexandra R
AR
Lucas
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001011:Aorta / Q000637:transplantation*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015843:Serpins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000187:drug effects*; D014180:Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000097522:Neuroserpin
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009479:Neuropeptides; D015843:Serpins; D000097522:Neuroserpin; C511174:Serp1 protein, mouse