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Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A promotes TF procoagulant activity in human endothelial cells by Akt–NF-κB axis

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Abstract

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) is a metalloproteinase with a controversial role in pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. It seems involved in progression of atherosclerosis and is widely represented in atherosclerotic plaque. PAPP-A plasma levels are elevated in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS), thus it has been suggested that it might be a prognostic marker for developing major cardiovascular events. However, the pathophysiological link(s) between PAPP-A and ACS are still unknown. Several studies have indicated that tissue factor (TF) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of ACS by triggering the formation of intracoronary thrombi following endothelial injury. This study investigates whether PAPP-A, at concentrations measurable in ACS patients, might induce TF expression in human endothelial cells in culture (HUVEC). In HUVEC, PAPP-A induced TF-mRNA transcription as demonstrated by real time PCR and expression of functionally active TF as demonstrated by FACS analysis and pro-coagulant activity assay. PAPP-A induced TF expression through the activation of Akt/NF-κB axis, as demonstrated by luciferase assay and by suppression of TF-mRNA transcription as well as of TF expression/activity by Akt and NF-κB inhibitors. These data indicate that PAPP-A promotes TF expression in human endothelial cells and support the hypothesis that this proteinase, besides being involved in progression of atherosclerosis, does not represent an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events, but it rather might play an “active” role in the pathophysiology of ACS as an effector molecule able to induce a pro-thrombotic phenotype in endothelial cells.

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Acknowledgment

This study is dedicated to my daughter Camilla. Honey, you are my “endless love”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Advanced Biological Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy

    Plinio Cirillo, Grazia Pellegrino, Francesca Ziviello & Bruno Trimarco

  2. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathology, University of Naples “Federico II”, Naples, Italy

    Antonio Leonardi

  3. Division of Cardiology, Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Stefano Conte

  4. Division of Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    Giusi Barra & Raffaele De Palma

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  1. Plinio Cirillo
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  2. Stefano Conte
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Correspondence to Plinio Cirillo.

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Cirillo, P., Conte, S., Pellegrino, G. et al. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A promotes TF procoagulant activity in human endothelial cells by Akt–NF-κB axis. J Thromb Thrombolysis 42, 225–232 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-016-1353-4

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