Summary
Cell adhesion and proteolytic matrix degradation are central processes in atherosclerosis.
Being a member of the family of ADAMs (“a disintegrin and metalloproteinase”), metargidin (ADAM15) combines a metalloproteinase domain and an
RGD aminoacid sequence. We studied the potential role of ADAM15 as an adhesion receptor
on endothelial cells and interactions between platelets and ADAM15 with respect to
platelet adhesion, activation and thrombus formation. ADAM15 was found to be expressed
on cultured endothelial cells (HUVEC). Platelet adhesion to immobilized recombinantADAM15
was effectively enhanced under both static and high shear rate conditions reaching
the maximum level of adhesion to fibrinogen. Consistently, platelet adhesion onto
ADAM15 overexpressing endothelial cells was significantly increased. Adhesion to ADAM15
was reduced by blockade of GPIIb-IIIa using neutralizing anti-αIIbβ3 mAbs (7E3, 2G12), but not by anti-α
v
β3 (LM609). Soluble ADAM15 binds to activated but not to resting GPIIb-IIIa. Moreover,
platelets adherent to ADAM15 additionally attracted platelets under high shear rates
indicating an initial role of platelet- ADAM15 interactions for thrombus formation.
Furthermore, incubation of platelets with solubleADAM15 showed a dose-dependent increase
in secretion of CD62P and CD40L. ADAM15 is expressed on endothelial cells and can
serve as an adhesion receptor for platelets via GPIIb-IIIa binding. Platelet adhesion
to ADAM15 leads to platelet activation, secretion and promotes thrombus formation.
Thus, ADAM15 may represent a novel target for antithrombotic strategies in cardiovascular
pathologies.
Keywords
ADAM15 - platelets - endothelium - integrin - atherosclerosis