Keywords
a disintegrin and metalloprotease - pathologies - cardiovascular disease - atherosclerosis
- therapy
The ADAMs Family: Function and Regulation
The ADAMs Family: Function and Regulation
The mammalian genome consists of 40 a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM) family
members, although only 12 ADAM genes encode for proteolytically active proteases able
to cleave/shed surface molecules, i.e. ADAM8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 28, 30
and 33.[1] ADAM cleavage or shedding can result in the release of soluble factors, such as
tumour necrosis factor (TNF), or of intracellular domains like Notch after regulated
intra-membrane proteolysis.[2] Besides the metalloproteinase domain, ADAMs also contain a disintegrin domain, capable
of binding to various integrins, although this function is still poorly understood.[3] Especially ADAM10 and ADAM17 are the best studied family members and have been shown
to be involved in the shedding of inflammatory mediators like cytokines/chemokines
and adhesion molecules. The list of substrates that can be shed by these proteases
is substantial and still increasing (reviewed in Dreymueller et al,[4] van der Vorst et al,[5] Zhang et al,[6] and Zunke and Rose-John[7]). For ADAM17, one of the best known substrates is TNF, hence the alternative nomenclature
for this protease is TNF converting enzyme.[8]
While ADAM expression and activity is regulated at various levels, e.g. at the transcriptional
and post-transcriptional level (reviewed in Dreymueller and Ludwig[9] and Grötzinger et al[10]), evidence is emerging that substrate-specificity is regulated by membrane localization.[11] ADAM proteases are produced as latent enzymes, which are activated by removal of
the pro-domain by furin-like convertases.[1] Post-transcriptionally, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs) regulate ADAM
activities as TIMP1 blocks ADAM10, whereas TIMP3 inhibits both ADAM10 and ADAM17 activity.[12] No consensus sequence exists that determines whether these ADAMs cleave a specific
substrate. Recently, it has been shown that the surface exposure of phosphatidylserine
(PS) is necessary for ADAM17 to exert its sheddase activity.[13] ADAM17 has been shown to bind to PS and this interaction speculatively directs the
protease to its substrate.[10]
[13] Increasing evidence suggests that (co-)localization of the enzyme and substrate
regulate cleavage activities. Lipid rafts, for example, are cholesterol-rich areas
in the membrane where many receptors and signalling molecules cluster together.[14] Previously, it has been shown that ADAM17 is preferentially located in these rafts.
Lipid raft disruption resulted in increased shedding of TNF as disruption brought
the ADAM17 protease in close vicinity of its substrate TNF, further confirming a crucial
regulatory role of this membrane localization in ADAM activity.[15] Besides ADAM17, ADAM10 has also been shown to be regulated by lipid raft modulation
as cholesterol depletion affected both ADAM10- and ADAM17-mediated shedding of Fas
ligand.[16] Besides lipid rafts, also other membrane domains gained interest for ADAMs regulation,
i.e. the tetraspanin-enriched micro-domains. For example, ADAM10-mediated amyloid
precursor protein (APP) cleavage was shown to be regulated by tetraspanin 12,[17] whereas ADAM10-dependent cleavage of epidermal growth factor is regulated by tetraspanins
CD9, CD81 and CD82.[18] The Tspan C8 family was shown to regulate ADAM10 maturation and trafficking to the
cell surface in endothelial cells.[19] Interestingly, data from Noy et al suggested that different members of this Tspan
family regulate substrate selectivity of ADAM10, as further discussed below.[20] While tetraspanins seem to mainly regulate ADAM10, maturation and trafficking of
ADAM17 is specifically regulated by the catalytically inactive family of rhomboid
proteases.[21]
[22]
[23] Research focusing on the regulation of ADAM activity is still a very dynamic and
evolving field.
ADAMs in Cardiovascular Disease
ADAMs in Cardiovascular Disease
Focusing on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its underlying pathogenesis of atherosclerosis
development, various crucial mediators have already been identified as substrates
for ADAM10 and/or ADAM17 (extensively reviewed by van der Vorst et al and Dreymueller
et al[4]
[5]). For example, we and others identified the junctional molecules vascular endothelial
(VE)-cadherin and junctional adhesion molecule A, which play a crucial role in vascular
permeability and leukocyte transmigration as ADAM10/17 substrates.[24]
[25]
[26] Additionally, ADAM10/17 have been shown to shed the platelet receptors glycoprotein
I (GPI) and GPVI which are important in thrombus formation,[27] although the precise impact of ADAM10/17 shedding on thrombosis itself remains controversial.
Furthermore, both proteases have been shown to be involved in the cleavage of CX3CL1 and CXCL16, which are chemotactic proteins that are synthesized as transmembrane
molecules with adhesive properties and upon cleavage produce a soluble chemoattractant.
Cleavage of these proteins by ADAM10/17 can thus result in a reduction of leukocyte
adhesion and even detachment of bound cells, although the attraction of new cells
increases by the release of the soluble chemoattractant.[28]
[29] Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1
(VCAM-1) are two other essential leukocyte adhesion molecules that are critically
involved in atherosclerotic lesion initiation/development and that can be shed by
ADAM17.[30]
[31] Furthermore, ADAM17-mediated shedding of syndecans has been reported which may affect
leukocyte recruitment by altering chemokine/cytokine signalling.[32]
[33] Importantly, many soluble forms of ADAM substrates, like sICAM, sVCAM, sRAGE (receptor
for advanced glycation end-products), sCD40L, sIL6R and TNF, have been shown to correlate
with (clinical events of) CVD and were identified as potential biomarkers.[34]
[35]
[36] Recently, Rizza et al showed a clear correlation between ADAM17 substrates and recurring
cardiovascular events in human subjects with atherosclerosis.[37] Considering their role in inflammation and leukocyte recruitment, ADAMs most likely
also play a crucial role in atherosclerosis.
Indeed, several ADAMs have already been associated with atherosclerosis development
([Table 1]). For example, the rs653765 polymorphism in the ADAM10 promoter, leading to a significantly
enhanced ADAM10 expression, was found to be associated with atherosclerotic cerebral
infarction in a Chinese population.[38] Moreover, we showed ADAM10 expression to be relatively low in a healthy human vessel
wall and early human atherosclerotic lesion, but this significantly increased during
plaque progression.[24] As ADAM10 full-body knockout mice are embryonically lethal, the effect of total
ADAM10 deficiency on atherosclerosis cannot be evaluated. However, using myeloid-specific
ADAM10-deficient mice we could observe that a myeloid-specific deficiency of ADAM10
did not alter lesion size, but shifted the balance from inflammation towards fibrosis
in these atherosclerotic lesions.[39] Additionally, also ADAM17 has been associated with atherosclerosis development.
In mouse quantitative trait locus mapping, increased ADAM17 expression has been shown
to be associated with atherosclerosis resistance,[40] while in rats enhanced ADAM17 expression has been associated with cardiac remodelling
after acute myocardial infarction.[41] Cardiomyocyte ADAM17 has also been shown to be of crucial importance in post-infarction
recovery by regulating VE growth factor receptor 2 transcription and angiogenesis,
thereby limiting left ventricular dilation and dysfunction.[42] A recent review by Chute et al provides a more detailed overview of the role of
ADAMs in heart physiology and pathology.[43] Furthermore, Canault et al showed that ADAM17 expression is associated with lesions
in atherosclerosis-prone sites in mice and may contribute to elevated levels of soluble
TNF receptor in the plasma.[44] Collectively, these results suggest an important role for ADAM17 in atherosclerosis
and CVD, although observed associations are still contradicting. Using lentiviral
knockdown of ADAM17 in abdominal aortic plaques of rabbits, Zhao et al showed lower
plaque burden with reduced expression of inflammatory genes and increased expression
of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), indicative of enhanced plaque stability.[45] Recent studies by Nicolaou et al using ADAM17 hypomorphic mice, expressing very
low levels of ADAM17,[46] could clearly show a atheroprotective role of ADAM17 in atherosclerosis development,
which they attributed to the cleaving of membrane-bound TNF and TNF-receptor2 preventing
endogenous TNF signalling in vascular cells.[47] Interestingly, they recently also revealed a function of ADAM17 in arterial elastin
network maintenance, although the exact underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.[48] We could confirm such atheroprotective effects of ADAM17 in a myeloid-specific ADAM17-deficiency
(ADAM17-LysM cre) mouse model.[49] Remarkably, however, endothelial ADAM17 has contrasting atheroprogressive effects
as was shown in ADAM17-Bmx Cre mice. This is more in line with the findings by Zhao
et al, as their lentiviral approach most likely targeted especially the endothelium.
The exact mechanisms behind the opposing effects on atherosclerosis development remain
to be investigated.
Table 1
ADAMs in atherosclerosis/CVD in humans
ADAM proteases
|
Main conclusion
|
Reference
|
ADAM8
|
Single nucleotide polymorphism 2662 T/G associated with atherosclerosis development
and fatal myocardial infarction
|
[55]
|
Polymorphism (rs2275725) is associated with atherosclerosis development and the occurrence
of myocardial infarctions
|
[56]
|
ADAM9
|
Up-regulated in macrophages in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques in samples from
carotid, aortic and femoral territories compared with samples from internal thoracic
artery free of atherosclerotic plaques
|
[50]
|
ADAM10
|
Increased expression during atherosclerotic plaque progression; highly expressed in
plaque micro-vessels and macrophages/foam cells
|
[24]
|
ADAM15
|
Up-regulated in macrophages in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques in samples from
carotid, aortic and femoral territories compared with samples from internal thoracic
artery free of atherosclerotic plaques
|
[50]
|
ADAM17
|
Correlation between ADAM17 substrates (e.g. sICAM-1 and sTNFR1) and recurring cardiovascular
events in human patients with atherosclerosis
|
[37]
|
Up-regulated in macrophages in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques in samples from
carotid, aortic and femoral territories compared with samples from internal thoracic
artery free of atherosclerotic plaques
|
[50]
|
Detected and active in micro-particles released from atherosclerotic lesions
|
[84]
|
ADAM33
|
Expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions in smooth muscle cells and leukocytes
|
[54]
|
Polymorphism (rs574174) is associated with atherosclerosis development
|
[54]
|
Individuals homozygous for the rs2280090 polymorphism have an increased risk of all-cause
and cardiovascular mortality compared with wild types
|
[97]
|
Abbreviations: ADAM, a disintegrin and metalloprotease; CVD, cardiovascular disease;
sICAM-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1; sTNFR1, soluble tumor necrosis
factor receptor 1.
Besides ADAM17, ADAM9 and ADAM15 are also up-regulated in macrophages in advanced
human atherosclerotic plaques.[50] For ADAM15 even a causal relation has been described, showing reduced atherosclerosis
development in rabbits over-expressing ADAM15.[51] In sharp contrast, more recently Sun et al showed that ADAM15 deficiency in mice
resulted in decreased endothelial permeability, monocyte and neutrophil transmigration
and consequently decreased atherosclerotic lesion development.[52]
[53] This clearly indicates that ADAM15 plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis development,
although the precise mechanisms are still not completely understood. Furthermore,
ADAM33 has been shown to be expressed in human atherosclerotic lesions, and polymorphisms
of both ADAM33 and ADAM8 genes are associated with atherosclerosis development.[54]
[55] In addition, an ADAM8 polymorphism (rs2275725) has been associated with atherosclerosis
development and occurrence of myocardial infarctions.[56] Recently, we could show that ADAM8 expression was up-regulated in vulnerable human
plaques, compared with stable lesions and that this expression was predominantly in
the active shoulder region of the lesion.[57] Remarkably, however, neither a hematopoietic nor whole-body ADAM8 deficiency in
mice affected atherosclerotic lesion size.[57]
ADAMs in Other Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases
ADAMs in Other Metabolic and Inflammatory Diseases
Besides a role in CVD and atherosclerosis, ADAMs are also associated with various
other metabolic and inflammatory pathologies, like diabetes, sepsis, rheumatoid arthritis
and Alzheimer's disease. Especially the role of ADAM17 in diabetes is already thoroughly
investigated and nicely reviewed by Menghini et al.[58] In short, ADAM17 on human white adipocytes has been shown to result in the expression
of inflammatory molecules like monocyte chemotactic protein 1 and interleukin 6 (IL-6)
and the secretion of soluble IL-6 receptor,[59] which mediates IL-6 signalling via activation of gp130 receptors on cells not expressing
the IL-6R themselves (a process called trans-signalling). Interestingly, inhibition
of IL-6 trans-signalling reduced atherosclerosis development in mice.[60] Additionally, ADAM17 on skeletal muscles induces the release of TNF and therefore
causes insulin resistance via inhibition of the glucose transport. Finally, ADAM17
present on hepatocytes increases oxidative stress and promotes hepatic steatosis upon
hyperinsulinemia. Besides ADAM17, also serum ADAM10 levels, representing extracellular
vesicle-associated ADAM10, and its substrate RAGE have been associated with type 1
diabetes in humans.[61]
Regarding the role of ADAMs in sepsis, Horiuchi et al showed that ADAM17 inactivation
in myeloid cells results in protection against endotoxin shock,[62] although these effects were not observed in another infection model, i.e. acute
lung inflammation.[63] Recently, it has also been shown that the rs653765 polymorphism in the ADAM10 promoter
is associated with the development of severe sepsis in humans, indicating that ADAM10
might also be clinically important in sepsis.[64]
Especially ADAM17 is also implicated in rheumatoid arthritis, as both the expression
of ADAM17 and TNF were up-regulated in arthritis-affected cartilage.[65] Further supporting a role for ADAM17 in arthritis is the fact that selective inhibitors
against ADAM17, including TMI-2 (Wyeth) and BMS-561392 (Bristol Myers Squibb), were
effective in the treatment of mouse models of arthritis.[66] Recently, Isozaki et al showed that ADAM10 is also over-expressed in the human rheumatoid
arthritis synovial tissue, suggesting that besides ADAM17, ADAM10 might also be involved
in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.[67]
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease, which shares a common pathophysiological
basis, i.e. hyperlipidaemia-induced endothelial injury and inflammation, with CVDs
like atherosclerosis[68] and is predominantly caused by β- and γ-secretase-mediated production of toxic amyloid-β
peptides. The cleavage of the APP by α-secretases (i.e. ADAMs) on the other hand has
been shown to have neuro-protective functions in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Interestingly, β-amyloid was also found in atherosclerotic plaques[69]
[70] and circulating levels of APP have been shown to correlate with CVD risk.[71]
[72] Several ADAMs have been shown to possess α-secretase activity and could therefore
potentially contribute to neuro-protection[73] and their role in brain inflammation has been nicely reviewed by Pruessmeyer and
Ludwig.[74] ADAM10 is the only ADAM family member that mediates a constitutive α-secretase activity,[75]
[76]
[77] whereas other ADAM proteases (e.g. ADAM8, 9 and 17) mediate a regulated secretase
activity. Until now, it has been shown that ADAM10 can indeed be beneficial as this
protease protected against amyloid-β plaque formation by the cleavage of APP in a
mouse model.[78] This notion is further supported by a small clinical trial using the synthetic retinoid
acitretin, which results in α-secretase ADAM10 induction, showing enhanced APP processing
in patients receiving acitretin.[79] Furthermore, patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease express less ADAM10, again
indicating that this protease could have protective functions.[80] Interestingly, two polymorphisms in the ADAM12 gene have been significantly associated
with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, although this protease does not possess α-secretase
activity suggesting a different mechanism of action.[81]
Extracellular Vesicles and ADAMs
Extracellular Vesicles and ADAMs
In recent years, a highly interesting field of research emerged, investigating extracellular
vesicles (e.g. micro-vesicles/micro-particles and exosomes) that are released from
various cells under physiological and patho-physiological conditions.[82] Micro-vesicles are derived from the cell membrane and are enriched with lipid rafts,
while exosomes are smaller and of intracellular origin, enriched with tetraspanins.[83] As mentioned before, lipid rafts and tetraspanins have also been shown to be key
regulators of ADAMs activity. Canault et al indeed confirmed that ADAM17 is present
in micro-vesicles released by human atherosclerotic plaques and actively contributes
to the shedding of its substrates TNF and TNF receptor.[84] Additionally, ADAM17 has been shown to be released in exosomes upon cell stimulation
in monocytes and primary endothelial cells.[85] Furthermore, it has been shown that ADAM10 is present in exosomes and can cleave
adhesion molecules like L1 and CD44,[86] while ADAM15 exists in exosomes released from human macrophages.[87] As extracellular vesicles are considered to be a novel means of intercellular communication,
modulating various target cell functions, it will be interesting to further evaluate
the systemic effects that ADAMs released in extracellular vesicles can have in different
pathologies. Moreover, as extracellular vesicle composition often reflects the phenotype
of its parental cell, these vesicles could also serve as (circulating, i.e. non-invasive)
biomarkers for CVD.
ADAMs in Therapeutic and Diagnostic Approaches (Theranostics)
ADAMs in Therapeutic and Diagnostic Approaches (Theranostics)
As described, ADAMs (and their substrates) are associated with and causally related
to CVDs, but also implicated in other pathologies like Alzheimer's disease and rheumatoid
arthritis, rendering them interesting candidates for novel diagnostic or therapeutic
tools ([Fig. 1]). The effects of ADAM activity, either being beneficial or detrimental, vary between
different pathologies. Due to this discrepancy, in combination with the variety of
ADAM proteases involved, the large list of associated substrates and the cell-specific
effects, caution is warranted when developing ADAM-based therapies as unwanted side
effects of ADAM inhibition seem almost inevitable. Therefore, inhibition should be
very precise with respect to target-protease, -location and -timing. In recent years,
research has focused on more specific approaches and developing appropriate inhibitors.
As ADAM10 and ADAM17 look like the most suited candidates for targeting, we will focus
on these two proteases.
Fig. 1 Generalized overview of a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM)10/17 influences
in various pathologies. Depicted are selected main groups of molecules that are influenced
by ADAM10/17 in different pathologies. Between brackets is for exemplary purposes,
only a small selection of group members shown.
The different levels of ADAM regulation provide several options for therapeutic targeting.
The first option is to inhibit the expression of ADAMs, which, for example, has been
showed to reduce inflammation by reducing ADAM10 and ADAM17 expression via peroxisome
proliferator-activated receptor activation.[88] However, such targeting of course lacks any selectivity for substrates. Several
hydroxamate-based inhibitors have already been developed to inhibit the active site
of proteases, by inhibiting the zinc-ion binding. For example, the GI254023X compound
inhibits ADAM10 100-fold more potently than ADAM17,[89] although still lacking specificity as it also weakly inhibits ADAM9 and several
matrix metalloproteinases.[90] Various other inhibitors have been developed, although until now no real ADAM-specific
inhibition has been observed.[91] Recently, Tape et al developed a specific ADAM17 inhibitor using a two-step phage
display approach.[92] The resulting cross-domain human antibody is a previously undescribed selective
ADAM17 antagonist, providing a unique alternative to small-molecule metalloprotease
inhibition.[92] Besides the active zinc-binding domain, also a hyper-variable region called the
exosite can come into contact with the substrate. Such exosites recognize specific
glycosylation patterns on ADAM substrates and are therefore potential targets for
substrate-specific targeting. Recently, inhibitors of these exosites of ADAM17 have
been developed, showing substrate selectivity as TNF shedding can be blocked without
affecting TGF or CX3CL1 shedding.[93] Recently, it has been shown that inactive rhomboid like protease (iRhom2) is critically
involved in the maturation of specifically ADAM17.[22]
[23] Interestingly, this iRhom2 involvement is, in the vascular system, mainly observed
in leukocytes and can therefore be potentially used to more selectively target ADAM17
in inflammatory diseases.[23]
[94] In contrast, ADAM10 maturation is not mediated by iRhom2, although recently also
here some selective targeting opportunities emerged. TspanC8 tetraspanins have been
shown to differentially regulate the cleavage of ADAM10 substrates, as Tspan15 was
the only TspanC8 member to be able to promote ADAM10-mediated N-cadherin cleavage,
whereas Tspan14 distinctively reduced cleavage of the GPVI receptor.[20]
[95] As many ADAMs are implicated in the physiological shedding of important proteins
like growth factors, such substrate and cellular selectivity will be of great importance
to develop suitable ADAM-based therapies. This is also highlighted by the discontinuation
of several clinical trials targeting ADAM17 due to unspecific and unwanted side effects.[66]
Besides therapeutic targets, ADAMs could also serve as diagnostic as well as prognostic
biomarkers ([Table 2]). Several reports do already suggest that several ADAMs may be used as biomarkers
for cancer.[96] High urinary ADAM12 levels, for example, were significantly correlated with the
presence of breast cancer and bladder cancer. As a more prognostic marker, high levels
of ADAM10/17 were even found to predict adverse outcome in patients with breast cancer.
Until now, however, research into ADAMs as biomarkers has been limited, especially
in the field of atherosclerosis and CVD. Several substrates of ADAM10/17 have already
been proposed as biomarkers, although individually it does not appear to be strong
enough to obtain a clear association/prediction. It is tempting to speculate that
perhaps a panel of several ADAM substrates could increase the predictive and diagnostic
potential.
Table 2
ADAMs in diagnosis and therapy
ADAM proteases
|
Main conclusion
|
Reference
|
ADAM9
|
Increased expression in prostate cancer is associated with shortened relapse-free
survival
|
[98]
|
ADAM12
|
High urinary levels correlate with the presence of breast cancer and bladder cancer
|
[99]
[100]
|
ADAM17
|
High expression levels are predictive of a more adverse outcome in patients with breast
cancer
|
[101]
|
ADAM28
|
High diagnostic accuracy of serum levels for non-small cell lung cancer
|
[102]
|
Abbreviation: ADAM, a disintegrin and metalloprotease.
Conclusion
It is clear that several ADAMs can play a crucial role in a large scale of pathologies,
such as atherosclerosis. However, the regulation at post-translational level by differential
trafficking and activation and the interaction of various ADAMs and their substrates
is very complex and not yet fully elucidated. Especially, the precise in vivo and
particularly cell-specific effects of ADAMs in the various pathologies still largely
needs to be determined as only a few studies so far investigated this. Circulating
levels of sADAM8 or a panel of ADAM substrates may become useful biomarkers for CVD,
although specificity is an issue as their circulating levels will be affected in many
inflammatory diseases and/or cancer. With the prospect of using ADAMs as therapeutic
or diagnostic targets, the identification of more specific and perhaps even cell type-specific
regulation modalities, such as the iRhom2, is critical. The presence of ADAMs in extracellular
vesicles might also be useful in this regard, as this at least allows to detect circulating
ADAMs derived from specific cell types. Therefore, future research should focus on
elucidating such specificity to create new opportunities to develop suitable ADAM-based
theranostics.