The endothelial glycocalyx anchors von Willebrand factor fibers to the vascular endothelium

TY - JOUR

T1 - The endothelial glycocalyx anchors von Willebrand factor fibers to the vascular endothelium

AU - Kalagara, Thejaswi

AU - Moutsis, Tracy

AU - Yang, Yi

AU - Pappelbaum, Karin I

AU - Farken, Anne

AU - Cladder-Micus, Lucia

AU - Vidal-Y-Sy, Sabine

AU - John, Axel

AU - Bauer, Alexander T

AU - Moerschbacher, Bruno M

AU - Schneider, Stefan W

AU - Gorzelanny, Christian

N1 - © 2018 by The American Society of Hematology.

PY - 2018/9/25

Y1 - 2018/9/25

N2 - The dynamic change from a globular conformation to an elongated fiber determines the ability of von Willebrand factor (VWF) to trap platelets. Fiber formation is favored by the anchorage of VWF to the endothelial cell surface, and VWF-platelet aggregates on the endothelium contribute to inflammation, infection, and tumor progression. Although P-selectin and ανβ3-integrins may bind VWF, their precise role is unclear, and additional binding partners have been proposed. In the present study, we evaluated whether the endothelial glycocalyx anchors VWF fibers to the endothelium. Using microfluidic experiments, we showed that stabilization of the endothelial glycocalyx by chitosan oligosaccharides or overexpression of syndecan-1 (SDC-1) significantly supports the binding of VWF fibers to endothelial cells. Heparinase-mediated degradation or impaired synthesis of heparan sulfate (HS), a major component of the endothelial glycocalyx, reduces VWF fiber-dependent platelet recruitment. Molecular interaction studies using flow cytometry and live-cell fluorescence microscopy provided further evidence that VWF binds to HS linked to SDC-1. In a murine melanoma model, we found that protection of the endothelial glycocalyx through the silencing of heparanase increases the number of VWF fibers attached to the wall of tumor blood vessels. In conclusion, we identified HS chains as a relevant binding factor for VWF fibers at the endothelial cell surface in vitro and in vivo.

AB - The dynamic change from a globular conformation to an elongated fiber determines the ability of von Willebrand factor (VWF) to trap platelets. Fiber formation is favored by the anchorage of VWF to the endothelial cell surface, and VWF-platelet aggregates on the endothelium contribute to inflammation, infection, and tumor progression. Although P-selectin and ανβ3-integrins may bind VWF, their precise role is unclear, and additional binding partners have been proposed. In the present study, we evaluated whether the endothelial glycocalyx anchors VWF fibers to the endothelium. Using microfluidic experiments, we showed that stabilization of the endothelial glycocalyx by chitosan oligosaccharides or overexpression of syndecan-1 (SDC-1) significantly supports the binding of VWF fibers to endothelial cells. Heparinase-mediated degradation or impaired synthesis of heparan sulfate (HS), a major component of the endothelial glycocalyx, reduces VWF fiber-dependent platelet recruitment. Molecular interaction studies using flow cytometry and live-cell fluorescence microscopy provided further evidence that VWF binds to HS linked to SDC-1. In a murine melanoma model, we found that protection of the endothelial glycocalyx through the silencing of heparanase increases the number of VWF fibers attached to the wall of tumor blood vessels. In conclusion, we identified HS chains as a relevant binding factor for VWF fibers at the endothelial cell surface in vitro and in vivo.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017013995

DO - 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017013995

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 30237293

VL - 2

SP - 2347

EP - 2357

JO - BLOOD ADV

JF - BLOOD ADV

SN - 2473-9529

IS - 18

ER -