We have previously demonstrated that plasmin acts as a potent proinflammatory activator of human peripheral monocytes. Here we identify the annexin A2 heterotetramer, composed of annexin A2 and S100A10, as a receptor for the plasmin-induced signaling in human monocytes. Monocytes express the annexin A2 heterotetramer on the cell surface as shown by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and coimmunoprecipitation of biotinylated cell surface proteins. Binding of plasmin to annexin A2 and S100A10 on monocytes was verified by biotin transfer from plasmin labeled with a trifunctional cross-linker. Antibodies directed against annexin A2 or S100A10 inhibited the chemotaxis elicited by plasmin, but not that induced by fMLP. Further, downregulation of annexin A2 or S100A10 in monocytes by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides impaired the chemotactic response to plasmin, but not that to fMLP. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides similarly decreased the TNF-␣ release by plasmin-
IntroductionMost cells are able to bind plasmin(ogen) with low affinity. [1][2][3] Generally, the membrane binding of plasmin(ogen) has been mainly regarded in terms of membrane-associated activation of fibrinolytic or proteolytic activity. [4][5][6][7] However, plasmin may elicit profound functional changes in various cells implying receptormediated signaling. Plasmin induces neutrophil aggregation, biosynthesis of platelet-activating factor in endothelial cells, and Ca 2ϩ signaling in platelets and endothelial cells as well as proliferation of hepatocytes. 1,2 In monocytes plasmin triggers release of proinflammatory lipid mediators, 8 chemotaxis, 9 and expression of different proinflammatory genes such as tumor necrosis factor ␣ (TNF-␣), interleukin-1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, CD40, and tissue factor through activation of nuclear factor B (NF-B), 10 JAK/STAT, and p38 MAPK signaling cascades. 11 All these effects are critically dependent on the proteolytic activity and cannot be mimicked by either plasminogen or catalytically inactivated plasmin. [8][9][10] Several proteins, such as ␣-enolase, 12,13 annexin A2, and TIP49a on monocytic cell lines, [14][15][16] annexin A2 on endothelial cells, macrophages, and monocytes, [16][17][18] S100A10 in colorectal cancer and fibrosarcoma cells, 19,20 gp330 on kidney epithelial cells, 21 and several others 1 have been identified as plasmin(ogen) binding sites. Occasionally these binding sites have been termed receptors, yet mostly in terms of membrane-associated proteolytic activity without signal transduction function. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) and PAR4 have been proposed to mediate plasmin signaling in fibroblasts, platelets, 22,23 and transfected CHO cells. 24 Others proposed that PARs are not activated but rather truncated and inactivated by plasmin. 25 Available evidence indicates that on human monocytes the signaling plasmin receptor is distinct from PARs, 26 yet its identity remains obscure.Annexin A2 belongs to the family of calcium-binding proteins; it is found in the cytoplasm and co...