2-Glycoprotein I (2GPI) is an evolutionary conserved, abundant circulating protein. Although its function remains uncertain, accumulated evidence points toward interactions with endothelial cells and components of the coagulation system, suggesting a regulatory role in vascular biology. Our group has shown that thioredoxin 1 (TRX-1) generates free thiols in 2GPI, a process that may have a regulatory role in platelet adhesion. This report extends these studies and shows for the first time evidence of 2GPI with free thiols in vivo in both multiple human and murine serum samples. To explore how the vascular surface may modulate the redox status of 2GPI, unstimulated human endothelial cells and EAhy926 cells are shown to be capable of amplifying the effect of free thiol generation within 2GPI. Multiple oxidoreductase enzymes, such as endoplasmic reticulum protein 46 (ERp 46) and TRX-1 reductase, in addition to protein disulfide isomerase are secreted on the surface of endothelial cells. Furthermore, one or more of these generated free thiols within 2GPI are also shown to be nitrosylated. Finally, the functional significance of these findings is explored, by showing that free thiol-containing 2GPI has a powerful effect in protecting endothelial cells and EAhy926 cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death.
IntroductionThioredoxin 1 (TRX-1) is a ubiquitous, 12-kDa oxidoreductase enzyme whose multiple intracellular functions include reducing protein disulfides, scavenging oxygen free radicals, and redox regulation of signaling pathways involved in cell growth, apoptosis, and inflammation. 1 TRX-1 requires nitrosylation of the unpaired cysteine (Cys69) thiol to mediate key intracellular functions. 2 S-nitrosylation of thiols has been implicated as being important in several multisystemic physiologic and pathologic processes pertaining to hemostasis and vascular disease. 3 In addition to being a key intracellular molecule, TRX-1 is an enzyme also found in circulating plasma. It is released from cells in response to oxidative stress 4,5 and is found at higher levels in the circulation in a variety of acute and chronic inflammatory or metabolic conditions associated with an increase in systemic oxidative stress load. [6][7][8] Studies have shown that exogenous administration of TRX-1 exerts a protective role in animal models of high oxidative stress such as smoking and rheumatoid arthritis, 9,10 both of which represent risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity in humans. 11 Oxidative stress is known to be associated with vascular pathology in terms of promoting atherosclerotic plaque development, rupture and atherothrombosis. 12 However, the extracellular mechanism through which elevated TRX-1 may mediate a protective effect against oxidative stress-induced vascular injury has not been fully delineated. 2 -Glycoprotein I (2GPI) is an evolutionary conserved 50-kDa plasma protein. The function of 2GPI remains uncertain, although it is thought to play a role in apoptotic cell clearance and coagulation through m...