Carcinoma mucins trigger reciprocal activation of platelets and neutrophils in a murine model of Trousseau syndrome

Blood. 2011 Oct 13;118(15):4015-23. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-07-368514. Epub 2011 Aug 22.

Abstract

Trousseau syndrome is classically defined as migratory, heparin-sensitive but warfarin-resistant microthrombi in patients with occult, mucinous adenocarcinomas. Injecting carcinoma mucins into mice generates platelet-rich microthrombi dependent on P- and L-selectin but not thrombin. Heparin prevents mucin binding to P- and L-selectin and mucin-induced microthrombi. This model of Trousseau syndrome explains resistance to warfarin, which inhibits fluid-phase coagulation but not selectins. Here we found that carcinoma mucins do not generate microthrombi in mice lacking P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), the leukocyte ligand for P- and L-selectin. Furthermore, mucins did not activate platelets in blood from PSGL-1-deficient mice. Mucins induced microthrombi in radiation chimeras lacking endothelial P-selectin but not in chimeras lacking platelet P-selectin. Mucins caused leukocytes to release cathepsin G, but only if platelets were present. Mucins failed to generate microthrombi in cathepsin G-deficient mice. Mucins did not activate platelets in blood from mice lacking cathepsin G or protease-activated receptor-4 (PAR4), indicating that cathepsin G activates platelets through PAR4. Using knockout mice and blocking antibodies, we found that mucin-triggered cathepsin G release requires L-selectin and PSGL-1 on neutrophils, P-selectin on platelets, and Src family kinases in both cell types. Thus, carcinoma mucins promote thrombosis through adhesion-dependent, bidirectional signaling in neutrophils and platelets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / complications
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / genetics
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / metabolism*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / pathology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / pharmacology
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Cathepsin G / genetics
  • Cathepsin G / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Colonic Neoplasms
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • L-Selectin / genetics
  • L-Selectin / metabolism
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mucins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Mucins / genetics
  • Mucins / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neutrophil Activation*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Neutrophils / pathology
  • P-Selectin / genetics
  • P-Selectin / metabolism
  • Platelet Activation*
  • Receptors, Thrombin / genetics
  • Receptors, Thrombin / metabolism
  • Syndrome
  • Thrombosis / etiology
  • Thrombosis / genetics
  • Thrombosis / metabolism*
  • Thrombosis / pathology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Mucins
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • P-Selectin
  • P-selectin ligand protein
  • Receptors, Thrombin
  • L-Selectin
  • Cathepsin G
  • Ctsg protein, mouse
  • protease-activated receptor 4