Effects of membrane and soluble EPCR on the hemostatic balance and endotoxemia in mice

Blood. 2007 Feb 1;109(3):1003-9. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-06-032086. Epub 2006 Oct 5.

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) polymorphisms and soluble EPCR levels are associated with thrombotic diseases. It is unknown whether membrane EPCR (mEPCR) heterozygosity and/or physiologically elevated sEPCR levels directly impact the hemostatic balance and the outcome of endotoxemia. In these studies, thrombin infusion experiments revealed that EPCR heterozygosity (Procr+/-) impaired protein C activation by approximately 30%. Infusion of factor Xa with phospholipid demonstrated that the Procr+/- genotype increased the coagulant response relative to wild-type mice. Challenge of the Procr+/- mice with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) did not significantly exaggerate their response compared with wild-type mice. We also generated mice in which one allele of full-length EPCR was replaced by sEPCR (Procrs/+). Compared with Procr+/- mice, Procrs/+ mice had 5-fold higher sEPCR and similar mEPCR levels. Procr+/- and Procrs/+ mice generated similar levels of activated protein C (APC) upon thrombin infusion. They also exhibited a similar coagulant response upon factor Xa/phospholipid infusion. Only supraphysiologic levels of sEPCR could influence protein C activation and exaggerate the coagulant response. In conclusion, mEPCR, but not physiologically elevated sEPCR, regulated protein C activation. Procr heterozygosity results in a mild increase of thrombosis tendency and little influence on the response to endotoxin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelial Protein C Receptor
  • Endotoxemia / etiology*
  • Glycoproteins / physiology*
  • Hemostasis*
  • Heterozygote
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mice
  • Mice, Mutant Strains
  • Protein C / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Solubility
  • Thrombin / pharmacology
  • Thrombosis / etiology

Substances

  • Endothelial Protein C Receptor
  • Glycoproteins
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Procr protein, mouse
  • Protein C
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Thrombin