Objective: Apoptotic monocytes release membrane microparticles which may play a major role in thrombogenicity through a P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PGSL-1)-mediated mechanism. We have studied systematically the regulation of PSGL-1 expression and function in apoptotic monocytic cells.
Methods and results: PSGL-1 expression (flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblot) was virtually abolished in apoptotic monocytes by proteolytic shedding. This was accompanied by a complete loss of PSGL-1-mediated platelet-leukocyte (flow cytometry) and leukocyte-endothelial cell (parallel plate flow chamber) interactions. Systematic screening of protease inhibitors combined with knock-out and siRNA experiments characterized the PSGL-1-cleaving enzyme as an N-ethylmaleimide-inhibitable metalloproteinase of the ADAM family.
Conclusions: Downmodulation of PGSL-1 in apoptotic monocytes may prevent ectopic cell clearance in the peripheral vasculature to reduce local inflammatory and proliferative responses. Depletion of PSGL-1 expression on apoptotic microparticles may also act as a molecular switch to modulate their thrombogenic activity.