A novel inhibitor of N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor decreases leukocyte trafficking and peritonitis

CN Morrell, K Matsushita, CJ Lowenstein - Journal of Pharmacology and …, 2005 - ASPET
CN Morrell, K Matsushita, CJ Lowenstein
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2005ASPET
Endothelial exocytosis is an early stage in the process of leukocyte trafficking. N-
ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) plays a critical role in regulating exocytosis. We
hypothesized that inhibitors of NSF decrease endothelial exocytosis and vascular
inflammation. We designed a novel fusion polypeptide consisting of a human
immunodeficiency virus transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain
joined to a NSF homohexamerization domain. We show that this TAT-NSF polypeptide …
Endothelial exocytosis is an early stage in the process of leukocyte trafficking. N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) plays a critical role in regulating exocytosis. We hypothesized that inhibitors of NSF decrease endothelial exocytosis and vascular inflammation. We designed a novel fusion polypeptide consisting of a human immunodeficiency virus transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein transduction domain joined to a NSF homohexamerization domain. We show that this TAT-NSF polypeptide inhibits the ATPase activity and the disassembly activity of NSF. Furthermore, the TAT-NSF polypeptide decreases endothelial cell exocytosis and reduces leukocyte adherence to endothelial cells in culture. Finally, the TAT-NSF polypeptide inhibits leukocyte rolling on murine venules in vivo and inhibits leukocyte trafficking into the peritoneal cavity in a murine model of experimental peritonitis. These data suggest that NSF is a critical regulator of leukocyte trafficking in vivo. Novel compounds that inhibit the exocytic machinery in endothelial cells may be useful anti-inflammatory drugs.
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