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The endothelial protein C receptor and activated protein C play a limited role in host defense during experimental tuberculosis

Authors: Kager, Liesbeth M.; Roelofs, Joris J. T. H.; de Vos, Alex F.; Wieland, Catharina W.; Schouten, Marcel; Meijers, Joost C. M.; Isermann, Berend; +3 Authors

The endothelial protein C receptor and activated protein C play a limited role in host defense during experimental tuberculosis

Abstract

SummaryThe protein C (PC) system is an important regulator of both coagulation and inflammation. Activated PC (APC), together with its receptor the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), has anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory properties. During tuberculosis (TB), a devastating chronic pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium (M.) tuberculosis, both a local inflammatory reaction characterised by the recruitment of mainly mononuclear cells and the formation of pulmonary granulomas as well as activation of coagulation occurs as part of the host immune response. We investigated the role of EPCR and APC in a mouse model of TB using mice overexpressing EPCR (Tie2-EPCR), mice deficient for EPCR (EPCR−/−), mice treated with APC-inhibiting antibodies and mice overexpressing APC (APChigh) and compared them with wild-type (WT) mice. Blood and organs were harvested to quantify bacterial loads, cellular influxes, cytokines, histopathology and coagulation parameters. Additionally observation studies were performed. Lung EPCR expression was upregulated during experimental TB. No significant differences in bacterial growth were seen between WT and Tie2-EPCR mice. However, Tie2-EPCR mice had decreased pulmonary coagulation activation, displayed an increased influx of macro-phages 2 and 6 weeks after infection, but no increase in other proin-flammatory markers. On the other hand, in EPCR−/−-mice coagulation activation was decreased 6 weeks post-infection, with little impact on other inflammation markers. APC-overexpression or treatment with anti-(A)PC antibodies displayed minimal effects during experimental TB. In conclusion, EPCR and APC play a limited role in the host response during experimental pulmonary TB.

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Keywords

Adult, Aged, 80 and over, Male, Mice, Knockout, Endothelial Protein C Receptor, Mice, Transgenic, Middle Aged, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Disease Models, Animal, Mice, Antigens, CD, Animals, Cytokines, Humans, Female, Inflammation Mediators, Blood Coagulation, Lung, Aged, Glycoproteins

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citations
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
7
Average
Average
Top 10%