Hermida, J. (José)

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  • Recombinant expression of biologically active murine soluble EPCR
    (Elsevier, 2009) Hermida, J. (José); Montes, R. (Ramón); Lopez-Sagaseta, J. (Jacinto)
    Endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) downregulates the coagulation system and prevents thrombosis by binding to protein C/activated protein C (APC) and factor VII/activated factor VII (VIIa). Recombinant APC and factor VIIa have been shown to be useful in a variety of clinical conditions. Murine models could prove extremely helpful in order to study in vivo actions of these drugs. It is therefore crucial to demonstrate the interaction between these and murine EPCR. We expressed the extracellular region of the murine EPCR in a yeast expression system and obtained a colony of Pichia pastoris that produce high amounts of recombinant extracellular murine EPCR, which we purified by liquid chromatography to homogeneity. The analysis of the interaction of EPCR with APC and factor VIIa was carried out using surface plasmon resonance technology. Murine EPCR binds to APC and factor VIIa with similar affinity than human EPCR. As for human EPCR, the binding is Ca2+ dependent while Mg2+ ions optimize it. In conclusion, we succeeded in establishing a system to produce enough recombinant soluble murine EPCR to perform biochemical studies. Murine EPCR binds to human APC and factor VIIa, which opens up new possibilities for characterizing the in vivo effect of APC and factor VII by using murine models.
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    Prevention of renal fibrin deposition in endotoxin-induced DIC through inhibition of PAI-1
    (Schattauer, 2000) Muñoz, M.C. (María Carmen); Rocha, E. (Eduardo); Hermida, J. (José); Montes, M. (Marta); Declerck, P.J. (Paul J.); Montes, R. (Ramón); Calvo-González, A. (Alfonso)
    Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) increases in endotoxemia thus possibly cooperating in altering the hemostatic balance in a prothrombotic direction. The effect of the inhibition of PAI-1 with the monoclonal antibody MA-33B8 was studied systemically and in kidneys in a lapine model of endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The increase in plasmatic PAI activity in the control group (n = 9) was inhibited in the MA-33B8 treated rabbits (n = 5). Control rabbits showed renal fibrin deposits, whereas only one of the MA-33B8 rabbits did so. These results were confirmed immunohistochemically in kidneys as PAI-1 immunostaining was seen inside the glomeruli and larger vessels in the control group, whereas MA-33B8 rabbits showed a remarkable decrease, demonstrating that MA-33B8 successfully inhibited PAI-1 in the kidneys as well. Therefore evidence for the important role of PAI-1 in fibrin generation in endotoxin-induced DIC is presented, suggesting that strategies aiming at its reduction can be useful in this pathology.
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    Interleukin (IL)-8 and growth related oncogene-alpha in severe endotoxemia and the effects of a tumor necrosis factor-alpha/IL-1beta inhibitor on these chemokines
    (Elsevier, 2002) Matsukawa, A. (Akihiro); Rodriguez-Wilhelmi, P. (Pablo); Rocha, E. (Eduardo); Hermida, J. (José); Montes, M. (Marta); Hurtado, V. (Verónica); Montes, R. (Ramón)
    FR167653 inhibits the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta, powerful inducers of CXC chemokines IL-8 and growth related oncogene (GRO)-alpha. The production of IL-8 and GRO-alpha was investigated and the effects of FR167653 were examined in a rabbit model of endotoxin shock. Male New Zealand rabbits were given endotoxin at a dose sufficient to induce DIC. Three groups of rabbits received FR167653 at different doses. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-8, and GRO-alpha levels were measured, several pathologic features were evaluated, and the results were compared with those obtained in control rabbits, which received only endotoxin. Endotoxin increased serum levels of IL-8 and GRO-alpha, which were associated with hypotension, renal dysfunction, and mortality, peaking at 4 h. FR167653 improved mortality, an event that was associated with decreased levels of not only TNF-alpha and IL-1beta but also IL-8 and GRO-alpha. TNF-alpha peaked at 2 h, at a time point before IL-8 and GRO-alpha reached their peak, and the TNF-alpha level was tightly correlated with that of IL-8 and GRO-alpha. Altogether, these data suggest the possible involvement of IL-8 and GRO-alpha in endotoxin shock, and FR167653 may foster a beneficial outcome in part by modulating the chemokines level by inhibiting TNF-alpha and IL-1beta.
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    CM-352 Efficacy in a mouse model of anticoagulant-associated intracranial hemorrhage
    (Thieme, 2022) Navarro-Oviedo, M. (Manuel); Paramo, J.A. (José Antonio); Pineda-Lucena, A. (Antonio); Zandio, B. (Beatriz); Hermida, J. (José); Orbe, J. (Josune); Rodriguez, J.A. (José Antonio); Muñoz, R. (Roberto); Oyarzabal, J. (Julen); Lecumberri, R. (Ramón); Roncal, C. (Carmen); Marta-Enguita, J. (Juan)
    Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is one of the major devastating complications of anticoagulation. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition has been proposed as a novel pharmacological approach for ICH treatment. Objectives: We evaluated the effects of CM-352 (MMP-fibrinolysis inhibitor) in an experimental ICH model associated with oral anticoagulants as compared with clinically used prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC). Methods: ICH was induced by collagenase injection into the striatum of wild type (C57BL/6J) anticoagulated mice (warfarin or rivaroxaban) and Mmp10 -/- mice. Hematoma volume and neurological deficits were measured 24 hours later by diaminobenzidine staining and different behavioral tests. Circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activity and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in plasma samples and local inflammation was assessed by neutrophil infiltration. Finally, fibrinolytic effects of MMP-10 and rivaroxaban were evaluated by thromboelastometry and thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) activation assays. Results: Only PCC reduced hemorrhage volume and improved functional outcome in warfarin-ICH, but both PCC and CM-352 treatments diminished hemorrhage volume (46%, p < 0.01 and 64%, p < 0.001, respectively) and ameliorated functional outcome in rivaroxaban-ICH. We further demonstrated that CM-352, but not PCC, decreased neutrophil infiltration in the hemorrhage area at 24 hours. The effect of CM-352 could be related to MMP-10 inhibition since Mmp10 -/- mice showed lower hemorrhage volume, better neurological score, reduced IL-6 levels and neutrophil infiltration, and increased PAI-1 after experimental ICH. Finally, we found that CM-352 reduced MMP-10 and rivaroxaban-related fibrinolytic effects in thromboelastometry and TAFI activation. Conclusion: CM-352 treatment, by diminishing MMPs and rivaroxaban-associated fibrinolytic effects, might be a novel antihemorrhagic strategy for rivaroxaban-associated ICH.
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    Autoantibodies against the endothelial receptor of protein C are associated with acute myocardial infarction in young women
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2005) Foco, L. (L.); Hermida, J. (José); Alonso, A. (Andrés); Zonzin, P. (P.); Hurtado, V. (Verónica); Montes, R. (Ramón); Mannucci, P.M. (P.M.)
    BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is rare among young women. The search for unknown risk factors is warranted. Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is largely present at the endothelial surface of large arteries. No studies about association of anti-EPCR autoantibodies (anti-EPCR) with AMI are available. METHODS: Plasma IgA, IgM and IgG anti-EPCR levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 165 women younger than 45 years who survived a first AMI and 165 healthy women, matched by age and geographical origin. RESULTS: Using the 90th percentile of IgA anti-EPCR in the control group, IgA anti-EPCR were independently associated with AMI after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors (OR 5.1; 95% CI 1.7-15.6; P = 0.004). The risk apparently conferred by IgA anti-EPCR increased dose-dependently (P for trend =0.0002). IgM anti-EPCR were less consistently associated with AMI: a significant increase in the risk was found when women above the 90th percentile were compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.2-11.5; P = 0.03). IgG anti-EPCR were similar in patients and controls. A total of 145 patients underwent coronary arteriography. IgA or IgM anti-EPCR were not different among patients with different degrees of atherosclerotic lesion (anova, P = 0.77 and 0.24, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of IgA and, to a lesser extent, IgM anti-EPCR, are associated with AMI in young women.
  • Receptor of Activated Protein C Promotes Metastasis and Correlates with Clinical Outcome in Lung Adenocarcinoma
    (American Thoracic Society, 2012) Pajares, M.J. (María José); Ormazábal, C. (Cristina); Agorreta, J. (Jackeline); Hermida, J. (José); Martinez-Canarias, S. (Susana); Luis-Ravelo, D. (Diego); Perurena, N. (Naiara); Rivas, J. (Javier) de las; Montuenga-Badia, L.M. (Luis M.); Molina, E. (Eva); Valencia, K. (Karmele); Wistuba, I.I. (Ignacio I.); Anton, I. (Iker); Lecanda, F. (Fernando); Segura, V. (Víctor); Zandueta, C. (Carolina)
    RATIONALE: Efficient metastasis requires survival and adaptation of tumor cells to stringent conditions imposed by the extracellular milieu. Identification of critical survival signaling pathways in tumor cells might unveil novel targets relevant in disease progression. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the contribution of activated protein C (APC) and its receptor (EPCR) in animal models of lung cancer metastasis and in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Signaling pathway triggered by APC/EPCR and its relevance in apoptosis was studied in vitro. Functional significance was assessed by silencing and blocking antibodies in several in vivo models of lung cancer metastasis. We examined EPCR levels using a microarray dataset of 107 patients. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed in an independent cohort of 295 patients with lung adenocarcinoma. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The effects of APC binding to EPCR rapidly triggered Akt and ERK signaling pathways, leading to attenuated in vitro apoptosis. In vivo, silencing of EPCR expression or blocking APC/EPCR interaction reduced homing resulting in impaired prometastatic activity. Moreover, overexpression of EPCR induced an increase metastatic activity to target organs. Analysis of clinical samples showed a robust association between high EPCR levels and poor prognosis particularly in stage I patients. CONCLUSIONS: EPCR and its ligand APC promote cell survival that contributes to tumor cell endurance to stress favoring prometastatic activity of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC). EPCR/APC is a novel target of relevance in the clinical outcome of early-stage lung cancer.
  • Factor X and factor VII binding to endothelial protein C receptor differs between species
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2011) Puy, C. (Cristina); Hermida, J. (José); Montes, R. (Ramón)
  • Is EPCR a multi-ligand receptor? Pros and cons
    (Schattauer, 2012) Puy, C. (Cristina); Hermida, J. (José); Molina, E. (Eva); Montes, R. (Ramón)
    In the last decade, the endothelial cell protein C/activated protein C receptor (EPCR) has received considerable attention. The role initially attributed to EPCR, i.e. the enhancement of protein C (PC) activation by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex on the surface of the large vessels, although important, did not go beyond the haemostasis scenario. However, the discovery of the cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic features of the activated PC (APC) and the required involvement of EPCR for APC to exert such actions did place the receptor in a privileged position in the crosstalk between coagulation and inflammation. The last five years have shown that PC/APC are not the only molecules able to interact with EPCR. Factor VII/VIIa (FVII/VIIa) and factor Xa (FXa), two other serine proteases that play a central role in haemostasis and are also involved in signalling processes influencing wound healing, tissue remodelling, inflammation or metastasis, have been reported to bind to EPCR. These observations have paved the way for an exploration of unsuspected new roles for the receptor. This review aims to offer a new image of EPCR in the light of its extended panel of ligands. A brief update of what is known about the APC-evoked EPCR-dependent cell signalling mechanisms is provided, but special care has been taken to assemble all the information available about the interaction of EPCR with FVII/VIIa and FXa.
  • Autoantibodies against endothelial protein C receptor and the risk of a first deep vein thrombosis
    (Wiley-Blackwell, 2007) Hermida, J. (José); Van-Hylckama-Vlieg, A. (A); Montes, R. (Ramón); Rosendaal, F.R. (F.R.)
    BACKGROUND: The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) binds protein C and enhances its activation. Anti-EPCR autoantibodies are found in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and may explain the increased risk of thrombosis in these patients. Anti-EPCR autoantibodies have been associated with fetal death and myocardial infarction in young women. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether anti-EPCR autoantibodies are associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). PATIENTS/METHODS: We measured plasma anti-EPCR autoantibody levels in the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS), a population-based case-control study consisting of 474 patients with a first DVT and 474 control subjects. RESULTS: The estimated risk of DVT was increased approximately 2-fold in the presence of elevated IgA, IgG or IgM anti-EPCR autoantibodies (i.e. levels above the 90th percentile as measured in the control subjects). The risk conferred by anti-EPCR increased in a dose-dependent manner for IgA and IgG. When anti-EPCR autoantibodies were considered in the co-presence of lupus anticoagulant (LAC) the odds ratio (OR) was 6.1 [95% CI 1.3-27.9]. Anti-EPCR without LAC remained associated with DVT (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2-2.1). Anti-EPCR autoantibodies were associated with high levels of D-dimer and soluble EPCR in controls, suggestive of a prothrombotic status induced by the autoantibodies. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the presence of anti-EPCR autoantibodies is a moderate risk factor for DVT in the general population.
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    In vitro and in vivo down-regulation of regulatory T cell activity with a peptide inhibitor of TGF-beta1
    (American association of immunologists, 2008) Riezu-Boj, J.I. (José Ignacio); Gil-Guerrero, L. (Lucía); Dotor, J. (Javier); Deventer, S. (Sander) van; Huibregtse, I.L. (Inge Louise); Borras-Cuesta, F. (Francisco); Hermida, J. (José); Rudilla, F. (Francesc); Casares, N. (Noelia); Prieto, J. (Jesús); Lopez-Vazquez, A.B. (Ana B.); Bezunartea, J. (Jaione); Llopiz, D. (Diana); Sarobe, P. (Pablo); Lopez-Sagaseta, J. (Jacinto); Lasarte, J.J. (Juan José)
    Down-regulation of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cell function might be beneficial to enhance the immunogenicity of viral and tumor vaccines or to induce breakdown of immunotolerance. Although the mechanism of suppression used by Treg cells remains controversial, it has been postulated that TGF-beta1 mediates their immunosuppressive activity. In this study, we show that P17, a short synthetic peptide that inhibits TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 developed in our laboratory, is able to inhibit Treg activity in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies demonstrate that P17 inhibits murine and human Treg-induced unresponsiveness of effector T cells to anti-CD3 stimulation, in an MLR or to a specific Ag. Moreover, administration of P17 to mice immunized with peptide vaccines containing tumor or viral Ags enhanced anti-vaccine immune responses and improved protective immunogenicity against tumor growth or viral infection or replication. When CD4+ T cells purified from OT-II transgenic mice were transferred into C57BL/6 mice bearing s.c. EG.7-OVA tumors, administration of P17 improved their proliferation, reduced the number of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells, and inhibited tumor growth. Also, P17 prevented development of immunotolerance induced by oral administration of OVA by genetically modified Lactococcus lactis in DO11.10 transgenic mice sensitized by s.c. injection of OVA. These findings demonstrate that peptide inhibitors of TGF-beta may be a valuable tool to enhance vaccination efficacy and to break tolerance against pathogens or tumor Ags.