Cell-Free DNA Promotes Thrombin Autolysis and Generation of Thrombin-Derived C-Terminal Fragments

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  • Rathi Saravanan
  • Yeu Khai Choong
  • Chun Hwee Lim
  • Li Ming Lim
  • Jitka Petrlova
  • Artur Schmidtchen

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is the major structural component of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), an innate immune response to infection. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides bound to cfDNA play a critical role in the bactericidal property of NETs. Recent studies have shown that NETs have procoagulant activity, wherein cfDNA triggers thrombin generation through activation of the intrinsic pathway of coagulation. We have recently shown that thrombin binds to NETs in vitro and consequently can alter the proteome of NETs. However, the effect of NETs on thrombin is still unknown. In this study, we report that DNA binding leads to thrombin autolysis and generation of multiple thrombin-derived C-terminal peptides (TCPs) in vitro. Employing a 25-residue prototypic TCP, GKY25 (GKYGFYTHVFRLKKWIQKVIDQFGE), we show that TCPs bind NETs, thus conferring mutual protection against nuclease and protease degradation. Together, our results demonstrate the complex interplay between coagulation, NET formation, and thrombin cleavage and identify a previously undisclosed mechanism for formation of TCPs.

Original languageEnglish
Article number593020
JournalFrontiers in Immunology
Volume12
ISSN1664-3224
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

    Research areas

  • antimicrobial peptides, cell-free DNA (cfDNA), coagulation, host defense peptides, molecular innate immunity, NETs (neutrophil extracellular traps), thrombin

ID: 279688201