MASP-1 of the complement system enhances clot formation in a microvascular whole blood flow model

PLoS One. 2018 Jan 11;13(1):e0191292. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191292. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

The complement and coagulation systems closely interact with each other. These interactions are believed to contribute to the proinflammatory and prothrombotic environment involved in the development of thrombotic complications in many diseases. Complement MASP-1 (mannan-binding lectin-associated serine protease-1) activates coagulation factors and promotes clot formation. However, this was mainly shown in purified or plasma-based static systems. Here we describe the role of MASP-1 and complement activation in fibrin clot formation in a microvascular, whole blood flow model. This microfluidic system simulates blood flow through microvessels at physiological flow and shear rates and represents the closest model system to human physiology so far. It features parallel microchannels cultured with endothelial cells in a transparent microfluidic chip allowing real-time evaluation of clot formation by confocal microscopy. To test their effects on clot formation, we added the following activators or inhibitors (individually or in combination) to whole blood and performed perfusion experiments: rMASP-1cf (recombinant active form of MASP-1), complement activator zymosan, selective MASP-1 inhibitor SGMI-1 (based on the Schistocerca gregaria protease inhibitor scaffold), classical pathway inhibitor rSALO (recombinant salivary anti-complement from Lutzomyia longipalpis). Addition of rMASP-1cf resulted in accelerated fibrin clot formation while addition of SGMI-1 delayed it. Complement activation by zymosan led to increased clot formation and this effect was partially reversed by addition of rSALO and almost abolished in combination with SGMI-1. We show for the first time a strong influence of MASP-1, complement activation and pathway-specific inhibition on coagulation in a microvascular flow system that is closest to human physiology, further underpinning the in vivo relevance of coagulation and complement interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Coagulation*
  • Complement System Proteins / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lectins / metabolism
  • Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / chemistry
  • Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases / metabolism*
  • Microvessels / physiology*
  • Protein Domains
  • Zymosan / metabolism

Substances

  • Lectins
  • Complement System Proteins
  • Zymosan
  • MASP1 protein, human
  • Mannose-Binding Protein-Associated Serine Proteases

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (http://www.snf.ch, grants 310030_140925, 310030_166413, and IZK0Z3_171194/1) and the OPO foundation (http://www.opo-stiftung.ch/). P.G. and J.D. were supported by the National Research, Development and Innovation Office OTKA (http://nkfih.gov.hu/english, grant K119374) and the MedInProt program of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences (http://medinprot.chem.elte.hu/). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.