CLIC1 Cooperates with Integrins to Promote Thrombus Formation and Angiogenesis

Chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) is a member of a family of six highly homologous membrane proteins (CLIC1-6), which have been shown to be co-regulated with integrins suggesting their involvement in cell adhesion, migration and proliferation. CLIC1 is a metamorphic protein that functions as an oxidoreductase in the cytoplasm as well as an ion channel in the cell membrane. CLIC1 is upregulated in angiogenic endothelial and metastatic tumor cells. In addition, studies in CLIC1 knockout mice have shown that CLIC1 promotes platelet function. Here, we hypothesize that CLIC1 supports cell adhesive functions in platelets as well as endothelial cells and in doing so mediates critical vascular biological processes such as thrombus formation, vascular repair and angiogenesis.To assess the role of CLIC1 in endothelial cells, we monitored human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) after transfection with CLIC1 Smartpool® or non-targeted siRNA by phase contrast microscopy. This experiment revealed a significant anti-proliferative effect in CLIC1 knockdown cells in conventional 2-dimensional culture that coincided with reduced cell spreading. The deficit in spreading was reiterated after embedding the CLIC1-depleted HUVEC in a 3-dimensional matrix of fibrin clot and this loss in anchorage led to a dramatic increase in cell death.Immunocytochemistry and fluorescence microscopy of HUVEC 10 minutes after initial cell attachment showed strong CLIC1 expression in nascent lamel...
Source: Blood - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: 301. Vascular Wall Biology, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Platelet Adhesion, Activation, and Biochemistry: Poster II Source Type: research