Dissecting the CD93-Multimerin 2 interaction involved in cell adhesion and migration of the activated endothelium

• Published in: Matrix biology 2017-12, Vol.64, p.112-127
• Main Authors: Galvagni, Federico, Nardi, Federica, Spiga, Ottavia, Trezza, Alfonso, Tarticchio, Giulia, Pellicani, Rosanna, Andreuzzi, Eva, Caldi, Elena, Toti, Paolo, Tosi, Gian Marco, Santucci, Annalisa, Iozzo, Renato V., Mongiat, Maurizio, Orlandini, Maurizio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angiogenesis; Antigens, Surface - chemistry; Antigens, Surface - genetics; Antigens, Surface - metabolism; Binding Sites; Blood vessels; C1qRp; Cell Adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell migration; Cell Movement; EDEN protein superfamily; Endothelial cell; Endothelial cells; Endothelium; Endothelium, Vascular - cytology; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Extracellular matrix; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Ligands; Matrix protein; Membrane Glycoproteins - chemistry; Membrane Glycoproteins - genetics; Membrane Glycoproteins - metabolism; Models, Molecular; Molecular Docking Simulation; Mutagenesis, Site-Directed; Neoplasms - blood supply; Neoplasms - metabolism; Protein Binding; Proteins; Receptors, Complement - chemistry; Receptors, Complement - genetics; Receptors, Complement - metabolism; Site-directed mutagenesis; Tumors
• ISSN: 0945-053X; 1569-1802
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.08.003

The glycoprotein CD93 has recently been recognized to play an important role in the regulation of the angiogenic process. Moreover, CD93 is highly expressed in the endothelial cells of tumor blood vessel and faintly expressed in the non-proliferating endothelium. Much evidence suggests that CD93 mediates adhesion in the endothelium. Here we identify Multimerin 2 (MMRN2), a pan-endothelial extracellular matrix protein, as a specific ligand for CD93. We found that CD93 and MMRN2 are co-expressed in the blood vessels of various human tumors. Moreover, disruption of the CD93-MMRN2 interaction reduced endothelial cell adhesion and migration, making the interaction of CD93 with MMRN2 an ideal target to block pathological angiogenesis. Model structures and docking studies served to envisage the region of CD93 and MMRN2 involved in the interaction. Site-directed mutagenesis identified different residue hotspots either directly or indirectly involved in the binding. We propose a molecular model in which the coiled-coil domain of MMRN2 is engaged by F238 of CD93. Altogether, these studies identify the key interaction surfaces of the CD93-MMRN2 complex and provide a framework for exploring how to inhibit angiogenesis by hindering the CD93-MMRN2 interaction. •CD93 and MMRN2 are molecular partners on the EC surface.•CD93 and MMRN2 are co-expressed in the blood vessels of various tumors.•The blockage of the CD93-MMRN2 interaction using a CD93 protein fragment inhibits in vitro angiogenesis.•A molecular model of the CD93-MMRN2 protein complex is described.•An amino acid residue of CD93 is essential for interaction with MMRN2 and for EC migration.