Assembly of the prothrombinase complex on the surface of human foreskin fibroblasts: Implications for connective tissue growth factor

Activated factor X (FXa) and thrombin can up-regulate gene expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) on fibroblasts. Since tissue factor (TF) is expressed on these cells, we hypothesized that they may assemble the prothrombinase complex leading to CTGF/CCN2 upregulation. In addition, the effect of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) on this reaction was evaluated. Human foreskin fibroblasts were incubated with purified factor VII (FVII), factor X (FX), factor V (FV), prothrombin and calcium in the presence and absence of TSP1. Generation of FXa and of thrombin were assessed using chromogenic substrates. SMAD pathway phosphorylation was detected via Western-blot analysis. Pre-incubation of fibroblasts with FVII led to its auto-activation by cell-surface expressed TF, which in turn in the presence of FX, FVa, prothrombin and calcium led to FXa (9.7 ± 0.8 nM) and thrombin (7.9 ± 0.04 U/mL × 10-3) generation. Addition of TSP1 significantly enhanced thrombin (23.3 ± 0.7 U/mL × 10-3) but not FXa (8.5 ± 0.6 nM) generation. FXa and thrombin generation leads to upregulation of CTGF/CCN2. TSP1 alone upregulated CTGF/CCN2, an effect mediated via activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) as shown by phosphorylation of the SMAD pathway, an event blunted by using a TGFβ receptor I inhibitor (TGFβRI). FXa- and thrombin-induced upregulation of CTGF/CCN2 was not blocked by TGFβRI. In summary, assembly of the prothrombinase complex occurs on fibroblast's surface leading to serine proteases generation, an event enhanced by TSP1 and associated with CTGF/CCN2 upregulation. These mechanisms may play an important role in human diseases associated with fibrosis.