Transcytosis of polymeric IgA and IgM from the basolateral surface to the apical side of the epithelium and subsequent secretion into mucosal fluids are mediated by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Secreted IgA and IgM have vital roles in mucosal immunity in response to pathogenic infections. Binding and recognition of polymeric IgA and IgM by pIgR require the joining chain (J chain), a small protein essential in the formation and stabilization of polymeric Ig structures. Recent studies have identified marginal zone B and B1 cell-specific protein (MZB1) as a novel regulator of polymeric IgA and IgM formation. MZB1 might facilitate IgA and IgM transcytosis by promoting the binding of J chain to Ig. In this review, we discuss the roles of pIgR in transcytosis of IgA and IgM, the roles of J chain in the formation of polymeric IgA and IgM and recognition by pIgR, and focus particularly on recent progress in understanding the roles of MZB1, a molecular chaperone protein.

Platelets protect the vascular system during damage or inflammation, but platelet activation can result in pathological thrombosis. Activated platelets release a variety of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs shed from the plasma membrane often expose phosphatidylserine (PS). These EVs are pro-thrombotic and increased in number in many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The mechanisms by which PS-exposing EVs are shed from activated platelets are not well characterised. Cholesterol-rich lipid rafts provide a platform for coordinating signalling through receptors and Ca²⁺channels in platelets. We show that cholesterol depletion with methyl-β-cyclodextrin or sequestration with filipin prevented the Ca²⁺-triggered release of PS-exposing EVs. Although calpain activity was required for release of PS-exposing, calpain-dependent cleavage of talin was not affected by cholesterol depletion. P2Y₁₂and TPα, receptors for ADP and thromboxane A₂, respectively, have been reported to be in platelet lipid rafts. However, the P2Y₁₂antagonist, AR-C69931MX, or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, aspirin, had no effect on A23187-induced release of PS-exposing EVs. Together, these data show that lipid rafts are required for release of PS-exposing EVs from platelets.

Crystal structures can identify ligand-receptor interactions and assist the development of novel therapeutics, but experimental challenges sometimes necessitate the use of homologous proteins. Tropisetron is an orthosteric ligand at both 5-HT3 and α7 nACh receptors and its binding orientation has been determined in the structural homologue AChBP (pdbid: 2WNC). Co-crystallisation with a structurally-related ligand, granisetron, reveals an almost identical orientation (pdbid; 2YME). However, there is a >1000-fold difference in the affinity of tropisetron at 5-HT3 versus α7 nACh receptors, and α7 nACh receptors do not bind granisetron. These striking pharmacological differences prompt questions about which receptor the crystal structures most closely represent and whether the ligand orientations are correct. Here we probe the binding orientation of tropisetron and granisetron at 5-HT3 receptors by in silico modelling and docking, radioligand binding on cysteine-substituted 5-HT3 receptor mutants transiently expressed in HEK 293 cells, and synthetic modification of the ligands. For 15 of the 23 cysteine substitutions, the effects on tropisetron and granisetron were different. Structure-activity relationships on synthesised derivatives of both ligands were also consistent with different orientations, revealing that contrary to the crystallographic evidence from AChBP, the two ligands adopt different orientations in the 5-HT3 receptor binding site. Our results show that even quite structurally similar molecules can adopt different orientations in the same binding site, and that caution may be needed when using homologous proteins to predict ligand binding.

Platelet lifespan is limited by activation of intrinsic apoptosis. Apoptotic platelets are rapidly cleared from the circulation in vivo. ABT-737 triggers platelet apoptosis and is a useful tool for studying this process. However, in vitro experiments lack clearance mechanisms for apoptotic platelets. To determine whether apoptotic platelets progress to secondary necrosis, apoptosis was triggered in human platelets with ABT-737, a BH3 mimetic. Platelet annexin V (AnV) binding, release of AnV⁺ extracellular vesicles (EVs), and loss of plasma membrane integrity were monitored by flow cytometry. ABT-737 triggered AnV binding, indicating phosphatidylserine exposure, release of AnV⁺ EVs, and a slow loss of plasma membrane integrity. The latter suggests that apoptotic platelets progress to secondary necrosis in vitro. These responses were dependent on caspase activation and Ca²⁺ entry. Surprisingly, although intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration increased, AnV⁺ EV release was not dependent on the Ca²⁺-dependent protease, calpain. On the contrary, ABT-737 downregulated the ability of the Ca²⁺ ionophore, A23187, to trigger calpain-dependent release of AnV⁺ EVs. This was dependent on caspase activity as, when caspases were inhibited, ABT-737 increased the ability of A23187 to trigger AnV⁺ EV release. These data suggest that apoptotic platelets progress to secondary necrosis unless they are cleared. This may affect the interpretation of ABT-737-triggered signaling in platelets in vitro. Ca²⁺-dependent AnV⁺ EV release is downregulated during apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner, which may limit the potential consequences of secondary necrotic platelets. The data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. H.W. performed experiments, analyzed data, and edited the manuscript. M.T.H. designed experiments, wrote, and edited the manuscript

Activated, procoagulant platelets shed phosphatidylserine (PS)-exposing extracellular vesicles (EVs) from their surface in a Ca²⁺- and calpain-dependent manner. These PS-exposing EVs are prothrombotic and proinflammatory and are found at elevated levels in many cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. How PS-exposing EVs are shed is not fully understood. A clearer understanding of this process may aid the development of drugs to selectively block their release. In this study we report that 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB) significantly inhibits the release of PS-exposing EVs from platelets stimulated with the Ca²⁺ ionophore, A23187, or the pore-forming toxin, streptolysin-O. Two analogues of 2-APB, diphenylboronic anhydride (DPBA) and 3-(diphenylphosphino)-1-propylamine (DP3A), inhibited PS-exposing EV release with similar potency. Although 2-APB and DPBA weakly inhibited platelet PS exposure and calpain activity, this was not seen with DP3A despite inhibiting PS-exposing EV release. These data suggest that there is a further target of 2-APB, independent of cytosolic Ca²⁺ signalling, PS exposure and calpain activity, that is required for PS-exposing EV release. DP3A is likely to inhibit the same target, without these other effects. Identifying the target of 2-APB, DPBA and DP3A may provide a new way to inhibit PS-exposing EV release from activated platelets and inhibit their contribution to thrombosis and inflammation.

Platelet lifespan is regulated by intrinsic apoptosis. Platelet apoptosis can be triggered by BH3 mimetics that inhibit the pro-survival Bcl-2 family protein, Bcl-xL. Here, we investigated several small molecules that are reported to act as BH3 mimetics and compared their effects to the well-established BH3 mimetic, ABT-737. Platelet phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure was determined by flow cytometry. Changes in cytosolic Ca²⁺ signaling were detected using Cal-520. Plasma membrane integrity was determined by calcein leakage. The roles of caspases and calpain in these processes were determined using Q-VD-OPh and calpeptin, respectively. As previously reported, ABT-737 triggered PS exposure in a caspase-dependent manner and calcein loss in a caspase and calpain-dependent manner. In contrast, AT-101 and sabutoclax triggered PS exposure independently of caspases. HA14-1 also triggered PS exposure in a caspase-independent but calpain-dependent manner. There were also significant differences in the pattern and protease-dependency of cytosolic Ca²⁺ signaling in response to these drugs compared to ABT-737. Since there are clear differences between the action of ABT-737 and the other putative BH3 mimetics investigated here, AT-101, HA14-1 and sabutoclax cannot be considered as acting as BH3 mimetics in platelets. Furthermore, the platelet death caused by these drugs is likely to be distinct from apoptosis.