Key Points: Nonanticoagulant heparin is shown to bind histones and provide cytoprotection in mouse models of sterile inflammation and sepsis.

Inherited resistance to activated protein C (APC), which is caused by a single point mutation in the gene for factor V, is a common risk factor for thrombosis. In this study, the prevalence of APC resistance in 18 unrelated thrombosis-prone families with inherited protein S deficiency was investigated to determine its role as additional genetic risk factor for thrombosis. In addition, a detailed evaluation of the clinical manifestations in these families was performed. Venous thrombotic events had occurred in 47% of the protein S-deficient patients (64/136) and in 7% of relatives without protein S deficiency (14/191). As estimated from Kaplan-Meier analysis, 50% of protein S-deficient family members and 12% of those without protein S deficiency had had manifestation of venous thromboembolism at the age of 45 years. The age at the first thrombotic event ranged from 10 to 81 years (mean, 32.5 years) and a large intrafamilial and interfamilial variability in expression of thrombotic symptoms was seen. The factor V gene mutation related to APC resistance was present in 6 (38%) of 16 probands available for testing; in total, the mutation was found in 7 (39%) of the 18 families. In family members with combined defects, 72% (13/18) had had thrombosis as compared with 19% (4/21) of those with only protein S deficiency and 19% (4/21) of those with only the factor V mutation. In conclusion, APC resistance was found to be highly prevalent in thrombosis-prone families with protein S deficiency and was an additional genetic risk factor for thrombosis in these families. The results suggest thrombosis-prone families with protein S deficiency often to be affected by yet another genetic defect.

The role of Gas6 in endothelial cell (EC) function remains incompletely characterized. Here we report that Gas6 amplifies EC activation in response to inflammatory stimuli in vitro. In vivo, Gas6 promotes and accelerates the sequestration of circulating platelets and leukocytes on activated endothelium as well as the formation and endothelial sequestration of circulating platelet-leukocyte conjugates. In addition, Gas6 promotes leukocyte extravasation, inflammation, and thrombosis in mouse models of inflammation (endotoxinemia, vasculitis, heart transplantation). Thus, Gas6 amplifies EC activation, thereby playing a key role in enhancing the interactions between ECs, platelets, and leukocytes during inflammation.

Liver fibrosis, an important health concern associated to chronic liver injury that provides a permissive environment for cancer development, is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix components mainly derived from activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Axl, a receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand Gas6, are involved in cell differentiation, immune response and carcinogenesis. HSCs were obtained from WT and Axl(-/-) mice, treated with recombinant Gas6 protein (rGas6), Axl siRNAs or the Axl inhibitor BGB324, and analyzed by western blot and real-time PCR. Experimental fibrosis was studied in CCl4-treated WT and Axl(-/-) mice, and in combination with Axl inhibitor. Gas6 and Axl serum levels were measured in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients. In primary mouse HSCs, Gas6 and Axl levels paralleled HSC activation. rGas6 phosphorylated Axl and AKT prior to HSC phenotypic changes, while Axl siRNA silencing reduced HSC activation. Moreover, BGB324 blocked Axl/AKT phosphorylation and diminished HSC activation. In addition, Axl(-/-) mice displayed decreased HSC activation in vitro and liver fibrogenesis after chronic damage by CCl4 administration. Similarly, BGB324 reduced collagen deposition and CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. Importantly, Gas6 and Axl serum levels increased in ALD and HCV patients, inversely correlating with liver functionality. The Gas6/Axl axis is required for full HSC activation. Gas6 and Axl serum levels increase in parallel to chronic liver disease progression. Axl targeting may be a therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis management.