Synergistic interactions between interferon-gamma and TRAIL modulate c-FLIP in endothelial cells, mediating their lineage-specific sensitivity to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura plasma-associated apoptosis.

Microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) injury coupled to progression of platelet microthrombi facilitated by ADAMTS13 deficiency is characteristic of idiopathic and HIV-linked thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Cytokines capable of inducing MVEC apoptosis in vitro are up-regulated in both TTP and HIV infection. However, the concentrations of these cytokines required to elicit EC apoptosis in vitro are 2- to 3-log-fold greater than present in patient plasmas. We report that clinically relevant levels of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and interferon (IFN)-gamma act in synergy to induce apoptosis in dermal MVECs, but have no effect on large-vessel ECs or pulmonary MVECs. This reflects the tissue distribution of TTP lesions in vivo. Sensitivity to TTP plasma or TRAIL plus IFN-gamma is paralleled by enhanced ubiquitination of the caspase-8 regulator cellular FLICE-like inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), targeting it for proteasome degradation. c-FLIP silencing with anti-FLIP short interfering RNA (siRNA) in pulmonary MVECs rendered them susceptible to TTP plasma- and cytokine-mediated apoptosis, while up-regulation of c-FLIP by gene transfer partially protected dermal MVECs from such injury. TTP plasma-mediated apoptosis appears to involve cytokine-induced acceleration of c-FLIP degradation, sensitizing cells to TRAIL-mediated caspase-8 activation and cell death. Suppression of TRAIL or modulation of immunoproteasome activity may have therapeutic relevance in TTP.