Protein disulfide isomerase externalization in endothelial cells follows classical and unconventional routes

Abstract Extracellular protein disulfide isomerase (PDIA1) pool mediates thrombosis and vascular remodeling, however its externalization mechanisms remain unclear. We performed systematic pharmacological screening of secretory pathways affecting extracellular PDIA1 in endothelial cells (EC). We identified cell-surface (csPDIA1) and secreted non-particulated PDIA1 pools in EC. Such Golgi bypass also occurred for secreted PDIA1 in EC at baseline or after PMA, thrombin or ATP stimulation. Inhibitors of Type I, II and III unconventional routes, secretory lysosomes and recycling endosomes, including syntaxin-12 deletion, did not impair EC PDIA1 externalization. This suggests predominantly Golgi-independent unconventional secretory route(s), which were GRASP55-independent. Also, these data reinforce a vesicular-type traffic for PDIA1. We further showed that PDIA1 traffic is ATP-independent, while actin or tubulin cytoskeletal disruption markedly increased EC PDIA1 secretion. Clathrin inhibition enhanced extracellular soluble PDIA1, suggesting dynamic cycling. Externalized PDIA1 represents