Persistence of procoagulant surface expression on activated human platelets: involvement of apoptosis and aminophospholipid translocase activity.

BACKGROUND: Activated platelets express a procoagulant surface when the asymmetric distribution of membrane phospholipids is scrambled, leading to phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure. PS expression, associated with apoptosis in nucleated cells, would be expected to be reversed by aminophospholipid translocase (APLT) activity. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the procoagulant surface of activated platelets persists after it forms; to examine whether PS expression on platelets is associated with loss of mitochondrial inner membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)), a hallmark of apoptosis; and to investigate the role of APLT in persistence of PS expression. METHODS: Platelets were stimulated with thrombin, collagen, a combination of both, or the Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187. Up to 4 h after activation, procoagulant surface expression was measured by annexin A5 binding by flow cytometry and by a prothrombinase assay. Flow cytometry was also used to measure PS expression concurrently with DeltaPsi(m) collapse, using CMXRos. APLT activity in annexin A5-negative and -positive platelets was measured flow cytometrically as the percent of 1-palmitoyl-2-[6-[(7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl)amino]caproyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylserine (NBD-PS) translocated from the outer to the inner membrane leaflet. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Procoagulant surface expression on activated platelets persisted in vitro for at least 4 h; if such persistence occurs in vivo, there are important implications for the propagation of thrombosis. With the physiological stimuli, only 10-20% of the activated platelets expressed PS on their surface, and of these, only a portion exhibited DeltaPsi(m) collapse, indicating that PS expression can be associated with platelet apoptosis, but can also occur independently. APLT activity was very low in the PS-expressing platelet subpopulation for up to 4 h after activation, indicating that the persistence of a procoagulant surface may be attributed, at least in part, to this reduced APLT activity.

Procoagulant surface exposure and apoptosis in rabbit platelets: association with shortened survival and steady-state senescence.

BACKGROUND: The signal(s) for removal of senescent platelets from the circulation are not fully understood; phosphatidylserine (PS) expression on platelets and another marker of apoptosis, loss of mitochondrial inner membrane potential (DeltaPsim), have been implicated in platelet clearance. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether shortened platelet survival and steady-state platelet senescence are associated with increased surface exposure of PS and DeltaPsim collapse. METHODS: Survival of in-vitro biotinylated rabbit platelets treated with thrombin or Ca(2+)-ionophore A23187 was tracked by flow cytometry after injection. Steady-state platelet senescence was investigated by infusing biotin to label a platelet cohort. PS expression and DeltaPsim of in-vitro biotinylated platelets and of the aging platelet cohort biotinylated in-vivo were measured by flow cytometry using annexin V-FLUOS and the DeltaPsim-sensitive dye CMXRos, respectively. RESULTS: Although PS expression, DeltaPsim and survival of thrombin-degranulated platelets were similar to those of control platelets, increasing concentrations of A23187 caused increased surface exposure of PS and progressive shortening of platelet survival; only one-sixth of PS-expressing platelets also exhibited DeltaPsim loss. The cohort of senescent, biotinylated platelets remaining in the circulation at 96 h had increased exposure of PS and collapsed DeltaPsim; of the 17% of PS-expressing platelets, one-third did not exhibit DeltaPsim loss. There was also an increase in platelets with collapsed DeltaPsim but not expressing PS. CONCLUSIONS: Platelets with shortened survival and senescent platelets have increased surface exposure of PS, that may be involved in their clearance. PS expression can occur independently of DeltaPsim collapse and conversely, in aged platelets, DeltaPsim loss can occur independently of PS expression.

Concurrent measurement of the survival of two populations of rabbit platelets labeled with either two PKH lipophilic dyes or two concentrations of biotin.

BACKGROUND: To avoid radioisotopic labeling and permit comparison of the survival of two platelet populations concurrently in one animal, we compared simultaneous recoveries and survival times of homologous rabbit platelets labeled in vitro with the lipophilic dyes PKH26 (red fluorescing) and PKH67 (green fluorescing) and with two levels of biotin (low, 1 microg/ml; high, 10 microg/ml). METHODS: Blood samples were drawn up to 96 h postinfusion and analyzed by flow cytometry. Biotin-labeled samples were incubated with phycoerythrin-streptavidin before analysis. RESULTS: Recovery of PKH26-labeled platelets at 1 h was lower (37.5%) than that of PKH67-labeled platelets (47.3%; P < 0.001). Platelet survival times were 62.4 and 61.9 h. Recoveries at 1 h of platelets labeled with two levels of biotin were similar (86.6% and 84.6%) and greater than those of PKH-labeled platelets (P < 0.001). Survival of platelets labeled with biotin did not differ (low, 83.3 h; high, 85.2 h) and was longer than for PKH-labeled platelets (P < 0.01). Labeling methods did not activate platelets (measured by P-selectin expression), nor did they affect platelet responses to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen, or thrombin. CONCLUSIONS: Labeling with two levels of biotin is superior to labeling with PKH dyes, and is useful for measuring concurrently the survival of two differing platelet populations.

Responses to aggregating agents after cleavage of GPIb of human platelets by the O-sialoglycoprotein endoprotease from Pasteurella haemolytica- potential surrogates for Bernard-Soulier platelets?

Most proteolytic enzymes that cleave glycoprotein lb (GPlb) also cleave other glycoproteins or receptors on the surface of platelets. We have used an O-sialoglycoprotein endoprotease from Pasteurella haemolytica that selectively cleaves the heavily O-glycosylated GPlb, but does not cleave N-linked glycoproteins or unglycosylated proteins. Isolated, [14C]serotonin-labeled platelets in Tyrode-albumin solution were incubated with 10 microg/mL endoprotease for 60 minutes at 37 degrees C. These platelets did not release [14C]serotonin, had no detectable GPIb, and were unresponsive to ristocetin/von Willebrand factor. Compared with control platelets, aggregation and release of [14C]serotonin by the endoprotease-pretreated platelets were inhibited in response to low concentrations of thrombin, SFLLRN (the PAR-1-activating peptide), collagen, and U46619 (a thromboxane A(2) mimetic); aggregates were smaller in size. The presence of fibrinogen overcame the inhibition of responses induced by SFLLRN, collagen, and U46619. With fibrinogen, primary ADP-induced aggregation was scarcely affected by pretreatment with the endoprotease. Thus, the PAR-1 receptor for thrombin, and receptors for collagen, thromboxane A(2), fibrinogen (GPIIb/IIIa), and ADP appear to function normally on the endoprotease-pretreated platelets. Since only GPIb is cleaved by the endoprotease, these platelets seem to provide potential surrogates for Bernard-Soulier syndrome platelets for further studies of platelet functions in this condition.

The fibrinogen gamma chain dodecapeptide inhibits agonist-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets and fibrinogen binding to rabbit glycoprotein IIb-IIIa.

The HHLGGAKQAGDV (H12) sequence at the carboxyl termini of the y chains and the RGD sequences in the Aalpha chains of human fibrinogen are potential recognition sites for the binding of soluble fibrinogen to glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa) on activated human platelets. Thus, addition of either H12 or RGD-containing peptides inhibits aggregation of and fibrinogen binding to human platelets. In contrast, we reported previously that RGDS had relatively little inhibitory effect on these functions of rabbit platelets. In the present study, we found that H12 inhibited ADP- and thrombin-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets in a dose-dependent manner. Specificity was demonstrated by the failure of the variant HHLGGAKQAGEV peptide to inhibit ADP-induced aggregation. Furthermore, flow cytometric analyses demonstrated that H12 inhibited the binding of FITC-fibrinogen to ADP-activated rabbit platelets in a dose-dependent manner. To examine the direct interaction of H12 with rabbit GPIIb-IIIa, we performed affinity chromatography by applying an octylglucoside extract of rabbit platelet proteins onto an affinity matrix containing the fibrinogen gamma chain sequence. Proteins of approximately 135 kDa and approximately 95 kDa were specifically eluted by soluble H12, and the 95 kDa protein band was immunoblotted by anti-LIBS1, a monoclonal antibody against human GPIIIa. In control samples, no detectable protein from rabbit platelet lysates was eluted from an RGD affinity matrix by GRGDSP. Collectively, our results demonstrated that H12 inhibits aggregation of and fibrinogen binding to rabbit platelets by directly interacting with rabbit GPIIb-IIIa. These findings suggest that rabbit platelets would serve as a suitable thrombosis model for testing the efficacy of peptide mimetics derived from H12.

Effects of ethanol on platelet responses associated with adhesion to collagen.

Adhesion of platelets to collagen in damaged blood vessels or ruptured atherosclerotic plaques is important in hemostasis and arterial thrombosis. Adhesion to collagen results in secretion of granule contents and formation of thromboxane A2; thromboxane A2 and released ADP synergistically promote aggregation around platelets adherent to collagen. Ethanol inhibits collagen-induced platelet aggregation, secretion, arachidonate mobilization, and thromboxane A2 formation but does not inhibit platelet adhesion to de-endothelialized rabbit aortae. We investigated whether ethanol affects the initial signalling events and responses of platelets adherent to collagen, independent of the actions of secondary agonists. Suspensions of washed human platelets, labelled by incorporation of [3H]oleate into phospholipids, were used to measure platelet adhesion to collagen by a filtration method; studies were done in the presence of an ADP-removing system and blockers of receptors for thromboxane A2, platelet-activating factor, serotonin, and fibrinogen. Ethanol (87 mM) did not affect the rate or extent of platelet adhesion to collagen or secretion of [14C]serotonin from prelabelled platelets adherent to collagen, but ethanol did inhibit thromboxane A2 formation. Previous studies showed that ethanol does not affect platelet stimulation by arachidonate, leading to the suggestion that reduced mobilization of arachidonate, rather than inhibition of its conversion to thromboxane A2, is responsible for inhibition by ethanol of thromboxane A2 formation. Here, we show by a gel mobility shift assay and immunoblotting, that ethanol delays the collagen-induced increase in the phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2, the enzyme responsible for arachidonate mobilization. However, ethanol has no effect on collagen-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma2, determined by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Thus, ethanol's effect on signal transduction in collagen-adherent platelets occurs distal to phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma2 but proximal to phosphorylation of cytosolic phospholipase A2.

Effects of cathepsin G pretreatment of platelets on their subsequent responses to aggregating agents.

Cathepsin G, a proteolytic enzyme from activated leukocytes, can interact with platelets during inflammation and thrombosis. Platelets that have been exposed to cathepsin G in thrombi may recirculate if they are freed during fibrinolysis. To determine whether some of the subsequent functions of such platelets would be impaired, we investigated the responses of cathepsin G-pretreated platelets to agonists that they would encounter in the circulation. Suspensions of washed human platelets were labeled with [14C]serotonin and resuspended in Tyrode-albumin solution (with 2 mM Ca2+ and apyrase). After 15 minute incubation with 400 nM cathepsin G at 37 degrees C, 52+/-3% of [14C]serotonin had been released, and glycoprotein Ib was degraded. The platelets were washed and resuspended in fresh medium to remove cathepsin G and released materials. Ristocetin-induced agglutination was abolished, indicating that the binding site for von Willebrand Factor on glycoprotein Ib had been removed. Aggregation and release of residual [14C]serotonin in response to 0.1-1.0 U/mL thrombin was blocked or greatly reduced by the cathepsin G pretreatment. This inhibition is probably largely due to cleavage by cathepsin G of some of the protease-activated receptors at the C-terminal side of Ser42 so that the tethered ligand is lost. Pretreatment with cathepsin G did not affect responses to ADP or a low concentration of platelet-activating factor in the presence of fibrinogen, indicating that receptors for these agonists were unaffected and that the function of the fibrinogen receptor, GPIIb/IIIa was unchanged. Responses to cathepsin G, the thrombin receptor-activating peptide SFLLRN, collagen, or the thromboxane A2 mimetic U46619 were partially inhibited, even in the presence of added fibrinogen. Platelet adhesion to a collagen-coated surface was 51+/-7% inhibited, which may indicate cleavage of a collagen receptor or receptors; this may partly account for strong inhibition of collagen-induced aggregation and release of granule contents; additionally, as shown by inhibition of responses to U46619, the function of the thromboxane A2 receptor may be compromised. Thus, although cathepsin G activates platelets, if they recirculate after interaction with it, their subsequent adhesion to damaged vessel walls, aggregation, and release of granule contents induced by thrombin and collagen will be diminished.

Ethanol inhibits thrombin-induced secretion of the contents of human platelet dense and alpha-granules and lysosomes.

Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is associated with a reduction in thromboembolic complications of coronary artery disease, possibly partially attributable to inhibition by ethanol of platelet responses to some aggregating agents. Although ethanol is known to inhibit thrombin-induced secretion of platelet dense granule contents, the effect of ethanol on secretion of alpha-granule and lysosomal contents has not been studied. Using suspensions of washed platelets, and a range of thrombin concentrations (up to 0.1 U/ml), we examined the effect of 87 mM ethanol on secretion of [14C]serotonin from prelabelled platelets as a measure of secretion of dense granule contents. Secretion of alpha-granule and lysosomal contents was examined by flow cytometric measurement of the surface expression of CD62P (P-selectin) and CD63, respectively. Secretion of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was also quantified. Results were expressed as % of maximum response induced by 1 U/ml thrombin. Ethanol inhibited the thrombin-induced secretion of both dense and alpha-granule contents (P <0.001, 2-way ANOVA), and of lysosomal contents (P <0.005 for CD63 expression and P <0.001 for beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase secretion). When platelets were pretreated with aspirin, thrombin-induced secretion of storage granule and lysosomal contents was slightly inhibited, but secretion was inhibited by ethanol to the same extent as the untreated platelets, indicating that this inhibition was independent of thromboxane A2. Surface expression of CD63 occurred at lower thrombin concentrations than those required for secretion of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase, possibly due to the presence of some CD63 on granule membranes. Although the role of lysosomal contents in thrombus formation is not established, some constituents of storage granules are known to augment thrombus formation; ethanol's inhibition of their secretion by stimulated platelets may contribute to its beneficial effect on thromboembolism.

Apolipoprotein(a) enhances platelet responses to the thrombin receptor-activating peptide SFLLRN.

Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] are correlated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic disease. We examined the effect of recombinant apolipoprotein(a) [r-apo(a)] and Lp(a) on responses of washed human platelets, prelabeled in the dense granules with [14C]serotonin and suspended in Tyrode's solution, to ADP and the thrombin receptor-activating peptide SFLLRN. No effect of the 17 kringle (K), 12K, or 6K r-apo(a) derivatives (at concentrations of 0.35 and 0.7 micromol/L) or Lp(a) (up to 0.1 micromol/L) on primary ADP-induced platelet aggregation was observed. In contrast, weak platelet responses stimulated by 7.5 micromol/L SFLLRN were significantly enhanced by the r-apo(a) derivatives; eg, 0.7 micromol/L 17K r-apo(a) increased aggregation from 15+/-4% to 58+/-6%, release of [14C]serotonin from 9+/-3% to 36+/-6%, and formation of thromboxane A2, measured as its stable metabolite thromboxane B2, from 7+/-1 to 29+/-5 ng/10(9) platelets (n=3; P<0.04 to 0.015). Significant enhancement of aggregation and release of granule contents was observed at a concentration of 17K r-apo(a) as low as 0.175 micromol/L. Purified Lp(a) (0.25 to 0.1 micromol/L) also enhanced SFLLRN-induced aggregation and release in a dose-dependent manner. Although plasminogen (0.7 and 1.5 micromol/L) and low density lipoprotein (0.025 to 0.1 micromol/L) both exhibited potentiating effects on SFLLRN-mediated platelet aggregation, the magnitude of the responses was less than that observed with either the r-apo(a) derivatives or Lp(a). The enhanced responses of platelets via the protease-activated receptor- thrombin receptor in the presence of Lp(a) may contribute to the increased risk of thromboembolic complications of atherosclerosis associated with this lipoprotein.

Differences between platelet phosphoinositide metabolism stimulated by thrombin or SFLLRN are not accounted for by interaction of thrombin with glycoprotein Ib.

The formation of inositol phosphates was compared in aspirin-treated, washed human platelets suspended in Tyrode's-albumin solution containing 2 mM calcium and stimulated with SFLLRN (thrombin receptor-activating peptide) or thrombin. SFLLRN (20 microM) and thrombin (1 U/ml) resulted in maximal irreversible aggregation and 80-90% secretion of dense granule contents. SFLLRN (50-100 microM) caused larger increases at 10 sec than 20 microM SFLLRN in the formation of inositol trisphosphate (IP3, measured as [3H]inositol label). These increases were not significantly less than those caused by thrombin (1 unit/ml). However, whereas the labeling of IP3 increased from 10-60 sec with thrombin, with SFLLRN it was much less at 60 sec than that at 10 sec. The decrease was not due to degradation of SFLLRN by ectopeptidases, since it was not prevented by amastatin, an inhibitor of ectopeptidases. Degradation of glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) with an O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase did not affect the thrombin-stimulated labeling of inositol phosphates, indicating that binding to GPIb is not involved in the sustained thrombin-induced formation of inositol phosphates. The finding that the thrombin-stimulated formation of IP3 was not dependent on Ca2+ in the medium (EGTA added) indicates that the transient SFLLRN-induced formation of IP3 is not due to failure to cause Ca2+ influx. The finding that formation of IP3 was transient in SFLLRN-stimulated platelets, whereas platelet aggregation and secretion were maximal, indicates that the sustained activation of phospholipase C caused by thrombin may have roles related to later processes in which platelets participate.

Pretreatment of human platelets with plasmin inhibits responses to thrombin, but potentiates responses to low concentrations of aggregating agents, including the thrombin receptor activating peptide, SFLLRN.

Effects of plasmin on platelets, that influence subsequent responses to aggregating agents, are relevant to attempts to prevent rethrombosis following administration of fibrinolytic agents. We describe plasmin-induced inhibition of platelet responses to thrombin, but potentiation of responses to other aggregating agents. Washed human platelets were labeled with 14C-serotonin, treated for 30 min at 37 degrees C with 0, 0.1 or 0.2 CU/ml of plasmin, followed by aprotinin, washed and resuspended in a Tyrode-albumin solution with apyrase. Incubation with 0.2 CU/ml of plasmin almost completely inhibited thrombin-induced (0.1 U/ml) aggregation, release of 14C-serotonin, and increase in cytosolic [Ca2+]. In contrast, with plasmin-pretreated platelets, aggregation and release of 14C-serotonin were strongly potentiated in response to low concentrations of the thrombin receptor-activating peptide SFLLRN, ADP, platelet-activating factor, collagen, arachidonic acid, the thromboxane mimetic U46619, and the calcium ionophores A23187 and ionomycin. Aspirin or RGDS partially inhibited potentiation. Plasmin-pretreated platelets resuspended in plasma anticoagulated with FPRCH2Cl (PPACK) also showed enhanced responses to aggregating agents other than thrombin. The contrasting effects on responses to thrombin and SFLLRN are noteworthy. Plasmin cleaves GPIIb/IIIa so that it becomes a competent fibrinogen receptor, and binding of 125I-fibrinogen during ADP-induced aggregation was greatly potentiated within 10 s. Potentiation of aggregation by other agonists may be due to increased binding of released fibrinogen. Thus, platelets freed from a thrombus may have increased responsiveness to low concentrations of aggregating agents other than thrombin. These results provide further support for the use of inhibitors of platelet reactions in conjunction with administration of fibrinolytic agents.

Exogenous diacylglycerols synergize with PAF with human platelets, but inhibit PAF-induced responses of rabbit platelets.

To investigate whether diacylglycerol (DAG) has a role in reversible platelet aggregation induced by low concentrations of platelet-activating factor (PAF), we attempted to use the DAG kinase inhibitor, R59022, to prevent rapid conversion of DAG to phosphatidic acid. However, we found that R59022 inhibited the binding of [3H]PAF to human and rabbit platelets and to rabbit platelet membranes. We then investigated whether exogenous, cell-penetrating DAGs (1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycerol (DHG) and 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG)) act synergistically with low concentrations of PAF that alone induce only reversible aggregation. Platelets were isolated and labeled with [14C]serotonin. DHG (25-75 microM) caused slow, weak aggregation and some release of [14C]serotonin with human, but not rabbit, platelets. OAG (25-75 microM) did not aggregate either species' platelets. Phosphorylation of pleckstrin by DHG was more transient in rabbit platelets than previously observed with human platelets. Both DHG and OAG synergistically potentiated PAF-induced aggregation of human platelets, but, paradoxically, concurrently inhibited the PAF-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i): potentiation decreased upon incubation with DAGs before PAF addition. In contrast, DHG strongly inhibited PAF-induced aggregation of rabbit platelets; inhibition decreased upon preincubation. OAG, added with PAF, slightly potentiated aggregation of rabbit platelets: upon preincubation, OAG progressively inhibited. Effects of DHG and OAG on PAF-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in rabbit platelets followed a similar pattern; thus, with rabbit platelets, inhibition of the [Ca2+]i increase may at least partially account for inhibition of PAF-induced aggregation by exogenous DAGs. Results with human platelets are consistent with stimulation of protein kinase C by DAGs, and then metabolism of DAGs and/or negative feedback by DAGs, but results with rabbit platelets indicate both an unexpected species difference and a difference between the effects of DHG and OAG on PAF-induced platelet aggregation.

Probenecid inhibits platelet responses to aggregating agents in vitro and has a synergistic inhibitory effect with penicillin G.

Probenecid is an anion channel blocker and uricosuric agent, originally developed to slow the rate of excretion of penicillin. It is now also administered with many other drugs to reduce their required dosages. Recently, probenecid (2.5 mM) has been used to prevent leakage of fura-2 or fluo-3 when these indicators of cytosolic Ca2+ levels have been introduced into cells. However, we found that probenecid markedly inhibited the increases in cytosolic Ca2+ caused by ADP, thrombin, the thrombin receptor-activating peptide (SFLLRN, TRAP), ADP, sodium arachidonate, the thromboxane A2 (TXA2) mimetic U46619, and platelet-activating factor (PAF). This finding precluded the use of probenecid with platelets in measurements of cytosolic Ca2+ with indicators such as fura-2. We then investigated the effects of probenecid on aggregation and release of 14C-serotonin from prelabeled platelets. Responses to all the agonists were inhibited by 2.5 mM probenecid, but concentrations as low as 0.25-0.5 mM inhibited responses to agonists that act largely via TXA2 (collagen, sodium arachidonate and U46619). Collagen-induced TXA2 formation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Responses of aspirin-pretreated platelets to thrombin, SFLLRN, U46619 and PAF were also inhibited by probenecid, indicating that prevention of TXA2 formation does not account for all the inhibitory effects. The combination of probenecid with penicillin G produced additive or synergistic inhibition of platelet responses; responses dependent on TXA2 were synergistically inhibited by concentrations of the drugs that are reached in vivo. The synergistic inhibitory effect of probenecid on platelet functions could further impair hemostasis if it has already been partially compromised by the administration of other drugs.

Conditions influencing release of granule contents from human platelets in citrated plasma induced by ADP or the thrombin receptor activating peptide SFLLRN: direct measurement of percent release of beta-thromboglobulin and assessment by flow cytometry of P-selectin expression.

Contrary to a recent report [Rinder et al.: Blood 82:505, 1993], aspirin does inhibit the release of alpha-granule contents as well as inhibiting the release of dense granule contents by human platelets during ADP-induced aggregation in citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Measurements were: percent release of 14C-serotonin from prelabeled platelets, radio-immunoassay of beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG), and expression on the platelet surface of the alpha-granule constituent, P-selectin, by flow cytometry. During the second phase of ADP-induced aggregation, 69.0 +/- 8.3% of beta TG and 54.1 +/- 4.6% of 14C-serotonin were released (mean +/- SEM, n = 13); aspirin treatment reduced these values to 6.0 +/- 1.2 and 1.0 +/- 0.3%, respectively. In contrast, incubation of platelets with ADP without stirring caused only 6.7 +/- 1.7% release of beta TG and 2.1 +/- 0.4% release of 14C-serotonin; these low values were not appreciably affected by aspirin. During ADP-induced primary aggregation in PRP anticoagulated with FPRCH2CI (PPACK), only 4.7 +/- 0.9% release of beta TG and no detectable release of 14C-serotonin occurred; aspirin had no effect. In both stirred and unstirred PRP, the thrombin receptor activating peptide, SFLLRN (50 microM), caused at least 75% release of the contents of both granules, which was partially inhibited by aspirin. Upon incubation of platelets with ADP (2-10 microM), the mean fluorescence intensity due to P-selectin was < 14% of that induced by SFLLRN. In this unstirred system used for flow cytometry, aspirin treatment caused no significant inhibition of P-selectin expression. Thus, under conditions in which ADP does not cause secondary aggregation (physiological Ca2+ concentration or unstirred citrated PRP) release of the contents of both types of granules is less than 7% and aspirin is not inhibitory; the P-selectin expression associated with this low percent release is also unaffected by aspirin. However, aspirin does strongly inhibit the extensive release of both alpha-granule and dense granule contents during ADP-induced secondary aggregation in citrated PRP.

The platelet cytoskeleton stabilizes the interaction between alphaIIbbeta3 and its ligand and induces selective movements of ligand-occupied integrin.

Previously, we showed that a subpopulation of the major platelet integrin, alphaIIbbeta3, co-sediments from detergent lysates with talin and other membrane skeleton proteins. Once alphaIIbbeta3 has bound adhesive ligand in a platelet aggregate, the detergent-insoluble alphaIIbbeta3 redistributes (along with the detergent-insoluble membrane skeleton proteins and a variety of signaling molecules) to a fraction that contains cytoplasmic actin filaments. Concomitantly, certain signaling molecules are activated. The present study shows that, in intact platelets, alphaIIbbeta3 forms clusters when occupied by ligand and is selectively moved into the open canalicular system; alphaIIbbeta3 that has not bound ligand remains diffusely distributed at the periphery of the cell. When cytoplasmic actin filaments are depolymerized by cytochalasins, the ability of alphaIIbbeta3 to bind ligand is decreased, and the movement of ligand-occupied alphaIIbbeta3 is prevented. Together with the previous findings, these results suggest that (i) membrane skeleton-associated alphaIIbbeta3 is selectively induced to bind ligand in activated platelets, (ii) ligand-induced transmembrane signaling causes an altered association of membrane skeleton-associated alphaIIbbeta3 with the cytoplasmic component of the cytoskeleton, (iii) ligand-induced cytoskeletal reorganizations stabilize the interaction between ligand and integrin, and (iv) ligand-occupancy triggers cytoskeletal reorganizations that result in selective movements of occupied ligand.

The influence of prostaglandin E1 on platelet adherence and injury in preserved rat liver allografts.

We have previously shown that part of the injury sustained by cold-preserved livers on reperfusion is the consequence of platelet adhesion to sinusoidal endothelium. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) can reduce the injury and if so, how to maximize this beneficial effect. Rat livers were cold-preserved in University of Wisconsin solution for 30 hours then subjected to 1-hour warm ischemia after which they were reperfused at 37 degrees C with oxygenated Krebs-Henseleit solution with or without isolated platelets. PGE1 was used to treat the donor liver during harvesting, cold preservation, and reperfusion. In some studies, PGE1 was used to pretreat platelets before exposing them to the liver, and in other studies, both liver and platelets were treated. Pretreatment of platelets with paraformaldehyde, which inactivates them, or ADP, which activates them, was also studied. Treatment of livers with PGE1 significantly decreased preservation injury when livers were reperfused in the absence of platelets. However, when platelets were added to the perfusate, prior treatment of the liver with PGE1 had relatively minor beneficial effects. Pretreatment of platelets alone with PGE1 was also beneficial, but again the effect was small. However, when both liver and platelets were treated with PGE1 there was a highly significant decrease in the extent of liver injury and platelet adhesion. Perfusate transaminase levels were lower, bile flow was improved, and histologically, livers appeared less injured. Pretreatment of platelets with paraformaldehyde produced similar results to pretreatment with PGE1. When platelets were preactivated with adenosine diphosphate, extensive hepatic injury occurred upon reperfusion despite PGE1 treatment of the liver. PGE1 can lessen preservation-reperfusion injury impressively when administered to both liver and platelets but has little effect when platelets have been preactivated.

Platelet accumulation on fibrin-coated polyethylene: role of platelet activation and factor XIII.

Platelet accumulation on small- and medium-calibre vascular grafts plays a significant role in graft occlusion. We examined platelet accumulation on the surface of fibrin-coated polyethylene tubing (internal diameter 0.17 cm) during 10 min flow (10 ml/min) at high wall shear rate (764 s-1). Washed platelets labelled with 51Cr were resuspended in Tyrode solution containing albumin, apyrase and red blood cells (hematocrit 40%). When the thrombin that was used to form the fibrin-coated surface was inactivated with FPRCH2Cl before perfusion of the tubes with the platelet: red blood cell suspension, the accumulation of platelets was 59,840 +/- 27,960 platelets per mm2, whereas accumulation on fibrin with residual active thrombin was 316,750 +/- 32,560 platelets per mm2 (n = 4). When the fibrin on the surface was cross-linked by including recombinant factor XIII (rFXIII) in the fibrinogen solution used to prepare the fibrin-coated surface, platelet accumulation, after thrombin neutralization, was reduced by the cross-linking from 46,974 +/- 9702 to 36,818 +/- 7964 platelets per mm2 (n = 12, p < 0.01). Platelet accumulation on tubes coated with D-dimer was ten times less than on tubes coated with D-domain; this finding also supports the observation that cross-linking of fibrin with the formation gamma-gamma dimers reduces platelet accumulation on the fibrin-coated surface. Thrombin-activated platelets themselves were shown to cross-link fibrin when they had adhered to it during perfusion, or in a static system in which thrombin was used to form clots from FXIII-free fibrinogen in the presence of platelets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)