Porcine platelets contain an increased quantity of ultra-high molecular weight von Willebrand factor and numerous alpha-granular tubular structures.

Immunoelectronmicroscopy of human platelet alpha-granules reveals that von Willebrand factor (vWf:Ag) colocalizes with a small number of discrete tubular structures which appear identical to those observed within the Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells. Although it is likely that tubules are composed of vWf:Ag as they are absent in severe vWD porcine platelets, their exact structural and functional nature is still unclear. In this study quantitative/qualitative analysis of vWf:Ag was undertaken in a series of platelet preparations obtained from normal pigs, normal humans and various vWD patients. Electron microscopy confirmed that normal pig platelet alpha-granules contain numerous, regularly spaced tubular structures eccentrically located and coincident with immunogold staining of vWf:Ag. In contrast, normal human platelet alpha-granules contain significantly fewer tubules (usually four to six) which are absent or reduced in number within various vWD platelet sections. Furthermore, the pig platelet lysates not only contained a full complement of multimers but also demonstrated significant intense staining of ultra-high MW material, irrespective of the presence or absence of proteolytic inhibitors. This ultra-high MW vWf appears similar to that observed within lysates prepared from endothelial cells and is susceptible to degradation to lower MW multimers. This study suggests that the tubular structures within alpha-granules and Weibel-Palade bodies may be composed of, or structurally related to, the ultra-high MW intracellular form of vWf:Ag.

Immunocytochemical study of a Ca(2+)-ATPase enzyme in the human megakaryocytic lineage.

We report the presence of a Ca(2+)-ATPase in human megakaryocytes (MK) using an immunofluorescence technique on bone marrow smears and especially on normal MK progenitors in culture. This finding is based on the comparative staining of MK with 1) a well-characterized antibody raised against purified rabbit skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase, 2) antibody P2 raised against the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex as a marker of megakaryocytic lineage, and 3) anti-glycophorin A as a marker of erythroid lineage. On bone marrow smears, all cells recognized by P2 were also labeled with the anti-Ca(2+)-ATPase antibody. In culture, a maximum number of MK colonies was observed at day 11. From days 2-4, some MK precursors appeared stained both with the anti-Ca(2+)-ATPase and P2 antibodies; other cells were reactive with both anti-Ca(2+)-ATPase and anti-glycophorin A antibodies. From day 5 of culture, cells were either simultaneously stained with P2 and anti-Ca(2+)-ATPase antibodies or with anti-glycophorin A antibody, but not with the anti-Ca(2+)-ATPase antibody. Besides this first evidence of an early expression of a Ca(2+)-ATPase in MK, this work provides a useful tool for identification of MK by immunofluorescence.

Arachidonic acid-induced human platelet aggregation independent of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase.

It is generally agreed that arachidonic acid (20: 4 omega 6) can stimulate platelet aggregation after conversion to prostaglandin G2 and H2 and thence to thromboxane A2. This action is prevented by cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Washed platelets were isolated on metrizamide gradient and resuspended in a Ca2+-free buffer. Their stimulation by C 20: 4 6 was followed by 14C serotonin (5HT) release, thromboxane (TX) synthesis and an increase of light transmission, not dependent on aggregation, accompanied by slight lysis (14%). The addition of extrinsic Ca2+ suppressed lysis and allowed the formation of aggregates. Under these conditions, cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as acetyl salicylic acid, indomethacin or flurbiprofen totally suppressed TX synthesis without preventing platelet aggregation or [14C]-5HT release. Other C 20 polyunsaturated fatty acids could not substitute for C 20: 4 omega 6 in inducing aggregation, and Ca2+ was found to be a prerequisite for protection of the cell against lysis as well as for aggregation in the absence or TX formation. The use of the lipoxygenase inhibitor BW 755 C did not prevent C 20: 4 omega 6-induced aggregation of aspirin-treated platelets, suggesting that the phenomenon was independent of this pathway also. The total suppression of oxidative metabolism with these inhibitors was verified by the analysis of icosanoids using glass capillary column gas chromatography. It is suggested that under these conditions, C 20: 4 omega 6-induced platelet aggregation might be due to an increased membrane permeability to Ca2+ induced by this fatty acid in the absence of oxidation.

Human platelet activation in the absence of aggregation: a calcium-dependent phenomenon independent of thromboxane formation.

In response to ionophore A 23187, thrombasthenic and EDTA-treated control platelet-rich plasmas (PRP) undergo a change in light transmission (LT) accompanied by a normal 14C-serotonin (5HT) release and thromboxane (TX) synthesis in the absence of aggregation. Ultrastructural qualitative electron microscopy revealed central apposition of organelles and loosely packed platelets in both models, while a central gel mass appeared only in thrombasthenic patients. Quantitative analysis of this ultrastructural change showed an increase in the elongation and a decrease in the circularity coefficients of thrombasthenic platelets, indicating a shape change with pseudopod formation, while EDTA-treated platelets underwent a shape change in the absence of pseudopod formation. Morphometric analysis showed that the ionophore caused extensive degranulation in both types of platelets (decrease of the granule volume), which occurred in the presence of contraction of thrombasthenic PRP (decrease of the SCS plus granule volume) but in its absence in EDTA-treated platelets. The change in LT was not inhibited by aspirin, suggesting a dissociation between release of 14C-5HT and TX formation. Moreover, it was not inhibited by creatine phosphate plus creatine phosphokinase, prostaglandin E1, or cytochalasin and/or colchicine. It was not dependent on ADP, cAMP, or the integrity of microfilaments and microtubules. However, chlorpromazine, TMB 8, and dibucaine, which interfere with intracellular membrane transport of Ca2+, inhibited this platelet activation (change in LT, 14C-5HT release and TX synthesis.

Visualisation of lectin binding sites on the surface of human platelets using lectins adsorbed to gold granules.

Washed human platelets have been incubated with the lectins WGA, ConA and RCA1, adsorbed to different-sized gold particles. Plasma membrane receptors for each lectin were then located by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.

Freeze-fracture studies on the plasma membranes of normal human, thrombasthenic, and Bernard-Soulier platelets.

The description of severe molecular deficiencies of different membrane glycoproteins in thrombasthenic and Bernard-Soulier platelets has led us to investigate the intramembrane organization of their plasma membranes using freeze-fracture electron microscopy. An initial examination of the cleaved plasma membranes of freeze-fractured normal human platelets revealed randomly distributed MAPs on the fracture faces of both the outer and inner phospholipid leaflets of the bilayer. Particle densities of 925 +/- 52/micrometer22 on the EF and 427 +/- 29/micrometer2 on the PF were calculated with a computer-linked picture analyzer. The particle size was heterogeneous on both fracture faces, and the number of particles decreased exponentially in the 5 to 13 nm size range. Examination of the platelets of three thrombasthenic patients revealed a low particle density (36% to 69% of the normal range) on the PF of the cleaved plasma membrane and a reduced particle coefficient between the two fracture faces (PF/EF). This abnormality was accompanied by a preferential decrease in the larger sized particles. In marked contrast 8 to 13 nm particles predominated on both fracture faces of the plasma membranes of the platelets of a Bernard-Soulier patient, and a greater concentration of particles on the PF rather than the EF was uniquely observed. The results further define the modified structure of thrombasthenic and Bernard-Soulier platelet plasma membranes and suggest a structural heterogeneity within the total MAP population of the membranes of normal human platelets.

[Isolation and function of platelets. I. Platelet rich plasma. Comparison between 2 methods: gel filtration and albumin density gradient centrifugation. II. A new method using total blood: metrizamide gradient centrifugation]. / Isolement et fonctions des plaquettes I. A partir de plasma riche en plaquettes. Comparaison de deux méthodes: filtration sur gel et centrifugation sur gradient d'albumine. II. Nouvelle méthode à partir de sang total: centrifugation sur gradients de métrizamide

Human platelets separated from platelet rich plasma (PRP) by two different methods: gel filtraton and centrifugation on albumin gradient have been compared for yield, cellular and protein contamination, ultra-structure, platelet populations, shape change, aggregability and functional preservation. A new method for the separation of platelets from total blood on metrizamide gradients has been established. This technique is rapid and easy; it avoids the initial centrifugation of the PRP where about 30% of the platelets are lost and needs of blood 5 to 10 ml of blood.