Soluble CD40 Ligand Stimulates CD40-Dependent Activation of the β2 Integrin Mac-1 and Protein Kinase C Zeda (PKCζ) in Neutrophils: Implications for Neutrophil-Platelet Interactions and Neutrophil Oxidative Burst

Recent work has revealed an essential involvement of soluble CD40L (sCD40L) in inflammation and vascular disease. Activated platelets are the major source of sCD40L, which has been implicated in platelet and leukocyte activation, although its exact functional impact on leukocyte-platelet interactions and the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. We aimed to determine the impact and the mechanisms of sCD40L on neutrophils. We studied neutrophil interactions with activated, surface-adherent platelets as a model for leukocyte recruitment to the sites of injury. Our data show that CD40L contributes to neutrophil firm adhesion to and transmigration across activated surface-adherent platelets, possibly through two potential mechanisms. One involves the direct interaction of ligand-receptor (CD40L-CD40), i.e., platelet surface CD40L interaction with neutrophil CD40; another involves an indirect mechanism, i.e. soluble CD40L stimulates activation of the leukocyte-specific β2 integrin Mac-1 in neutrophils and thereby further promotes neutrophil adhesion and migration. Activation of the integrin Mac-1 is known to be critical for mediating neutrophil adhesion and migration. sCD40L activated Mac-1 in neutrophils and enhanced neutrophil-platelet interactions in wild-type neutrophils, but failed to elicit such responses in CD40-deficient neutrophils. Furthermore, our data show that the protein kinase C zeta (PKCζ) is critically required for sCD40L-induced Mac-1 activation and neutrophil adhesive function. sCD40L strongly stimulated the focal clustering of Mac-1 (CD11b) and the colocalization of Mac-1 with PKCζ in wild-type neutrophils, but had minimal effect in CD40-deficient neutrophils. Blocking PKCζ completely inhibited sCD40L-induced neutrophil firm adhesion. Moreover, sCD40L strongly stimulates neutrophil oxidative burst via CD40-dependent activation of PI3K/NF-KB, but independent of Mac-1 and PKCζ. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which sCD40L/CD40 pathway contributes to inflammation and vascular diseases.     

Human cytomegalovirus infection of endothelial cells triggers platelet adhesion and aggregation

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is an opportunistic pathogen that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. HCMV infection of endothelial cells may lead to vascular damage in vitro, and acute-phase HCMV infection has been associated with thrombosis. We hypothesized that viral infection of endothelial cells activates coagulation cascades and contributes to thrombus formation and acute vascular catastrophes in patients with atherosclerotic disease. To assess the effects of HCMV on thrombogenesis, we examined the adhesion and aggregation of blood platelets to uninfected and HCMV-infected endothelial cells. At 7 days after infection, platelet adherence and aggregation were greater in infected than in uninfected cultures (2,000 platelets/100 cells and 225 +/- 15 [mean +/- standard error of the mean] aggregates/five microscopic fields versus 100 platelets/100 cells and no aggregates). von Willebrand factor (vWF), ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 but not collagen IV, E-selectin, P-selectin, CD13, and CD31 were expressed at higher levels on infected cells than on uninfected cells. Platelet aggregation was inhibited by blocking of platelet GPIb (with blocking antibodies) or GPIIb/IIIa (with ReoPro) or by blocking of vWF (with polyclonal antibodies to vWF). Furthermore, blocking of vWF, platelet GPIb, and ICAM-1 but not of the endothelial cell marker CD13, alpha(5)beta(3)-integrin, or HCMV glycoprotein B reduced platelet adherence to infected cells by 75% +/- 5%, 74% +/- 5%, or 18% +/- 5%, respectively. The increased thrombogenicity was dependent on active virus replication and could be inhibited by foscarnet and ganciclovir; these results suggest that a late viral gene may be mediating this phenomenon, which may contribute to vascular catastrophes in patients with atherosclerotic disease.     

Platelet-activating factor as an intercellular signal in neutrophil-dependent platelet activation.

The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) in heterotypic cell to cell interactions in a rabbit neutrophil-platelet mixture model was investigated. Platelets were exposed to each of three chemotactic agonists: PAF, leukotriene B4 (LTB4), or FMLP. Only PAF stimulated aggregation, [3H]serotonin secretion, and cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization in platelets alone. However, platelets were stimulated by LTB4 and FMLP in the presence of neutrophils. This neutrophil-dependent platelet activation was blocked by pretreatment of platelets with PAF receptor antagonists, and was prevented by desensitization of platelets to PAF. Furthermore, the time-course of platelet activation showed a positive correlation with PAF production by neutrophils stimulated with either LTB4 or FMLP. The PAF-mediated neutrophil-platelet interaction was dependent on direct cell to cell contact, as demonstrated by experiments in which the majority of newly formed PAF was neutrophil associated (rather than released). Platelet activation did not occur when the neutrophil-platelet mixture was not stirred, minimizing cell to cell contact, or when platelets were challenged with a cell-free supernatant prepared from neutrophils activated with LTB4 or FMLP. Finally, the neutrophil-platelet interaction was abolished by SC-49992, a peptidomimetic of the fibrinogen binding sequence Arg-Gly-Asp-Phe, indicating a Arg-Gly-Asp-specific recognition mechanism. Our results demonstrate that neutrophil-generated PAF plays a crucial role in neutrophil-dependent platelet activation in this model system. This type of intercellular signaling event may be important in certain inflammatory or thrombotic processes.     

Glycoproteins V and Ib-IX form a noncovalent complex in the platelet membrane.

Platelet glycoprotein (GP) V is a Mr 82,000 plasma membrane protein of unknown function that is cleaved by the potent platelet agonist, thrombin, to yield a Mr 69,500 fragment (GPVf1). Platelet GPIb, a disulfide-linked alpha beta heterodimer (Mr 160,000) that forms a noncovalent complex with GPIX (Mr 22,000), functions as the platelet adhesion receptor for surface-bound von Willebrand factor. Association between GPV and GPIb-IX has been suggested by the finding that both proteins are deficient in the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, a bleeding disorder characterized by giant platelets and defective interaction with von Willebrand factor. Here we report that GPV and GPIb-IX are coprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against GPV, GPIb, or GPIX when platelets are solubilized in the mild detergent, digitonin. Treatment of digitonin immunopreciptates with the nonionic detergent, Nonidet P-40, released GPV from anti-GPIb and anti-GPIX mAb precipitates and GPIb-IX from the anti-GPV mAb precipitate. Removal of the Mr 45,000 amino-terminal part of GPIb alpha by treatment with elastase did not abrogate association of GPV with GPIb-IX, showing that the leucine-rich repeat sequences in GPIb alpha are not required for complex formation. Binding studies with 125I-labeled mAbs showed the presence of 24,370 GPIb-IX complexes and 11,170 molecules of GPV/platelet (n = 5). These data show that the leucine-rich glycoproteins GPV and GPIb-IX form a noncovalent complex in the platelet membrane. GPV may play a role in the interaction of platelets with von Willebrand factor.     

Glutathione-dependent regulation of platelet aggregation with neutrophils and tumor cells

It is shown that in the presence of reduced glutathione at low concentrations (1–5 μM) the extent of platelet aggregation with neutrophils increases and the lag period of platelet aggregation induced by tumor cells decreases. At the same time in the presence of reduced glutathione at high concentration (3 mM) the extent of platelet aggregation with neutrophils decreases, and the lag period of platelet aggregation induced by tumor cells increases. It is established that glutathione-dependent regulation of the intercellular contact formation between platelets and neutrophils depends on the ratio of glutathione oxidized and reduced forms: at fixed total glutathione concentration of 5 μM, increase of glutathione redox potential from −175 mV to 0 mV led to reduction in platelet aggregation with neutrophils. Thus, it is shown for the first time, that GSH has priming effect on the platelet aggregation with neutrophils and tumor cells, which may contribute to the regulation of inflammatory diseases and cancer.     

The role of microtubules in platelet secretory release

The role of microtubules in platelet aggregation and secretion has been analyzed using platelets permeabilized with digitonin and monoclonal antibodies to alpha (DM1A) and beta (DM1B) subunits of tubulin. Permeabilized platelets were able to undergo aggregation and secretory release. However, threshold doses of agonists capable of eliciting a second wave of aggregation and the platelet release reaction were higher than in control platelets exposed to dimethyl sulfoxide, the solvent for digitonin. Both antibodies to alpha and beta tubulin caused a further increase in the threshold concentration of agonists and inhibited the secretory release of permeabilized platelets, but were ineffective using intact platelets. Neither monoclonal antibody inhibited polymerization or depolymerization of platelet tubulin in vitro. Antibodies to platelet actin and myosin also exhibited an inhibitory activity on platelet aggregation albeit less severe than that observed with the antibodies to alpha and beta tubulin. There was evidence of an interaction between DM1A and DM1B and the antibodies to actin and myosin. The interaction of platelet tubulin and myosin was investigated by two different methods. (1) Coprecipitation of the proteins at low ionic strength at which tubulin by itself did not precipitate and (2) affinity chromatography on columns of immobilized myosin. Tubulin freed of its associated proteins (MAPs) by phosphocellulose chromatography bound to myosin in a molar ratio which approached 2. Platelet actin competed with tubulin for 1 binding site on the myosin molecule. MAPs also reduced the binding stoichiometry of tubulin/myosin. Treatment of microtubule protein with p-chloromercuribenzoate or colchicine did not influence its binding to myosin. DM1A and DM1B inhibited the interaction of tubulin and myosin. This effect could also be demonstrated by reaction of electrophoretic transblots of extracted platelet tubulin with the respective proteins. We interpret these results as evidence for an interference of the two monoclonal antibodies to the tubulin subunits (DM1A and DM1B) with the translocation of microtubule protein from its submembranous site to a more central one during the activation process.     

The effect of time of day and exercise on platelet functions and platelet–neutrophil aggregates in healthy male subjects

Platelet activation state changes by exercise. The effect of exercise time on platelet activation state and formation of platelet–neutrophil aggregates are not known yet. In this study the effect of exercise and time of day were examined on platelet activity with platelet–neutrophil aggregates. Ten moderately active males aged 27± 1.63 (mean±S.D.) years completed sub-maximal (70% VO_2max) exercise trials for 30 min. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded. Venous blood samples were obtained at rest, immediately post-exercise and after 30 min of recovery. Whole blood was analysed for haematocrit (Hct), haemoglobin (Hb), platelet count (PC), mean platelet count (MPV) and platelet aggregation (PA). Platelet–neutrophil aggregates and beta-thromboglobulin (β-TG) levels were assayed. Platelet count showed significant increase after morning exercise ((236± 32)×10⁹ l⁻¹ versus (202± 34)×10⁹ l⁻¹ baseline, p < 0.05). Exercise resulted in significantly lower MPV after the evening exercise (9.16± 0.5 fl versus 9.65± 0.36 fl, p < 0.05). Platelet aggregation by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) decreased after morning exercise and the recovery aggregation levels were significantly different at two different times of the day (68± 20% a.m. versus 80± 12% p.m., p < 0.05). It was also showed that platelet–neutrophil aggregates increased significantly from baseline after both exercises. Exercise-induced platelet–neutrophil aggregates were higher in the evening (10.7± 1.3% p.m. versus 6.4± 1.8% a.m., p < 0.0001). It is therefore concluded that besides platelet–platelet aggregation, exercise can cause platelet– neutrophil aggregates. In addition, time of day has an effect on platelet activation related events. Circadian variations of physiological parameters may have an effect on thrombus formation by platelet activation. (Mol Cell Biochem xxx: 119–124, 2005)     

Correlated measurement of platelet release and aggregation in whole blood

We have used a technique for the simultaneous measurement of platelet activation and aggregation in whole blood using two-color immunofluorescence and flow cytometry to study the relationship between the release reaction and aggregation. A monoclonal antibody specific for the alpha granule membrane protein GMP-140 was used to measure the release reaction, and a monoclonal antibody specific for platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) was used to identify platelets and platelet aggregates. Aggregates were identified as particles expressing both levels of GPIb and size larger than that of resting single platelets. Anticoagulated whole blood was incubated with platelet agonists. At various times samples of the blood were removed and immediately fixed with paraformaldehyde. Blood that had been anticoagulated with ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid showed progressive release of platelets but little or no aggregation. However, blood anticoagulated with citrate or heparin showed correlated release and aggregation. The degree of aggregation was greater in heparin than in citrate. The expression of GPIb and GMP-140 increased in direct proportion to the size of the aggregates. Aggregates were observed varying in apparent diameter up to approximately 20 microns. During prolonged incubation there was progressive disaggregation of adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced aggregates. After disaggregation the proportion of GMP-140 negative single platelets increased, indicating that both released and nonreleased platelets participated in the aggregation. There was little or no disaggregation of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA)-induced aggregates. The relatively small size and reversibility of platelet aggregates that we have observed in whole blood may be relevant to phenomena occurring in vivo and in extracorporeal circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The platelet receptor for type III collagen (TIIICBP) is present in platelet membrane lipid microdomains (rafts)

Platelet interactions with collagen are orchestrated by the presence or the migration of platelet receptor(s) for collagen into lipid rafts, which are specialized lipid microdomains from the platelet plasma membrane enriched in signalling proteins. Electron microscopy shows that in resting platelets, TIIICBP, a receptor specific for type III collagen, is present on the platelet membrane and associated with the open canalicular system, and redistributes to the platelet membrane upon platelet activation. After platelet lysis by 1% Triton X-100 and the separation of lipid rafts on a discontinuous sucrose gradient, TIIICBP is recovered in lipid raft-containing fractions and Triton X-100 insoluble fractions enriched in cytoskeleton proteins. Platelet aggregation, induced by type III collagen, was inhibited after disruption of the lipid rafts by cholesterol depletion, whereas platelet adhesion under static conditions did not require lipid raft integrity. These results indicate that TIIICBP, a platelet receptor involved in platelet interaction with type III collagen, is localized within platelet lipid rafts where it could interact with other platelet receptors for collagen (GP VI and α2β1 integrin) for efficient platelet activation. Pascal Maurice and Ludovic Waeckel have contributed equally to this work.     

Activation of platelet concentrate during preparation and storage.

This review will discuss how stored platelets become activated and will examine their ability to function and survive in vivo, posttransfusion. Experimental methods which have been shown to alter platelets during storage will be detailed. Using beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and surface adhesion receptors as markers, investigators have examined the activation changes in platelet concentrates during preparation and storage. Resuspension of the platelet pellet after isolation of platelet-rich plasma appears to play a major role in producing platelet activation and beta-TG release during preparation. However, there is a significant amount of interdonor variability in platelet activation even at this early stage of storage. Over 5 days of storage, platelets release approximately 50% of their beta-TG contents. Furthermore, between 40% and 60% of the platelets express the alpha-granule membrane protein, P-selectin (GMP-140), during storage, which is also indicative of platelet activation. These activation changes correlate to some degree with platelet recovery posttransfusion but clearly do not explain the full lesion of platelet storage. The surface density of two platelet membrane receptors, glycoproteins (GP) Ib and IIb/IIIa, also change with activation, although in opposite directions. Platelet surface GPIb decreases initially with storage and then recovers, perhaps due to its relocation to the platelet surface from an intracellular pool. In contrast to GPIb, mean platelet surface GPIIb/IIIa increases slightly during storage, probably as a consequence of platelet activation and release of alpha-granule GPIIb/IIIa to the surface. Some hypotheses are offered regarding how these activated platelets can continue to circulate after transfusion. Further exploration of the platelet storage lesion will hopefully provide needed answers and thus permit better treatment of hemostatic disorders in the future.     

Signalling through the platelet glycoprotein Ib-V-IX complex

The glycoprotein Ib-V–IX is one of the major adhesive receptors expressed on the surface of circulating platelets. It is composed of four different polypeptides—GPIb, GPIbβ, GPIX, and GPV—and represents a multifunctional receptor able to interact with a number of ligands, including the adhesive protein von Willebrand factor, the coagulation factors thrombin, factors XI and XII, and the membrane glycoproteins P-selectin and Mac-1. Interaction of GPIb-V–IX with the subendothelial von Willebrand factor is essential for primary haemostasis, as it initiates platelet adhesion to the subendothelial matrix at the sites of vascular injury even under high flow conditions. Upon interaction with von Willebrand factor, GPIb-V–IX initiates transmembrane signalling events for platelet activation, which eventually result in integrin _IIbβ₃ stimulation and platelet aggregation. The investigation of the biochemical mechanisms for platelet activation by GPIb-V–IX has attracted increasing attention during the last years. This review will describe and discuss recent findings that have provided new insights into the events underlying GPIb-V–IX transmembrane signalling. In particular, it will summarise basic concepts on the structure of this receptor, extracellular ligands, and intracellular interactors potentially involved in transmembrane signalling. The recently suggested role of membrane Fc receptors in GPIb-V–IX-initiated platelet activation will also be discussed, along with the involvement of lipid metabolising enzymes, tyrosine kinases, and the cytoskeleton in the crosstalk between GPIb-V–IX and integrin _IIbβ₃.     

Glycoprotein Ib-mediated platelet activation. A signalling pathway triggered by thrombin.

Platelet activation by thrombin plays a major role in the development of haemostasis and thrombosis. Thrombin activates human platelets by cleaving the N-terminal region of G-protein-coupled protease-activated receptors (PARs). On the other hand, the platelet membrane glycoprotein GPIb acts as a thrombin-binding site and promotes platelet activation by low thrombin concentrations. We present here new evidence in favour of a thrombin receptor function for GPIb. We have selected conditions in which thrombin-GPIb interactions were enhanced by thrombin immobilization. Activation was studied independently of PAR cleavage by using active-site-blocked thrombin. We show that immobilized, proteolytically inactive thrombin induces platelet adhesion and spreading, dense granule secretion and integrin alphaIIbbeta3-dependent platelet-platelet interactions. The pathway must be dependent on GPIb because it is deficient in platelets from a patient with Bernard Soulier syndrome and inhibited by a monoclonal antibody to GPIb (SZ2) or by an excess of glycocalicin. Secreted ADP plays a major role in GPIb-dependent thrombin-induced platelet activation which is, in addition, regulated by cAMP concentration. Thrombin-induced GPIb-dependent platelet activation leads to tyrosyl phosphorylation of several proteins. Inhibition of platelet-platelet interactions and protein tyrosine phosphorylations by inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases and protein kinase C implies that activation of the latter are important steps of the GPIb-coupled signalling pathway triggered by thrombin.     

Flow cytometric studies of platelet responses to shear stress in whole blood

The objective of this work was to evaluate quantitatively the effects of flow on platelet reactions using a flow cytometric technique. Whole blood was exposed to well defined, laminar shear stress in a cone-and-plate viscometer in the absence of added agonists. Blood specimens were fixed with formaldehyde and incubated with two monoclonal antibodies. Antibody 6D1, specific for platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), was used to identify and enumerate platelets and platelet aggregates on the basis of their characteristic forward scatter and 6D1-FITC fluorescence profiles. Anti-CD62 antibody, specific for the granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140), was used to measure platelet activation. Results showed platelet aggregation increasing with increasing shear stress with marked increase in this response for a pathophysiological stress level of 140 dyn/cm² and higher. This stress level also was the apparent threshold for formation of large platelet aggregates (“large” refers to particles larger than 10 μm in equivalent sphere diameter). These platelet responses to shear stress were insensitive to aspirin, but strongly inhibited by agents that elevate platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels. Moreover, pre-incubation of whole blood with monoclonal antibodies that inhibit von Willebrand factor binding to GPIb or von Willebrand factor and fibrinogen binding to GPIIb/IIIa inhibited platelet aggregation. Aggregation induced by shear at 37° C was less in extent than at 23° C. At physiological shear stresses, whole blood was more susceptible to shear-induced platelet aggregation than platelet-rich plasma. This study reaffirms that flow cytometric methods have several important advantages in studies of shear effects on platelets, and extends the methodology to whole blood unaltered by cell separation methods.     

Thrombin induces platelet activation in the absence of functional protease activated receptors 1 and 4 and glycoprotein Ib-IX-V

Three different surface receptors mediate thrombin-induced activation and aggregation of human blood platelets: the protease activated receptors 1 and 4 (PAR1 and PAR4), and the glycoprotein (GP) Ibα of the GPIb-IX-V complex. However, their relative contribution in the stimulation of specific intracellular signaling pathways by thrombin remains largely controversial. In this work, we have shown that activation of PAR1 and PAR4 by thrombin or by selective activating peptides stimulated phospholipase C, tyrosine kinases, as well as the small GTPase Rap1b, promoted actin polymerization and cytoskeleton reorganization. When platelets were desensitized for both PAR1 and PAR4, high doses of thrombin, were unable to activate Rap1b, but produced a still evident stimulation of phospholipase C, as documented by the measurement of intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization and protein kinase C activation. These events were abrogated upon proteolysis of GPIbα by the metalloproteinase mocarhagin. In PAR1- and PAR4-desensitized platelets, thrombin also induced tyrosine phosphorylation of some substrates, but, surprisingly, this event was largely independent of GPIbα binding, as it persisted upon platelet treatment with mocarhagin. Similarly, thrombin-induced actin polymerization and cytoskeleton reorganization were only minimally altered upon PAR1 and PAR4 inactivation and GPIbα proteolysis. Interestingly, none of these events were elicited by enzymatically inactive thrombin. Finally we found that GPIbα cleavage reduced, but did not abrogate, platelet aggregation in PAR1- and PAR4-desensitized platelets. These results identify a novel pathway for platelet activation operated by thrombin independently of PAR1, PAR4 and GPIbα.     

Aggretin, a C-type lectin protein, induces platelet aggregation via integrin alpha(2)beta(1) and GPIb in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase independent pathway.

Aggretin purified from Calloselasma rhodostoma venom was previously identified as alpha(2)beta(1) agonist in triggering platelet aggregation, and exists as a heterodimer sharing a great homologous sequence to GPIb binding proteins. We show here that binding to GPIb is also required in aggregation-inducing activity of aggretin. A2-IIE10, an anti-integrin alpha(2) monoclonal antibody, delayed platelet aggregation while agkistin, a GPIb antagonist, only slightly inhibited platelet aggregation caused by aggretin. However, the aggretin-induced platelet aggregation was completely abolished by a combination of A2-IIE10 and agkistin. Either A2-IIE10 or agkistin significantly inhibited the binding of FITC-aggretin toward fixed platelets. Aggretin and collagen induced a similar signal transduction in platelets involving a time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and PLCgamma2, but aggretin caused a much-delayed tyrosine-phosphorylation of PI 3-kinase compared with collagen. LY294002, a PI 3-kinase inhibitor, showed a significant inhibitory effect on collagen, but not aggretin-stimulated platelet aggregation. These findings indicate aggretin induces platelet aggregation via binding of alpha(2)beta(1) and GPIb, causing phosphorylation of p125(FAK) and PLCgamma2 leading to platelet activation without the involvement of PI 3-kinase activation.     

Depression is associated with an increase in the expression of the platelet adhesion receptor glycoprotein Ib

There is a significant association between cardiovascular disease and depression. Previous studies have documented changes in platelets in depression. It is unknown if depression causes functional changes in platelet surface receptors. Therefore, we analyzed (1) the surface expression of glycoprotein (GP)Ib and the integrin receptor _IIbβ_IIIa, receptors involved in platelet adhesion and aggregation, (2) CD62 (P-selectin) and CD63, integral granule proteins translocated during platelet activation, (3) platelet aggregation in response to ADP and (4) plasma levels of glycocalicin and von Willebrand factor (vWF), in depressed patients compared to healthy volunteers. Fifteen depressed patients with a Hamilton depression score of at least 22 and fifteen control subjects were studied. Platelets were assessed for surface expression levels of GPIb, _IIbβ_IIIa, CD62 and CD63 by flow cytometry. Genomic DNA was isolated to investigate a recently described polymorphism in the 5’ untranslated region of the GPIb gene. The number of GPIb receptors was significantly increased on the surface of platelets from patients with depression compared to control subjects. Surface expression of CD62 was also significantly increased in the depressed patients versus control subjects. There was no significant difference between depressed patients and healthy volunteers in the surface expression of _IIbβ_IIIa or CD63, or in glycocalicin or vWF plasma concentration, or ADP-induced aggregation. There was no difference in allele frequency of the Kozak region polymorphism of the GPIb gene, which can affect GPIb expression. The results of this study demonstrate that the number of GPIb receptors on platelets are increased in depression and suggest a novel risk factor for thrombosis in patients with depression.     

Alboaggregin-B: a new platelet agonist that binds to platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib.

A new protein, called alboaggregin-B (AL-B), has been isolated from Trimeresurus albolabris venom by ion-exchange chromatography. It agglutinated platelets without the need for Ca2+ or any other cofactor. The purified protein showed an apparent molecular mass on SDS-PAGE and gel filtration of about 23 kDa under nonreducing conditions. Ristocetin did not alter the binding of AL-B to platelets or affect AL-B-induced platelet agglutination. Agglutinating activity was not dependent on either proteolytic or lectin-like activity in AL-B. Binding analysis showed that AL-B bound to platelets with high affinity (Kd = 13.6 +/- 9.3 nM) at approximately 30,800 +/- 14,300 binding sites per platelet. AL-B inhibited the binding of labeled bovine von Willebrand factor (vWF) to platelets. Monoclonal antibodies against the 45-kDa N-terminal domain of platelet glycoprotein Ib inhibited the binding both of AL-B and of bovine vWF to platelets, and also inhibited platelet agglutination induced by AL-B and bovine vWF. Specific removal of the N-terminal domain of GPIb by treatment of the platelets with elastase or Serratia marcescens protease reduced the binding of labeled AL-B and bovine vWF to platelets and blocked platelet agglutination caused by both agonists. Monoclonal antibodies to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, to bovine vWF, and to bovine serum albumin did not show any effect on the binding of AL-B to platelets. Our results indicate that the binding domain for AL-B on platelet GPIb is close to or identical with the one for vWF. This new protein may be a very useful tool for studying the interaction between platelets and vWF.     

Microparticles initiate decompression-induced neutrophil activation and subsequent vascular injuries

Progressive elevations in circulating annexin V-coated microparticles (MPs) derived from leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and endothelial cells are found in mice subjected to increasing decompression stresses. Individual MPs exhibit surface markers from multiple cells. MPs expressing platelet surface markers, in particular, interact with circulating neutrophils, causing them to degranulate and leading to further MP production. MPs can be lysed by incubation with polyethylene glycol (PEG) telomere B surfactant, and the number of circulating MPs is reduced by infusion of mice with PEG or antibody to annexin V. Myeloperoxidase deposition and neutrophil sequestration in tissues occur in response to decompression, and the pattern differs among brain, omentum, psoas, and leg skeletal muscle. Both MP abatement strategies reduce decompression-induced intravascular neutrophil activation, neutrophil sequestration, and tissue injury documented as elevations of vascular permeability and activated caspase-3. We conclude that MPs generated by decompression stresses precipitate neutrophil activation and vascular damage.     

Clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis aggregate human platelets

Many endocarditis pathogens activate human platelets and this has been proposed to contribute to virulence. Here we report for the first time that many clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis, a common pathogen in infective endocarditis, aggregate human platelets. 84 isolates from human blood and urine were screened for their ability to aggregate platelets from four different donors. Platelet aggregation occurred for between 11 and 65% of isolates depending on the donor. In one donor, a significantly larger proportion of isolates from blood than from urine caused platelet aggregation. Median time to aggregation was 11 min and had a tendency to be shorter for blood isolates as compared to urine isolates. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was shown to be essential in mediating activation and aggregation. Platelet aggregation could be abolished by an IgG-specific proteinase (IdeS), by an antibody blocking FcRγIIa on platelets, or by preabsorption of plasma with an E. faecalis isolate. Fibrinogen binding to bacteria or platelets does not contribute to platelet activation or aggregation under our experimental conditions. These results indicate that platelet activation and aggregation by E. faecalis is dependent on both host and bacterial factors and that it may be involved in the pathogenesis of invasive disease with this organism.     

Clopidogrel reduces lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation and neutrophil‐platelet aggregates in an experimental endotoxemic model

Platelet activation contributes to organs failure in inflammation and plays an important role in endotoxemia. Clopidogrel inhibits platelet aggregation and activation. However, the role of clopidogrel in modulating inflammatory progression of endotoxemia remains largely unexplored. Therefore, we investigated the role of clopidogrel on the activation of platelet and leukocytes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced inflammation in mice. Animals were treated with clopidogrel or vehicle before LPS induction. The expression of neutrophil‐platelet aggregates and platelet activation and tissue factor was determined. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze platelet‐leukocyte interactions and tissue factor (TF) expression on leukocytes. Clopidogrel pretreatment markedly decreased lung damage, inhibited platelet‐neutrophil aggregates and TF expression. In addition, clopidogrel reduced thrombocytopenia and affected the number of circulating white blood cell in endotoxemia mice. Moreover, clopidogrel also reduced platelet shedding of CD40L and CD62P in endotoxemic mice. Taken together, clopidogrel played an important role through reducing platelet activation and inflammatory process in endotoxemia.