Phosphoinositide turnover in human platelets is stimulated by albumin.

The effect of human serum albumin (HSA) on the hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositides in human platelets labeled with myo(3H)inositol was studied. Incubation of platelets with HSA (4 gm/dl) for 10 seconds increased IP2, and IP3, by 169% and 217% respectively. 93% of IP3 accumulated within the first 10 seconds. This effect was also shared by bovine serum albumin, although no changes in IP3 levels occurred with ovalbumin. All albumin species used induced 45Ca+2 release from platelets irrespective of its effect on IP3 accumulation. These findings indicate that albumin may function in biological systems by inducing intracellular signaling.     

Aequorin detects increased cytoplasmic calcium in platelets stimulated with phorbol ester or diacylglycerol

A biochemical pathway to platelet activation involving protein kinase C has been deemed "Ca2+-independent", because the intracellular fluorophore quin2 indicates no rise in cytoplasmic [Ca2+] in platelets stimulated by certain agonists. However, unlike quin2, the Ca2+-sensitive photoprotein aequorin demonstrates a rise in [Ca2+] when platelet aggregation is induced by phorbol ester or diacylglycerol. Aequorin and quin2 appear to report different aspects of Ca2+ homeostasis, and the absence of a quin2 signal may not be sufficient to establish that a metabolic pathway is "Ca2+-independent".     

Inositol phospholipid metabolism in human platelets stimulated by ADP

ADP-induced changes in inositol phospholipids, phosphatidic acid and inositol phosphates of human platelets have been studied in detail, using not only 32P labelling, but also by examining changes in amounts of the phospholipids, their labelling with [3H]glycerol and their specific radioactivities; changes in the labelling of inositol phosphates in platelets prelabelled with [3H]inositol were also measured. During the early (10 s) stage of reversible ADP-induced primary aggregation in a medium containing fibrinogen and with a concentration of Ca2+ in the physiological range (2 mM), the amounts of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PtdInsP2) and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PtdInsP) decreased (by 11.2 +/- 4.9% and 11.3 +/- 5.3%, respectively) while the labelling, but not the amount, of phosphatidic acid increased. The decreases do not appear to be attributable to the action of phospholipase C because the specific radioactivity of phosphatidic acid labelling with [3H]glycerol was not significantly increased at 10 s (although the initial specific radioactivities of the inositol phospholipids and PtdCho were more than double that of phosphatidic acid), and no increases in the labelling of inositol trisphosphate (InsP3), inositol bisphosphate (InsP2) or inositol phosphate (InsP) were detectable at 10 s. Shifts in the interconversions between PtdInsP2 and PtdInsP, and PtdInsP and PtdIns may occur. By 30 to 60 s, when deaggregation was beginning, the amounts of PtdInsP2, PtdInsP and phosphatidic acid were not different from those in unstimulated platelets, but large increases in the 32P-labelling and [3H]glycerol labelling of phosphatidic acid were observed. Formation of [3H]inositol-labelled InsP3 was not detectable at any time in association with ADP-induced primary aggregation, indicating that degradation of PtdInsP2 by phospholipase C is not appreciably stimulated by ADP. These findings were compared with those obtained when platelets were aggregated by ADP in a medium without added of Ca2+ in which secondary aggregation associated with thromboxane A2 (TXA2) formation and release of granule contents occurs. At 10 s (during primary aggregation) the changes were similar in the two media. At 30 s and 60 s (during secondary aggregation in the low-Ca2+ medium), the increases in PtdInsP2, PtdInsP and phosphatidic acid in platelets suspended in the absence of added Ca2+ were larger than those in platelets suspended in the presence of 2 mM Ca2+. In the absence of added Ca2+, ADP-induced increases in the labelling of InsP3, InsP2 and InsP which were probably due to the effects of TXA2 since they were abolished by aspirin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Evaluation of changes in cytoplasmic pH in thrombin-stimulated human platelets

Thrombin causes a dose-dependent cytoplasmic alkalinization of normal human platelets. The pH probe 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) permits an easier and more accurate quantitation of the kinetics of this change previously measured with 9-aminoacridine and 6-carboxyfluorescein (6-CF). We report here a modification of the previously published 6-CF technique and confirm the thrombin-induced cytoplasmic pH change in the human platelet using a second fluorescein derivative, BCECF. Maximal thrombin stimulation raises the resting cytoplasmic pH of the human platelet from 7.0 to 7.25.     

Flow cytometric measurements of cytoplasmic calcium changes in human platelets

Thrombin-induced stimulation of human platelets is accompanied by a dramatic increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentrations followed by a slow decrease. These changes are very rapid, are maximal by 10-15 s, and can be detected with probes such as Indo-1. Suspension studies using spectrofluorometry, which reflect a value which is the average of 3 x 10(7) cells per ml, indicate a thrombin dose-dependent increase in cytoplasmic calcium at doses up to 0.025 units per ml. We show here, using flow cytometry, that at less than half-saturating thrombin doses only subpopulations of platelets rather than the entire sample are responding. The extent of these responses, however, still depends on thrombin concentration. When the thrombin doses are between half and fully saturating, one subpopulation responds fully (i.e., its extent of increase in cytoplasmic calcium concentration, [Ca++]in is 100% of that seen at saturating thrombin concentrations) while the remaining platelets respond partially or not at all. There is thus evidence of positive cooperativity leading to disproportionate thrombin receptor occupancy on different subpopulations when platelets are subjected to subsaturating doses of thrombin. The existence of responding subpopulations may explain how the reported multiple stimulations of the same suspension of platelets at low thrombin doses occur.     

Interaction of thrombospondin with resting and stimulated human platelets

The interaction of isolated and radioiodinated thrombospondin with washed human platelets has been characterized. The ligand bound to nonstimulated and thrombin-stimulated platelets in a time-dependent manner, and apparent steady state was reached within 25 min. Binding was not due to iodination of the ligand and was inhibited by nonlabeled thrombospondin but not by unrelated proteins, and bound ligand was identical with thrombospondin in terms of subunit structure. Nonlinear curve-fitting analyses of binding to resting platelets suggested the presence of a single class of sites which bound 3,100 +/- 1,000 molecules/platelet with an apparent Kd of 50 +/- 20 nM. This interaction was not attributable to contaminating cells or inadvertant platelet activation. Binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets had a lower apparent affinity (Kd = 250 +/- 100 nM) and higher apparent capacity (35,600 +/- 9,600 molecules/platelet). Thrombin-enhanced binding was dependent upon agonist dose and platelet stimulation. Fibrinogen, a monoclonal antibody to GPIIb-IIIa, temperature, and divalent ions had differential effects upon thrombospondin binding to resting and stimulated platelets, suggesting the presence of two distinct mechanisms of thrombospondin binding to platelets. While thrombospondin binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets occurs with characteristics similar to those observed for fibrinogen, fibronectin, and von Willebrand Factor, its high affinity interaction with resting platelets is unique to this adhesive glycoprotein.     

Spacial isolation of protein kinase C activation in thrombin stimulated human platelets

Thrombin stimulation of human platelets is associated with turnover of inositol phospholipids, mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ stores, and activation of protein kinase C. However, within 5 minutes, the thrombin receptor desensitizes, but can be re-coupled to its effectors by stimulation of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors (Crouch and Lapetina, J. Biol. Chem. 263, 3363-3371, 1988). This effect of epinephrine was found to be inhibited by preincubation of platelets with phorbol ester, suggesting that protein kinase C was inhibitory. However, since thrombin also activated protein kinase C and epinephrine was active following thrombin stimulation of platelets, this implied that thrombin activation of protein kinase C may have been spacially isolated near the thrombin receptor and could not inactivate alpha 2-receptor activity. In the present paper, we have tested this possibility, and we present evidence which strongly favours the possibility that protein kinase C activation by receptors induces its local translocation to the cell membrane.     

Evidence for the formation of inositol 4-monophosphate in stimulated human platelets

Human platelets were prelabeled with [3H] inositol and exposed to thrombin or vasopressin. The radioactive inositol monophosphates were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by cochromatography with unlabeled standard substances. Radioactive inositol 1-monophosphate (Ins 1-P) and inositol 4-monophosphate (Ins 4-P) were detected in unstimulated platelets and accumulated in response to thrombin or vasopressin. Ins 4-P as well as Ins 1-P increased after the formation of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (Ins 1,4-P2) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins 1,4,5-P3). Lithium augmented the accumulation of Ins 1-P and Ins 1,4-P2 in stimulated platelets, and also of Ins 4-P in platelets stimulated by vasopressin, but not by thrombin. The results indicate that Ins 1,4-P2 formed in stimulated platelets is partly degraded to Ins 4-P. The significance of Ins 4-P as a marker molecule for the study of inositol phosphate metabolism in stimulated cells is discussed.     

Phosphatidylcholine synthesis in platelets is stimulated by diacylglycerol but not by phorbol ester

The biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in platelets was followed by measuring the incorporation of 32Pi. Incorporation into PC was stimulated by treatment with Clostridium perfringens phospholipase C or with the synthetic diacylglycerol sn-1,2-dioctanoylglycerol. However, neither the phorbol ester tumour promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or thrombin stimulated 32Pi incorporation into PC. We conclude that phorbol ester does not stimulate the hydrolysis of PC to diacylglycerol in platelets.     

Basophil histamine release induced by a substance from stimulated human platelets

Platelet activation may occur during immunoglobulin E antibody (IgE)-mediated reactions. In these studies, we confirm that platelet-derived supernatants (PDS) induce histamine release from human mixed leukocytes containing basophils, one of the initial target cells in IgE-mediated reactions. In extending this observation, we have shown that this PDS-induced histamine release is both temperature- and calcium-dependent. Kinetic studies of release induced by PDS indicate that release is more rapid than that associated with IgE-dependent mechanisms. This platelet-derived, histamine-releasing activity is produced by platelet stimulation with collagen (5 micrograms/ml) and acetylglyceryl ether phosphorylcholine (10(-7)), as well as thrombin (1 U/ml). Initial characterization has shown that it is stable to acid and to freeze-thawing but not to boiling for 10 min. In addition, although this histamine-releasing activity is nondialyzable (i.e., greater than 3500 m.w.), it cannot be attributed to platelet factor 4. Thus, platelets, once activated, can produce a soluble substance or substances which can initiate basophil-mediated reactions, further suggesting that platelet activation can enhance allergic and inflammatory reactions.     

Receptors for high molecular weight kininogen on stimulated washed human platelets

Binding of human high molecular weight kininogen to washed human platelets was studied by measuring platelet-associated radiolabeled ligand in pellets of centrifuged platelets. High molecular weight kininogen was bound to stimulated platelets in the presence of ZnCl2 in a specific and saturable manner. Calcium ions potentiated ligand binding but did not substitute for zinc ions. Optimal binding of high molecular weight kininogen occurred near the plasma concentrations of both zinc and calcium ions. Scatchard analysis yielded 24 200 binding sites for high molecular weight kininogen with an apparent dissociation constant of 20 nM. These studies show that stimulated human platelets can bind many high molecular weight kininogen molecules with high affinity and suggest that the platelet surface may potentially serve as an important site for localizing the initial reactions of the plasma kinin-forming and intrinsic coagulation pathways.     

Functionally active thrombomodulin is present in human platelets

We found functionally active thrombomodulin in human platelets (60 +/- 18 molecules per platelet). Protein C appeared not to be activated by thrombin with gel-filtered platelets. However, the activation of protein C by thrombin was accelerated by thrombin-stimulated and washed platelets. This cofactor activity of the platelets was neutralized by the anti-lung thrombomodulin-F(ab')2. From the Triton X-extract of platelets, thrombomodulin was partially purified by diisopropylphosphoryl-thrombin-agarose affinity chromatography. The Mr of the predominant platelet thrombomodulin was 78,000 before and 109,000 after reduction on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, values identical to those of placental thrombomodulin. The specific activity of the cofactor activity, apparent Kd (0.4 nM) for thrombin and Km (0.67 microM) for protein C of platelet thrombomodulin were also identical to those of placenta thrombomodulin. Thrombomodulin may play a role in activation of protein C on the surface of platelets.     

Fibrinogen distribution on surfaces and in organelles of ADP stimulated human blood platelets

The fibrinogen distribution in platelet organelles after ADP-stimulation was investigated with anti-human fibrinogen using protein A-gold applied to serial sections. Fibrinogen was detected in the so-called alpha-granules of platelets and also in granule protrusions which were observed after ADP-stimulation. The ends of these protrusions were formed as coated membranes and the tips were often in apposition to the surface connected membranes or the plasmalemma. At such places fusion events and hence signs of an exocytosis could be demonstrated by means of cryofixation and cryosubstitution. Examination of serial sections revealed fibrinogen on all these granule profiles. Surface connected membranes, free surfaces and the characteristic structure of the contact zones of aggregated platelets were also labelled by gold particles but less than anticipated. On the platelet surfaces and surface connected membranes fibrinogen was rarely demonstrable with ferritin-labelled anti-human fibrinogen on washed or thrombin-stimulated, almost fibrinogen free platelets. After addition of human fibrinogen to the thrombin stimulated and disaggregated platelets a part of the platelets aggregated spontaneously and formed characteristic contact zones. Anti-human fibrinogen was observed on the free surfaces, in filamentous bridges between the contact spaces and in a tubular surface connected membrane system with involvement of coated membranes at the central ends of these structures. The results indicate the following: all alpha-granules contain fibrinogen; after ADP-stimulation secretion takes place with involvement of coated membranes; during aggregation fibrinogen binds to platelet surfaces and forms contact spaces; fibrinogen is taken up by the surface connected system with involvement of coated membranes.     

The 5-hydroxytryptamine stimulated formation of inositol phosphate is inhibited in platelets from alcoholics

The accumulation of inositol monophosphate (IP1) was measured after stimulation of 5-hydroxytryptamine2 (5-HT2) receptors on platelets from alcoholics and healthy controls. In controls, 5-HT induced a dose-dependent response with an EC50 = 2 x 10(-6) M and a maximal response at 10(-5) M. Ritanserin, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, markedly reduced the accumulation. The IP1 formation after stimulation by 10(-5) M 5-HT was significantly impaired in platelets from alcoholics as compared to controls. This study indicates that the 5-HT2 receptor function is inhibited in alcoholics. It also illustrates the possibility of using IP1 formation in peripheral cells as a mean of studying receptor function in disease.     

Evidence that cytosolic phospholipase A2 is down-regulated by protein kinase C in intact human platelets stimulated with fluoroaluminate.

We reported that protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors increase the release of arachidonic acid induced by fluoroaluminate (AlF4-), an unspecific G-protein activator, in intact human platelets. Now we demonstrate that this effect is independent of the extracellular Ca2+ concentration and that AlF4(-)-induced release of AA is abolished by BAPTA, an intracellular Ca2+ chelator, even in the presence of GF 109203X, a specific and potent PKC inhibitor. This compound also blocks the liberation of the secretory phospholipase A2 in the extracellular medium, indicating that this enzyme is not involved in the potentiation of arachidonic acid by PKC inhibitors. On the other hand, the latter effect is completely abolished by treatment of platelets with AACOCF3, a specific inhibitor of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). These observations indicate that cPLA2 is responsible for the AlF4(-)-induced release of arachidonic acid by a mechanism that is down-regulated by PKC.     

Integrin-independent tyrosine phosphorylation of p125(fak) in human platelets stimulated by collagen

Collagen fibers or a glycoprotein VI-specific collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL) stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion kinase, p125(fak) (FAK), in human platelets. An integrin alpha(2)beta(1)-specific triple-helical peptide ligand, containing the sequence GFOGER (single-letter nomenclature, O = Hyp) was without effect. Antibodies to the alpha(2) and beta(1) integrin subunits did not inhibit platelet FAK tyrosine phosphorylation caused by either collagen fibers or CRP-XL. Tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK caused by CRP-XL or thrombin, but not that caused by collagen fibers, was partially inhibited by GR144053F, an antagonist of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3). The intracellular Ca(2+) chelator, BAPTA, and the protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro31-8220, were each highly effective inhibitors of the FAK tyrosine phosphorylation caused by collagen or CRP-XL. These data suggest that, in human platelets, 1) occupation or clustering of the integrin alpha(2)beta(1) is neither sufficient nor necessary for activation of FAK, 2) the fibrinogen receptor alpha(IIb)beta(3) is not required for activation of FAK by collagen fibers, and 3) both intracellular Ca(2+) and protein kinase C activity are essential intermediaries of FAK activation.     

Neomycin inhibits inositol phosphate formation in human platelets stimulated by thrombin but not other agonists

Neomycin (0.1-1 mM) added to human platelet-rich plasma or washed platelets prelabeled with [3H]inositol inhibits aggregation, ATP secretion (ID50 0.2 mM) and formation of [3H]inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphate (ID50 0.6-0.8 mM) in response to thrombin (0.25 U/ml). The production of inositol phosphates in response to other platelet agonists (vasopressin, platelet activating factor, prostaglandin endoperoxide analogs and collagen) is not inhibited by neomycin, even at a concentration of 2 mM. At this concentration neomycin reduces the secretion of ATP stimulated by these agents (by up to 50%). The results indicate that neomycin has multiple effects on platelets that are unrelated to a specific inhibition of inositol phospholipid degradation by phospholipase C. Low concentrations (0.1-1 mM) of neomycin might selectively inhibit the interaction of thrombin with the platelet surface, and high concentrations (greater than 2 mM) might unspecifically reduce platelet secretion in response to various platelet agonists.