A comparative study of the effect of modification of the surface of human platelets on the receptors for aggregated immunoglobulins and for ristocentin-von Willebrand factor.

The receptors for aggregated immunoglobulin G (IgG) (an Fc receptor) and for ristocetin-von Willebrand factor on human platelets were studied by means of various modifications of the platelet surface. The expression of these receptors was measured by the agglutination of platelets to ristocetin in the presence of von Willebrand factor, which is part of the factor VIII complex, and by the binding of aggregated IgG coupled to 3H-labelled diazobenzene. Treatment of platelets with chymotrypsin, trypsin, papain and pronase which removed protein and glycoprotein from the platelet under conditions where the release reaction was inhibited caused loss of the expression of the receptor for ristocetin-von Willebrand factor and an enhancement of that for aggregated IgG. Induction of membrane changes with ADP and of the release reaction with the ionophore A23187 abolished agglutination to ristocentin-von Willebrand factor but did not alter the receptor for aggregated IgC. Possible contributions of unspecific membrane changes, produced by protease treatment of platelets, to the modification of receptor expression were eliminated by the use of formaldehyde-treated platelets. Trypsin, papain and pronase destroyed the ability of these platelets to agglutinate to ristocetin-von Willebrand factor but produced no change in the binding of aggregated IgC. Therefore, the receptor for ristocetin-von Willebrand factor is truly sensitive to proteolysis while the Fc receptor is not, but is partially masked by protease-sensitive material.     

Human Fc gamma receptors: stable inter-donor variation in quantitative expression on platelets correlates with functional responses

Evidence has recently been presented that a 40,000 dalton membrane sialoglycoprotein (p40) shared by monocytes and granulocytes serves as the human platelet receptor for aggregated IgG. We now report that the platelets of normal donors exhibit stable quantitative differences in the expression of this receptor molecule, as determined by flow cytometry using fluorescent staining with murine monoclonal antibody to p40 (mab IV.3). These inter-donor differences were reproducible on repeated testing over at least 4 mo. In concurrent assays, the binding of mab IV.3 to each donor's platelets was highly correlated with the binding of heat-aggregated human IgG, also assayed by flow cytometry. The biological relevance of this quantitative variation in IV.3 binding is suggested by its reproducible correlation with platelet responsiveness to aggregated IgG measured by aggregometry. Such stable quantitative variation in platelet Fc receptor expression among individual humans could contribute to differences in severity of certain pathologic processes initiated by IgG-containing immune complexes.     

Platelet surface glycosaminoglycans are an effective shield for distinct platelet receptors

The presence of glycosaminoglycans on the platelet surface was demonstrated by electronmicroscopy and biochemical analysis. Chondroitin ABC lyase was able to remove a substantial portion of the Ruthenium red-stained outer coat of platelets. Analysis of the reaction product released by the enzyme revealed chondroitin 4-sulfate. To determine the biological function of this glycosaminoglycan coat, binding studies with a variety of potential platelet ligands were performed. In decreasing order of effectiveness, chondroitin ABC lyase was able to increase the binding sites of von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen, antibody to platelet-specific antigen P1A1, Fc fragments of IgG, and monomeric IgG. No change in binding was observed with F(ab)2 fragments of IgG, wheat germ agglutinin and pokeweed mitogen. These studies indicate that glycosaminoglycans shield some platelet receptor sites from their respective ligands. Upon release of the heteropolysaccharide from the platelet surface more of these sites become accessible to the ligand. It may be significant that especially glycoproteins involved in platelet adhesion and aggregation are involved in this process.     

Characterization of the Fc gamma receptor on human platelets

IgG-containing immune complexes may play a role in the immune destruction of human platelets by interacting with an Fc gamma receptor on the platelet surface. We studied the platelet Fc gamma receptor and characterized its interaction with IgG ligand and anti-Fc gamma receptor monoclonal antibodies. Oligomers of IgG, but not monomeric IgG, bound to platelets and the number of binding sites was significantly increased at low ionic strength. Ligand-binding studies indicated that normal human platelets express a single Fc gamma receptor (Fc gamma RII) with 8559 +/- 852 sites per cell, Kd = 12.5 +/- 1.7 X 10(-8) M using trimeric IgG. Results of studies with bivalent and Fab monoclonal anti-Fc gamma RII were consistent with each Fc gamma receptor expressing two epitopes recognized by the antibody. The number of Fc gamma binding sites and affinity of binding were unchanged by the presence of 2.0 mM Mg2+ or 10 micrograms/ml cytochalasin B. Platelet stimulation with thrombin or ADP in the presence of fibrinogen also did not alter the number of Fc gamma binding sites or the affinity of binding. However, platelets preincubated with 5 microM dexamethasone expressed a decreased number of Fc gamma binding sites as well as decreased IgG-dependent platelet aggregation. Platelets from patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and from patients with the Bernard Soulier syndrome expressed a normal number and affinity of Fc gamma binding sites. The data suggest that platelet Fc gamma RII binding of trimeric IgG occurs independent of actin filament interaction, Mg2+, ADP, or thrombin and does not require GPIIb/IIIa or GPIIb/IIIa-fibrinogen interaction. Furthermore, this receptor appears to be normally expressed on GPIb-deficient platelets and susceptible to modulation by glucocorticoids. Finally, the Fc gamma-binding protein was isolated from whole platelets as a 220-kDa protein which upon reduction dissociates into 50,000 Mr subunits.     

Human lymphocyte receptors for the Fc ends of IgG

Receptors for Fc IgG can be demonstrated by the binding of aggregated IgG or erythrocyte-IgG antibody complexes (EAG) onto subsets of B, T and "nul" lymphocytes. Among such cells are the effectors of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytoxicity, and suppressor T cells. The binding of insoluble complexes induces a reversible modulation of the receptors associated with impaired proliferative T cell responses and transient inhibition of IgM receptors expression by adjacent T cells. Soluble receptors for Fc IgG bear a membrane binding site; they inhibit in vitro B cell differentiation induced by-T-dependent or T-independent polyclonal B cell activators.     

Affinity isolation and characterization of immunoglobulin G Fc fragment-binding glycoprotein from human blood platelets.

Immune complexes bind to several eukaryotic cell types including human blood platelets through the Fc fragment of immunoglobulin (Ig) G. Utilizing immobilized Fc fragment of IgG enabled us to isolate from human blood platelets a glycoprotein of an apparent Mr = 255,000 which, upon reduction, dissociated into sub-units of an apparent Mr = 50,000. This Fc fragment-binding glycoprotein has an isoelectric point between pH 6.3 and 6.9 and is composed of 34% hydrophobic, 25% acidic, and 14% basic amino acids. The Fc fragment-binding glycoprotein was also isolated from human platelet membrane preparations and was unaffected by prior treatment of platelets with thrombin. Isolated Fc fragment-binding glycoprotein formed an in vitro complex with aggregated immunoglobulin G. These results suggest that the isolated Fc fragment-binding component may prove useful in studies concerning the functional role of glycoproteins as cellular receptors for the Fc fragment of IgG.     

Platelet activation induces increased Fc gamma receptor expression

Platelet contain Fc gamma RII. However, little is known about how the expression of these receptors is regulated. Inasmuch as platelet activation by a variety of agonists increases the expression of several proteins on the platelet surface, we used flow cytometry to study the effect of platelet activation on the expression of platelet Fc gamma R by measuring the binding of fluorescein-labeled oligomeric IgG (FITC-IgG oligomer) and fluorescein-labeled mAb IV.3 (FITC-IV.3), a mAb that recognizes Fc gamma RII, to platelets. The number of Fc gamma R per platelet was determined by relating the binding to platelets of FITC-IV.3, measured by flow cytometry, to the binding of 125I-labeled IV.3, measured using a standard filtration assay. Nonactivated, gel-filtered platelets from nine healthy donors expressed a mean of 891 Fc gamma R per platelet, whereas platelets activated at 25 degrees C by thrombin or PMA expressed a mean of 1382 Fc gamma R an average increase of 55% (p less than 0.001). Binding of FITC-IgG oligomer increased to a similar extent when platelets were stimulated by these agonists. A smaller increase in the number of Fc gamma R expressed on the platelet surface was measured when platelets were stimulated with ADP, though no increase was observed with epinephrine. The agonist-dependent increase in Fc gamma R expression did not occur when platelets were studied at 4 degrees C or in the presence of agents that elevate intracellular levels of cAMP, suggesting that platelet activation was required for this process. Agonist-stimulated Fc gamma R expression did not depend on dense-granule secretion, because it was observed at low agonist concentrations in the absence of 14C-serotonin release. These studies demonstrate that the number of Fc gamma R expressed on the platelet surface increases when platelets are activated by several agonists, perhaps as a result of the exposure of Fc gamma R located along the surface-connected open canalicular system, or the fusion of platelet alpha-granule and plasma membranes during the activation process. Increased Fc gamma R expression may promote the clearance of IgG-containing immune complexes from the circulation, and contribute to the development of immune complex-mediated thrombocytopenia.     

Exposure of platelet binding sites in von Willebrand factor by adsorption onto polystyrene latex particles

Von Willebrand factor molecules are flexible linear polymers composed of repeating protomeric polypeptide subunits. In the process of primary hemostasis, von Willebrand factor promotes platelet adhesion and platelet plug formation at the site of vascular injury. This biologic activity is apparently related to the multimeric size of von Willebrand factor. We simulated von Willebrand factor binding to the subendothelial surface by adsorbing purified human von Willebrand factor onto polystyrene latex particles of two different diameters, i.e., 0.312 μm and 2.02 μm. The rate and extent of ¹²⁵I-labeled von Willebrand factor binding to polystyrene was similar with both size classes of latex particles. The von Willebrand factor-coated latex beads of 2.02 μm diameter, in contrast to the smaller size, induced rapid agglutination of formalin-fixed human platelets in the absence of any other aggregating agent. Von Willebrand factor was also adsorbed from human plasma onto latex particles coated with anti-von Willebrand factor antibodies. Again, only the large beads, carrying the von Willebrand factor-antibody complex, induced agglutination of fixed platelets. Shear stress promoted the rate of von Willebrand factor adsorption to latex particles. Our results suggest that adsorption to surface exposes binding sites in human von Willebrand factor for platelets.     

EPR studies on Fcgamma receptor-mediated changes in lymphocyte membrane

Biophysical evidence has been presented for the interaction of human lymphocyte membrane Fc receptors with aggregated IgG by severely restricting the rotational mobility of the cell surface proteins, as well as membrane lipids. Decrease in membrane fluidity was more prominent with aggregated IgG since the multivalency of Fc regions in aggregated IgG cross-linked cell surface Fc receptor.     

Assembly of the platelet prothrombinase complex is linked to vesiculation of the platelet plasma membrane. Studies in Scott syndrome: an isolated defect in platelet procoagulant activity

Activation of human platelets by complement proteins C5b-9 is accompanied by the release of small plasma membrane vesicles (microparticles) that are highly enriched in binding sites for coagulation factor Va and exhibit prothrombinase activity. We have now examined whether assembly of the prothrombinase enzyme complex (factors VaXa) is directly linked to the process of microparticle formation. Gel-filtered platelets were incubated without stirring with various agonists at 37 degrees C, and the functional expression of cell surface receptors on platelets and on shed microparticles was analyzed using specific monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence-gated flow cytometry. In addition to the C5b-9 proteins, thrombin, collagen, and the calcium ionophore A23187 were each found to induce formation of platelet microparticles that incorporated plasma membrane glycoproteins GP Ib, IIb, and IIIa. These microparticles were enriched in binding sites for factor Va, and their formation paralleled the expression of catalytic surface for the prothrombinase enzyme complex. Little or no microparticle release or prothrombinase activity were observed when platelets were stimulated with epinephrine and ADP, despite exposure of platelet fibrinogen receptors by these agonists. When platelets were exposed to thrombin plus collagen, the shed microparticles contained activated GP IIb-IIIa complexes that bound fibrinogen. By contrast, GP IIb-IIIa incorporated into C5b-9 induced microparticles did not express fibrinogen receptor function. Platelets from a patient with an isolated defect in inducible procoagulant activity (Scott syndrome) were found to be markedly impaired in their capacity to generate microparticles in response to all platelet activators, and this was accompanied by a comparable decrease in the number and function of inducible factor Va receptors. Taken together, these data indicate that the exposure of the platelet factor Va receptor is directly coupled to plasma membrane vesiculation and that this event can be dissociated from other activation-dependent platelet responses. Since a catalytic membrane surface is required for optimal thrombin generation, platelet microparticle formation may play a role in the normal hemostatic response to vascular injury.     

An appraisal of Fc receptors on human peripheral blood B and L lymphocytes.

Human circulating lymphocytes with easily detectable surface immunoglobulin have been divided into two populations, B cells and L cells. This second population lacks membrane-incorporated Ig, but has a receptor for membrane-labile cytophilic IgG. In this study purified B and L lymphocytes were examined for Fc receptors that bind aggregated IgG and IgG complexed to erythrocytes. Purified lymphocyte populations were prepared by nylon columns and by negative selection with rosetting techniques. L lymphocytes bound aggregated guinea pig and human IgG, and formed rosettes with human erythrocytes sensitized with Ripley IgG (EA). Treatment of L lymphocytes with trypsin had no effect on the receptors for IgG. B lymphocytes did not bind EA and attachment of aggregated IgG was variable; up to one-third of these cells fixed aggregated human IgG to the cell membrane. Trypsin treatment abolished binding of Agg-IgG to B cells in sharp contrast to its effect on L cells. Furthermore, double-label immunofluorescence studies showed that cells with both membrane-incorporated Ig and receptors for aggregated guinea pig IgG were rare. These studies indicate that human peripheral blood B lymphocytes lack a high affinity, trypsin-resistant Fc receptor that is present on L lymphocytes.     

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.     

Characterization of a fragment of bovine von Willebrand factor that binds to platelets

Bovine von Willebrand factor was digested with human plasmin in order to isolate and characterize a fragment that can bind to human platelets. A terminal plasmin digest of bovine von Willebrand factor is composed of five fragments, ranging in relative molecular weight (Mr) from 250,000 to 35,000. The major fragment has a Mr of 250,000 and consists of four disulfide-linked polypeptide chains with Mr from 69,000 to 35,000. The Mr 69,000 and 49,000 polypeptides possess carbohydrate moieties, as indicated by their reaction with periodate-Schiff reagent. Gel filtration studies suggest that, at physiological ionic strength, four of the Mr 250,000 fragments associate into a limited noncovalent oligomer. Monoclonal antibodies were prepared against native von Willebrand factor and used to characterize the distribution of epitopes on native vWF and the Mr 250,000 major fragment. Two of the monoclonal antibodies that recognize the major fragment (2 and H-9) inhibit platelet agglutination. The Mr 250,000 fragment binds to human platelets, and the binding is inhibited by monoclonal antibodies 2 and H-9. The Mr 250,000 fragment does not agglutinate platelets, consistent with a requirement for high molecular weight oligomers of von Willebrand factor for platelet agglutination. The Mr 250,000 fragment can compete with intact, bovine von Willebrand factor for binding to human platelets. However, its affinity is one-tenth that of intact von Willebrand factor.     

Isolation of a murine leukemia FC receptor by selective release induced by surface redistribution.

A protein which binds to the Fc region of IgG has been isolated from the murine leukemia L1210. The isolation technique involves surface cross-linking of the cells's Fc receptors with the use of aggregated human IgG and anti-human IgG. This results in the redistribution (patch formation and capping) of the cells's Fc receptors. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed radioiodination of the cells before complex binding indicates that Fc receptor redistribution results in the selective release of surface proteins. SDS-PAGE analyses of the supernatants from cells thus treated reveals a major peak corresponding to a molecular weight of 45,000 daltons. This protein has been purified from the cell supernatants by immunoprecipitation and chromatography of the percipitates on Sephadex G-200 under dissociating conditions. After separation from the immune complex this protein can be bound to heat-aggregated IgG, but not aggregated F(ab')2 fragments. The 45,000 dalton protein appears to be the Fc receptor which has been released from the cell surface in association with the complex.     

Fc gamma-receptor-mediated changes in the plasma membrane potential induce prostaglandin release from human fibroblasts

Binding of aggregated human immunoglobulin G (IgG) on diploid human fibroblasts leads to a rapid depolarization of the cells within 1-2 min. We resolved this membrane potential change into its plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane components by measuring the transmembrane distribution of the lipophilic tritium-labelled cation tetraphenylphosphonium, [3H]Ph4P+. The responsibility of the plasma membrane for the membrane potential change, induced by binding of IgGs, is demonstrated. The IgG-induced membrane depolarization leads to the induction of prostaglandin E2 synthesis. Aggregated immunoglobulins (IgG) are specifically bound via the Fc portion because only binding of Fc fragments, in contrast to (Fab')2 fragments, leads to a stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis comparable to that mediated by IgGs. Depolarization of the plasma membrane by short incubation of the fibroblasts in high-K+ buffer (5 min) results in a stimulation of prostaglandin E2 synthesis comparable to that mediated by either aggregated human IgGs or Fc fragments. Our previous results on Fc gamma-receptor-mediated antigen-IgG-antibody complex internalization showed that a maximum uptake of these complexes could be detected 60-90 min after binding. Therefore, we conclude that not internalisation but binding of aggregated IgGs to the Fc gamma receptors on human fibroblasts is the stimulus for plasma membrane depolarization leading to an enhanced prostaglandin E2 release.     

Studies of the mechanism of the human platelet release reaction induced by immunologic stimuli. III. Relationship between the binding of soluble IgG aggregates to the Fc receptor and cell response in the presence and absence of plasma

Aggregated IgG coupled covalently with bis-diazobenzidine (BDB-IgG) and labeled with 3H-diazobenzene (3H-BDB-IgG) has been used to study the binding of soluble IgG aggregates to human platelets in relationship to the release of the contents of intracellular granules (e.g., serotonin). In washed cell suspensions a minimum of 0.14 to 0.2 mug 3H-BDB-IgG per 5 X 10(8) platelets (40 to 70 aggregates per cell) was required for the triggering of the release reaction and cell aggregation. Binding was independent of divalent cations. The Arrhenius plot gave a straight line between 0 to 37 degrees C and a Q10 of 1.6. Neither inhibitors of the release reaction nor energy metabolism, nor formaldehyde fixation of the platelets affected binding. Bound 3H-BDB-IgG was not significantly eluted by IgG, bovine albumin (BSA), buffer, or plasma. Binding to washed platelets was more strongly inhibited by human IgG than by F(ab')2, bovine IgG, human albumin (HSA), or BSA. Plasma was an even more effective inhibitor of both binding and release. Plasma deficient in IgG or depleted of complement retained its inhibitory capacity. In the presence of plasma, at physiologic ratios of plasma and platelets, no release of serotonin was observed. Binding, although inhibited in rate, nevertheless occurred. It was enhanced by divalent cation chelation and had a Q10 of 2.5. The release reaction of washed platelets to which 3H-BDB-IgG had been bound in the presence of HSA or BSA was also inhibited by the subsequent addition of plasma or plasma proteins (human IgG being more effective than bovine IgG, F(ab')2, HSA, or BSA). 3H-BDB-IgG bound in the presence of either plasma or human IgG did not induce release when the platelets were subsequently suspended in media lacking these proteins. Thus, it appears that the platelet Fc receptor binds 3H-BDB-IgG by a process which is effectively inhibited by plasma, or by free IgG with an intact Fc, and to some extent by high concentrations of other proteins. The effects of bound IgG aggregates are dependent on the other proteins present both during binding and subsequently added. The mechanism of such receptor modulation and its implications in vivo are discussed.     

Platelet activation by von Willebrand factor requires coordinated signaling through thromboxane A2 and Fc gamma IIA receptor

Interaction of von Willebrand Factor with glycoprotein Ib-IX-V induces platelet activation through a still poorly defined mechanism. Previous studies have suggested a possible role for the low affinity receptor for immunoglobulin, Fc gamma RIIA, in GPIb-IX-V signaling. Here we show that binding of vWF to platelets induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of Fc gamma RIIA by a Src kinase. Treatment of platelets with the anti-Fc gamma RIIA monoclonal antibody IV.3 specifically inhibits vWF-induced but not thrombin-induced pleckstrin phosphorylation and serotonin secretion. Moreover, vWF fails to induce pleckstrin phosphorylation in mouse platelets, lacking Fc gamma RIIA, and serotonin secretion is impaired. Pleckstrin phosphorylation and serotonin secretion in human platelets stimulated with vWF are blocked by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor acetylsalicylic acid. However, release of arachidonic acid and synthesis of TxA(2) induced by vWF are not affected by the anti-Fc gamma RIIA monoclonal antibody IV.3. Similarly, vWF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Fc gamma RIIA, as well as of Syk and PLC gamma 2, occurs normally in aspirinized platelets. Inhibition of the tyrosine kinase Syk by piceatannol does not affect vWF-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Fc gamma RIIA but prevents phosphorylation of PLC gamma 2. Pleckstrin phosphorylation and platelet secretion induced by vWF, but not by thrombin, are also inhibited by piceatannol. Pleckstrin phosphorylation is also sensitive to the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin. These results indicate that PLC gamma 2 plays a central role in platelet activation by vWF and that the stimulation of this enzyme requires coordinated signals through endogenous TxA(2) and Fc gamma RIIA.     

Characterization of liposomes carrying von Willebrand factor-binding domain of platelet glycoprotein Ibalpha: a potential substitute for platelet transfusion.

Platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX/V complex is a receptor for von Willebrand factor (vWf), which plays a crucial role in primary hemostasis by mediating platelet adhesion to injured blood vessels. We have expressed in CHO cells a fragment of GPIba that retained a vWf-binding function. The recombinant fragment (rGPIba) was incorporated into liposomes and evaluated their functions in vitro. rGPIba on the liposome surface was detectable by flow cytometric analysis. Addition of vWf and ristocetin caused specific agglutination of rGPIbalpha-liposomes, as evaluated by an aggregometer or a fluorescent microscopy. When ristocetin was added to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) pre-mixed with rhodamine-labeled rGPIbalpha-liposomes, platelets aggregated and rhodamine-fluorescence was strongly positive in the platelet thrombi, suggesting that heterologous aggregation (attachment of liposomes to platelets) occurred. Platelet aggregation in PRP at low platelet concentration (20-80 x 10(6)/ml) was enhanced by rGPIbalpha-liposomes in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, rGPIbalpha-liposomes may accumulate on vWf-exposed subendothelial tissues and enhance platelet function in vivo, supporting hemostasis in thrombocytopenic individuals.     

A new role for FcgammaRIIA in the potentiation of human platelet activation induced by weak stimulation

The low affinity receptor for immunoglobulin G, FcgammaRIIA, is expressed in human platelets, mediates heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and participates to platelet activation induced by von Willebrand factor. In this work, we found that stimulation of platelets with agonists acting on G-protein-coupled receptors resulted in the tyrosine phosphorylation of FcgammaRIIA, through a mechanism involving a Src kinase. Treatment of platelets with the blocking monoclonal antibody IV.3 against FcgammaRIIA, but not with control IgG, inhibited platelet aggregation induced by TRAP1, TRAP4, the thromboxane analogue U46619, and low concentrations of thrombin. By contrast, platelet aggregation induced by high doses of thrombin was unaffected by blockade of FcgammaRIIA. We also found that the anti-FcgammaRIIA monoclonal antibody IV.3 inhibited pleckstrin phosphorylation and calcium mobilization induced by low, but not high, concentrations of thrombin. In addition, thrombin- or U46619-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of several substrates typically involved in FcgammaRIIA-mediated signalling, such as Syk and PLCgamma2, was clearly reduced by incubation with anti-FcgammaRIIA antibody IV.3. Upon stimulation with thrombin, FcgammaRIIA relocated in lipid rafts, and thrombin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of FcgammaRIIA occurred within these membrane domains. Controlled disruption of lipid rafts by depleting membrane cholesterol prevented tyrosine phosphorylation of FcgammaRIIA and impaired platelet aggregation induced by U46619 or by low, but not high, concentrations of thrombin. These results indicate that FcgammaRIIA can be activated in human platelets downstream G-protein-coupled receptors and suggest a novel general mechanism for the reinforcement of platelet activation induced by low concentrations of agonists.     

A quantitative fluorometric assay for detection and characterization of Fc receptors

A new quantitative fluorometric binding assay that uses fluoresceinated aggregated IgG is proposed for the study of Fc receptors. The method was compared with a radiolabeling binding assay on three well characterized murine cell lines (38C-13, EL4, and BW). The apparent association constant of the binding and the amount of aggregated IgG bound per cell at saturation were calculated. The fluorometric assay enables the detection of 5 X 10(-10) M bound aggregated IgG. Inhibition studies with monomeric IgG, reduced and alkylated aggregated IgG, and aggregated F(ab')2 fragments of IgG confirmed the specificity of the assay. Staphylococcal protein A inhibited the binding of the aggregated IgG to Fc receptors.