Characterisation of Rac activation in thrombin- and collagen-stimulated human blood platelets.

In this study, we characterised the mechanisms of Rac GTPase activation in human platelets stimulated by two physiological agonists, either thrombin, acting through membrane receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G-proteins, or collagen which is known to mobilise a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway. Both agonists induced a rapid activation of Rac that was not significantly affected by the inhibition of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) engagement. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we found that phospholipase C activation and calcium mobilisation were essential for platelet Rac activation by either thrombin or collagen whereas protein kinase C inhibition was without effect. In contrast to Rac, Cdc42 activation was independent of phospholipase C activation, indicating that the two GTPases are differently regulated. We also found that phosphoinositide 3-kinase was not required for Rac activation in response to thrombin but was involved in its activation by collagen.     

The kinetics of thrombin- and SFLLRN-induced aggregation of human platelets in flow through tubes

The kinetics of aggregation of human platelets activated by alpha-thrombin (0.17-0.35 nM) and the hexapeptide SFLLRN (2-10 microM) was studied in plasma-free washed cell suspensions undergoing Poiseuille flow at 37 degrees C using a previously described double infusion technique. Platelet-rich Tyrodes, prepared from venous blood by multiple centrifugation, and agonist were rapidly mixed in a small chamber and the suspension flowed through various lengths of 1.19 and 0.76 mm diameter polyethylene tubing at mean transit times t from 0.2 to 43 s and mean tube shear rates = 41.9, 335, and 1335 s-1. Effluent was collected in 0.5% glutaraldehyde and single cells and aggregates in the volume range 1-10(5) micron 3 counted and sized using an aperture impedance counter. The rate and extent of aggregation with thrombin increased with increasing [thrombin] and , and although characterized by a small initial lag time, exhibited a very rapid growth of aggregates to macroscopic size, > 10(5) micron 3, at low and moderate shear rates. With SFLLRN, the initial lag times were appreciably longer, but subsequently aggregates also rapidly grew to macroscopic size. We hypothesize that the initial lag time is due to the time required for sufficient secretion and surface organization of ligands such as vWF (known to be released by the platelet) to occur, in order for cross-bridging of the GPIIb-IIIa receptors on adjacent platelets to take place. It appears that thrombin, which, at the low concentrations used, primarily activates the platelet via binding to the GPIb alpha receptor, can more rapidly facilitate secretion of the ligand than SFLLRN, which activates the cell via binding to the seven transmembrane domain receptor.     

Role of Na+/H+ exchange in thrombin- and arachidonic acid-induced Ca2+ influx in platelets

Platelet activation is accompanied by an increase of cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, (due to both extracellular Ca2+ influx and Ca2+ movements from the dense tubular system) and an Na+ influx associated with H+ extrusion. The latter event is attributable to the activation of Na+/H+ exchange, which requires Na+ in the extracellular medium and is inhibited by amiloride and its analogs. The present study was carried out to determine whether a link exists between Ca2+ transients (measured by the quin2 method and the 45CaCl2 technique) and Na+/H+ exchange activation (studied with the pH-sensitive intracellular probe, 6-carboxyfluorescein) during platelet stimulation. Washed human platelets, stimulated with thrombin and arachidonic acid, showed: (1) a large and rapid [Ca2+]i rise, mostly due to a Ca2+ influx through the plasma membrane; (2) a marked intracellular alkalinization. Both phenomena were markedly inhibited in the absence of extracellular Na+ or in the presence of an amiloride analog (EIPA). Monensin, a cation exchanger which elicits Na+ influx and alkalinization, and NH4Cl, which induces alkalinization only, were able to evoke an increase in [Ca2+]i, mostly as an influx from the extracellular medium. Our results suggest that Ca2+ influx induced by thrombin and arachidonic acid in human platelets is strictly dependent on Na+/H+-exchange activation.     

Liberation and oxygenation of polyenoic acids in stimulated platelets

Radiolabeled polyenoic acids were incorporated into human platelet lipids using albumin as vector. Platelets were then triggered with 0.1 or 1 U/ml thrombin, and 0.5 or 2 x 10(-6) M calcium ionophore A23187. Lipid extracts were analyzed for neutral lipids, free fatty acids, monohydroxylated acids, prostanoids and glycocerophospholipid subclasses. During platelet activation induced by thrombin or by ionophore, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were liberated from phospholipids in large amounts and were subsequently oxygenated via platelet oxygenases. Substantial amounts of lipoxygenase products and thromboxanes were produced from these acids. Liberation and oxygenation of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and docosahexaenoic acids were much less pronounced. Polyenoic acid liberation from phospholipid subclasses also behaved quite differently. Apart from alpha-linolenic and adrenic acids, which were poorly liberated, all the others were freed from phosphatidylinositol. In addition, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and 5, 8, 11-eicosatrienoic acids were liberated from phosphatidylcholine at high concentrations of agonists and partially reincorporated into phosphatidylethanolamine. Finally, linoleic acid was deacylated from phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine and almost entirely reacylated into phosphatidylcholine, whereas docosahexaenoic acid was deacylated from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol reacylated into phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. It is concluded that these polyenoic acids, all for which modulate platelet functions, exhibit very different metabolisms. They may act via their oxygenated derivatives and/or at the membrane phospholipid level.     

Indomethacin inhibits thrombin-, but not thyroxin- stimulated resorption of fetal rat limb bones

The bone-resorbing effects of thrombin and thyroxin, two agents that stimulate resorption in neonatal mouse calvaria by prostaglandin-dependent mechanisms, were examined in cultures of fetal rat limb bones. Thrombin produced maximal resorption in the limb bone cultures at a concentration of 100 U/ml when bones were cultured in BGJ supplemented with 1 mg/ml bovine serum albumin. The effects of thrombin were partially inhibited by 0.5 and 10 uM indomethacin. Thrombin failed to elicit resorption when the limb bones were cultured in DMEM with 15% horse serum.Thyroxin stimulated the resorption of limb bones in both BGJ-albumin and DMEM-serum media. Resorption was elicited by thyroxin concentrations of 10 nM − 10 uM. 30 uM thyroxin failed to stimulate resorption. The dose-response curve to thyroxin was shallow, and the agent did not produce maximal resorption. The bone-resorbing effects of thyroxin were not affected by 0.5 or 10uM indomethacin.     

Interactions between stimulated platelets and endothelial cells in vitro

Prostaglandins and hydroxy acids are synthesized mainly from the essential polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonate, and these substances have been identified in almost all mammalian tissues. Prostaglandins, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) are autocoids that appear to function in the regulation of vascular tone, cell secretion and contractile processes. So far, hydroxy acids have been found to function as chemotactic agents and in the formation of slow-reacting substances. Other actions of hydroxy acids will certainly be defined in future research. The endoperoxides PGG2 and PGH2 represent common precursors of all prostaglandin end-products. In studying the prostaglandin metabolism of a specific tissue, the total profile of endoperoxide transformation should be determined. In platelets the endoperoxides are transformed mainly into TXA2, a potent vasoconstrictor and inducer of platelet aggregation. Endothelial cells convert endoperoxides to PGI2, a vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation. In addition, endothelial cells can utilize endoperoxides from stimulated plates to form PGI2. The concept that platelets and endothelial cells can share common precursors for the production of modulating substances may be applicable to other cell types.     

A subpopulation of platelets responds to thrombin- or SFLLRN-stimulation with binding sites for factor IXa

Strong agonists cause platelets to expose a procoagulant surface supporting the assembly of two important coagulation enzyme complexes. Equilibrium binding has determined the density of high affinity saturable factor IXa binding sites to be 500-600 sites/platelet. We have now used flow cytometry to visualize the binding of factor IX and IXa to thrombin- or SFLLRN-activated platelets. Concentrations of these agonists that are half-maximal or maximal in kinetic studies resulted in only a small subpopulation (4-20%) of platelets binding factor IX or IXa with the density of binding sites for factor IX being about half of that for factor IXa, consistent with previous equilibrium binding studies. A small subpopulation (5 +/- 1.5%) of platelets stimulated with either agonist also exposed annexin V binding sites, and this subpopulation of platelets also bound factor IXa. Annexin V decreased factor IXa binding in the presence or absence of factor VIIIa, and factor IXa could also decrease annexin V binding on some platelets indicating a common binding site in agreement with previous studies. All platelets binding factor IXa were positive for glycoprotein IX, at the same glycoprotein IX surface density as seen in platelets negative for factor IXa binding. These studies refine the results from equilibrium binding studies and suggest that, on average, only a small subpopulation (approximately 10%) of PAR 1-stimulated platelets expose approximately 6000 factor IXa binding sites/platelet.     

Lysosomes-like thrombocyte alpha-granules: the activation and inhibition of the release of the contents in blood coagulation]

The mechanism of the release of alpha-granules constituents of thrombocytes was studied in the course of blood coagulation utilizing the fluorometric technique. The release reaction can be induced by proteolytic enzymes. The process is stimulated by the presence of extracellular Ca2+. This pattern of release reaction belongs to "release II" type. Aminazin can also induced release of alpha-granules constituents. Heparin inhibited release II induced by Ca2+ in citrated plasma, whereas streptase had no effect.     

Histamine formed in stimulated human platelets is cytoplasmic

The localization of histamine formed by human platelets in response to agonists was evaluated. 87 +/- 5% of the histamine in a suspension of platelets exposed to phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) was associated with the platelet pellet. Incubation of saponin-permeabilized platelets with the intracellular histamine antagonist, N,N-diethyl-2-[4-(phenylmethyl)phenoxy]ethanamine.HCl (DPPE), released 75 +/- 3.9% of the histamine into the supernatant. Under conditions where 90% of platelet serotonin was secreted into the supernatant, the majority (80%) of platelet histamine remained associated with the pellet. The results suggest that histamine synthesized in response to agonists is largely cytoplasmic.     

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.     

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)     

Redistribution of the fibrinogen receptor of human platelets after surface activation

We investigated the whole cell distribution of the platelet membrane receptor for fibrinogen in surface-activated human platelets. Fibrinogen-labeled colloidal gold was used in conjunction with platelet whole mount preparations to visualize directly the fibrinogen receptor. Unstimulated platelets fail to bind fibrinogen, and binding was minimal in the stages of activation immediately following adhesion. The amount of fibrinogen bound per platelet increased rapidly during the shape changes associated with surface activation until 7,600 +/- 500 labels were present at saturation. Maximal binding of fibrinogen was followed by receptor redistribution. During the early stages of spreading, fibrinogen labels were uniformly distributed over the entire platelet surface, including pseudopodia, but the labels become progressively centralized as the spreading process continued. In well spread platelets, labels were found over the central regions, whereas peripheral areas were cleared of receptors. Receptor redistribution during spreading was accompanied by cytoskeletal reorganization such that a direct correlation was seen between the development of specific ultrastructural zones and the distribution of surface receptor sites suggesting a link between the surface receptors and the cytoskeleton. The association of fibrinogen receptors with contractile elements of the cytoskeleton, which permits coordinated receptor centralization, is important to the understanding of the role of fibrinogen in normal platelet aggregation and clot retraction.     

Evidence for multiple metabolic pools of phosphatidylinositol in stimulated platelets

Stimulation of platelets with ionophore A23187 or thrombin indicates the existence of three distinct metabolic fractions of phosphatidylinositol. Two of those pools of phosphatidylinositol are degraded by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C and the third one by a phospholipase A2 activity. Low concentrations of ionophore A23187 (100 nM) or thrombin (0.25 units/ml) induce the degradation by phospholipase C of a minor fraction of phosphatidylinositol which is involved in the phosphatidylinositol cycle. In addition, thrombin, but not ionophore A23187, leads to the degradation by phospholipase C of a larger fraction of phosphatidylinositol and the subsequent accumulation of phosphatidic acid. A third fraction of phosphatidylinositol, sensitive to thrombin (0.5-2 units/ml) or ionophore A23187 (0.5-2 microM), can be degraded by phospholipase A2 to lysophosphatidylinositol with the concomitant liberation of arachidonic acid. Degradation of phosphatidylinositol by the phospholipase C pathway precedes that of the phospholipase A2 pathway. The results also suggest that the phosphatidylinositol cycle is sensitive to a small rise in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. A further mobilization of cytosolic Ca2+ interrupts the phosphatidylinositol cycle by inhibiting conversion of phosphatidic acid to phosphatidylinositol and also activates phospholipases of the A2 type.     

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.     

Aggregation and release reaction of washed platelets stimulated by lanthanum.

Ionized lanthanum caused clumping of washed platelets. This clumping response could be reversed by chelating agents but was not impaired by known inhibitors of platelets aggregation. Aggregation by lanthanum was not restricted to the unique clumping properties of platelets but occurred in fixed platelets and red cells and was most likely based on an electrostatic interaction.Lanthanum was able to stimulate as well as to inhibit serotonin release from platelets.At a concentration of 1 mM, lanthanum evoked a release of serotonin from washed platelets at 37°C. This release reaction was inhibited at 18°C or by prior treatment of platelets with neuraminidase or NEM.At a high concentration (10 mM), lanthanum did not stimulate the platelet release reaction but inhibited that induced by all stimuli investigated, presumably due to a fixation of membrane molecules.The release reaction promoted by thrombin or A 23187, but not that by collagen, was inhibited by a low concentration of lanthanum (0.1 mM). This inhibition is based on an interaction of lanthanum with the stimuli rather than with the platelet surface.     

Redistribution of protein kinase C in pancreatic acinar cells stimulated with caerulein or carbachol

We examined phospholipid/calcium-dependent protein kinase (protein kinase C) activity and amylase secretion in isolated pancreatic acinar cells, when exposed to caerulein or carbachol. Upon stimulation with 10(-10) M caerulein or 10(-6) M carbachol cytosolic protein kinase C activity was increased in accordance with amylase secretion. Effect of carbachol on increase in membrane-associated protein kinase C activity was maximal at 10(-6) M where the rate of amylase secretion was highest. On the other hand, caerulein showed the maximal secretion of amylase at 10(-9) M, but the activity of the protein kinase C associated with membranes increased progressively with increasing concentration of caerulein. These results indicate different profiles of redistribution of protein kinase C upon stimulation of pancreatic acinar cells with carbachol or caerulein, and they were discussed in terms of amylase secretion.     

Redistribution of activated pp60c-src to integrin-dependent cytoskeletal complexes in thrombin-stimulated platelets.

Thrombin stimulation of platelets induces a transient increase in the specific activity of pp60c-src followed by a redistribution of pp60c-src to the Triton X-100-insoluble, cytoskeleton-rich fraction. Concomitant with the observed increase in pp60c-src activity was a rapid dephosphorylation of tyrosine 527 in 10 to 15% of pp60c-src molecules. In addition, we found that pp60c-src from the Triton-insoluble fraction was phosphorylated on tyrosine 416, the autophosphorylation site which is phosphorylated in activated oncogenic variants of pp60src. Furthermore, in platelets from patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (which are deficient in the integrin receptor GPIIb-IIIa), pp60c-src was not translocated to the Triton-insoluble fraction, and there was a sustained increase in pp60c-src activity following thrombin treatment. These results suggest that pp60c-src is rapidly activated in thrombin-stimulated platelets, potentially by a protein tyrosine phosphatase, before it translocates to a cytoskeletal fraction, where many of its potential substrates are found. The evidence that the cytoskeletal association of pp60c-src is dependent upon engagement of the integrin receptor GPIIb-IIIa suggests that integrin-cytoskeletal complexes may serve to compartmentalize and anchor activated enzymes involved in signal transduction.