Standardization of ADP-induced thrombocyte aggregation]

It is the purpose of this study to standardize platelet aggregation according to the method of Born. It was found that aggregation is influenced by the time of storage, the pH and temperature of plasma. However, there is no significant correlation between platelet number versus aggregation in healthy subjects. To get reproducible results, the plasma samples should be investigated within 2 hours after venipuncture. During storage temperature of all samples should be constant.     

Peptides as inhibitors of thrombin coagulation activity and of thrombocyte aggregation]

The analysis of literature and our own data of regulatory peptides influence on the blood coagulation system is presenting. Various natural and synthetic peptides inhibit the activity of thrombin and platelet aggregation. Direct specific inhibitors of thrombin are peptides developed on the base of D-Phe-Pro-Arg sequence. Strong specific inhibitors of the prothrombinase complex factor Xa were isolated from tissues and saliva of the blood-sucking organisms. These inhibitors decrease thrombin generation at the early stage of blood coagulation cascade Anticoagulating peptides from the tick Ornithodoros moubata tissue (TAP), the recombinant rTAP from the saliva glands of tick Ornithodoros savignyi and peptide with even greater anticoagulating activity from saliva glands of fly Glossina morsitans morsitans were isolated and characterised. For complete and reliable suppression of thrombus formation simultaneous administration of thrombin and platelet aggregation inhibitors is necessary. Main terminal stage of platelet aggregation is the interaction of receptor GP IIb/IIIa with adhesive fibrinogen sequence Arg-Pro-Asp (RGD). Peptides derived on the base of this sequence compete with fibrinogen in reaction with platelet receptors. A lot of corresponding peptidomimetics were synthesised, e.g. MK-852, RO-44 and particularly effective compound integrelin. Many direct platelet aggregation inhibitors were found in snake venoms. Recombinant peptide TAP mentioned above exerts both antithrombin and antiaggregation activity. Peptides and peptide mimetics of this type rapidly and irreversibly bound with receptor GP IIb/IIIa. They have short half life time in the blood plasma. Their preference in comparison with other drugs is particularly rapid and strong action. In our experiments it was demonstrated, that simple proline-containing peptides Pro-Gly, Trp-Pro, Pro-Gly-Pro (putative fragments of collagen and elastin) possesses significant antithrombotic and anticoagulant potential in vitro and in in vivo. Perhaps these peptides are members on intrinsic complex of haemostasis regulators.     

Effect of phospholipase A on erythrocyte and thrombocyte aggregation]

A study was made of the effect of plasmin and trypsin on the phospholipase activation, and also of the action of phospholipase A (cobra venom) on the release reaction and the erythrocyte and thrombocyte aggregation. Trypsin and fibrinolysin proved to activate phospholipase, this being accompanied by the accumulation of nonesterified fatty acids in the blood serum. Phospholipase A caused a release of the thromboplastic factor from erythrocytes and thrombocytes and their aggregation. The later is inhibited by albumin and EDTA. It is suggested that the action of the proteolytic enzymes on the blood formed elements was realized through the phospholipase activation.     

The effect of stabilizer composition on thrombocytes and thrombocyte function in stored whole blood. I. The thrombocyte count, thrombocyte aggregation and retraction during storage]

The behaviour of thrombocyte number and thrombocyte function aggregation and retraction in ACD, AcD-A and AcD-AG stabilized blood was examined in 18 apparently healthy test persons for a period of 9 days. On the one hand the addition of adenin or guanosin respectively increased the thrombocyte aggregation, on the other hand, however, a decrease of free, haemostatically efficient thrombocytes could be observed. Under the test conditions chosen retraction does not allow any statement to be made on the degree of the storage damage.     

Determination of the thrombocyte count in platelet-rich plasma]

A method is described according to which the number of thrombocytes may be calculated from the optical density of plasma enriched with platelets. The accuracy of the method is ensured by statistical calculations. Citrate venous blood of 60 surgical patients was used for the measurements.     

Longtime therapy of congenital factor XIII deficiency using factor XIII concentrate]

Factor XIII was determined by enzymatic and immunochemical methods in 3 patients with congenital factor XIII deficiency. Factor XIII activity measured by trans-glutaminase assay was below 1% of normal value in each of these cases. Immunelectrophoresis determination revealed the absence of the functionally active subunit A, whereas subunit S was only slightly diminished (30 to 50% of the normal value). Substitution with factor XIII concentrate caused a parallel increase of factor XIII activity and subunit A concentration. No uptake of factor XIII activity or of subunit. A by platelets could be demonstrated. Despite discontinuous substitution over a period of six years no antibody against factor XIII activity could be demonstrated in one patient with congenital factor XIII deficiency.     

Calcium-induced dissociation of human plasma factor XIII and the appearance of catalytic activity

1. The Ca(2+) dependence of the activity of plasma Factor XIII(a) was studied by using the continuous assay based on the incorporation of dansylcadaverine into dephosphorylated acetylated beta-casein (beta-substrate). The K(m) for Ca(2+) is about 0.170mm. 2. At low concentrations of Ca(2+) there was a lag in attaining the steady-state rate. The size of the lag was decreased and eventually abolished if the enzyme was preincubated with a high concentration of Ca(2+) before assay. The concentration of Ca(2+) required to decrease the lag phase by 50% in 10min depended on the protein concentration: at 0.87mg of protein/ml it required 17mm-Ca(2+) and at 0.44mg/ml it needed 10mm-Ca(2+). 3. The concentrations of Ca(2+) required either to abolish the lag phase in the appearance of enzyme activity or to activate the essential thiol for reaction with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) in 10min incubation were similar at the same protein concentration. This indicated that Ca(2+) induces a conformation change that is responsible for both phenomena. A model is proposed that links this conformation change to the dissociation of the tetrameric enzyme. 4. This was supported by the observation that the addition of excess of b chains to the Factor XIII(a) (a'(2)b(2)) increased the concentration of Ca(2+) required to expose the reactive thiol, and inhibited the Ca(2+)-dependent aggregation of a' chains. 5. Platelet Factor XIII(a) (a'(2)) was inhibited by 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) in the absence of Ca(2+), and no lag phases were observed in attaining the steady-state rate at low Ca(2+) concentrations, thus confirming the model for the activation of the plasma enzyme. 6. The Ca(2+) dependence of platelet Factor XIII(a) indicated that Ca(2+) has an additional role in the enzyme mechanism of the plasma enzyme, perhaps being involved in substrate binding. 7. The dependence of the stability of plasma Factor XIII(a) on Ca(2+) and protein concentration indicates that the decay in activity is related to the tetramer dissociation. 8. beta-Substrate decreased the Ca(2+) concentration required for (1) abolition of the lag phase and (2) enzyme inhibition by thiol reagents. The effect on the former is greater than on the latter. 9. The role of the b chains of the plasma Factor and the evolutionary significance of the plasma and platelet Factors are considered.     

Mechanisms of thrombocyte aggregation in experimental hypoparathyroidism

Inhibitors of thromboxane synthetase (imidazole), cyclooxygenase (indomethacin), phospholipase A2 (Mepacrine) were used in the experiments on rabbits with experimental hypoparathyroidism to study the role of aggregation factors in the changes of ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The enhancement of arachidonic acid metabolism and the release of platelet aggregation factor are discussed.     

Activation of factor XIII by beta-thrombin]

It was found that similar to alpha-thrombin, beta-thrombin (possessing a high esterase and only a trace coagulating activities) converts plasmic transglutaminase (factor XIII) into its active form, thus promoting stabilization of fibrin. Activation of pure and plasmic preparations of factor XIII after incubation with beta-thrombin was observed in vitro. alpha-Thrombin at concentration corresponding to the trace coagulating activity of beta-thrombin had no activating effects. An intravenous injection of beta-thrombin to animals with aminazine-inhibited anticoagulating system reflectory arc resulted in an increase of factor XIII activity in the same way as was observed in vitro. On the other hand, an intravenous injection of beta-thrombin to intact animals did not increase factor XIII activity, which may be accounted for by a decrease in the level of factor XIII due to activation of the anticoagulating system.     

Dependence of the thrombocyte aggregation reaction on plasma fibronectin and the tripeptide arginyl-glycyl-asparagilin

If was shown that the addition of fibronectin antibodies exerted the inhibition of platelet aggregation. The tripeptide RGD inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by the same agents (ADP, epinephrine, thrombin, collagen) both in blood plasma and in suspension of washed platelets.     

The effect of negatively charged liposomes on thrombocyte aggregation induced by ADP]

The incubation of platelet-rich plasma of rats with liposomes has changed cell functional activity. Lipid composition of liposomes modulated the ability of the platelets to respond to ADP. Vesicles, containing phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol or stearylamine inhibited the aggregation by 70, 30 and 40%, respectively. The inhibition of aggregation by phosphatidylserine-containing liposomes was of linear and dose-dependent character. The maximal inhibition was reported at 10-min incubation of liposomes with platelets. The impairment of platelets aggregation can be explained by interactions of liposomes with plasma coagulation factors and blocking the receptors on the platelets membranes.     

Change in rabbit plasma lipoprotein lipase activity after cephalic irradiation]

Modifications of the post-heparin lipoprotein lipasic activity in the plasma are studied after cephalic irradiation in the rabbit. Results indicate a 2/3 decrease of the enzymatic activity which is reduced to zero in half of the animals 16 hours after a 800 R irradiation.     

Changes in erythrocyte and thrombocyte aggregation after ultraviolet irradiation

Lipid peroxidation which occurs in blood serum under ultraviolet irradiation was studied. The products of these reaction suppress ADP-induced aggregation of native platelets. The rouleaux-forming capacity increased after UV-irradiation of plasma and serum albumin. Under UV-irradiation the aggregates of albumin molecules are supposed to form the aggregates of albumin molecules which bind the erythrocytes in rouleaux.     

Comparison of sea turtle thrombocyte aggregation to human platelet aggregation in whole blood

The endangered sea turtles are living "fossils" that afford us an opportunity to study the hemostatic process as it likely existed millions of years ago. There are essentially no data about turtle thrombocyte aggregation prior to our studies. Thrombocytes are nucleated cells that serve the same hemostatic functions as the anucleated mammalian platelet. Sea turtle thrombocytes aggregate in response to collagen and beta-thrombin. Ristocetin induces an agglutination/aggregation response indicating the presence of a von Willebrand-like receptor, GPIb, found in all mammalian platelets. Samples treated with alpha-thrombin plus gamma-thrombin followed by ristocetin results in a rapid, stronger response than ristocetin alone. These responses are inhibited by the RGDS peptide that blocks fibrinogen cross-linking of mammalian platelets via the fibrinogen receptor, GPIIb/IIIa. Three platelet-like proteins, GPIb, GPIIb/IIIa and P-selection are detected in sea turtle thrombocytes by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Turtle thrombocytes do not respond to ADP, epinephrine, serotonin, thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46619, trypsin, or alpha-thrombin and gamma-thrombin added alone. Comparison of hemostasis in sea turtles to other vertebrates could provide a framework for understanding the structure/function and evolution of these pathways and their individual components.     

Changes in the guanylate cyclase activity of human thrombocytes during ADP-inducible aggregation]

Activity of guanylate cyclase (GC) and its capacity for sodium nitroprusside (SNP) activation were determined in platelets with different state of aggregation. The development of ADP-induced reversible aggregation was accompanied by a decrease in the basal GC activity and by an increase in the SNP activation of GC. It was shown that elevation of GC sensitivity to SNP during the aggregation might be due to the decrease in the state of enzyme blood deficiency. Preincubation of platelets with SNP before ADP adding markedly diminished or even prevented aggregation, depending on SNP concentration. GC parameters in platelets with prevented aggregation were just the same as in control. It is suggested that the regulatory role of cGMP system in platelet aggregation may be seen in the increase in GC sensitivity to endogenous activator, presumably to NO.     

Calcium and thiol reactivity of human plasma clotting factor XIII

1. The reaction of iodoacetate, 2-chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) with thrombin-cleaved Factor XIII (i.e. Factor XIII_a) was accompanied by enzyme inhibition. 2. The reaction with iodoacetate and 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoate) was absolutely dependent on Ca²⁺, and the rate of reaction increased with the Ca²⁺ concentration up to very high, non-physiological concentrations. 3. 2-Chloromercuri-4-nitrophenol reacted with Factor XIII_a in the absence of Ca²⁺, but at a much slower rate. 4. Stopped-flow methods were used to quantify the reaction with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitro-benzoate) because of the Ca²⁺-dependent dissociation of Factor XIII_a (a′₂b₂) and subsequent aggregation of the a′ chains into turbid precipitates. 5. The 3-carboxy-4-nitrothio-phenolate released was consistent with the reaction of 2 thiol groups/molecule of Factor XIII_a. The isolated b chains of Factor XIII did not react with either of the chromophoric reagents. This indicated that the a′ chains of Factor XIII_a were responsible for the thiol reactivity of the enzyme. 6. The Ca²⁺ dependence of the enzyme inhibition by these thiol reagents was very dependent on protein concentration. This is discussed in relation to the Ca²⁺-induced dissociation of Factor XIII_a. 7. The acceptor substrate, casein, decreased the Ca²⁺ concentration required for enzyme inhibition by both the mercurial and the aromatic disulphide compounds. Dansylcadaverine did not affect Ca²⁺ dependence of inhibition.