Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation by an SLE-Derived Human Hybridoma Autoantibody Against an Activation-Dependent Antigen

Abstract

Anti-platelet autoantibodies may be responsible for hematological complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the mechanisms by which these antibodies cause abnormal hemostasis remain unknown. In the present study, using fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis, we demonstrate that an SLE-derived human hybridoma autoantibody, 9604, recognizes a surface antigen expressed on platelets activated by ADP, calcium ionophore A23187, or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), showing saturation with approximately 2,000 antibody molecules bound per platelet and a Kd of 41 nM. The binding of 9604 to activated platelets was significantly inhibited by EDTA, indicating partial dependence on divalent cations. It did not appear to be dependent on platelet secretion, nor did it directly affect alpha-granule or dense granule secretion. The protein antigen responsible for the binding of 9604 to activated platelets was characterized by Western blot and immunoprecipitation and shown to have a native molecular weight (M. W.) of greater than 400,000, with a 32,000 M. W. subunit (p 32). Antibody 9604 had little or no effect on the shape change and the initial rate of primary aggregation of normal platelets. In contrast, 9604 inhibited secondary aggregation of stirred platelet suspensions (IC50 < or = 1 nM) following activation by ADP, thromboxane A2 mimetic U46619, or calcium ionophore A23187, but not PMA or thrombin. The inhibition of large platelet aggregate formation (secondary aggregation), with a major shift to smaller microaggregates and singlets, was confirmed by direct particle count and sizing studies. The functional inhibition of platelet aggregation by an SLE-derived human hybridoma autoantibody in vitro suggests one potential mechanism that may play a role in the hemostatic disorders found in SLE.