anti-GPIb Antibody Research Articles

Anti-glycoprotein Ib causes platelet aggregation

In 1987 we reported that when blood was forced through a fine filter under pressure in the filterometer the platelets aggregated and blocked the filter. von Willebrand factor (vWF) and glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa and calcium were involved. Results with anti-GpIb were equivocal. We now report that all the anti-GpIb antibodies studied, glycocalicin, as well as some concentrations of aurin tricarboxylic acid caused platelet aggregation in the pre-filter blood and therefore could not be used in the filterometer. Using two different molecules that prevent vWF binding to GpIb and two anti-GpIIb/IIIa antibodies at two pressures it has now been shown that GpIb, vWf and high shear are primarily responsible for platelet retention at 0-5 s. Progressive platelet retention studied between 20 and 40 s required high shear and GpIIb/IIIa after the calcium influx mediated by GpIb/vWF binding. When GpIb was inhibited, GpIIb/Ila could not function normally, so GpIb inhibition resulted in decreased aggregation both at 0-5 s and at 20-40 s. Anti-GpIIlb/IIIa caused a minimal decrease in retention at 0-5 s and marked inhibition at 20-40 s. These findings fit and amplify concepts derived from other high shear methodologies. A diagram is presented of the events leading up to the final 'passivation' of the 'thrombus' in the filter when the surface of the aggregated platelets becomes unattractive.

Recurrent Arterial Thrombosis Linked to Autoimmune Antibodies Enhancing von Willebrand Factor Binding to Platelets and Inducing FcγRII Receptor-Mediated Platelet Activation

A patient with a history of recurrent late fetal loss associated with multiple placental infarcts and cerebrovascular ischemia at the age of 36, followed a year later by a myocardial infarction, was referred for further investigation. Coronary angiography was normal. Antinuclear factor, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, and other thrombophilia parameters were negative, but there was moderate hyperthyroidism with positive thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Platelet numbers and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were normal. Her platelets showed spontaneous aggregation that disappeared with aspirin intake. However, aggregation still was induced by low levels of ristocetin (0.3 to 0.5 mg/mL). The low-dose ristocetin aggregation in patient platelet-rich plasma (PRP) was completely blocked by neutralizing antiglycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and anti-vWF antibodies. The monoclonal anti-Fc gamma RII receptor antibody IV.3 inhibited partly, which suggests that PRP aggregation by low-dose ristocetin was elicited by vWF-immunoglobulin (Ig) complexes. Upon addition to washed human platelets, with vWF (10 micrograms/mL), purified patient Igs dose-dependently enhanced ristocetin (0.15 mg/mL)-induced aggregation between 0 and 500 micrograms/mL, an effect that disappeared again above 1 mg/mL. Aggregation was dependent on the vWF concentration and was blocked by IV.3 or neutralizing anti-GPIb or anti-vWF antibodies. The spontaneous aggregation of normal platelets resuspended in patient plasma could be inhibited totally by IV.3 and partially by neutralizing anti-GPIb or anti-vWF antibodies. Perfusion with normal anticoagulated blood, enriched with 10% of control or patient plasma, over surfaces coated with vWF showed increased platelet adhesion and activation in the presence of patient antibodies. Treatment of the patient with the antithyroid drug thiamazol and temporary corticosteroids, aspirin, and ticlopidine did not correct the platelet hypersensitivity to ristocetin. These observations suggest that some autoantibodies to vWF may both enhance vWF binding to platelets and cause platelet activation through binding to the Fc gamma RII receptor, and thereby may be responsible for a new form of antibody-mediated thrombosis.

HLA and HPA typing in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura patients treated with Kami-kihi-to.

We performed human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and human platelet antigen (HPA) in patients with Kami-kihi-to-responsive idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. The HLA-A2, A61 and Cw1 were significantly increased in responders compared with nonresponders, as were HLA DRB1 *0901, DRB1 *1502, and DPB1 *0501. In contrast, HLA DPB1 *0201 and DPB1 *0901 were significantly decreased in responders. The a/b genotype of HPA-2 and a/a genotype of HPA-3 were markedly increased in nonresponders, and anti-GPIb antibody was also increased. These results suggest that HLA, HPA, and anti-GP antibody studies may predict the response of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura to Kami-kihi-to.

Platelet Activation and Aggregation Induced by Recombinant von Willebrand Factors Reproducing Four Type 2B von Willebrand Disease Missense Mutations

Type 2B of von Willebrand disease (vWD) refers to qualitative variants with increased affinity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) for platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb). All the mutations responsible for type 2B vWD have been located in the A1 domain of vWF. In this study, various recombinant von Willebrand factors (rvWF) reproducing four type 2B vWD missense mutations were compared to wild-type rvWF (WT-rvWF) for their spontaneous binding to platelets and their capacity to induce platelet activation and aggregation. Our data show that the multimeric pattern of each mutated rvWF is similar to that of WT-rvWF but the extent of spontaneous binding and the capacity to induce platelet activation and aggregation are more important for the R543Q and V553M mutations than for the L697V and A698V mutations. Both the binding of mutated rvWFs to platelets and platelet aggregation induced by type 2B rvWFs are inhibited by monoclonal anti-GPIb and anti-vWF antibodies, inhibitors of vWF binding to platelets in the presence of ristocetin, as well as by aurin tricarboxylic acid. On the other hand, EDTA and a monoclonal antibody directed against GPIIb/IIIa only inhibit platelet aggregation. Furthermore, the incubation of type 2B rvWFs with platelets, under stirring conditions, results in the decrease in high molecular weight vWF multimers in solution, the extent of which appears correlated with that of plasma vWF from type 2B vWD patients harboring the corresponding missense mutation. This study supports that the binding of different mutated type 2B vWFs onto platelet GPIb induces various degrees of platelet activation and aggregation and thus suggests that the phenotypic heterogeneity of type 2B vWD may be related to the nature and/or location of the causative point mutation.

血清Lipoprotein(a)濃度の血小板凝集能, 粘着能におよぼす影響

Although some investigations reported that there is an interaction between lipoprotein (a) and resting platelets, no reports have been published on the relationship between lipoprotein (a) and platelet adhesion or aggregation in clinical study. We measured plasma lipoprotein (a) concentration and platelet function in 100 normal volunteers and 81 patients with type ha and 41 patients with type IV non familial hyperlipidemia. Platelet aggregation were measured by Bom's method using optical density, and platelet small, median and large aggregates were detected by newly developed system using laser light scattering. In healthy females, subjects with high lipoprotein (a) concentration showed higher counts of platelet small aggregates formed in absence of chemical stimulants than subjects with low lipoprotein concentration (p<0.05). In the patients with type IV hyperlipidemia, patients with high lipoprotein (a) concentration showed higher counts of large aggregates formed by 1μM of ADP than patients with low lipoprotein (a) concentration (p<0.05). In patients with type IV, patients with high platelet aggregability induced by epinephrine showed higher lipoprotein (a) concentration than patients with low aggregability (p<0.05), and in healthy females, subjects with high platelet aggregabilitry induced by ADP showed higher lipoprotein (a) concentration than subjects with low aggregability (p<0.05). In the healthy males and the patients with type ha hyperlipidemia, there was no significant difference in platelet aggregability between high and low concentration of lipoprotein (a) group. In high lipoprotein (a) concentration, washed platelets by HEPES buffer increased the formation of platelet small, median and large aggregates induced by 3μM of ADP. Platelet small aggregates formed spontaneously were inhibited by monoclonal anti GPIIb/IIIa antibody but not by monoclonal anti GPIb antibody. It was suggested that lipoprotein (a) influences on platelet aggregation in healthy female and the patients with type IV hyperlipidemia. But this mechanism is unclear. Further investigation seemed to be necessary.

Difference of [Ca2+]i Movements in Platelets Stimulated by Thrombin and TRAP: the Involvement of αIIbβ3-Mediated TXA2 Synthesis

This study investigated the difference of [Ca2+]i movement in platelets in response to thrombin and TRAP. The involvement of alpha(IIb)beta3 in this signaling was also studied. Stimulation of platelets with thrombin at 0.03 U/ml caused platelet aggregation and a two-peak increase in [Ca2+]i. The second peak of [Ca2+]i, but not the first peak was abolished by the inhibition of platelet aggregation with alpha(IIb)beta3 antagonists or by scavenging endogenous ADP with apyrase. A cyclooxygenase inhibitor, aspirin, and a TXA2 receptor antagonist, BM 13505, also abolished the second peak of [Ca2+]i but not the first peak, although these regents did not inhibit aggregation. Under the same assay conditions, measurement of TXB2 demonstrated that alpha(IIb)beta3 antagonists and aspirin almost completely inhibited the production of TXB2. In contrast to thrombin-stimulation, TRAP caused only a single peak of [Ca2+]i even in the presence of platelet aggregation, and a high level of [Ca2+]i increase was needed for the induction of platelet aggregation. The inhibition of aggregation with alpha(IIb)beta3 antagonists had no effect on [Ca2+]i change and TXB2 production induced by TRAP. Inhibition studies using anti-GPIb antibodies suggested that GPIb may be involved in the thrombin response, but not in the TRAP. Our findings suggest that low dose thrombin causes a different [Ca2+]i response and TXA2 producing signal from TRAP. Endogenous ADP release and fibrinogen binding to alpha(IIb)beta3 are responsible for the synthesis of TXA2 which results in the induction of the second peak of [Ca2+]i in low thrombin- but not TRAP-stimulated platelets.

Cerastotin, a serine protease from Cerastes cerastes venom, with platelet-aggregating and agglutinating properties.

Cerastotin, a thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of the desert viper Cerastes cerastes, has been purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and two ion-exchange chromatographies on Mono S columns. It is a neutral glycoprotein (pI = 6.6), present as a single polypeptide chain of 40 kDa. Its N-terminal sequence shows strong similarity with those of other thrombin-like enzymes from snake venoms. Cerastotin possesses esterase and amidolytic activities measured with N(alpha)-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester and the thrombin chromogenic substrate D-phenylalanyl-L-pipecolyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide, respectively. The amidolytic activity is inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, N(alpha)-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethane, N(alpha)-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethane, D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl chloromethane and benzamidine, suggesting that cerastotin is a serine protease. Cerastotin efficiently clots human plasma and cleaves preferentially the alpha chain of fibrinogen. Cerastotin did not induce aggregation of washed normal platelets, but did aggregate platelets in the presence of exogenous fibrinogen. A monoclonal antibody directed against glycoprotein (GPIb), which specifically inhibits induced agglutination by ristocetin also completely blocks platelet aggregation induced by cerastotin. However, another anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody, which specifically inhibits alpha-thrombin binding to GPIb, did not prevent this aggregation. Furthermore, platelets which were desensitised by alpha-thrombin still aggregate in the presence of cerastotin, but not alpha-thrombin. Similarly a monoclonal antibody, anti-GPIIb-IIIa, which blocks fibrinogen binding, did not inhibit cerastotin-induced platelet aggregation. This activity is abolished in the presence of 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride and/or 10 mM EDTA. Cerastotin also agglutinates formalin-fixed and washed platelets, only in the simultaneous presence of fibrinogen and of Von Willebrand factor.

Platelet and Megakaryocyte Dense Granules Contain Glycoproteins Ib and IIb-IIIa

AbstractPlatelets contain two main types of secretory organelles, the dense granules and the α-granules. P-selectin, a specific receptor for leukocytes that is present in the α-granule membrane, has also been demonstrated to be associated with the dense granule limiting membrane, showing that a relationship exists between these two types of secretory granules. We have previously shown that the plasma membrane receptors glycoproteins (Gp) IIb-IIIa and Ib are also present in the α-granule membrane. To document further the composition of the dense granule membrane, we have used immunoelectron microscopy in the present work to determine if the dense granule membrane also contains these glycoproteins. First, the cytochemical method of Richards and Da Prada (J Histochem Cytochem 25:1322, 1977), which specifically enhances dense body electron density, was combined with immunogold-labeled anti–Gp IIb-IIIa or anti–Gp Ib antibody. A consistent and reproducible labeling for Gp IIb-IIIa, but less for Gp Ib, was found in the membrane of platelet dense granules. Subsequently, double immunogold labeling was performed on frozen thin sections of resting platelets using antibodies directed against the dense body components granulophysin or P-selectin, followed by anti–Gp IIb-IIIa or anti–Gp Ib. Consistent labeling for Gp IIb-IIIa and weaker labeling for Gp Ib were detected in dense bodies. The possibility that the granulophysin-positive structures could be lysosomes was excluded by the presence of P-selectin. Immunogold labeling of isolated dense granule fractions confirmed these results. Identical findings were made on human cultured megakaryocytes using double immunolabeling. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the presence of Gp IIb-IIIa and Gp Ib on the dense granule membrane. This observation provides additionnal evidence of similarities between the α-granule and dense granule membranes and raises the possibility of a dual mechanism responsible for the formation of dense granules similar to that of α-granules, ie, endogenous synthesis as well as endocytosis from the plasma membrane.

Missense Mutations of the Glycoprotein (GP) Ibβ Gene Impairing the GPIb α/β Disulfide Linkage in a Family With Giant Platelet Disorder

AbstractWe describe here the molecular basis of an isolated hereditary giant platelet disorder (GPD) which is not accompanied with thrombocytopenia or leukocyte inclusion. Platelet aggregation with ristocetin and botrocetin was almost normal in this patient. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX complex was expressed on the platelet membranes at decreased levels. The amount of platelet GPIbα and the plasma glycocalicin concentration, the water-soluble extracellular portion of GPIbα, were also decreased. The anti-GPIbα antibody coprecipitated GPIbβ and GPIX, although the ratios of these polypeptides to GPIbα was greatly decreased compared with the ratio in normal platelets. Immunoblot analysis under nonreduced conditions showed that most of the GPIbα in the patient's platelets was not disulfide linked with GPIbβ. DNA sequencing analysis showed compound heterozygosity for two independent single nucleotide substitutions: from Tyr (TAC) to Cys (TGC) at residue 88, and from Ala (GCC) to Pro (CCC) at residue 108 in her GPIbβ gene. These substitutions were not found in genomic DNA samples from 108 normal individuals. These mutations might result in decreased expression of the GPIb/IX complex and may influence the association of the complex with the membrane skeleton, consequently impairing normal platelet morphology. Furthermore, the phenotype caused by mutations in the subunits of the GPIb/IX complex could span the spectrum from a normal phenotype, to isolated GPD, to a full-blown bleeding disorder, such as Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Shear stress-induced binding of von willebrand factor to platelets

Shear stress-induced platelet aggregation requires von Willebrand factor (vWF), platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib, GPIIb-IIIa, Ca 2+, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Recent reports using vWF labeled with either 125I or fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) have demonstrated that in shear-fields, vWF binds to both GPIb and GPHb-IIIa. The sequence of the vWF binding to the two platelet receptors has not been precisely determined in these reports. In this study, a flow cytometry technique using a primary anti-vWF antibody and a secondary FITC IgG antibody was used to measure shear stress-induced vWF binding to platelets. Washed normal platelets suspended at 50,000/μl with purified large VWF multimers were exposed to laminar shear stresses of 15 to 120 dynes/cm 2 for 30 sec. At this low platelet count, little or no aggregation occurred in the shear fields. A significant increase in post-shear vWF-positive platelets was consistently observed. Experiments with platelets from normal and severe von Willebrand's disease (vWD) (which lack plasma and platelet α-granule vWF) demonstrated that exogenous vWF predominately contributed to the platelet-vWF binding. Blockade of platelet GPIb with the monoclonal anti-GPIb antibody, 6D1, completely inhibited shear stress-induced platelet-vWF attachment. In contrast, blockade of GPIIb-IIIa with monoclonal anti-GPIIb-IIIa antibodies, 10E5 or c7E3, or with the GPIIb-IIIa-blocking tetrapeptide, RGDS, had little or no inhibitory effect on platelet-vWF binding. These data demonstrate that the binding of vWF to GPIb is likely to be the initial shear-induced platelet-ligand binding event. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd

Contributions of glycoprotein Ib and the seven transmembrane domain receptor to increases in platelet cytoplasmic [Ca2+] induced by alpha-thrombin.

The individual contributions of glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and the seven transmembrane domain receptor (STDR) to increases in platelet [Ca2+]i induced by alpha-thrombin or the tethered ligand peptide (TLP; SFLLRNPNDKYEPF) have been determined in control platelets, in platelets where the thrombin binding site on GPIb was blocked with the monoclonal antibodies TM60 and LJ-Ib10, in platelets where access of thrombin to the STDR was blocked by polyclonal antipeptide antibodies, and in Bernard-Soulier platelets which constitutively lack GPIb. Curve-fitting analyses (LIGAND) showed that binding of PPACK-thrombin and alpha-thrombin to the moderate-affinity site was not detected in the best-fit model in the presence of anti-STDR antibodies although with alpha-thrombin there was also decreased binding at the high-affinity site. Conversely, TM60 blocked binding of alpha-thrombin to the high-affinity site but also decreased binding at the moderate affinity site. Separately, either TM60 or anti-TNA (150 micrograms/mL) reduced thrombin (0.5 nM)-induced elevations in [Ca2+]i to 50% of control values, but Ca2+ elevations were essentially abrogated (4.2 +/- 5%) when the two were added in combination. [Ca2+]i dose-response curves for alpha-thrombin were curvilinear and were only 50% of controls in the presence of anti-GPIb or anti-STDR antibodies at up to 10 nM alpha-thrombin, with their greatest sensitivity being below 2 nM. With Bernard-Soulier platelets, changes in [Ca2+]i were not detectable at < or = 0.5 nM alpha-thrombin but were also 50% of controls at 5-10 nM alpha-thrombin. [Ca2+]i responses to TLP (1-100 microM) of antibody-blocked platelets were identical to those of controls whereas responses were approximately 50% of controls in Bernard-Soulier platelets. The rate of increase in [Ca2+]i in controls was twice that seen in antibody-blocked platelets and about 5-fold greater than in Bernard-Soulier platelets. These results demonstrate that both GPIb and the STDR are required to ensure the optimal rate and extent of platelet activation over a range of alpha-thrombin concentrations (0.3-10 nM) and that the STDR corresponds to the previously described moderate-affinity thrombin receptor.

Platelet Adhesion to Fibronectin in Flow: The Importance of von Willebrand Factor and Glycoprotein Ib

We describe glycoprotein (GP) Ib as a mediator of adhesion to fibronectin, specifically in flow. A monoclonal antibody (MoAb) directed to the von Willebrand factor (vWF)-binding site on this receptor or the absence of this receptor on the platelet membrane, in the case of a patient with the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, reduced platelet coverage to fibronectin to approximately 30% of the control value. A MoAb directed to the GP Ib-binding site on vWF showed a similar effect. With washed platelets in the absence of plasma vWF, the inhibitory effect of the anti-GP Ib antibody was the same as with whole blood. No inhibition with the anti-GP Ib antibody was observed when we used blood from patients with severe von Willebrand disease (vWD) or from a patient with vWD type I (platelet low). Addition of vWF to vWD blood resulted in restoration of adhesion. Immunoelectron microscopy on platelets adhering to fibronectin showed that GP Ib was homogeneously distributed over the entire surface of the platelet. vWF was present at the central zone and the edges of the platelet and at the basal interface between the platelet and the fibronectin surface. No direct binding of vWF to fibronectin could be demonstrated. These data indicate that GP Ib-mediated adhesion to fibronectin fully depends on vWF and that normal levels of plasma or platelet vWF are sufficient for optimal adhesion to fibronectin. The data suggest that the presence of platelets during perfusion is a prerequisite for vWF to support platelet adhesion to fibronectin.

Internalization of an Anti-Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Antibody by HEL Cells

Platelets are known to internalize monoclonal antibodies directed against the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex. We investigated whether an antibody directed against this complex (NNKY 2-11) was transported from the surface membrane to the intracellular pool in HEL cells. Flow cytometry showed that the percent binding of NNKY 2-11 to the surface membrane of HEL cells was decreased after incubation for 24 h compared with 1 h, while the binding of an anti-GPIb antibody (NNKY 5-5) did not change. It did not seem likely that the GP IIb/IIIa complex antibody was shed from the surface membrane of the HEL cells during incubation, because the medium conditioned by incubation with these cells for 24 h showed almost no binding to washed platelets. In addition, immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that GP IIb/IIIa complex antibodies were incorporated into the intracellular pool of HEL cells and were associated with alpha granules. These findings indicated that an anti-GP IIb/IIIa antibody could be internalized by megakaryocytes, as has been previously shown with platelets, suggesting that megakaryocyte GP IIb/IIIa may act as a carrier for various adhesion proteins.

Adhesion receptor activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. von Willebrand factor stimulates the cytoskeletal association and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and pp60c-src in human platelets.

The cytoskeleton participates in the coordinated regulation of intracellular signaling molecules, following agonist stimulation of cells. We have demonstrated that von Willebrand factor (vWF) induced the cytoskeletal association and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PtdIns 3-kinase) in human platelets. The activation of PtdIns 3-kinase coincided with the tyrosine phosphorylation of multiple platelet proteins, as assessed by anti-phosphotyrosine immunoblotting. One of these tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, pp60c-src, became specifically enriched in the cytoskeletal fraction of vWF-stimulated platelets. The vWF-stimulated cytoskeletal association of PtdIns 3-kinase and pp60c-src required platelet stirring and aggregation, was specifically blocked by an anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody, and was not observed in platelets lacking the glycoprotein Ib/IX complex (Bernard-Soulier syndrome). Pretreatment of normal platelets with 5 mM EDTA (37 degrees C for 90 min) or RGDS (2 mM), which disrupts the binding of various adhesive proteins to platelet integrins and inhibits fibrinogen-mediated platelet aggregation, did not alter the vWF-stimulated activation and cytoskeletal association of PtdIns 3-kinase and pp60c-src. Pretreatment of platelets with acetylsalicylic acid (1 mM) completely abolished vWF-stimulated production of thromboxane A2, dense granule release, and the activation of protein kinase C, without altering the activation and cytoskeletal translocation of PtdIns 3-kinase and pp60c-src. Our results suggest that vWF binding to the platelet adhesion receptor glycoprotein Ib/IX can mediate activation and translocation of both tyrosine and lipid kinase(s) independent of other agonists.

Structural Elements Influencing von Willebrand Factor (vWF) Binding Affinity for Platelet Glycoprotein Ib Within a Dispase-Digested vWF Fragment

Abstract We investigated the structural elements in human von Willebrand factor (vWF) that influence binding affinity for platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib using a dispase-digested vWF fragment as a prototype (residues Leu480/Val481-Gly718 of the vWF subunit; Andrews et al, Biochemistry 28:8326, 1989). The major structural features of this fragment are a large A1-loop formed by an intrachain disulfide bond between Cys509 and Cys695 and six O-linked sugar chains. The fragment was chemically modified by (1) reduction and S-carboxyamido-methylation (R/A), (2) desialylation (DS), or (3) a combination of both (R/A-DS). The GPIb binding affinity of these fragments was basically evaluated by competitive binding assay with anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody (LJ-Ib1), a receptor blocker for vWF (Sugimoto et al, Biochemistry 30:5202, 1991). Both the prototype and the R/A fragments were also assessed for their function in shear-induced platelet aggregation. Results unambiguously demonstrated that the presence of a disulfide bridge (Cys509-Cys695) within this domain downregulates the affinity of vWF to GPIb. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the terminal sialic acids attached to six o-linked sugar chains within this domain contribute to optimal functional modulation by the antibiotic ristocetin, but not by snake venom botrocetin.

Structural elements influencing von Willebrand factor (vWF) binding affinity for platelet glycoprotein Ib within a dispase-digested vWF fragment

We investigated the structural elements in human von Willebrand factor (vWF) that influence binding affinity for platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib using a dispase-digested vWF fragment as a prototype (residues Leu480/Val481-Gly718 of the vWF subunit; Andrews et al, Biochemistry 28:8326, 1989). The major structural features of this fragment are a large A1-loop formed by an intrachain disulfide bond between Cys509 and Cys695 and six O-linked sugar chains. The fragment was chemically modified by (1) reduction and S-carboxyamido-methylation (R/A), (2) desialylation (DS), or (3) a combination of both (R/A-DS). The GPIb binding affinity of these fragments was basically evaluated by competitive binding assay with anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody (LJ-Ib1), a receptor blocker for vWF (Sugimoto et al, Biochemistry 30:5202, 1991). Both the prototype and the R/A fragments were also assessed for their function in shear-induced platelet aggregation. Results unambiguously demonstrated that the presence of a disulfide bridge (Cys509-Cys695) within this domain downregulates the affinity of vWF to GPIb. In addition, it was also demonstrated that the terminal sialic acids attached to six o-linked sugar chains within this domain contribute to optimal functional modulation by the antibiotic ristocetin, but not by snake venom botrocetin.

Whole Platelet-Captured Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (WPC-ELISA) for Glycoprotein Ib

We describe here a simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the quantiation of GPIb of freshly-prepared washed platelets. This assay used rabbit antihuman platelet antibody as a platelet-capturing antibody and an anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody (OP-F1) conjugated with horseraddish peroxidase as a second antibody. The lowest concentration of GPIb antigen measurable by this ELISA was 0.01% of normal platelets when determined using a platelet concentration of 105/μl. The average value (mean±2SD) of platelet GPIb antigen from 30 normal individuals was 93.1±20.3%. Two unrelative patients with Bernard-Soulier syndrome showed less than 0.1% and 4.5%, respectively of normal platelet GPIb. In 30 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), the GPIb antigen levels (43.1±19.9%) were also significantly reduced (p<0.001). These results also suggest that hemorrhagic tendency in patients with CRF is due to, in part, the decreased levels of GPIb.

Reversible translocation of glycoprotein Ib in plasmin-treated platelets: consequences for platelet function.

Understanding the effect of fibrinolysis on platelet function is of clinical importance. Plasmin is recognized to affect platelet adhesive function by reducing the interaction of platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib with von Willebrand factor (vWF) bound to the subendothelium. This platelet function is commonly explored in vitro by the ristocetin-induced agglutination test. Our previous study demonstrated a plasmin-induced redistribution of GP Ib molecules from the platelet surface to the linings of the surface-connected canalicular system (SCCS), a critical mechanism for understanding plasmin-induced GP Ib dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that neutralization of plasmin by its inhibitors, aprotinin or tripeptide Val-Phe-Lys-CH2Cl, permits a time dependent recovery (within 30 min) of ristocetin-induced agglutination in the platelets which were stimulated by plasmin at < 1 CU ml-1. This functional recovery was accompanied with a restoration of a normal amount of GP Ib on the platelet surface, as measured by the binding of both monoclonal anti-GP Ib antibody SZ 2 and 125I-labelled vWF to the platelets. Cytochalasin D did not inhibit this recovery, suggesting that this process may be due to passive actin depolymerization. These findings were further confirmed by immunoelectron microscopic study. Utilizing the platelets pre-labelled with anti-GP Ib antibody prior to plasmin stimulation, it was demonstrated that the observed recovery is due to a reverse translocation from the SCCS to the plasma membrane of the same GP Ib molecules which were present initially at the cell surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mechanism of platelet aggregation induced by a monoclonal antibody requiring Fc portion

A monoclonal antibody designated Apt4, which is IgGl, was produced by fusion of mouse myeloma cells to spleen cells from a BALB/c mouse immunized with normal human platelets. Apt4 whole IgG caused the aggregation of both platelet rich plasma (PRP) and washed platelets from normal subjects and a patient with Bernard Soulier syndrome but not those from two patients with the Type 1 Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. No aggregation was observed when Apt4 F(ab′) 2 fragments were used. Immunofluorescence study showed that both whole IgG and F(ab′) 2 fragments of Apt4 bound to fresh or formalin fixed platelets from normal subjects and a patient with Bernard Soulier syndrome but not to those from two patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Aggregation induced by Apt4 IgG was inhibited by EDTA (10 mM), PGE 1 (1 mM), 2-deoxy-D-glucose /antimycin (1.4 uM), and apyrase (20 units/ml). Preincubation of normal PRP with monoclonal anti-GPIIb/IIIa or anti-GPIb antibodies completely or partially inhibited the Apt4-induced aggregation, whereas anti-GPIIIa antibodies have no effects on this activation. Monoclonal ant-FcγRII antibody (IV.3) inhibited Apt4 induced aggregation. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labeled platelet membrane lysate by Apt4 IgG showed two protein bands with a molecular weight of 145,000 and 95,000 daltons respectively under nonreducing condition, which are corresponding to GPIIb and GPIIIa. In conclusion, Apt4 antibody binds to GPIIb/IIIa complex and induces aggregation, requiring energy metabolism, calcium, ADP release and Fc portion of IgG to interact with Fc receptor, but independent of thromboXane A 2 formation.

Unusually large von Willebrand factor multimers preferentially promote young sickle and nonsickle erythrocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.

Sickle red blood cells (RBC) suspended with endothelial cell (EC)-derived unusually large (UL) von Willebrand factor (vWF) multimers, but not large plasma vWF forms, adhered to human venous EC under shear flow conditions. When sickle RBC were separated by density gradient centrifugation, fractions rich in less dense RBC were the most adhesive to EC in the presence of ULvWF. Incubation of sickle RBC with monoclonal antibodies against platelet surface receptors GPIb or GPIIb/IIIa, or with the integrin receptor agonist Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) decreased the ULvWF-mediated sickle RBC adhesion to EC 84%, > 99%, and 90%, respectively. When incubated with EC before the flow studies, anti-GPIb antibody and RGDS inhibited the ULvWF-mediated sickle RBC adhesion to EC. ULvWF also promoted the adhesion to EC of nonsickle RBC (HbAA) from patients with an increased proportion of young erythrocytes. When the EC supernatant was depleted of most vWF forms, young nonsickle RBC adhesion decreased by 90%. Preincubation of young nonsickle RBC with anti-GPIb antibody, anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody, or RGDS inhibited the ULvWF-mediated young RBC adhesion to EC by 47%, 88%, and 92%, respectively. These data indicate that (1) low-density erythrocyte fractions enriched in young sickle or young nonsickle RBC are capable of binding ULvWF multimers via GPIb-like and GPIIb/IIIa-like receptors; (2) the RBC vWF receptors are lost or modified as erythrocytes age in the circulation; and (3) ULvWF/RBC complexes also bind to EC via a GPIb-like receptor.