Low Affinity Platelet Research Articles

Thromboxane Synthesis and Platelet Protein Release During Simulated Extracorporeal Circulation

Platelet secretion induced by certain soluble aggregating agents is associated with thromboxane formation. Activation of platelets by artificial surfaces may involve similar biochemical pathways. Therefore, we monitored platelet release and formation of thromboxane B2. the stable end-product of thromboxane A2, during simulated extracorporeal circulation where contact between blood and synthetic surfaces is extensive. Fresh heparinized human blood was recirculated for 2 hr at 37°C at 1 liter/min in circuits (0.95 sqm) constructed of standard silicone rubber components (0.1 sqm) and a spiral coil membrane oxygenator (0.85 sqm). Within 2 min of recirculation, plasma levels of the platelet-specific protein, low-affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4) rose from <1.5% to 11 % ±3% SEM of that which was released by triton X-100, indicating significant release of platelet α-granule contents. This occurred despite the absence of detectable thromboxane B2 in plasma (<0.5 pmole/ml). Between 2 and 15 min, plasma levels of LA-PF4 increased from 11% to 42% ± 3%, and plasma thromboxane B2 concentrations rose to 3.2 pmole/ml. Subsequently, thromboxane B2 levels continued to rise to 9.8 pmole/ml by 2 hr. Thromboxane B2 was not detected in blood from donors who had ingested aspirin, and the extent of platelet secretion was reduced by about 50% (25% at 2 hr). Thus, although a component of platelet granule release during extracorporeal recirculation appears to be associated with thromboxane synthesis, considerable release of LA-PF4 may occur by thromboxanβ-indβpen-dent pathways.

Platelet Activation by a Humanized Monoclonal CD40 Ligand (CD40L) Antibody.

Monoclonal antibodies are increasingly used as therapeutics, and some (anti-VEGF, anti-CD40L) have produced unexpected thrombotic side effects. For example, clinical trials with the humanized monoclonal CD40L antibody, hu5c8, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease) were prematurely terminated due to thromboembolic events. In SLE, elevated soluble CD40L (sCD40L) antigen levels may indicate in vivo platelet activation, putting patients at increased risk for thrombosis. We therefore hypothesized that anti-CD40L immunotherapy may represent an additional prothrombotic hit, leading to clinical manifestation of thromboembolic disease in patients with SLE. In this report, we provide experimental evidence that hu5c8, when combined with homotrimeric recombinant human sCD40L (rhsCD40L) in 1:3 molar ratio to allow formation of higher-order immune complexes (IC), activates platelets in an FcγRIIA-dependent manner. In a washed platelet system, IC formed of rhsCD40L (5 μg/mL) with hu5c8 (15 μg/mL) strongly induced platelet aggregation, while IC of rhsCD40L with hu5c8-Fab or hu5c8-F(ab')2 did not. Similarly, IC of rhsCD40L with hu5c8-agly, an aglycosylated hu5c8 variant with reduced Fc domain binding to the low affinity platelet IgG receptor, FcγRIIA (CD32), failed to induce aggregation. FcγRIIA dependency was further demonstrated with the monoclonal CD32 antibody, IV.3. These results suggest that hu5c8-mediated platelet activation requires both antigen (CD40L) and the IgG Fc domain. Flow cytometric analysis of P-selectin (CD62P) confirmed that IC of rhsCD40L with hu5c8, but not with Fab, F(ab')2, or hu5c8-agly, strongly activated platelets via FcγRIIA. When washed platelets were first sensitized with ADP, resulting in surface exposure of endogenous CD40L and sub-maximal aggregation of 5–25%, hu5c8 (10 μg/mL) induced strong platelet aggregation of up to 80–100% in the absence of exogenous rhsCD40L, indicating that physiologic levels of CD40L were sufficient for hu5c8-mediated platelet activation. ADP-sensitized platelets did not respond to equimolar concentrations of Fab, F(ab')2, or hu5c8-agly. In the serotonin release assay (SRA), which is used for the detection of FcγRIIA-activating heparin-platelet factor 4 (PF4) autoantibodies in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), the experimental procedure generates close platelet-platelet contacts and causes release of α-granule proteins such as CD62P, PF4, and CD40L. In the absence of rhsCD40L, hu5c8, but not Fab, F(ab')2, or hu5c8-agly, induced significant dense granule release, suggesting that exogenous rhsCD40L was not an absolute requirement for hu5c8-mediated platelet activation. In summary, our results show that the humanized monoclonal CD40L antibody, hu5c8, can strongly activate platelets in an Fc domain-dependent manner and that physiologically released CD40L is sufficient for this activity. This mechanism of activation is similar to that of HIT, in which homotetrameric PF4 released from prestimulated platelets provides the molecular basis for clustering of, and signaling through, FcγRIIA, resulting in a vicious cycle of platelet activation. Because thrombosis is a serious complication of HIT, it is reasonable to speculate that hu5c8-mediated platelet activation contributed to the pathophysiology of thromboembolic events in SLE patients receiving anti-CD40L immunotherapy.

Lipid Raft Association of a Shared Factor X/Prothrombin Binding Site on Human Platelets Is Mediated by the Gla Domain.

Factor X (FX) initially binds to a high-capacity, low-affinity platelet binding site shared with prothrombin (FII) which then presents FX to a specific, high-affinity site consisting of FVIIIa bound to a high-affinity, low-capacity receptor on activated platelets. We have demonstrated the localization of FX in lipid rafts and shown that FX-raft association requires Ca2+ and is enhanced by saturating concentrations of FVIIIa. Here we investigate FII-raft association and define the domains through which shared FX and FII sites are mediated on the surface of human platelets. Activated (thrombin receptor peptide, SFLLRN, 25 μM) gel-filtered platelets (3.5 x 108/ml) were incubated with 125I-FII or 125I-FX to determine direct platelet binding and then they were lysed with Triton-X100 (0.025-0.25%) followed by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. FII was localized to lipid rafts in SFLLRN stimulated (~25% total binding) but not to unactivated platelets. The optimal associations of FX and FII with lipid rafts required Ca2+ and were not affected by the presence of EGR-FIXa or FIX (45 nM). The association of FII with lipid rafts was completely abolished in the presence of FX (1.5 μM) whereas, Gla (des) FX was unable to compete with raft associated FII. Similarly, 125I-FII fragment 1 association with lipid rafts was inhibited by FX but not by Gla (des) FX. Prothrombin and FII fragment 1 (residues 1-155) were equipotent inhibitors of FX-raft association. FVIIIa (20 nM) had no effect on FII-raft association but significantly increased (~2-fold to ~45%) FX-raft association. In contrast, the presence of FVa (20 nM) had no effect on FX-raft association but significantly (~2-fold to ~45%) increased FII-raft association. The structural integrity of lipid rafts was completely disrupted by 10 mM methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), a known cholesterol depleting drug, which completely prevented FII or FX association with lipid rafts, and this removal was reversed by cholesterol repletion. Furthermore, MβCD (up to 40 mM) had no effect on the amount of FII or FX bound to activated platelets, thus suggesting that neither platelet activation by SFLLRN nor the exposure of FII receptors was affected by MβCD treatment. These experiments demonstrate the localization of a shared FX/FII site in lipid rafts and support the hypothesis that these interactions are mediated by the Gla-domains of FX and FII and are specific and essential for the assembly of F-X activating complex on the activated platelet membrane.

Use of radiolabeled 2-methylthio-ADP to study P2Y receptors on platelets and cell lines.

The use of radioactive 2-methylthio-ADP (2MeS-ADP) to study ADP receptors on platelets was first developed by MacFarlane et al. (1) in 1983. However, this technique may not have initially been pursued by many groups because of the relative paucity of studies into platelet ADP receptors and the absence of a commercially available radiolabeled ligand. From 1992 to 1994, a few papers described the use of 2MeS-ADP to demonstrate the antagonistic activity of clopidogrel on the platelet ADP receptor (2–4) and the presence of ADP receptors on megakaryocytoblastic cells (5). Since these initial reports, several groups have published studies describing the binding characteristics of 2MeS-ADP on platelets (6,7). Two different teams provided evidence for a defect of ADP receptor numbers in platelets from patients with a low sensitivity to ADP (8,9). Consequently, a variety of antiplatelet compounds have been evaluated as antagonists on platelet ADP receptors (10–13). A recent study has demonstrated the ability of P2Y12 to bind 2MeS-ADP, supporting its identity as the previously named P2TAC or low-affinity platelet ADP receptor (14).

Coordinate binding studies of the substrate (factor X) with the cofactor (factor VIII) in the assembly of the factor X activating complex on the activated platelet surface.

The assembly of the factor X activating complex on the platelet surface requires the occupancy of three receptors: (1) enzyme factor IXa, (2) cofactor factor VIII(a), and (3) substrate factor X. To further evaluate this three-receptor model, simultaneous binding isotherms of (125)I-factor X and (131)I-factor VIII(a) to activated platelets were determined as a function of time and also as a function of the concentrations of both ligands in the presence of active site-inhibited factor IXa (45 nM) and 5 mM CaCl(2). In the presence of active site-inhibited factor IXa and factor VIIIa there are two independent factor X binding sites: (1) low affinity, high capacity (approximately 9000 sites/platelet; K(d) approximately 380 nM) and (2) low capacity, high affinity (1700 sites/platelet; K(d) approximately 30 nM). A single specific and selective factor X binding site was expressed (1200 sites/platelet; K(d) approximately 9 nM) when the shared factor X/factor II site was blocked by excess factor II (4 microM). In the presence of active site-inhibited factor IXa (4 nM) and factor II (4 microM), factor X binds to 3-fold more platelet sites than procofactor VIII with relatively low affinity (K(d) approximately 250 nM). The activation of procofactor VIII to factor VIIIa increases the affinity of binding to platelets of both factor VIIIa ( approximately 4-fold to K(d) approximately 0.8-1.5 nM) and factor X ( approximately 25-50-fold to K(d) approximately 5-9 nM). In the presence of excess zymogen factor IX, which blocks the shared factor IX/factor IXa binding site, the substrate, factor X, and the active cofactor, factor VIIIa, form a 1:1 stoichiometric complex. These coordinate binding studies support the conclusion that factor X initially binds to a high-capacity, low-affinity platelet binding site shared with prothrombin, which then presents factor X to a specific high-affinity site consisting of factor VIIIa bound to a high-affinity, low-capacity receptor on activated platelets.

Isolation, characterization, and immunological detection of neutrophil-activating peptide 2: a proteolytic degradation product of platelet basic protein.

Neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2), corresponding to platelet basic protein fragment 25-94, was prepared by chymotryptic digestion of its precursors, low affinity platelet factor 4 or beta-thromboglobulin, followed by purification by high performance liquid chromatography. NAP-2 (0.1-1.5 microns) caused the release of human granulocyte elastase from cytochalasin B-treated neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner. In the same system, beta-thromboglobulin, human platelet factor 4, S-pyridylethyl NAP-2, and platelet basic protein C-terminal fragment (77-94) were inactive, whereas platelet basic protein fragment 22-89 had low, but significant, activity. Sensitive immunological identification of NAP-2 based on nonequilibrium isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting is described.

Low-affinity platelet factor 4 proton NMR derived aggregate equilibria indicate a physiologic preference for monomers over dimers and tetramers

Low-affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4), unlike another related, sequentially homologous (about 50%) platelet-specific protein, platelet factor 4 (PF4), is an active mitogenic and chemotactic agent. PF4 exhibits a high binding affinity for heparin, while LA-PF4 does not. Both PF4 and LA-PF4 can exist in dimer and tetramer aggregate states. Equilibrium constants for PF4 aggregation have recently been estimated from fractional populations derived from proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) integrals assigned to resonances in monomer, dimer, and tetramer states [Mayo & Chen (1989) Biochemistry 28, 9469]. On a 500-MHz NMR time scale, relatively slow exchange among LA-PF4 aggregate species has also allowed Tyr 15 ring proton resonances to be assigned for monomer, dimer, and tetramer states in LA-PF4. As a function of pH and ionic strength, equilibrium association constants for LA-PF4 dimer (KD) and tetramer (KT) formation have been estimated from Tyr 15 ring proton resonance integrals. At low ionic strength, KD reaches a minimum value of 12 M-1 at pH 3 where KT is at its maximum value of 1.6 x 10(5) M-1. At pH 4.1, KD and KT have the same value, 1.1 x 10(3) M-1, which is the minimum value for KT. KD plateaus off to its maximum value of 2.2 x 10(4) M-1 by pH 5.5. These values are significantly lower than those for PF4. Analysis of the pH dependence of KD and KT suggests that electrostatic interactions probably among Glu/Asp and Lys/Arg side chains form the predominant force in the monomer-monomer binding process, i.e., KD, while like-charge repulsion due to proximal, intersubunit Glu/Asp residues decreases KT as the pH is raised. At pH 7 and low ionic strength, the dimer state is highly favored over the tetramer state. Elevating the solvent ionic strength at pH 7 destabilizes the dimer state. Under these more physiologic conditions, i.e., pH 7 and 0.1-0.2 M NaCl, LA-PF4 monomers are highly favored over dimers and tetramers. For PF4 under similar solvent conditions, tetramers predominate. Differences in biological activities between these homologous platelet-specific proteins may be the result, at least in part, of differing aggregation properties. The biologically active state for PF4 is tetramer, while for LA-PF4 it is monomer. Quaternary structure may, therefore, account for strong heparin binding in PF4, most likely by presenting a more favorable structural matrix for effective glycosaminoglycan interactions.

β-Lactam Antibiotic-Induced Platelet Dysfunction: Evidence for Irreversible Inhibition of Platelet Activation In Vitro and In Vivo After Prolonged Exposure to Penicillin

beta-Lactam antibiotics cause platelet dysfunction with bleeding complications. Previous in vitro studies documented reversible inhibition of agonist-receptor interaction. This mechanism is inadequate to explain the effect of beta-lactam antibiotics in vivo. Platelet function does not return to normal immediately after drug treatment, implying irreversible inhibition of platelet function. We report here evidence of irreversible platelet functional and biochemical abnormalities after in vitro and in vivo exposure to beta-lactam antibiotics. Irreversible binding of [14C]-penicillin (Pen) occurred in vitro. After 24 hours' in vitro incubation with 10 to 20 mmol/L Pen, or ex vivo after antibiotic treatment, irreversible functional impairment occurred; but no irreversible inhibition of alpha 2 adrenergic receptors, measured with [3H]-yohimbine, or high-affinity thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) receptors, measured with agonist [3H]-U46619 and antagonist [3H]-SQ29548, occurred. However, low-affinity platelet TXA2/PGH2 receptors were decreased 40% after Pen exposure in vitro or in vivo, indicating irreversible membrane alteration. Two postreceptor biochemical events were irreversibly inhibited in platelets incubated with Pen for 24 hours in vitro or ex vivo after antibiotic treatment. Thromboxane synthesis was inhibited 28.3% to 81.7%. Agonist-induced rises in cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) were inhibited 40.1% to 67.5% in vitro and 26.6% to 52.2% ex vivo. Therefore, Pen binds to platelets after prolonged exposure, resulting in irreversible dysfunction attributable to inhibition of TXA2 synthesis and impairment of the rise in [Ca2+]i. The loss of low-affinity TXA2/PGH2 receptors suggests that the primary site of action of these drugs is on the platelet membrane.

Immunoregulatory activity of peptides related to platelet factor 4.

Platelet factor 4 (PF4), a secreted platelet protein, alleviates concanavalin A-induced immunosuppression in mice. We now find that activity also resides in (i) the C-terminal tridecapeptide of PF4 (P13S), (ii) an analog of this in which arginine replaces the lysine residues and in which the last two amino acids are absent, (iii) the C-terminal 18 amino acids of low-affinity platelet factor 4, which is very similar to P13S, and (iv) peptide fragments of P13S that contain only 5-9 amino acids. P13S treated with fluorescamine to derivatize the free amino groups retained immunoregulatory activity but did not bind to heparin-agarose. The N-terminal and middle portions of PF4, polylysine, protamine, and three unrelated peptides were inactive in this assay.

Identification of high-affinity (Kd 0.35 mumol/L) and low-affinity (Kd 7.9 mumol/L) platelet binding sites for ADP and competition by ADP analogues

Steady-state binding of ADP to blood platelets and isolated membranes has not previously been obtained because of complications arising from metabolism of the ligand and dilution due to its secretion from storage granules. In the present studies, competition binding isotherms (n = 9) using paraformaldehyde-fixed platelets showed that [2-3 H]ADP bound to two sites with a small amount (approximately 5% of total) of nonspecific binding: 410,000 +/- 40,000 sites of low affinity (Kd 7.9 +/- 2.0 mumol/L) and 160,000 +/- 20,000 sites of high affinity (Kd 0.35 +/- 0.04 mumol/L) corresponding to the ADP concentration required for activation in fresh platelets (0.1-0.5 mumol/L). All agonists and antagonists examined were able to compete with ADP at the high-affinity site. The strong platelet agonists 2-methylthio ADP and 2-(3-aminopropylthio)ADP competed with ADP at the high-affinity site with dissociation constant values of 7 mumol/L and 200 mumol/L, respectively. The partial agonist 2',3'-dialdehyde ADP and the weak agonist GDP also competed at the high-affinity site with Kd values of 5 mumol/L and 49 mumol/L, respectively. The sequence of binding affinities of other adenine nucleotides at the high-affinity site corresponded to their relative activities as known antagonists of platelet activation by ADP; namely, ADP(Kd 0.35 mumol/L) approximately equal to ATP (Kd 0.45 mumol/L) much greater than AMP (Kd 360 mumol/L). Adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine did not compete with ADP. ADP binding to the high-affinity site was inhibited by p-mercuribenzene sulfonate (Ki 250 mumol/L) but only very weakly by 5'-p-fluorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (Ki 1 mmol/L). All the above nucleotides also competed with ADP at the low-affinity sites but, because of the high concentrations of competing nucleotide required, dissociation constants at this site were obtained only for ATP (21 mumol/L), 2-MeS ADP (200 mumol/L) and 2',3'-dialdehyde ADP (270 mumol/L). 8-Bromo ADP competed strongly with ADP at the high-affinity site (Kd 0.40 mumol/L) but weakly if at all at the low-affinity site. 8-Bromo ADP inhibited platelet activation induced by ADP (EC50 approximately 100 mumol/L) but not by collagen, thrombin, or ionophore A23187.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Identification of High-Affinity (Kd 0.35 μmol/L) and Low-Affinity (Kd 7.9 μmol/L) Platelet Binding Sites for ADP and Competition by ADP Analogues

AbstractSteady-state binding of ADP to blood platelets and isolated membranes has not previously been obtained because of complications arising from metabolism of the ligand and dilution due to its secretion from storage granules. In the present studies, competition binding isotherms (n = 9) using paraformaldehyde-fixed platelets showed that [2-3H]ADP bound to two sites with a small amount (-5% of total) of nonspecific binding: 410,000 ± 40,000 sites of low affinity (Kd 7.9 ± 2.0 μmol/L) and 160,000 ± 20,000 sites of high affinity (Kd 0.35 ± 0.04 μmol/L) corresponding to the ADP concentration required for activation in fresh platelets (0.1-0.5 μmol/L). All agonists and antagonists examined were able to compete with ADP at the high-affinity site. The strong platelet agonists 2-methylthio ADP and 2-(3-aminopropylthio)ADP competed with ADP at the high-affinity site with dissociation constant values of 7 μmol/L and 200 μmol/L, respectively. The partial agonist 2‘ x2018;,3’- dialdehyde ADP and the weak agonist GDP also competed at the high-affinity site with Kd values of 5 μmol/L and 49 μmol/L. respectively. The sequence of binding affinities of other adenine nucleotides at the high-affinity site corresponded to their relative activities as known antagonists of platelet activation by ADP; namely, ADP(Kd 0.35 μmol/L) = ATP (Kd 0.45 μmol /L) » AMP (Kd 360 μmol/L). Adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine did not compete with ADP. ADP binding to the high-affinity site was inhibited by p-mercuri-benzene sulfonate (Ki 250 μmol/L) but only very weakly by 5’-p-f1uorosulfonylbenzoyladenosine (K, 1 mmol/L). All the above nucleotides also competed with ADP at the low-affinity sites but, because of the high concentrations of competing nucleotide required, dissociation constants at this site were obtained only for ATP (21 μmol/L), 2-MeS ADP (200 μmol/L) and 2‘ x2018;,3’-dialdehyde ADP (270 μmol/L). 8-Bromo ADP competed strongly with ADP at the high-affinity site (Kd 0.40 μmol/L) but weakly if at all at the low-affinity site. 8-Bromo ADP inhibited platelet activation induced by ADP (EC50, -100 μmol/L) but not by collagen, thrombin, or ionophore A23187. These studies (a) provide accurate parameters for the binding of ADP to fixed platelets in the absence of complications due to metabolism and secretion, (b) demonstrate that both high-affinity (Kd 0.35 μmol/L) and low-affinity (Kd 7.9 μmol/L) binding sites are present and that both are accessible to ADP and C-2-substituted ADP analogues; and (c) suggest that the high-affinity binding site corresponds to the receptor modulating platelet activation by ADP. These results help to define possible platelet receptors for ADP and may provide a useful indicator system for evaluating the interaction of agonists and antagonists with platelets.

Characterization of human platelet basic protein, a precursor form of low-affinity platelet factor 4 and .beta.-thromboglobulin

Platelet basic protein (PBP) was purified from the supernatant of thrombin-stimulated, washed human platelets by ion-exchange, affinity, molecular sieve, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence was determined by automated Edman degradation, revealing 9 unique residues followed by 10 residues of the established low-affinity platelet factor 4/beta-thromboglobulin (LA-PF4/beta TG) sequence. Among the nine were three basic residues, accounting for the high isoelectric point of PBP. Additional evidence for precursor status includes the immunological cross-reactivity of all three species and the ability of plasmin and trypsin to produce from PBP a species resembling beta TG in charge, hydrophobicity, and size. Tryptic peptide maps of PBP and LA-PF4 obtained by reverse-phase HPLC were very similar, and from each protein, a peptide was isolated which showed the amino acid composition predicted for the COOH-terminal tryptic peptide of beta TG. Normal platelets contained predominantly LA-PF4, with PBP ranging from 10% to 30% of total beta TG antigen. This was true even when fresh platelets were lysed with trichloroacetic acid in order to provide the most complete and rapid inhibition of proteolytic activity. beta TG itself was never detected in this situation or in the release supernatant of stimulated platelets, and only rarely in unprotected lysates. In agreement with earlier results, crude preparations of PBP were mitogenic for 3T3 cells, but highly purified preparations of PBP and LA-PF4 were free of this activity.

Nomenclature of Secreted Platelet Proteins – Report of the Working Party on Secreted Platelet Proteins of the Subcommittee on Platelets

Standard nomenclature for a number of secreted platelet proteins was agreed upon by The Working Party on Secreted Platelet Proteins of the Subcommittee on Platelets. Platelet factor 4 will continue to be used for the molecule with high heparin affinity, subunit molecular weight of 7780, and the described amino acid sequence. beta-Thromboglobulin will be used to designate beta-Thromboglobulin (81 amino acids/subunit, beta-mobility on cellulose-acetate electrophoresis, pI 7), low-affinity platelet factor 4 (85 amino acids/subunit, gamma-mobility on cellulose-acetate electrophoresis, pI 8), and platelet basic protein (94 amino acids/subunit, pI 10) when these are measured immunologically in plasma, but that thromboglobulin with a superscript designation of the pI should be used when assays are conducted on samples after isoelectric focusing, and a subscript amino-terminal amino acid can be added when a purified protein is described. Thrombospondin will continue to be the designation for the high molecular weight trimer that has previously been called thrombospondin or glycoprotein G. Platelet derived growth factor will be used for the group of closely related proteins of molecular weight about 30,000 and isoelectric point about 10.

The interaction of platelet proteins with three fibroblast-derived collagenases

Three collagenases were purified from the culture medium of human skin fibroblasts using ammonium sulfate fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The cationic collagenase had a molecular weight of 42,000; two anionic collagenases had molecular weights of 63,000 and 115,000. Preincubation of the individual collagenases with purified human and bovine platelet heparin binding proteins resulted in the inhibition of the two anionic activities, but only by bovine low heparin affinity platelet protein (β-TG). Such inhibition was dose-dependent at the microgram level, was not antagonized by heparin, and persisted even when the collagenases had been transformed into their 53,000 and 105,000 forms through treatment with p-aminophenylmercuric acetate. Neither human nor bovine high heparin affinity platelet factors (PF-4) nor human low heparin affinity platelet protein (β-TG) were inhibitory to any of the three collagenases studied. This suggests that the ability of platelet proteins to inhibit collagenase is specifically influenced by the ionic nature of the enzyme and this inhibition is specifically dependent upon the species and type of platelet protein.

Purification of two heparin-binding proteins from porcine platelets and their homology with human secreted platelet proteins

Two heparin-neutralizing proteins secreted by thrombin-stimulated platelets were purified to homogeneity by means of heparin-agarose affinity chromatography. These proteins, termed porcine platelet basic protein (PBP) and porcine platelet factor 4 (PF4), were eluted from a heparin-agarose column at 0.6–0.9 M NaCl and at 1–1.4 M NaCl, respectively. The molecular weight of porcine platelet basic protein was 7,000–7,700 daltons, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and amino acid analysis. The isoelectric point of this protein was at pH 9.0. The amino acid composition of porcine platelet basic protein resembled that of human low affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4), except that the porcine protein did not contain tyrosine. The molecular weight of porcine platelet factor 4 ranged from 10,000 (estimated from amino acid analysis) to 14,000 (estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The amino acid compositions of human platelet factor 4 and of porcine platelet factor 4 were similar. Monospecific antibodies against porcine platelet factor 4 and porcine platelet basic protein were raised in rabbits. Competitive radioimmunoassay demonstrated a low but significant immunologic cross-reactivity between human and porcine platelet factor 4, and between porcine platelet basic protein and a group of human secreted platelet proteins that bind to heparin with low affinity (beta-thromboglobulin [beta TG] and low affinity platelet factor 4). Experiments with direct immuno- precipitation of 125I-labeled antigens suggested that all four proteins investigated (human platelet factor 4, porcine platelet factor 4, human low affinity platelet factor 4 or human beta-thromboglobulin, and porcine platelet basic protein) share common antigenic determinants. However, there was a higher degree of immunologic cross-reactivity between heterologous antigens with similar heparin binding affinity (human platelet factor 4 and porcine platelet factor 4) than between heterologous antigens with different binding affinity (human platelet factor 4 and porcine platelet basic protein). In conclusion, our finding suggests a significant structural homology among the four proteins.

Purification of Two Heparin-Binding Proteins From Porcine Platelets and Their Homology With Human Secreted Platelet Proteins

Two heparin-neutralizing proteins secreted by thrombin-stimulated platelets were purified to homogeneity by means of heparin-agarose affinity chromatography. These proteins, termed porcine platelet basic protein (PBP) and porcine platelet factor 4 (PF4), were eluted from a heparin-agarose column at 0.6-0.9 M NaCl and at 1-1.4 M NaCl, respectively. The molecular weight of porcine platelet basic protein was 7,000-7,700 daltons, as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and amino acid analysis. The isoelectric point of this protein was at pH 9.0. The amino acid composition of porcine platelet basic protein resembled that of human low affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4), except that the porcine protein did not contain tyrosine. The molecular weight of porcine platelet factor 4 ranged from 10,000 (estimated from amino acid analysis) to 14,000 (estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis). The amino acid compositions of human platelet factor 4 and of porcine platelet factor 4 were similar. Monospecific antibodies against porcine platelet factor 4 and porcine platelet basic protein were raised in rabbits. Competitive radioimmunoassay demonstrated a low but significant immunologic cross-reactivity between human and porcine platelet factor 4, and between porcine platelet basic protein and a group of human secreted platelet proteins that bind to heparin with low affinity (beta-thromboglobulin [beta TG] and low affinity platelet factor 4). Experiments with direct immuno-precipitation of 125I-labeled antigens suggested that all four proteins investigated (human platelet factor 4, porcine platelet factor 4, human low affinity platelet factor 4 or human beta-thromboglobulin, and porcine platelet basic protein) share common antigenic determinants. However, there was a higher degree of immunologic cross-reactivity between heterologous antigens with similar heparin binding affinity (human platelet factor 4 and porcine platelet factor 4) than between heterologous antigens with different binding affinity (human platelet factor 4 and porcine platelet basic protein). In conclusion, our finding suggests a significant structural homology among the four proteins.

Human platelet secreted proteins and prostacyclin production by bovine aortic endothelial cells.

The effects of specific human platelet-secreted proteins on prostacyclin (PGI2) production by primary cultures of bovine aortic endothelial cells have been studied. Cells were incubated with various concentrations of highly purified preparations of platelet factor 4 (PF4), low-affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4), beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG), platelet basic protein (PBP), and partially purified platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in the presence or absence of arachidonic acid (AA). The amount of 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable degradation product of PGI2, was determined in the cell incubation medium by means of a specific radioimmunoassay. Short-term (15 min) incubation of cell monolayers with either LA-PF4 or beta TG slightly reduced 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production. The effect was not dose-related and could not be observed after prolonged (24 hr) incubation of the cells with the same proteins. It was not seen in the cell suspensions. Moreover, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production stimulated by AA was not affected by incubation with either of the proteins. PF4 and PBP had no significant effect on 6-keto-PGF1 alpha production by endothelial cells. Human PDGF showed a slight tendency to stimulate 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release when cells were incubated for 24 hr with the protein; however, PDGF did not potentiate the stimulatory effect of AA on 6-keto-PGF1 alpha release by the cells. We suggest that platelet-derived proteins exert only a moderate and possibly nonspecific effect on PGI2 production by endothelial cells.

Structural and biological characteristics of connective tissue activating peptide (CTAP-III), a major human platelet-derived growth factor.

Connective tissue activating peptides (CTAPs) extracted from leukocytes and platelets stimulate glycolysis and synthesis of glycosaminoglycan and DNA in cultured human connective tissue cells. CTAP-III, isolated from fresh or outdated human platelets, is a low molecular weight single-chain protein with an isoelectric point of 8.5 that markedly stimulates DNA synthesis and multiple aspects of glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan metabolism. This report presents a definitive comparison of CTAP-III prepared by two methods [one designated (A), alternative] with similar platelet proteins described by others, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and low-affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF-4). CTAP-III, CTAP-III(A), LA-PF-4, and beta-TG have common antigenic determinants documented by immunoprecipitation and radioimmunoassay. CTAP-III, CTAP-III(A), and LA-PF-4 are biologically active in that they stimulate DNA and glycosaminoglycan synthesis by human synovial cells; beta-TG is inactive. Carboxyl-terminal digestion gave identical terminal sequences for CTAP-III, CTAP-III(A), and beta-TG. Amino-terminal sequence data indicate that CTAP-III and CTAP-III(A) (also LA-PF-4) are identical and differ from beta-TG only by an additional amino-terminal tetrapeptide (Asn-Leu-Ala-Lys-). The biologically active molecule, CTAP-III, may be proteolytically converted to its inactive degradation product (beta-TG) in the course of platelet aging, platelet storage, release from the platelets, or initiation of biological activity.

Release of lysosomal hydrolases during simulated extracorporeal circulation

Contact with surfaces results in activation of formed blood elements. This study demonstrates that during extracorporeal circulation, release of lysosomal enzymes occurs concomitantly with platelet granule secretion. Fresh, heparinized human blood was recirculated for 2 hours at 1,000 ml/min at 37 degrees C in silicone rubber circuits containing a membrane oxygenator (0.85 m2). The plasma levels of a platelet-specific protein, low affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4), rose from less than 0.5 to 16 +/- 3 SEM microgram/ml plasma, indicating extensive release of platelet alpha granule contents. Concurrently, plasma activity of acid phosphatase and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase increased nearly fivefold. Platelet inhibition prevented release of LA-PF4 and reduced acid phosphatase levels, but failed to alter the levels of N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. Lidocaine (10 to 20 microgram/ml), however, prevented the rise in N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase activity and diminished acid phosphatase levels without altering secretion of LA-PF4. The failure of platelet inhibitors to block the increase in N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, and the efficacy of lidocaine to do so without altering LA-PF4 secretion, suggest that leukocytes, not platelets, are the primary source of this lysosomal enzyme. Although acid phosphatase activity measured in plasma my be derived from leukocytes, platelet membranes, and not lysosomes, appear to be a more likely source. Release of hydrolytic enzymes from formed blood elements during cardiopulmonary bypass may cause endothelial cell injury and thus contribute to the increased vascular permeability associated with extracorporeal circulation.

Platelet function during cardiac operation: Comparison of membrane and bubble oxygenators

The effects of cardiopulmonary bypass with bubble and membrane oxygenator systems on platelet function were studied in 26 patients who had elective coronary arterial bypass grafts. Fourteen patients were perfused with spiral coil membrane oxygenator systems, 12 with bubble oxygenator systems. During and after bypass, platelet counts decreased in both groups; however, when corrected for dilution, platelet counts did not change significantly in patients perfused with membrane oxygenators and increased slightly but significantly in those perfused with membrane oxygenators and increased slightly but significantly in those perfused with bubble oxygenator systems. During and 1 hour after bypass, the concentration of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) required to cause complete aggregation increased in both groups. Plasma low affinity platelet factor 4 (LA-PF4) increased significantly during and after bypass in both groups. However, the concentration of platelet adenine nucleotides and LA-PF4, measured only in patients perfused with membrane oxygenator systems, did not change. Bleeding times increased postoperatively in both groups and 18 hour blood losses were similar. Cardiopulmonary bypass with membrane and bubble oxygenator systems causes qualitatively similar losses in sensitivity to ADP and similar increases in bleeding times. The mechanism by which platelets are altered during cardiopulmonary bypass in obscure but is not due to partial depletion of granule contents in patients perfused with membrane oxygenators.