Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Ib Research Articles

Thrombin-induced changes in platelet membrane glycoproteins Ib, IX, and IIb-IIIa complex

Platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and the GPIIb-IIIa complex have central roles in the interaction of platelets with the plasma coagulation system, damaged vessel walls, and other platelets. We investigated the effects of thrombin on these glycoproteins. Monoclonal antibodies were used to assess platelet surface glycoproteins by flow cytometry, total platelet glycoprotein content by immunoassay, and glycoproteins released from platelets, also by immunoassay. Five new observations were made with regard to thrombin-induced changes in platelet membrane glycoproteins: (a) The marked decrease in platelet surface binding of antibodies directed at GPIb was not confined to antibodies directed at the von Willebrand factor binding site. (b) There was a marked decrease in platelet surface binding of an antibody directed at GPIX, with maintenance of the 1:1 ratio of platelet surface binding of antibodies directed at GPIb and GPIX. (c) Changes in platelet surface binding of antibodies were not restricted to a distinct subpopulation of platelets. (d) There was no associated platelet release of glycocalicin (a proteolytic fragment of GPIb). (e) There was no associated platelet release of the GPIIb-IIIa complex. These thrombin-induced changes may be important in modulating the reactivity of platelets with the damaged vessel wall and with each other.

Thrombin-Induced Changes in Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins Ib, IX, and IIb-IIIa Complex

Platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) and the GPIIb-IIIa complex have central roles in the interaction of platelets with the plasma coagulation system, damaged vessel walls, and other platelets. We investigated the effects of thrombin on these glycoproteins. Monoclonal antibodies were used to assess platelet surface glycoproteins by flow cytometry, total platelet glycoprotein content by immunoassay, and glycoproteins released from platelets, also by immunoassay. Five new observations were made with regard to thrombin-induced changes in platelet membrane glycoproteins: (a) The marked decrease in platelet surface binding of antibodies directed at GPIb was not confined to antibodies directed at the von Willebrand factor binding site. (b) There was a marked decrease in platelet surface binding of an antibody directed at GPIX, with maintenance of the 1:1 ratio of platelet surface binding of antibodies directed at GPIb and GPIX. (c) Changes in platelet surface binding of antibodies were not restricted to a distinct subpopulation of platelets. (d) There was no associated platelet release of glycocalicin (a proteolytic fragment of GPIb). (e) There was no associated platelet release of the GPIIb-IIIa complex. These thrombin-induced changes may be important in modulating the reactivity of platelets with the damaged vessel wall and with each other.

Amino acid sequence of the von Willebrand factor-binding domain of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib.

We report the amino acid sequence of a 299-residue segment from the alpha chain of the human platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib. This includes the complete sequence of the amino-terminal tryptic fragment of 290 residues comprising the von Willebrand factor-binding domain. Two primary sets of overlapping fragments were obtained by cleavage of the S-carboxymethylated protein at methionyl and lysyl bonds following treatment with cyanogen bromide and Achromobacter protease I, respectively. Additional fragments were obtained by treatment of native glycocalicin with trypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and Serratia marcescens protease. Analysis of all these fragments provided data that allowed determination of the continuous sequence corresponding to approximately half of the alpha-chain polypeptide. This region of glycoprotein Ib is largely hydrophobic and contains only two N-linked and one O-linked carbohydrate chains. A hydrophilic region exists between residues 215 and 299, which contains a cluster of 10 negatively charged residues at 269-287. This area is likely to attract positively charged molecules. The hydrophilic, highly glycosylated (at serine and threonine residues) region corresponding to the previously described "macroglycopeptide" and representing the carboxyl-terminal half of the alpha chain is likely to begin at residue 292. The determined sequence of the alpha chain of glycoprotein Ib contains a region (residues 29-193) with seven repeats, which is indicative of gene duplication and is highly homologous to human leucine-rich alpha 2-glycoprotein. This protein sequence agrees completely with that deduced from the cDNA sequence reported by Lopez et al. [Lopez, J.A., Chung, D.W., Fujikawa, K., Hagen, F.S., Papayannopoulou, T. & Roth, G.J. (1987) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 5615-5619].

Detection of Activated Platelets in Whole Blood Using Activation-Dependent Monoclonal Antibodies and Flow Cytometry

Platelets may become activated in a number of clinical disorders and participate in thrombus formation. We developed a direct test for activated platelets in whole blood using flow cytometry. Whole blood was incubated with either biotin-PAC1, a monoclonal antibody specific for the fibrinogen receptor on activated platelets, or biotin-S12, an antibody specific for an alpha-granule membrane protein that associates with the platelet surface during secretion. Platelet-bound antibodies were detected with streptavidin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or phycoerythrin (PE). Platelets were differentiated from the larger erythrocytes and WBCs by their light-scatter profile. Alternatively, platelets could be identified with FITC-AP1, an antibody specific for platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib, and analyzed further for PAC1 or S12 binding with PE-streptavidin. No centrifugation or washing steps were required. With gel-filtered platelets, there was a direct correlation between ADP-induced biotin-PAC1 binding and binding determined in a conventional 125I-PAC1 binding assay (r = .99; P less than .001). Furthermore, as few as 0.8% activated platelets could be detected by flow cytometry when activated platelets were mixed with unstimulated platelets. In whole blood, unstimulated platelets demonstrated no PAC1- or S12-specific fluorescence, indicating that they did not bind these antibodies. On stimulation with agonists, however, the platelets demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in fluorescence similar to that observed for platelets in plasma or buffer. Low concentrations of ADP and epinephrine, which induce fibrinogen receptors but little secretion, stimulated near-maximal PAC1 binding but little S12 binding. On the other hand, a concentration of phorbol myristate acetate (TPA) that evokes full platelet aggregation and secretion induced maximal PAC1 and S12 binding. Activated platelets could also be analyzed in whole blood samples that had been fixed with paraformaldehyde. These studies demonstrate that activated platelets can be reliably detected in whole blood using activation-dependent monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. This technique may be useful to assess the degree of platelet activation and the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in clinical disorders.

Detection of activated platelets in whole blood using activation- dependent monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry

Platelets may become activated in a number of clinical disorders and participate in thrombus formation. We developed a direct test for activated platelets in whole blood using flow cytometry. Whole blood was incubated with either biotin-PAC1, a monoclonal antibody specific for the fibrinogen receptor on activated platelets, or biotin-S12, an antibody specific for an alpha-granule membrane protein that associates with the platelet surface during secretion. Platelet-bound antibodies were detected with streptavidin conjugated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) or phycoerythrin (PE). Platelets were differentiated from the larger erythrocytes and WBCs by their light- scatter profile. Alternatively, platelets could be identified with FITC- AP1, an antibody specific for platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib, and analyzed further for PAC1 or S12 binding with PE-streptavidin. No centrifugation or washing steps were required. With gel-filtered platelets, there was a direct correlation between ADP-induced biotin- PAC1 binding and binding determined in a conventional 125I-PAC1 binding assay (r = .99; P less than .001). Furthermore, as few as 0.8% activated platelets could be detected by flow cytometry when activated platelets were mixed with unstimulated platelets. In whole blood, unstimulated platelets demonstrated no PAC1- or S12-specific fluorescence, indicating that they did not bind these antibodies. On stimulation with agonists, however, the platelets demonstrated a dose- dependent increase in fluorescence similar to that observed for platelets in plasma or buffer. Low concentrations of ADP and epinephrine, which induce fibrinogen receptors but little secretion, stimulated near-maximal PAC1 binding but little S12 binding. On the other hand, a concentration of phorbol myristate acetate (TPA) that evokes full platelet aggregation and secretion induced maximal PAC1 and S12 binding. Activated platelets could also be analyzed in whole blood samples that had been fixed with paraformaldehyde. These studies demonstrate that activated platelets can be reliably detected in whole blood using activation-dependent monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry. This technique may be useful to assess the degree of platelet activation and the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in clinical disorders.

Monoclonal antibodies to the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa epitopes involved in adhesive protein binding: effects on platelet spreading and ultrastructure on human arterial subendothelium.

Platelet adherence to subendothelium depends on binding of plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) to the subendothelial surface and its subsequent interaction with platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) in the Baumgartner perfusion technique. To examine the role of the platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (GPIIb-IIIa) complex in these processes, we performed studies in patients with platelets deficient in GPIIb-IIIa (thrombasthenia) or GPIb (Bernard-Soulier syndrome) in the Baumgartner system with human umbilical artery segments at a wall shear rate of 2600 sec-1. Morphometry specified the percentage of the subendothelial surface covered with contact (C) or spread (S) platelets or platelet thrombi. Total platelet adherence was defined as C + S. In thrombasthenia, C showed a small but significant increase compared with controls, whereas C + S was reduced by approximately 40%; thrombi were totally absent. With Bernard-Soulier platelets, each parameter was reduced by 72% to 93%. To verify that these findings were related to the epitopes involved in VWF, fibronectin, and fibrinogen binding, we incubated normal blood with monoclonal antibodies to the GPIIb-IIIa complex (10E5 and PLT-1) or GPIb (6D1), and these experiments yielded results similar to those observed with thrombasthenic and Bernard-Soulier platelets, respectively. By transmission electron microscopy, normal platelets preincubated with 10E5 or thrombasthenic platelets showed abnormally short and blunt pseudopodia, suggesting that the platelet GPIIb-IIIa complex plays a role in platelet spreading on subendothelium. Our observations confirm that platelet spreading is mediated at least in part by the epitope(s) of the GPIIb-IIIa complex involved in adhesive protein binding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Shear-induced platelet aggregation requires von Willebrand factor and platelet membrane glycoproteins Ib and IIb-IIIa

Different types of platelets in various types of plasma were subjected to levels of shear stress that produce irreversible platelet aggregation in normal platelet-rich plasma (PRP). At shear stresses of 90 or 180 dyne/cm2 applied for 30 seconds or five minutes, aggregation was either absent or only transient and reversible using severe von Willebrand's disease (vWD) PRP (less than 1% von Willebrand factor, vWF); Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) PRP (platelets deficient in the membrane glycoprotein Ib, GPIb); normal PRP plus monoclonal antibody (MoAb) to GPIb; thrombasthenic PRP (platelets deficient in membrane glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex, GPIIb-IIIa); and normal PRP plus MoAb to GPIIb-IIIa. Shear-induced aggregation was inhibited under the above conditions, even though the platelets were activated to release their granular contents. Sheared normal platelets in vWD plasma aggregated in response to added vWF. These studies demonstrate that the formation of stable platelet aggregates under conditions of high shear requires vWF and the availability of both GPIb and GPIIb-IIIa on platelet membranes. The experiments demonstrate that vWF-platelet interactions can occur in the absence of artificial agonists or chemical modification of vWF. They suggest a possible mechanism for platelet aggregation in stenosed or partially obstructed arterial vessels in which the platelets are subjected to relatively high levels of shear stress.

Evidence for the involvement of platelet glycoproteins other than GP Ib in heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HATT) is a potentially fatal complication of heparin therapy which is characterized by a progressive fall in the platelet count associated with arterial or venous thrombosis. The etiology is consistent with the development an antibody which, in the presence of heparin, induces intravascular platelet aggregation. Biochemical analysis has demonstrated that the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib binds heparin. Recent studies have shown that polyclonal antisera or monoclonal antibodies to GP Ib can inhibit platelet aggregation induced by HATT plasma in the presence of heparin implicating GP Ib as the site of heparin-antibody interaction. The Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the platelets fail to adhere to exposed subendothelium due to a deficiency of GP Ib. We have used the platelets from a patient with documented BSS to further investigate the role of GP Ib in the heparin- dependent platelet aggregation induced by the plasma of three patients with HATT. We have shown that platelet aggregation by HATT plasma in the presence of heparin occurred as readily with BSS platelets as with normal donor platelets. These results indicate that glycoprotein Ib cannot be the only site of platelet-heparin-antibody interactions.

The von Willebrand factor-binding domain of platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib. Characterization by monoclonal antibodies and partial amino acid sequence analysis of proteolytic fragments.

The glycoprotein Ib (GPIb), a two-chain integral platelet membrane protein, acts as a receptor for von Willebrand factor. In order to obtain information on the domain involved in this function, as well as on the structural organization of GPIb, the protein has been purified and submitted to limited proteolysis using three different enzymes. The resulting fragments were topographically oriented by means of partial NH2-terminal sequence analysis and immunological identification using monoclonal antibodies. One of these antibodies (LJ-Ib1) inhibited the von Willebrand factor-GPIb interaction completely, one (LJ-P3) partially, and one (LJ-Ib10) had no inhibitory effect. Three distinct fragments, the 38-kDa fragment produced by Serratia marcescens protease as well as the 45- and 35-kDa fragments produced by trypsin, had the same NH2 terminus as the intact GPIb alpha-chain (apparent molecular mass = 140 kDa). These fragments and the alpha-chain reacted with the inhibitory antibodies. On the other hand, three fragments produced by Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, one of 92 kDa similar to the previously described "macroglycopeptide" and two others of 52 and 45 kDa, had NH2-terminal sequences different from that of the GPIb alpha-chain and reacted only with the noninhibitor monoclonal antibody LJIb10. Thus, the binding domain for von Willebrand factor resides near the NH2 terminus of the GPIb alpha-chain, whereas the carbohydrate-rich region is part of the innermost portion of GPIb and does not appear to be involved in the von Willebrand factor binding function.

Cleavage site of calcium-dependent protease in human platelet membrane glycoprotein ib

Chicken muscle-derived m-type calcium-dependent protease cleaved purified glycoprotein Ib α-chain (GPIba, Mr 130,000) from human platelets into two fragments (Mr 100,000 and Mr 38,000) in the presence of 5 mM calcium. With partially purified glycoprotein Ib (αβ-dimer), an appearance of a fragment of Mr 100,000 was also demonstrated after treatment with both the m-type and human platelet-derived μ-type protease. These processes in glycoprotein Ib were inhibited by inhibitors of calcium-dependent proteases, 50 μM E-64-C or 0.2 mM leupeptin and by the chelation of calcium. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis system, release of glycocalicin in addition to 100 kDa fragment was demonstrated by calcium-dependent proteases. Then surface-labeled platelets were stimulated with A23187 in the presence of 5mM calcium. Under this condition, endogenous calcium-dependent protease is activated. Of the labeled glycoproteins, glycocalicin and glycoprotein V but not 100 kDa fragment were released from the platelet membrane. The released glycocalicin was further digested into a fragment of Mr 100,000 by the addition of m-type calcium-dependent protease. These results showed (i) that GPIbα was hydrolyzed by exogenous calcium-dependent proteases in two points and glycocalicin and 100 kDa fragment were produced and (ii) that endogenous protease cleaved GPIbα at one point and released glycocalicin.

Mediation of platelet adhesion to fibrillar collagen in flowing blood by a proteolytic fragment of human von Willebrand factor

The effect of purified von Willebrand Factor (vWF) fragments, SpII (dimer of two 110 kd subunits) and SpIII (dimer of two 170 kd subunits) obtained with S aureus V-8 protease was tested upon platelet adhesion to collagen. Purified fibrillar human collagen coated onto cover slips was incubated with SpII, SpIII, or undigested vWF and exposed to reconstituted human blood in a parallel-plate perfusion chamber at a high shear rate. Platelet-collagen interactions were estimated using 51Cr-platelets and quantitative morphometry. When blood was reconstituted with citrated autologous plasma, SpIII and vWF strikingly enhanced platelet adhesion to collagen whereas SpII had no effect. When blood was reconstituted with human albumin and divalent cations, SpIII and vWF again promoted platelet adhesion to collagen. In conclusion, our data suggest that (1) SpIII, the N-terminal portion of vWF which binds to platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib, functionally substitutes for vWF in supporting platelet adhesion to collagen; (2) SpII, the C- terminal portion which binds to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, has no such effect; (3) in addition to its platelet binding domain, SpIII contains another site for binding to collagen; and (4) the multimeric structure of vWF is not required for platelet adhesion to collagen.

Mediation of Platelet Adhesion to Fibrillar Collagen in Flowing Blood by a Proteolytic Fragment of Human von Willebrand Factor

The effect of purified von Willebrand Factor (vWF) fragments, SpII (dimer of two 110 kd subunits) and SpIII (dimer of two 170 kd subunits) obtained with S aureus V-8 protease was tested upon platelet adhesion to collagen. Purified fibrillar human collagen coated onto cover slips was incubated with SpII, SpIII, or undigested vWF and exposed to reconstituted human blood in a parallel-plate perfusion chamber at a high shear rate. Platelet-collagen interactions were estimated using 51Cr-platelets and quantitative morphometry. When blood was reconstituted with citrated autologous plasma, SpIII and vWF strikingly enhanced platelet adhesion to collagen whereas SpII had no effect. When blood was reconstituted with human albumin and divalent cations, SpIII and vWF again promoted platelet adhesion to collagen. In conclusion, our data suggest that (1) SpIII, the N-terminal portion of vWF which binds to platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib, functionally substitutes for vWF in supporting platelet adhesion to collagen; (2) SpII, the C-terminal portion which binds to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, has no such effect; (3) in addition to its platelet binding domain, SpIII contains another site for binding to collagen; and (4) the multimeric structure of vWF is not required for platelet adhesion to collagen.

Localization of a Thrombin-Binding Site on Human Platelet Membrane Glycoprotein Ib Determined by a Monoclonal Antibody

To determine a thrombin-binding site on GPIb alpha on platelet membrane, we have examined the binding activities of tryptic or chymotryptic fragments of purified GPIb alpha to a monoclonal antibody against GPIb (TM60) and thrombin using (immuno)affinity chromatography. When purified GPIb alpha was digested with trypsin, two fragments (94-kDa, and 43-kDa) were obtained. The 43-kDa fragment was shown to bind to both affinity columns of TM60- and thrombin-Affi-Gel, while the 94-kDa fragment did not bind to either Affi-Gel columns. When trypsin fragments were incubated with TM60 and then applied to the column of thrombin-Affi-Gel, neither fragments were bound to the column. When the same experiment was performed using chymotrypsin, three fragments (94-kDa, 45-kDa and 39-kDa) were observed. On TM60- and thrombin-Affi-Gel columns, the smaller fragments (45-kDa and 39-kDa) were bound to the column. After incubation of these fragments with TM60, neither bound to the thrombin column. These results indicate (i) that the epitope for TM60 is located near, or on the thrombin-binding site of GPIb alpha, and (ii) that the thrombin-binding site is located on the tail portion of GPIb alpha, especially on a chymotrypsin cleavage site.

Partial Characterization of a Binding Site For von Willebrand Factor on Glycocalicin

The binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF) to platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GpIb) facilitates platelet adhesion to vascular subendothelium. In this study, we provide evidence that the vWF binding site is on glycocalicin (GC), a proteolytic fragment of GpIb, and we examine the role of the carbohydrate portion of GC on that binding. The binding to platelets of 6D1, a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an epitope on GpIb and blocks ristocetin-induced vWF binding to platelets, was inhibited by purified GC. In addition, purified GC inhibited ristocetin-dependent binding of 125I-labeled vWF to platelets. Since GC contains 60% carbohydrate by weight, we assessed the role of carbohydrate sequences on its interaction with antibody 6D1 and vWF. Based on the known sequence of the major oligosaccharide chain of GC--N-acetyl neuraminic acid, galactose, N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine--we treated GC sequentially with neuraminidase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Removal of sialic acid and galactose residues did not affect GC binding. Removal of N-acetyl glucosamine residues did not affect GC binding to 6D1 but did decrease the ability of GC to inhibit vWF binding to platelets, increasing the concentration needed to inhibit binding by 50% (IC50) 40-fold. This suggests that a portion of the oligosaccharide chains on GC contributes to the vWF binding activity of this molecule.

Partial characterization of a binding site for von Willebrand factor on glycocalicin

The binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF) to platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GpIb) facilitates platelet adhesion to vascular subendothelium. In this study, we provide evidence that the vWF binding site is on glycocalicin (GC), a proteolytic fragment of GpIb, and we examine the role of the carbohydrate portion of GC on that binding. The binding to platelets of 6D1, a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an epitope on GpIb and blocks ristocetin-induced vWF binding to platelets, was inhibited by purified GC. In addition, purified GC inhibited ristocetin-dependent binding of 125I-labeled vWF to platelets. Since GC contains 60% carbohydrate by weight, we assessed the role of carbohydrate sequences on its interaction with antibody 6D1 and vWF. Based on the known sequence of the major oligosaccharide chain of GC--N- acetyl neuraminic acid, galactose, N-acetyl glucosamine, N-acetyl galactosamine--we treated GC sequentially with neuraminidase, beta- galactosidase, and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Removal of sialic acid and galactose residues did not affect GC binding. Removal of N-acetyl glucosamine residues did not affect GC binding to 6D1 but did decrease the ability of GC to inhibit vWF binding to platelets, increasing the concentration needed to inhibit binding by 50% (IC50) 40-fold. This suggests that a portion of the oligosaccharide chains on GC contributes to the vWF binding activity of this molecule.

Structure and function of platelet membrane glycoproteins Ib and V. Effects of leukocyte elastase and other proteases on platelets response to von Willebrand factor and thrombin.

Treatment of platelets with human leukocyte elastase causes a rapid loss in response to von Willebrand factor and a biphasic loss in response to thrombin, first rapid then more slowly. The rapid phase corresponds to cleavage of a 45-kDa glycopeptide from the extracellular end of membrane glycoprotein GPIb. Longer treatment removes 80-kDa and 90-kDa glycopeptides and a glycopeptide corresponding to the major part of GPV. The 45-kDa and 90-kDa species could be obtained by elastase treatment of glycocalicin, the major proteolytic cleavage product of GPIb. Polyclonal rabbit antibodies against the purified 45-kDa glycopeptide had the same effect on the action of von Willebrand factor and thrombin on platelets as cleavage of GPIb by elastase. These results indicate that both the von Willebrand factor and thrombin binding sites on GPIb are located in the same region on the outside of the molecule. Thrombin activation of platelets involves at least two receptors, one on the 45-kDa glycopeptide, which when occupied causes an increase in the speed of response of the platelets to the cleavage of the second. GPV, a candidate for the second receptor, is a hydrophobic glycoprotein that is cleaved from the platelet membrane by several proteases. Proteases that do not activate platelets but degrade the second receptor remove larger fragments from GPV than do proteases such as thrombin or trypsin which activate platelets.

Interaction of purified type IIB von Willebrand factor with the platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib induces fibrinogen binding to the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex and initiates aggregation.

Von Willebrand factor (vWF) was purified from the plasma of a patient with type IIB von Willebrand disease (vWF from such a patient, IIB vWF) who had a normal platelet count and showed no evidence of spontaneous platelet aggregation. Large multimers of IIB vWF were absent from purified preparations and from plasma. Ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation was enhanced by purified IIB vWF. The aggregation of washed normal platelets mixed with IIB vWF (0.4 microgram/ml) required lower amounts of ristocetin than the aggregation of normal platelets mixed with the same concentrations of normal vWF. Moreover, purified IIB vWF alone induced aggregation of platelet-rich plasma at concentrations as low as 10 micrograms of IIB vWF/ml in the absence of any other agonist. Aggregation was blocked by a monoclonal antibody against the platelet membrane glycoprotein, GPIb, as well as by an anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody. Washed platelet suspensions were promptly aggregated by IIB vWF only when fibrinogen and CaCl2 were added to the mixture. Purified IIB vWF induces the binding of fibrinogen to platelets. Such binding was blocked by the anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody as well as by the anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibody that inhibited aggregation. A second anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody, which has the property of blocking vWF but not fibrinogen binding to platelets, blocked neither aggregation nor fibrinogen binding induced by IIB vWF. These studies demonstrate that platelet aggregation is triggered by the initial interaction of IIB vWF with GPIb which is followed by exposure of fibrinogen binding sites on GPIIb/IIIa. Fibrinogen binds to these sites and acts as a necessary cofactor for the aggregation response.

Tandem separation of labelled human blood platelet membrane glycoproteins by anion-exchange and gel fast protein liquid chromatography

Studies were made of the separation of surface-labelled platelet glycoproteins, solubilized in a non-ionic detergent (Berol 185), on a Mono Q anion-exchange column, coupled to a Superose 12 gel fast protein liquid chromatographic column. Peaks eluted from the anion-exchange and gel columns were subjected to electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gels in the presence (non-reducing conditions) or absence (reducing conditions) of disulphide bridges. Labelled electrophoresed glycoprotein bands were rendered visible by fluorography or indirect autoradiography. Platelet membrane glycoproteins Ib, IIb, IIIa, IIIb, V and IX were identified by their apparent molecular weights and their surface labelling characteristics. It was concluded that tandem chromatography can be used to separate platelet membrane proteins and glycoproteins rapidly and with good resolution.

Unusual electrophoretic behaviour of human blood platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib due to complex formation?

Unusual electrophoretic behaviour of human blood platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib due to complex formation?

Inhibition of von Willebrand factor-platelet interaction by fibrinogen.

The prolonged bleeding time and frequent haemorrhagic episodes in patients with severe von Willebrand's disease (vWD) attest to the importance of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in platelet adhesive functions. In in vitro systems, vWF is directly involved in platelet adhesion at high shear rates, and this participation may be mediated by platelet receptors for vWF. Two apparently distinct mechanisms have now been identified for enhancing 125I-vWF interaction with stimulated platelets: one is induced by ristocetin and apparently mediated by platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb); a second mechanism has been identified more recently and is induced by the physiological stimuli ADP and thrombin. The failure of thrombin to support 125I-vWF binding to thrombasthenic platelets, which contain GPIb but lack GPIIb/IIIa, suggests that the mechanism of this interaction may be distinct from ristocetin-induced binding. As ADP and thrombin are released at sites of platelet accumulation, it is possible that these agonists regulate the vWF-platelet interactions in vivo. To test this hypothesis, we have examined ADP- and thrombin-supported 125I-vWF binding to platelets in the plasma of severe vWD patients, and report here that it is inhibited by fibrinogen. Thus, in addition to its role in coagulation and platelet aggregation, fibrinogen influences the binding of vWF to thrombin- and ADP-stimulated platelets.