Human Platelet Secretion Research Articles

Calpain-induced down-regulation of protein kinase C inhibits dense-granule secretion in human platelets. Inhibition of platelet aggregation or calpain activity preserves protein kinase C and restores full secretion

The relationship between platelet aggregation, calpain activation, PKC activities and the secretory response have been examined in PMA-and ionomycin-stimulated platelets. Co-addition of PMA and ionomycin resulted in a maximal synergistic secretion of [ 14C]5-hydroxytryptamine ([ 14C]5-HT) from platelet dense granules. However, prior addition of PMA for 5 or 10 min resulted in a reduction of this secretory response. Inclusion of either RGDS (to inhibit platelet aggregation) or E64-d (to inhibit calpain activity) resulted in full restoration of the secretory response. In experiments to determine the activity status of PKC, PMA was found to induce a loss in cytosolic and total PKC activity without an increase in membrane-associated activities during this time period. Inhibition of either platelet aggregation or calpain activity resulted in preservation of total and cytosolic activities with a measurable increase in membrane translocated activity. PMA-induced phosphorylation of a number of PKC substrates was measured in 32P-labelled platelets. PMA induced potent phosphorylation of the 45 and 20 kDa species and also proteins of the molecular masses 66, 80, 97 and 119 kDa. Phosphorylation was maximal at either 1 or 2 min after which dephosphorylation occurred. Inclusion of either RGDS or E64-d resulted in a reduction of the dephosphorylation rates, and sustained phosphorylation of the 66, 80, 97 and 119 kDa proteins. These studies suggest that the activity status of PKC is an important factor in the level of secretion obtained and that platelet aggregation is involved in calpain-initiated down-regulation of PKC.

S-nitrosocysteine inhibition of human platelet secretion is correlated with increases in platelet cGMP levels.

Platelet inhibition by exogenous and endogenous nitrovasodilators has been shown to be associated with increases in cGMP, but proof of a role for cGMP in this process is lacking. We therefore studied the effects of cGMP and guanylate cyclase stimulation on human platelet secretion by pharmacologically modulating intraplatelet cGMP levels. The endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF)-like activator of guanylate cyclase, S-nitrosocysteine (SNOC), led to a dose-dependent inhibition of secretion in intact human platelets (IC50 = 10(-6) M). The cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor M&B 22,948 augmented SNOC-induced inhibition of secretion through elevations in cGMP without affecting cAMP levels (from 50% to 81% inhibition versus control, p = 0.02). Methylene blue reversed the inhibitory effects of SNOC on platelet secretion (p = 0.03). Dibutyryl-cGMP and 8-bromo-cGMP also significantly inhibited secretion in this system. Incubation of platelets with exogenous cGMP to achieve intraplatelet cGMP levels comparable to those after SNOC treatment resulted in similar degrees of inhibition of secretion (32% inhibition versus control, p = 0.01) and was also potentiated by M&B 22,948 (from 32% to 68% inhibition, p = 0.003). In addition, a highly significant correlation between intraplatelet cGMP levels and the degree of inhibition of secretion was demonstrable in these studies (r = 0.94, p = 0.016). These data demonstrate that elevation of intraplatelet cGMP levels by the EDRF-like compound SNOC is correlated with inhibition of human platelet secretion.

Microbubble-Induced Serotonin Secretion in Human Platelets

The effect of nitrogen (N2) microbubbles on platelets resembles that of common platelet agonists with respect to aggregation (Thorsen T et al., Undersea Biomed Res 1986; 13: 289-303). In the present study we examined the effect of microbubbles on platelet secretion of preloaded 14C-serotonin. We demonstrate that stirring of platelet-rich plasma with N2-microbubbles causes a loss of single platelets that is associated with secretion. However, secretion did not increase above baseline values until after 20 min of microbubble exposure, when platelet aggregation had reached 40%. After that time the secretion rate increased. There was no correlation between secreted serotonin and the degree of platelet aggregation. Although no 14C-serotonin secretion occurred in presence of acetylsalicyclic acid (ASA), microbubble-induced platelet aggregation was only marginally reduced. Epinephrine alone caused significant platelet aggregation but no 14C-serotonin secretion and it enhanced N2-microbubble-induced platelet aggregation and secretion; ASA completely prevented secretion under these circumstances but failed to abolish the enhancement of aggregation compared with microbubbles alone. Earlier studies have shown that platelets adhere to the bubble surfaces (Thorsen T et al., Undersea Biomed Res 1987; 14: 45-59). The results in the present study indicate that non-adhering platelets in the bulk phase are not activated by means of autocrine stimulation through dense granule material.

Platelet Aggregation in Recombinant-Hirudin-Anticoagulated Blood

Recombinant hirudin (r-hirudin) inhibited the thrombin-induced aggregation and 14C-serotonin secretion of human platelets in the same concentration range as native hirudin. In r-hirudinized blood, lower spontaneous platelet aggregation was found than in citrated or heparinized blood. Except for a demonstrable aggregation-potentiating effect, adrenaline did not induce aggregation in r-hirudin- or in citrate-anticoagulated blood. The lowest platelet adhesion to glass surface was found in r-hirudinized plasma. The ADP-induced aggregation was nearly the same in the three differently anticoagulated plasma samples: however, desaggregation predominated in r-hirudinized plasma. Adrenaline caused only a slight aggregation in r-hirudinized plasma. ADP and adrenaline caused 14C-serotonin secretion in citrated plasma only. The collagen- as well as the PAF- and arachidonic-acid-induced aggregation did not differ significantly in the three plasma samples. Hence, r-hirudin is suitable for studying platelet functions at physiological calcium concentrations.

Protein kinase C and platelet inhibition by D-erythro-sphingosine: Comparison with N,N-dimethylsphingosine and commercial preparation

Sphingosine has been shown to be a potent and specific inhibitor of protein kinase C in vitro and in cell systems including human platelets. Questions have been raised as to the validity of commercial sphingosine as a protein kinase C inhibitor and whether sphingosine or N,N-dimethylsphingosine is the active species. In the present study, we compared the effects of synthetic D-erythro-sphingosine, N,N-dimethylsphingosine and commercial sphingosine on purified protein kinase C in vitro and washed human platelets. These three compounds were found to be of high purity and well-defined structure based on [ 1H]NMR, FAB-mass Spectrometry, and TLC analysis. Both synthetic D-erythro-sphingosine and commercial sphingosine inhibited protein kinase C in vitro using vesicle as well as mixed micellar assays. N,N-dimethylsphingosine also significantly inhibited purified protein kinase C in vitro. Both preparations of sphingosine inhibited phosphorylation for 40 kD protein, a known substrate of protein kinase C in platelets. Similarly both sphingosine preparations inhibited aggregation and secretion of human platelets induced by 8 nM γ-thrombin. These results indicate that sphingosine from commercial source, synthetic sphingosine and N,N-dimethylsphingosine are equipotent in inhibiting protein kinase C. These studies also validate the utility of sphingosine as a phamarcologic inhibitor of protein kinase C in vitro and in cell systems.

Platelet-reactive sites in human collagens I and III: Evidence for cell-recognition sites in collagen unrelated to RGD and like sequences

Following fragmentation of the collagen molecule with cyanogen bromide(CB), two major platelet-aggregatory sites were detected with human platelets in the α1(I)-chain of human collagen I corresponding to those detected previously in bovine α1(I)-chains. Two main sites were also detected in the human α1(III)-chain, at locations different from those in the α1(I)-chain. Only one of these had been previously recognised. The new site was found in the peptide α1(III)CB3, the amino acid sequence of which does not contain the cell-recognition site RGD nor comparable sequences that might be supposed to serve this function such as KGD, RGE or KGE. The peptide does, however, contain the sequence GRPGRPGER which reflects a spacing of basic residues (at positions 2 and 9) we have previously postulated to be essential for collagen to cause platelet aggregation. None of the CB-derived peptides was able to cause an aggregation of rabbit platelets. Human platelet secretion, as aggregation, was only induced by CB-derived fragments in triple-helical, polymeric form. One fragment, peptide α1(III)CB8, was able to induce secretion although lacking aggregatory activity. Platelet adhesion occurred to all of the fragments, including those lacking aggregatory activity. Adhesion also occurred to the collagen-like polypeptide (PGP)n. However, inhibition studies suggested that the GPP sequence which occurs frequently along the length of the collagen molecule is not responsible for platelet adhesion to collagen.

Mechanisms of platelet activating factor-induced aggregation and secretion in human platelets

The role of TXA 2 in PAF-induced aggregation and secretion of human platelets is unclear. We have studied the relationship between aggregation, synthesis of TXA 2 and release of 5-HT during the time course of aggregation induced by PAF and collagen. For PAF-induced aggregation there was strong aggregation and secretion with minimal production of TXA 2 in contrast to collagen in which a surge in tXA 2 synthesis preceded both aggregation and secretion. To determine the role of calcium flux in PAF-induced aggregation we have similarly studied the temporal relationships between aggregation, secretion and TXA 2 synthesis for calcium ionophore A23187 induced aggregation but found these to be distinctly different from those determined for PAF. A method for measuring absolute amounts of 5HT released from platelets in small volumes of plasma is described. We conclude that TXA 2 is not important in the mechanism of PAF induced aggregation and that an increase in the level of intraplatelet calcium per se is not sufficient to explain the mediation of PAF-induced aggregation.

Epinephrine potentiates human platelet activation but is not an aggregating agent.

Epinephrine can in certain in vitro conditions induce the aggregation of human platelets and could play an important role in vivo in the appearance of thrombotic disorders when catecholamine levels are increased. This study examines some functional and biochemical responses to epinephrine. Epinephrine induces the aggregation and serotonin secretion of human platelets in citrated plasma. This is not due to a direct effect of citrate itself, such as the lowering of plasma free Ca2+ but more likely to the generation of traces of thrombin during blood collection, as suggested by abrogation of these platelet responses when hirudin was added before citrate. When washed human platelets suspended in Tyrode buffer containing 2 mM Ca2+, 0.35% albumin and apyrase, and 0.1-100 microM epinephrine were used, no shape change, aggregation, or secretion of serotonin was observed, nor was the platelet ultrastructure modified. Epinephrine does not modify platelet membrane fluidity, as studied with the lipophilic fluorescent probe trimethylammonium-diphenylhexatriene. It has no direct effect on fibrinogen binding to intact platelets, intracellular Ca2+ levels measured by quin2, or protein phosphorylation. Epinephrine potentiates the action of all types of aggregating agents on aggregation, secretion, intracellular Ca2+ levels, membrane fluidity, fibrinogen binding, or protein phosphorylation. These effects are mediated by alpha 2-adrenergic agonists and inhibited by alpha 2-adrenergic antagonists. This study shows that epinephrine alone does not induce modifications of morphology, metabolism, or function of intact and functional washed human platelets and that it cannot be considered per se as an aggregating agent. However, epinephrine interacts with alpha 2-adrenergic receptors on human platelets and potentiates biochemical and aggregatory responses induced by other platelet agonists.

Paradoxical effects of amiloride analogs on protein phosphorylation and serotonin release induced by agonists in human platelets

We examined the effects of newly exploited amiloride analogs on protein phosphorylation and serotonin secretion induced by various agonists in human platelets. 3′, 4′-dichlorobenzamil (DCB) and to a lesser extent, 2′, 4′-dimethylbenzamil (DMB), which in many cells highly specific inhibitors of Na + Ca 2+ -pump , inhibited the phosphorylation of 47K- and 20K-dalton proteins and serotonin secretion in human platelets independently of the action on the pump. DCB also induced dephosphorylation of 47K and 20K after the phosphorylation of these proteins by thrombin and released serotonin by itself.

Inhibition of human platelet secretion and of Ca 2+, calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation by the antiallergic agent GMCHA

Calcium ion-dependent interaction with purified calmodulin (CaM), of a potent inhibitor of histamine release from mast cells, trans-4-guanidinomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid p-tertbutylphenylester (GMCHA), was investigated using 5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonyl-calmodulin (dansyl-CaM). GMCHA undergoes a fluorescence increase with the Ca 2+-dansyl-CaM complex but there is no significant change in the dansyl-CaM fluorescence with GMCHA, up to a 10 μM in the absence of calcium ion. This suggests that binding of GMCHA to CaM is Ca 2+-dependent on the apparent K d is approximately 1 μM. GMCHA suppressed the fluorescence of the hydrophobic probe 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonate (ANS), in the presence of the Ca 2+-CaM complex, with an ic 50 value of 3μM. [ 3 H]N-(6- aminohexyl)-5- chloro-1- naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7) bound to the purified CaM was displaced, in a concentration dependent manner by GMCHA, the K i value of GMCHA against the binding of W-7 to CaM was 2.3 μM, and there was a selective inhibition of the Ca 2+-CaM induced activation of enzymes such as myosin light chain kinase. Increasing the CaM concentration in the presence of Ca 2+ overcame the GMCHA-induced inhibition of myosin light chain kinase activation, with a K i , value of 2.7 μM. GMCHA at these concentrations is effective in inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells. Moreover, this compound suppresses platelet secretion and relaxes vascular strips, at concentrations similar to those seen with the CaM interacting action and characteristic of CaM antagonists such as W-7. GMCHA also inhibits the Ca 2+, CaM-dependent myosin light chain phosphorylation of human platelets. These results suggest that GMCHA, a potent inhibitor of histamine release from mast cells, suppresses platelet secretion, relaxes vascular smooth muscle and inhibits Ca 2+, CaM-dependent protein phosphorylation, all at similar concentrations.

Differential effects of the diacylglycerol kinase inhibitor R59022 on thrombin versus collagen-induced human platelet secretion

R59022 is an inhibitor of the enzyme 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) kinase, which, by inhibiting the conversion of DAG to phosphatidic acid, causes an increase in endogenous DAG levels and the activity of the DAG-dependent enzyme protein kinase C. This property of the drug was utilized in the present study to assess the role of DAG, i.e., its relative importance as a potentiatory versus inhibitory mediator, in agonist-induced platelet activation. The phosphorylation of the 40–47-kDa protein by protein kinase C was monitored as an indicator of endogenous DAG levels and correlated with other agonist-induced platelet responses such as platelet aggregation, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) secretion and arachidonate release, the agonists used being those that induce DAG formation, e.g., thrombin and collagen. Pretreatment of platelets with R59022 before agonist addition resulted in the potentiation of 5HT secretion as well as 45 kDa protein phosphorylation induced by thrombin and the DAG analogue, 1,2-dioctanoylglycerol (DiC 8). However, collagen-induced 5HT secretion was significantly inhibited (70%) in the presence of R59022, which also had strong inhibitory effects on aggregation induced by collagen, as well as by thrombin and DiC 8. The inhibition of collagen-induced secretion by R59022 was in contrast to the potentiatory effects of DiC 8 on the same, suggesting that even although DAG acts as a potentiatory signal in this system, the inhibitory effects of R59022 on collagen-induced aggregation can mask any effects of endogenous DAG. This inhibitory effect of R59022 on agonist-induced platelet aggregation makes it unsuitable as a tool in studying the role of DAG in platelet activation induced by agonists such as collagen as well as the ‘weak’ agonists (ADP, adrenaline and platelet-activating factor), where aggregation mediates other responses such as arachidonate release and secretion. Furthermore, potentiatory effects of R59022 on 5HT secretion induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin, which are effects unlikely to be related to inhibition of DAG kinase was observed, and these effects further underline the non-specificity in the actions of R59022 and its limitations as a tool in studying platelet stimulus-response coupling.

Effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) on agonist-induced arachidonate release and 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion in human platelets. Dependence of effects on agonist type and time of incubation with PMA

We have previously demonstrated synergistic potentiation of secretion by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and platelet agonists such as thrombin and the thromboxane mimetic, U46619, with short (less than 2 min) pre-incubations of PMA, despite inhibition of agonist-induced [Ca 2+] i mobilization and arachidonate/thromboxane release. In this study, the effect of PMA on 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion in relation to arachidonate/thromboxane B 2 release induced by collagen as well as the ‘weak agonists’, ADP, adrenaline and platelet-activating factor (PAF), was investigated using human platelet-rich plasma. Short incubations (10–30 s) with PMA (400 nM) before agonist addition caused an inhibition (60–100%) of 5-hydroxy[ 14C]tryptamine secretion and thromboxane B 2 formation in response to maximally effective doses of ADP (10 μM), adrenaline (10 μM) and PAF (0.5 μM) but potentiated collagen-induced 5-hydroxy[ 14C]tryptamine secretion and [ 3H]arachidonate/thromboxane release. However, a longer pre-incubation with PMA (5 min) caused a significant reduction (20–50%) in the extent of collagen-induced 5-hydroxy[ 14C]tryptamine secretion and thromboxane B 2 formation as seen earlier with thrombin, although collagen-induced [ 3]arachidonate release was still unaffected. Pretreatment of platelets with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (10 μM), abolished 5-hydroxy[ 14C]tryptamine secretion in response to the weak agonists and reduced collagen (2.5–10 μg/ml) -induced secretion by 50–90%, depending on the collagen concentration. Addition of PMA (400 nM) 10 s before these agonists in indomethacin-treated platelets resulted in synergistic interactions between agonist and PMA leading to enhanced 5-hydroxy[ 14C]tryptamine secretion, although this was notably less than the synergism observed previously between thrombin and PMA or U46619 and PMA. The results suggest that the effect of short incubations with PMA on 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion induced by ‘thromboxane-dependent’ agonists, such as those examined in this study, is determined by the effect on agonist-induced thromboxane synthesis. However, when endogenous thromboxane synthesis is blocked, weak agonists as well as collagen can synergize with PMA at potentiating 5-hydroxytryptamine secretion, albeit to a weaker extent than thrombin or U46619. The results also suggest that PMA has differential effects on arachidonate release induced by collagen and thrombin.

Evidence for an alternative mechanism of human platelet secretion involving peripheralization of secretory granules and formation of membrane-associated multivesicular structures

Stimulated platelets release the content of their granules to the environment by a process known as platelet secretion. The precise mechanism of platelet secretion is poorly understood. The most widely-held theory suggests that, during platelet activation, secretory granules centralize and their content is released into the surface-connected canalicular system. Using fixation techniques directed at preserving membrane structures, morphological evidence is provided that human platelet activation is associated with secretory granules migrating to the periphery of platelets, where they undergo transition to participate in the formation of membrane-associated multivesicular structures. These multivesicular structures then undergo dissolution resulting in granule content secretion to the environment. The formation of the membrane-associated multivesicular structures occurs in platelets in which some of the secretory granules have also become centralized. This suggests that during the activation of human platelets, membrane-associated multivesicular structure release may occur concurrently with other mechanisms of secretory granule content release. The present observations are consistent, however, with the hypothesis that during human platelet activation the formation of membrane-associated multivesicular structures by platelet secretory granules contributes importantly to the mechanism of platelet secretion.

The Secretory Pathway of Bovine Platelets

Human platelets contain tortuous channels in their cytoplasm, the surface-connected or open canalicular system (OCS), that communicate directly with the surrounding medium through openings on the surface membrane. Some workers have suggested that the OCS serves as the egress route for products secreted during the release reaction. Others have proposed alternate secretory pathways. Since bovine platelets lack the OCS found in human cells, the present study has examined the secretory mechanism of these cells to see whether it can shed light on the mystery of human platelet secretion. Bovine platelet granules, in contrast to human granules, are located more peripherally in resting cells (often in contact with the plasma membrane), most do not move centrally following thrombin stimulation as do human platelet granules, and many fuse directly with the external plasma membrane without any intermediate channel. The lack of peripheral location of human granules, their central rather than peripheral movement during secretion, and the presence of extensive channels are all consistent with the larger importance of the secretory channel to human platelets. Thus, though studies of bovine secretion do show that platelets can secrete their granules by direct fusion of granule and surface membranes, other differences from human platelets emphasize that this pathway, although important to bovine platelet secretion, is less important in human platelets. Studies of bovine platelets also show that the OCS is more dynamic than might have been considered from human studies and can form rapidly in response to stimulation. Such newly formed channels are used as a conduit for secretion of granule contents. The finding emphasizes the importance of channels for granule secretion in platelets generally and puts a new perspective on the ability of these cells to form channels rapidly in response to stimulation.

The secretory pathway of bovine platelets

Human platelets contain tortuous channels in their cytoplasm, the surface-connected or open canalicular system (OCS), that communicate directly with the surrounding medium through openings on the surface membrane. Some workers have suggested that the OCS serves as the egress route for products secreted during the release reaction. Others have proposed alternate secretory pathways. Since bovine platelets lack the OCS found in human cells, the present study has examined the secretory mechanism of these cells to see whether it can shed light on the mystery of human platelet secretion. Bovine platelet granules, in contrast to human granules, are located more peripherally in resting cells (often in contact with the plasma membrane), most do not move centrally following thrombin stimulation as do human platelet granules, and many fuse directly with the external plasma membrane without any intermediate channel. The lack of peripheral location of human granules, their central rather than peripheral movement during secretion, and the presence of extensive channels are all consistent with the larger importance of the secretory channel to human platelets. Thus, though studies of bovine secretion do show that platelets can secrete their granules by direct fusion of granule and surface membranes, other differences from human platelets emphasize that this pathway, although important to bovine platelet secretion, is less important in human platelets. Studies of bovine platelets also show that the OCS is more dynamic than might have been considered from human studies and can form rapidly in response to stimulation. Such newly formed channels are used as a conduit for secretion of granule contents. The finding emphasizes the importance of channels for granule secretion in platelets generally and puts a new perspective on the ability of these cells to form channels rapidly in response to stimulation.

Interactions of the alkyl-ether-phospholipid, platelet activating factor (PAF) with platelets, neural cells, and the psychotropic drugs triazolobenzodiazepines.

PAF-acether, a naturally occurring phospholipid, is a potent activator of various biological processes, including platelet aggregation. The mechanisms of action of PAF are largely unknown. We have found that the psychotropic triazolobenzodiazepine drugs, alprazolam and triazolam, potently (IC50 less than 1 microM) inhibit PAF-induced shape change, aggregation and secretion of human platelets. These effects are specific for PAF-activation, since the responses of human platelets to other agonists (ADP, thrombin, epinephrine, collagen, arachidonate and the Ca++ ionophore, A23187) are not inhibited by these triazolobenzodiazepines. The action of triazolobenzodiazepines on PAF-induced platelet function has clinical relevance, especially in diseases where enhanced platelet aggregability may lead to thrombosis and atherosclerosis. In addition, the ability of triazolobenzodiazepines to inhibit other PAF-mediated cellular-responses, such as anaphylactic shock or bronchoconstriction, suggests that these drugs may be useful in preventing several known pathophysiological effects of PAF. The specific antagonism of PAF action by psychotropic drugs also suggests that PAF or PAF-like phospholipids may play a role in neuronal function. This possibility was tested by examining the effects of PAF on neural cells of the clonal line NG108-15, grown in culture in a chemically defined, serum-free medium. Low concentrations of PAF (0.5-2.5 microM) induced neurite extension in NG108-15 cells, whereas higher concentrations (greater than 3 microM) were cytotoxic. Using NG108-15 cells preloaded with aequorin, it was found that PAF causes an increase in intracellular ionized calcium concentration, which is dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium. These results suggest that PAF-induced Ca++ uptake may play a role in neuronal development, and that circulating PAF may contribute to the neuronal degeneration caused by the exposure of neural tissues to blood in situations such as spinal cord injury, trauma, or stroke.

Requirement for Thrombin Receptor Occupancy During Platelet Secretion Under Aggregating and Non-Aggregating Conditions

The requirement for receptor occupancy in thrombin-induced secretion in human platelets has been studied. When increasing concentrations of thrombin were added to gel-filtered platelets containing a constant, high concentration of hirudin, dense granule secretion was initiated at lower thrombin concentrations than those required for alpha-granule secretion and aggregation; acid hydrolase secretion required higher concentrations. A 62-fold excess of hirudin produced abrupt stop of dense granule secretion and alpha-granule secretion when added to non-aggregating (no stirring) platelets shortly after thrombin; it had no affect after these secretory process had reached about 30% of their maximal values. Acid hydrolase secretion was, however, abruptly stopped by hirudin at any stage. When the platelets were allowed to aggregate, the three secretory processes increased their rates and were abruptly stopped by hirudin at any stage. Aggregation (optical) occurred slower than dense granule and alpha-granule secretion, and was reversed by hirudin when added before it had reached 30% of its maximum. It is concluded that alpha-granule secretion, like dense granule secretion, only requires a short receptor occupancy to be completed, in contrast to the requirement for sustained occupancy for acid hydrolase secretion. alpha-Granule secretion might, however, require longer occupancy than dense granule secretion. Aggregation is believed to potentiate secretion through close cell contact and the secretion processes were inhibited by hirudin through hirudin's effect on aggregation.

Fluorescent Ca 2+-indicator quin 2 as an intracellular Ca 2+ antagonist in platelet reaction

Preincubation of fluorescent Ca 2+-indicator quin 2 resulted in inhibition on platelet aggregation and secretion in the absence of extracellular Ca 2+. And the mechanism of the inhibition was studied. The inhibition by quin 2 of thrombin stimulated aggregation and ATP secretion of human platelets was dose and incubation time dependent and the inhibition was overcome by an addition of CaCl 2 to the suspending buffer. Combination of quin 2 and Ca 2+-blockers exerted the complete inhibition of the reaction in the presence of extracellular Ca 2+. The inhibitory effect was observed when the intracellular concentration of quin 2 exceeds 3 mM, regardless of the initial dose or the preincubation time. The cellular content of ATP was not reduced by loading platelets with quin 2 in the concentration which exerted an inhibitory effect on the platelet reaction. From these observations, it was postulated that the inhibition is due to chelation of intracellular Ca 2+ by quin 2 and the application of this agent as an intracellular Ca 2+ antagonist was proposed. Also, we discussed the limitations in the use of quin 2 system as an intracellular Ca 2+ indicator.

Human Platelet Aggregation and Release Reaction Induced by Platelet Activating Factor (PAF-Acether) – Effects of Acetylsalicylic Acid and External Ionized Calcium

The effects of the cyclo-oxygenase inhibition on PAF-acether-induced human platelet aggregation and secretion are controversial. We studied the above parameters on citrated platelet-rich plasma of 12 normal subjects before and after the in vivo administration of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Individual sensitivities to PAF-acether were highly variable. ASA completely inhibited the platelet secretion induced by low concentrations of PAF-acether, but caused only partial inhibition when platelets were exposed to high concentrations of PAF-acether. The concentration of PAF-acether which overcame the cyclo-oxygenase inhibition varied substantially, depending on the individual sensitivity of the platelets to it. The addition of CaCl2 2 mM to the samples did not affect the extent of the platelet secretion, but increased irreversible aggregation in samples taken both before and after the ASA administration. These data suggest that low concentrations of PAF-acether stimulate the human platelet secretion by activating the cyclo-oxygenase pathway, whereas higher concentrations also trigger other mechanism(s) that suffice to induce human platelet secretion and full aggregation.

Control and interrelation of aggregation and secretion; the roles of Ca2+, diacylglycerol and thromboxane with particular reference to ADP stimulation.

In this article we propose to outline our present understanding of the intracellular pathways regulating aggregation and secretion in human platelets, and the various ways in which secretion and aggregation may be independent or interdependent under different experimental conditions. We shall also consider briefly shape-change and its relation to aggregation and secretion.