Increased adhesion and aggregation of platelets lacking cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate kinase I.

Atherosclerotic vascular lesions are considered to be a major cause of ischemic diseases, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Platelet adhesion and aggregation during ischemia-reperfusion are thought to be the initial steps leading to remodeling and reocclusion of the postischemic vasculature. Nitric oxide (NO) inhibits platelet aggregation and smooth muscle proliferation. A major downstream target of NO is cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate kinase I (cGKI). To test the intravascular significance of the NO/cGKI signaling pathway in vivo, we have studied platelet-endothelial cell and platelet-platelet interactions during ischemia/reperfusion using cGKI-deficient (cGKI-/-) mice. Platelet cGKI but not endothelial or smooth muscle cGKI is essential to prevent intravascular adhesion and aggregation of platelets after ischemia. The defect in platelet cGKI is not compensated by the cAMP/cAMP kinase pathway supporting the essential role of cGKI in prevention of ischemia-induced platelet adhesion and aggregation.

Lysophosphatidic acid-induced platelet shape change revealed through LPA(1-5) receptor-selective probes and albumin.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a component of mildly-oxidized LDL and the lipid rich core of atherosclerotic plaques, elicits platelet activation. LPA is the ligand of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) of the EDG family (LPA(1-3)) and the newly identified LPA(4-7) subcluster. LPA(4), LPA(5) and LPA(7) increase cellular cAMP levels that would induce platelet inhibition rather than activation. In the present study we quantified the mRNA levels of the LPA(1-7) GPCR in human platelets and found a rank order LPA(4) = LPA(5) > LPA(7) > LPA(6) = LPA(2) >> LPA(1) > LPA(3). We examined platelet shape change using a panel of LPA receptor subtype-selective agonists and antagonists and compared them with their pharmacological profiles obtained in heterologous LPA(1-5) receptor expression systems. Responses to different natural acyl and alkyl species of LPA, and octyl phosphatidic acid analogs, alpha-substituted phosphonate analogs, N-palmitoyl-tyrosine phosphoric acid, N-palmitoyl-serine phosphoric acid were tested. All of these compounds elicited platelet activation and also inhibited LPA-induced platelet shape change after pre-incubation, suggesting that receptor desensitization is likely responsible for the inhibition of this response. Fatty acid free albumin (10 microM) lacking platelet activity completely inhibited platelet shape change induced by LPA with an IC(50) of 1.1 microM but had no effect on the activation of LPA(1,2,3,&5) expressed in endogenously non-LPA-responsive RH7777 cells. However, albumin reduced LPA(4) activation and shifted the dose-response curve to the right. LPA(5) transiently expressed in RH7777 cells showed preference to alkyl-LPA over acyl-LPA that is similar to that in platelets. LPA did not increase cAMP levels in platelets. In conclusion, our results with the pharmacological compounds and albumin demonstrate that LPA does not induce platelet shape change simply through activation of LPA(1-5), and the receptor(s) mediating LPA-induced platelet activation remains elusive.

Properties and distribution of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C in human and horse platelets.

Phospholipase C has been studied in homogenates, total particulate and soluble fractions of horse and human platelets. This enzyme, assayed with exogenous L-3-phosphatidyl[14C]inositol, is predominantly localized in the soluble fraction and its distribution parallels that of lactate dehydrogenase. A small percentage of activity present in the particulate fraction seems to be due to contamination with soluble enzyme. Enzyme from horse and human platelets appears identical, having a Km of 0.10-0.15 mM, acid pH optimum (pH 5.5) and showing Ca2+-dependency and weak inhibition by deoxycholate. Analysis of the reaction products shows the formation of myo-inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate and myo-inositol 1-phosphate in almost equal amounts. Platelet stimulation with thrombin does not seem to induce association of the cytosolic activity to the membranes. The cytosolic activity is not affected by pretreatment of the intact platelets with prostacyclin or thrombin. Degradation of phosphatidylinositol present in a membrane fraction isolated from platelets by cytosolic phospholipase C requires addition of deoxycholate. Our information suggests that the degradation of phosphatidylinositol in stimulated platelets is mainly achieved by exposure of the substrate to the cytosolic enzyme and by an increase of the free Ca2+ concentration needed for optimal phospholipase C activity.

Dihomogammalinolenic acid, but not eicosapentaenoic acid, activates washed human platelets.

Dihomogammalinolenic acid (2.5-20 microM) added to suspensions of washed human platelets induces platelet shape change and the formation of 1,2-diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid, indicating the activation of phospholipase C. It also stimulates the phosphorylation of a 40 kDa protein, indicating the activation of protein kinase C. Dihomogammalinolenic acid is converted mainly to 12-hydroxyheptadecadienoic acid and to a smaller extent to prostaglandin E1 and thromboxane B1. Small quantities of the lipoxygenase product 12-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid are also observed. Indomethacin, by blocking platelet cyclooxygenase, prevents the activation of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and platelet shape change induced by dihomogammalinolenic acid. Compound UK 38485, a specific thromboxane synthetase inhibitor, does not block platelet activation induced by dihomogammalinolenic acid. The results indicate that endoperoxides derived from dihomogammalinolenic acid, such as prostaglandin G1 or prostaglandin H1, may be responsible for the stimulation of phospholipase C and protein kinase C, and for the induction of platelet shape change. Eicosapentaenoic acid does not activate platelets and is poorly metabolized by platelet cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase. Eicosapentaenoic acid is a better inhibitor of platelet activation induced by various agonists in washed platelets than dihomogammalinolenic acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid and dihomogammalinolenic acid are, however, equally effective in inhibiting aggregation induced by collagen in platelet-rich plasma. We suggest that eicosapentaenoic acid might be a better antithrombotic agent than dihomogammalinolenic acid.

In vitro prostaglandin synthesis by various rat renal preparations.

Prostaglandin synthesis by eight different structures from the rat kidney (while cortex, cortical tubules, glomeruli, outer medulla, papilla, glomerular cultured epithelial and mesangial cells, cultured interstitial medullary cells) was measured in vitro after incubation with [14C] arachidonic acid using high-performance liquid chromatography followed by RIA with four specific anti-prostaglandin antibodies (prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2 alpha, 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha, thromboxane B2). Prostaglandin production by the whole cortex and cortical tubules was very low. The order of abundance for isolated glomeruli was thromboxane B2 great than prostaglandin E2 greater than prostaglandin F2 alpha greater than 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. Mesangial cells synthesized prostaglandin E2 at a markedly high rate, in decreasing order: prostaglandin F2 alpha, thromboxane B2 and 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. The same order of abundance was observed for epithelial cells. The papilla synthesized essentially prostaglandin E2 and prostaglandin F2 alpha, whereas the main product for the outer medullar was 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha. Cultured interstitial cells synthesized mainly prostaglandin E2 and to a lesser extent prostaglandin F2 alpha. Unidentified peaks eluting between 6 keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha and thromboxane B2 were also observed chiefly with glomeruli but they were absent with the medullary preparations. They disappeared after incubation with indomethacin or aspirin and represented for glomeruli the greatest percentage of conversion of [14C] arachidonic acid. These results show that the prostanoid profile varies markedly with the different regions and cells of the rat kidney.

Phosphorylation of rap1B by protein kinase A is not involved in platelet inhibition by cyclic AMP.

The functional consequence of cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of rap1B for stimulus-induced platelet activation is not known. Platelets were pretreated with the stable prostacyclin-analogue iloprost and resuspended in plasma without iloprost. Western blot analysis showed that rap1B was completely converted into its phosphorylated form in the iloprost-pretreated platelets. Surprisingly, the platelets that contained phosphorylated rap1B were found to respond fully to activation by a wide variety of stimuli: aggregation upon stimulation by collagen, phorbol ester, vasopressin, ADP, epinephrine, and ATP-secretion from dense granules induced by collagen, thrombin-receptor activating peptide, vasopressin and phorbol ester were unchanged as compared to control. The results indicate that cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of rap1B does not play a role in the inhibition of the various signal transduction pathways that lead to platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion.

Integrin-dependent protein dephosphorylation on tyrosine induced by activation of the thrombin receptor in human platelets.

Activation of human platelets by thrombin or a thrombin receptor-activating peptide (TRAP) resulted in a decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of two proteins, P38 and P140. Preincubation of platelets with the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor orthovanadate prevented the tyrosine dephosphorylation of P38 and P140, and reduced platelet aggregation induced by thrombin receptor activation. When platelets were stimulated under conditions that precluded the activation of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (dissociation of the complex by EGTA at 37 degrees C) or the binding of fibrinogen (preincubation of platelets with RGDS), tyrosine dephosphorylation of P38 and P140 was not observed. The results indicate that protein tyrosine phosphatase stimulation (a) occurs during platelet activation induced by a physiological stimulus, (b) is a positive regulatory signal for platelet aggregation and (c) is dependent on the activation of the integrin alpha IIb beta 3.

Epinephrine potentiates calcium mobilization and activation of protein kinases in platelets stimulated by ADP through a mechanism unrelated to phospholipase C.

ADP, added to suspensions of aspirinized 32P-prelabelled washed platelets, induced reversible platelet aggregation, the rapid elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ (maximum at 2 s), 20 kDa myosin light chain phosphorylation (maximum faster than 3 s), 40 kDa protein phosphorylation (maximum at 3-10 s) and phosphatidic acid formation (maximum at 30 s). Prior addition of epinephrine potentiated platelet aggregation, cytosolic Ca2(+)-elevation, 20 and 40 kDa protein phosphorylation evoked by ADP, but it did not enhance phosphatidic acid formation induced by ADP. The potentiating effect of epinephrine on aggregation, cytosolic Ca2(+)-increase and 20 and 40 kDa protein phosphorylation induced by ADP was also observed in the presence of EGTA. Ethylisopropylamiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H(+)-exchange, did not affect the potentiation of ADP-induced platelet aggregation by epinephrine. We conclude that epinephrine primes platelets to increase Ca2(+)-influx and Ca2(+)-mobilization in response to ADP. The potentiation of cytosolic Ca2(+)-elevation by epinephrine leads to further stimulation of myosin light chain phosphorylation and protein kinase C activation and ultimately to enhanced platelet aggregation. These effects of epinephrine do not seem to take place at the level of phospholipase C.

Lovastatin inhibits receptor-stimulated Ca(2+)-influx in retinoic acid differentiated U937 and HL-60 cells.

Lovastatin was used to study the role of isoprenylated proteins on stimulus-induced increase of cytosolic Ca2+ in retinoic acid-differentiated U937 and HL-60 cells. Preincubation of the cells with lovastatin for 11-24 h reduced the Ca(2+)-influx induced by PAF of FMLP. The maximal decrease was 60% in U937 cells and 40% in HL-60 cells. The ID50s of lovastatin in U937 and HL-60 cells were 5 microM and 15 microM, respectively. Lovastatin did not inhibit Ca(2+)-discharge from intracellular stores. Addition of mevalonate to lovastatin-treated cells completely reversed the inhibition of PAF- and FMLP-stimulated Ca(2+)-mobilization. Immunoreactivity of ras-like proteins was decreased in membranes and increased in the cytosol of U937 cells by 1 day treatment with lovastatin. We conclude that isoprenylated proteins are involved in the regulation of receptor-stimulated Ca(2+)-entry of differentiated HL-60 and U937 cells.

Evidence for the formation of inositol 4-monophosphate in stimulated human platelets.

Human platelets were prelabeled with [3H] inositol and exposed to thrombin or vasopressin. The radioactive inositol monophosphates were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by cochromatography with unlabeled standard substances. Radioactive inositol 1-monophosphate (Ins 1-P) and inositol 4-monophosphate (Ins 4-P) were detected in unstimulated platelets and accumulated in response to thrombin or vasopressin. Ins 4-P as well as Ins 1-P increased after the formation of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate (Ins 1,4-P2) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins 1,4,5-P3). Lithium augmented the accumulation of Ins 1-P and Ins 1,4-P2 in stimulated platelets, and also of Ins 4-P in platelets stimulated by vasopressin, but not by thrombin. The results indicate that Ins 1,4-P2 formed in stimulated platelets is partly degraded to Ins 4-P. The significance of Ins 4-P as a marker molecule for the study of inositol phosphate metabolism in stimulated cells is discussed.

Epinephrine and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 synergistically induce platelet aggregation without protein kinase C activation.

Aspirin-pretreated, 32P-prelabeled, washed human platelets resuspended in a buffer containing apyrase and 2% plasma were exposed to epinephrine and the Ca2+ ionophore A23187. Epinephrine potentiated platelet aggregation (not secretion), the production of [32P]phosphatidic acid and myosin light chain phosphorylation induced by A23187. No phosphorylation of the 40 kDa protein, the substrate of protein kinase C, was observed. We conclude that G1-protein activation evoked by epinephrine and Ca2+ mobilization caused by A23187 represents a novel synergism for platelet aggregation and that protein kinase C activation, under these conditions is not needed for platelet aggregation.

Thrombin induces the rapid formation of inositol bisphosphate and inositol trisphosphate in human platelets.

Human platelets prelabeled with [3H]inositol were exposed to thrombin. The aqueous soluble inositol phosphates were separated by anion exchange column chromatography, paper chromatography or high-performance liquid chromatography, and identified by cochromatography with authentic standard substances. Thrombin immediately induces the rapid formation of inositol 1,4-bisphosphate and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. Accumulation of inositol-1-monophosphate and inositol-2-monophosphate occurs later after a time lag of 10 sec. The results indicate that the phospholipase C induced polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis rather than the phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis is the triggering event for platelet activation, and support the concept of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate as putative second messenger.

Neomycin inhibits inositol phosphate formation in human platelets stimulated by thrombin but not other agonists.

Neomycin (0.1-1 mM) added to human platelet-rich plasma or washed platelets prelabeled with [3H]inositol inhibits aggregation, ATP secretion (ID50 0.2 mM) and formation of [3H]inositol mono-, bis- and trisphosphate (ID50 0.6-0.8 mM) in response to thrombin (0.25 U/ml). The production of inositol phosphates in response to other platelet agonists (vasopressin, platelet activating factor, prostaglandin endoperoxide analogs and collagen) is not inhibited by neomycin, even at a concentration of 2 mM. At this concentration neomycin reduces the secretion of ATP stimulated by these agents (by up to 50%). The results indicate that neomycin has multiple effects on platelets that are unrelated to a specific inhibition of inositol phospholipid degradation by phospholipase C. Low concentrations (0.1-1 mM) of neomycin might selectively inhibit the interaction of thrombin with the platelet surface, and high concentrations (greater than 2 mM) might unspecifically reduce platelet secretion in response to various platelet agonists.

The association of pp125FAK, pp60Src, CDC42Hs and Rap1B with the cytoskeleton of aggregated platelets is a reversible process regulated by calcium.

The integrin alpha IIb beta 3-mediated redistribution of the tyrosine kinases pp125FAK and pp60Src and the small GTP-binding proteins CDC42Hs and Rap1B from the membrane skeleton to the cytoskeleton was found to be reversible: upon prolonged platelet aggregation (up to 15 min) induced by the thrombin-receptor activating peptide (TRAP) these signalling proteins dissociated from the cytoskeleton and reappeared in the membrane skeleton. Addition of the extracellular Ca2+ chelator EGTA and the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA/AM 30 s after TRAP allowed platelet aggregation and the association of pp125FAK, pp60Src, CDC42Hs and Rap1B with the cytoskeleton, but prevented their dissociation from the cytoskeleton. The results indicate that the prolonged elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ in stimulated platelets leads to the dissociation of signalling proteins from the cytoskeleton.

Mildly oxidised low density lipoprotein induces platelet shape change via Rho-kinase-dependent phosphorylation of myosin light chain and moesin.

Oxidised low density lipoprotein (LDL) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Here we demonstrate that mildly oxidised (mox) LDL engages the GTPase Rho and its effector molecule p160 Rho-kinase to induce phosphorylation of myosin light chain and of moesin leading to platelet shape change. Pretreatment of platelets with the selective Rho inhibitor C3-transferase from Clostridium botulinum or with the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 blocked mox-LDL-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation, moesin phosphorylation and shape change. Mox-LDL did not induce an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) during shape change. We propose that Rho/Rho-kinase inhibition could be a strategy for prevention of the pathologic platelet activation during atherogenesis.

Stimulated platelet aggregation, thromboxane B2 formation and platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin - a critical evaluation.

Platelets have been implicated in the development of atherosclerotic and thrombotic vascular diseases. Evaluation of platelet aggregation in relation to endogenously formed compounds which affect platelet function may provide information of clinical and pharmacological relevance. We describe a method in which thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formation was analyzed following stimulation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with ADP, 1-epinephrine, collagen, and arachidonic acid. In addition, we determined platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin following ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation. The parameters under study were found to depend on the platelet count in PRP, on the type and dose of the aggregating agent used, and on the test time after blood sampling. By standardization of these variables, a reliable method was established which can be used in clinical and pharmacological trials.

Genetic and pharmacological analyses of involvement of Src-family, Syk and Btk tyrosine kinases in platelet shape change. Src-kinases mediate integrin alphaIIb beta3 inside-out signalling during shape change.

Platelet shape change was found to be associated with an increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation upon stimulation of thrombin-, ADP- and thromboxane A2-G-protein coupled receptors in human platelets and thromboxane A2 receptors in mouse platelets. By using PP1 and PD173956, two structurally unrelated specific inhibitors of Src-family tyrosine kinases, and mouse platelets deficient in the Src-kinase Fyn or Lyn, we show that Src-family kinases cause the increase in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. We further detected that the non-Src tyrosine kinase Syk was activated during shape change in a manner dependent on Src-family kinaseactivation. The pharmacological experiments and the studies on Fyn-, Lyn- and Syk-deficient mouse platelets showed that neither Src-family kinases nor Syk are functionally involved in shape change. Also human platelets deficient of the tyrosine kinase Btk showed a normal shape change. Binding of PAC-1 that recognizes activated integrin alphaIIb beta3 complexes on the platelet surface was enhanced during shape change and blocked by inhibition of Src-kinases. We conclude that the activation of Src-kinases and the subsequent Syk stimulation upon activation of G-protein coupled receptors are not involved in the cytoskeletal changes underlying shape change of human and mouse platelets, but that the stimulation of this evolutionary conserved pathway leads to integrin alphaIIb beta3 exposure during shape change.

Synergistic phosphorylation of platelet rap1B by SIN-1 and iloprost.

Human platelets suspended in plasma or buffer were incubated with low concentrations of the nitric oxide (NO)-donor 3-morpholino-syndnonime (SIN-1; 100 nM to 1 microM) and the stable prostacyclin analogue iloprost (50 or 100 pM) and analyzed for cyclic nucleotide levels and protein phosphorylation. SIN-1 and iloprost synergistically stimulated the phosphorylation of rap1B and the 50 kDa vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein. SIN-1 stimulated platelet cyclic GMP and cAMP-levels and enhanced the increase in cyclic AMP elicited by iloprost. It was found that the mechanism underlying the synergistic phosphorylation of the 50 kDa protein and rap1B was different: synergistic phosphorylation of the 50 kDa protein seemed to be mediated by activation of both protein kinases A and G, whereas the synergistic rap1B phosphorylation could be attributed entirely to activation of protein kinase A. Measurement of rap1B phosphorylation might be a useful tool to monitor the action of systemically applied prostacyclin-analogues and nitrovasodilators in pharmacological studies.

Effects of very low versus standard dose acetyl salicylic acid, dipyridamole and sulfinpyrazone on platelet function and thromboxane formation in man.

The effects of three conventional antiplatelet regimes, dipyridamole 3 X 75 mg/day (D), sulfinpyrazone 4 X 200 mg/day (S), acetylsalicylic acid 3 X 330 mg/day combined with dipyridamole 3 X 75 mg/day (ASA + D), and very low dose acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg/day (ASA) on platelet function were studied in man following 4 days of treatment. D and S slightly increased mean minimal ADP concentration for irreversible aggregation (n.s.), S reduced aggregation and thromboxane (TXB2) formation on low dose collagen (2P less than or equal to 0.05), ASA and ASA + D increased platelet count (2P less than or equal to 0.05), increased bleeding time (n.s. for ASA, 2P less than or equal to 0.05 for ASA + D), abolished irreversible aggregation on ADP, suppressed TXB2 formation on all (2P less than or equal to 0.001) and aggregation on lower concentrations of collagen (2P less than or equal to 0.01) and abolished aggregation and TXB2 formation on arachidonic acid (2P less than or equal to 0.001). Very low dose ASA suppresses platelet aggregation and TXB2 formation on several stimuli of possible physiologic significance. In the light of a recently proposed critical balance of vascular antiaggregatory prostacyclin and platelet proaggregatory TXA2 very low dose ASA might offer advantages over conventional dosage of ASA and should be evaluated in thromboembolic disorders.

Direct comparison of the effects of nitroprusside, SIN 1, and various nitrates on platelet aggregation and soluble guanylate cyclase activity.

We have directly compared the effects of the nitrates isosorbide-5-mononitrate, nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate and of the nitric oxide-containing sodium nitroprusside and 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN 1) as well as of the bioinactive precursor of SIN 1, molsidomine, on platelet activating factor-induced platelet aggregation and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. The effects of these agents on the aggregation and on soluble guanylate cyclase activity of human platelets were closely correlated. Whereas nitroprusside and SIN 1 were very potent inhibitors of aggregation and activators of soluble guanylate cyclase in micromolar concentrations, the other drugs were effective only at millimolar concentrations. Preincubation of platelets with cysteine did not or only slightly increase the ability of isosorbide-5'-mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate to inhibit aggregation, but a clear increase was observed after preincubation with nitroglycerin. These data support the concept that cyclic GMP is the mediator of nitric oxide-induced inhibition of platelet aggregation and indicate that nitrates cannot directly inhibit aggregation or be converted to nitric oxide-containing agents by a specific mechanism in platelets. The data also suggest that SIN 1 and nitroprusside, but not or only to a certain degree the nitrates, can be considered as exogenous endothelium-derived relaxing factors.