Specific inhibition of the transporter MRP4/ABCC4 affects multiple signaling pathways and thrombus formation in human platelets

Haematologica. 2022 Sep 1;107(9):2206-2217. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2021.279761.

Abstract

The multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4) is highly expressed in platelets and several lines of evidence point to an impact on platelet function. MRP4 represents a transporter for cyclic nucleotides as well as for certain lipid mediators. The aim of the present study was to comprehensively characterize the effect of a short-time specific pharmacological inhibition of MRP4 on signaling pathways in platelets. Transport assays in isolated membrane vesicles showed a concentrationdependent inhibition of MRP4-mediated transport of cyclic nucleotides, thromboxane (Tx)B2 and fluorescein (FITC)- labeled sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) by the selective MRP4 inhibitor Ceefourin-1. In ex vivo aggregometry studies in human platelets, Ceefourin-1 significantly inhibited platelet aggregation by about 30-50% when ADP or collagen was used as activating agents, respectively. Ceefourin-1 significantly lowered the ADP-induced activation of integrin aIIbb3, indicated by binding of FITC-fibrinogen (about 50% reduction at 50 mM Ceefourin-1), and reduced calcium influx. Furthermore, pre-incubation with Ceefourin-1 significantly increased PGE1- and cinaciguat-induced vasodilatorstimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) phosphorylation, indicating increased cytosolic cAMP as well as cGMP concentrations, respectively. The release of TxB2 from activated human platelets was also attenuated. Finally, selective MRP4 inhibition significantly reduced both the total area covered by thrombi and the average thrombus size by about 40% in a flow chamber model. In conclusion, selective MRP4 inhibition causes reduced platelet adhesion and thrombus formation under flow conditions. This finding is mechanistically supported by inhibition of integrin aIIbb3 activation, elevated VASP phosphorylation and reduced calcium influx, based on inhibited cyclic nucleotide and thromboxane transport as well as possible further mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
  • Adenosine Diphosphate / metabolism
  • Adenosine Diphosphate / pharmacology
  • Blood Platelets* / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / metabolism
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Integrins / metabolism
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic / metabolism
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic / pharmacology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Thrombosis* / metabolism
  • Thromboxanes / metabolism
  • Thromboxanes / pharmacology

Substances

  • ABCC4 protein, human
  • ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
  • Integrins
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Nucleotides, Cyclic
  • Thromboxanes
  • Adenosine Diphosphate
  • Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

Funding: This study was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft to GJ (DFG, JE 234/4-1) and to BHR (DFG, RA 1714/1-2). RW has received a doctoral scholarship from the DZHK (Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung e.V., grant 81X3400103). RP and AG receive support from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, grant/award number: 374031971-TRR 240. We also acknowledge support for the Article Processing Charge from the DFG and the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Greifswald.