Combined blockade of thrombin anion binding exosite-1 and PAR4 produces synergistic antiplatelet effect in human platelets

Thromb Haemost. 2011 Jan;105(1):88-95. doi: 10.1160/TH10-05-0305. Epub 2010 Nov 5.

Abstract

Thrombin exosite-1 mediates the specific binding of thrombin with fibrinogen and protease-activated receptor (PAR) 1. Exosite-1 inhibitors have been shown to effectively decrease the clotting activity of thrombin, while their antiplatelet effects are relatively weak. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of two exosite-1 inhibitors, hirugen and HD1, but not the exosite-2 inhibitor HD22, on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression were dramatically enhanced by a PAR4 antagonist, YD-3. In contrast, the PAR1 antagonist SCH-79797 did not affect the antiplatelet effects of exosite-1 inhibitors. The exosite-1 inhibitors and YD-3 prevented the Ca2+ spike and the prolonged Ca2+ response in thrombin-stimulated platelets, respectively; and combination of these two classes of agents led to abolishment of Ca2+ signal. Unlike exosite-1 inhibitors, the antiplatelet effects of the active site inhibitor PPACK and the bivalent inhibitor bivalirudin were not significantly enhanced by YD-3. In addition, the platelet-stimulating activity of γ-thrombin, an autolytic product of α-thrombin which lacks exosite-1, was inhibited by YD-3. These results suggest that the synergistic antiplatelet effects of exosite-1 inhibitor and PAR4 antagonist are resulted from combined blockade of PAR1 and PAR4 in platelets. In fibrinogen or plasma clotting assay, YD-3 neither prolonged the clotting time on its own nor enhanced the anticoagulant activity of exosite-1 inhibitors. Therefore, the combined blockade of exosite-1 and PAR4 may offer a potential strategy for improving the balance of benefits and risks of antithrombotic therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / cytology
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects*
  • Blood Platelets / physiology
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drug Synergism
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Hirudins / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Indazoles / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Prothrombin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Thrombin / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • 1-benzyl-3-(ethoxycarbonylpheny)-indazole
  • Hirudins
  • Indazoles
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Thrombin
  • hirugen
  • Prothrombin
  • protease-activated receptor 4