Long-term platelet priming after glycoprotein VI stimulation in comparison to Protease-Activating Receptor (PAR) stimulation

PLoS One. 2021 Mar 3;16(3):e0247425. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247425. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Platelets can respond to multiple antagonists and agonists, implying that their activation state is a consequence of past exposure to these substances. While platelets are often considered as one-time responsive cells, they likely can respond to sequential application of inhibitors and stimuli. We hypothesized that the ability of platelets to sequentially respond depends on the time and type of repeated agonist application. The present proof-of-concept data show that iloprost (cAMP elevation), tirofiban (integrin αIIbβ3 blocker) and Syk kinase inhibition subacutely modulated platelet aggregation, i.e. halted this process even when applied after agonist. In comparison to thrombin-activated receptor (PAR) stimulation, glycoprotein VI (GPVI) stimulation was less sensitive to time-dependent blockage of aggregation, with Syk inhibition as an exception. Furthermore, cytosolic Ca2+ measurements indicated that, when compared to PAR, prior GPVI stimulation induced a more persistent, priming activation state of platelets that influenced the response to a next agent. Overall, these data point to an unexpected priming memory of activated platelets in subacutely responding to another inhibitor or stimulus, with a higher versatility and faster offset after PAR stimulation than after GPVI stimulation.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Signaling / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Iloprost / pharmacology*
  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Receptors, Thrombin / metabolism*
  • Tirofiban / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Receptors, Thrombin
  • platelet membrane glycoprotein VI
  • Tirofiban
  • Iloprost
  • Calcium

Grants and funding

The funder Synapse B.V. provided support in the form of salaries for author M.R., but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Chinese Government Scholarship, Jinmi Zou, Jinmi Zou. Chinese Government Scholarship, Jiayu Wu, Jiayu Wu The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section.