Platelet phosphatidylserine is the critical mediator of thrombosis in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Haematologica. 2023 Oct 1;108(10):2690-2702. doi: 10.3324/haematol.2022.282275.

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe immune-mediated prothrombotic disorder caused by antibodies (Ab) reactive to complexes of platelet factor 4 and heparin. Platelets (PLT) and their interaction with different immune cells contribute to prothrombotic conditions in HIT. However, the exact mechanisms and the role of different PLT subpopulations in this prothrombotic environment remain poorly understood. In this study, we observed that HIT patient Ab induce a new PLT population that is characterized by increased P-selectin expression and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization. Formation of this procoagulant PLT subpopulation was dependent on engagement of PLT Fc-γ-RIIA by HIT Ab and resulted in a significant increase of thrombin generation on the PLT surface. Using an ex vivo thrombosis model and multi-parameter assessment of thrombus formation, we observed that HIT Ab-induced procoagulant PLT propagated formation of large PLT aggregates, leukocyte recruitment and most importantly, fibrin network generation. These prothrombotic conditions were prevented via the upregulation of PLT intracellular cAMP with Iloprost, a clinically approved prostacyclin analogue. Additionally, the functional relevance of P-selectin and PS was dissected. While inhibition of P-selectin did not affect thrombus formation, the specific blockade of PS prevented HIT Ab-mediated thrombin generation and most importantly procoagulant PLT-mediated thrombus formation ex vivo. Taken together, our findings indicate that procoagulant PLT are critical mediators of prothrombotic conditions in HIT. Specific PS targeting could be a promising therapeutic approach to prevent thromboembolic events in HIT patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Heparin / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • P-Selectin / metabolism
  • Phosphatidylserines / adverse effects
  • Platelet Factor 4 / adverse effects
  • Thrombin
  • Thrombocytopenia* / metabolism
  • Thrombosis* / etiology
  • Thrombosis* / metabolism

Substances

  • Phosphatidylserines
  • P-Selectin
  • Thrombin
  • Heparin
  • Antibodies
  • Platelet Factor 4

Grants and funding

Funding: This work was supported by grants from the German Red Cross and the Herzstiftung (to TB) (BA5158/4 and TSG-Study). This project was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) - project number 374031971 - TRR 240 and the Rudolf Marx Scholarship from the Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis Research (GTH).