Glycoprotein Ib has a partial role in platelet-von Willebrand factor collagen interaction

The adhesion of human fixed washed platelets (FWP) to collagen was decreased after treatment with Serratia marcescens protease (SP), which removed 95% of the glycocalicin from platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib. However, the diminished adhesion of SP treated FWP to collagen could still be increased in the presence of purified von Willebrand factor (vWF). This ability to vWF to increase FWP adhesion to collagen is defined as collagen cofactor (CCo). The adhesion of FWP to collagen was not affected by a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to GP IIb/IIIa (10E5), that inhibits ADP and collagen induced platelet aggregation. On the other hand, it was decreased by 50% by a MAb to GP Ib (6D1), that inhibits ristocetin induced platelet aggregation. Adhesion of FWP in buffer to collagen was completely inhibited by Ricinus communis agglutinin I or concanavalin A, while Lens culinalis agglutinin and wheat germ agglutinin showed 50% inhibition. The FWP adhesion to collagen in the presence of vWF (normal plasma) was unaffected by MAbs to GP IIb/IIIa (10E5, P2, HPL1) but was decreased to 32-38% by MAbs to GP Ib (6D1, AN51, HPL11). A MAb to vWF (CLB-RAg 35), that inhibits ristocetin induced binding of vWF to platelets, decreased the CCo of normal plasma by 70%. The MAb, CLB-RAg 201, that inhibits the binding of vWF to collagen, completely inhibited the CCo of normal plasma.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma collagen cofactor correlates with von Willebrand factor antigen and ristocetin cofactor but not with bleeding time

Collagen cofactor (CCo), an activity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) which increases the rate of adhesion of human fixed washed platelets (FWP) to collagen, was measured in plasma from normal individuals and individuals with von Willebrand's disease (vWD). CCo in vWD plasma was compared to vWF antigen (vWF:Ag), ristocetin cofactor (RCo), factor VIII (VIII) coagulant activity (VIII:C) and the quantitative bleeding time. There was close correlation between CCo and VIII:C (r = 0.909), vWF:Ag (r = 0.975), and RCo (r = 0.936). However, there was no correlation between CCo and the quantitative bleeding time. Plasma CCo in type IIA vWD was markedly lower than vWF:Ag and the ratio of CCo/vWF:Ag was 0.08, which was less than a mean value of 0.92 in type I vWD. CCo activity in normal plasma was completely inhibited by monoclonal antibody CLB-RAg 201, an antibody that inhibits the binding of vWF to collagen, suggesting that the binding of vWF to collagen is required for the expression of CCo. Furthermore, the partial inhibition of CCo by monoclonal antibody CLB-RAg 35 that inhibits the binding of vWF to platelet in the presence of ristocetin, suggests that CCo is partly mediated through platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib. Large multimers of vWF:Ag in normal plasma were preferentially absorbed by collagen. These studies demonstrate that CCo is another functional activity of vWF and the measurement of CCo may be useful for the detection of new variant forms of vWD.     

Ristocetin and botrocetin involve two distinct domains of von Willebrand factor for binding to platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib.

We have evidence that ristocetin and botrocetin mediate binding of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) to platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) through two distinct domains on the vWF molecule. This was established by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to vWF and synthetic peptides derived from the sequence of vWF. MAb 322 and MAb NMC/vW4 both recognize native vWF as well as fragments containing the GPIb-binding domain of vWF, obtained with the following enzymes: trypsin (116 kDa), V-8 protease (SpIII, 320 kDa) and V-8 protease plus subtilisin (33-28 kDa). Nevertheless, the lack of reciprocal displacement between the two MAbs in experiments of competitive inhibition for binding to vWF demonstrate that their respective epitopes are separate. Both MAbs inhibit 125I-vWF binding to platelet membrane GPIb and vWF-dependent platelet agglutination induced by ristocetin. However, only MAb NMC/vW4 inhibits these functions in the presence of botrocetin and when ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination is inhibited by MAb 322, botrocetin is still able to restore the agglutination. The involvement of two distinct domains of vWF for binding to GPIb in the presence of ristocetin or botrocetin was confirmed in experiments of binding of 125I-vWF to platelets using a competitor synthetic peptides corresponding to the GPIb binding domain of vWF (Cys 474 to Pro 488 and Ser 692 to Pro 708). At a final concentration of 2.5 mM both peptides inhibit more than 90% of the binding of vWF to ristocetin-treated platelets but are unable to modify this binding in the presence of botrocetin. In conclusion our data suggest that botrocetin and ristocetin involve distinct sites on vWF for binding to GPIb.     

Characterization of an antiglycoprotein Ib monoclonal antibody that specifically inhibits platelet-thrombin interaction

Platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) acts as a high-affinity thrombin binding site and as a receptor for von Willebrand Factor (vWF). A new anti-GPIb monoclonal antibody (mAB) VM16d was produced that specifically inhibited platelet-thrombin but not platelet-vWF interaction. The epitope for VM16d was located within the 45 kDa N-terminal region of the a-chain of GPIb. VM16d inhibited platelet aggregation induced by low dose thrombin (0.05 U/ml) but did not affect platelet aggregation induced by ristocetin, bovine vWF, ADP or collagen. The same inhibitory effects on thrombin-induced platelet aggregation were observed with the whole IgG molecule of VM16d and its F(ab′)₂ and F(ab′) fragments. VM16d also inhibited ¹⁴C-serotonin secretion induced by low dose thrombin and binding of ¹²⁵I-thrombin but not ristocetin-dependent binding of ¹²⁵I-vWF to platelets. These data indicate that the high-affinity thrombin binding site is located on the N-terminal 45 kDa domain of GPIb and that it is topographically separated from the vWF binding site.     

A monoclonal antibody, VM64, reacts with a 130 kDa glycoprotein common to platelets and endothelial cells: heterogeneity in antibody binding to human aortic endothelial cells.

A new monoclonal antibody (mAb), VM64, reacts with a common antigen on the surface of human platelets and vascular endothelial cells (EC). Under nonreduced conditions it recognized in immunoblotting a protein of 130 kDa both in platelets and EC. VM64 precipitated the same 130 kDa protein from the lysate of surface radioiodinated platelets. Electrophoretic mobility of this protein was not altered by reduction and differed from the bands precipitated by reference mAb against platelet glycoproteins (GP) Ia-IIa, Ib, IIb-IIIa and GMP130. VM64 binding to platelets and EC was specific and saturable. The number of binding sites on platelets was 9.9 +/- 3.5 x 10(3) per platelet and on the surface of EC monolayer -2.40 +/- 0.32 x 10(6) per cell. VM64 also binds to platelets from Glanzmann's thrombasthenia patients which lack GPIIb-IIIa. VM64 did not affect platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen, thrombin and ristocetin. In the monolayers of EC from umbilical vein and human aorta, VM64 stained the area at the periphery of the cells adjacent to the cell-cell boundaries. In preconfluent cultures preferential staining was observed at the active leading margins of the cells. Unlike EC cultures from umbilical vein, where all cells were positively stained, in aortic EC cultures some unstained or poorly stained cells were constantly present, indicating a heterogeneity of EC population related to the expression of VM64 antigen. The biochemical characteristics of VM64 antigen, its presence both on platelets and EC and typical distribution on the surface of EC suggested that this antigen is identical to PECAM (CD31) protein.     

The in vitro effect of ticlopidine on fibrinogen and factor VIII binding to human platelets

The mode of action of the antiplatelet agent ticlopidine is not yet fully understood. Its multiple effects on platelet function include prolongation of the bleeding time, reduction in primary and secondary waves of ADP-induced aggregation and inhibition of collagen and thrombin-induced aggregation. We have studied the in vitro effects of ticlopidine on fibrinogen binding induced by ADP and adrenaline as well as factor VIII/vWF binding induced by ristocetin. 125I-fibrinogen binding was measured in suspensions of freshly-washed normal platelets stimulated by 10 microM ADP or 10 microM adrenaline. The binding of 125I-factor VIII/vWF in the presence of 1 mg/ml ristocetin was measured in both washed and paraformaldehyde-fixed platelets. Ticlopidine at final concentrations of 200, 100, 50 and 25 microM inhibited both ADP and adrenaline-induced fibrinogen binding in a dose-dependent manner. The mean % inhibition of ADP-induced fibrinogen binding was 82, 73, 42 and 32 respectively. The mean % inhibition of adrenaline-induced fibrinogen binding was 86, 82, 60 and 35 respectively. In contrast, the factor VIII/vWF binding was unaffected by ticlopidine at all concentrations except at 200 microM using fresh platelets where a slight inhibition (19%) was observed. These results suggest that ticlopidine either inhibits platelet activation and consequently fibrinogen binding, or inhibits the binding directly, presumably by having an effect on the specific configuration of the platelet membrane required for normal fibrinogen binding.     

Effect of carbohydrate modifications of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor on binding to platelets

This study compares the ability of unmodified and carbohydrate-modified forms of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor (FVIII/vWF) protein to bind to platelets in the presence of ristocetin or thrombin. Treatment of intact FVIII/vWF with alpha-D-neuraminidase results in more than 95% desialylation. Asialo FVIII/vWF retains total activity in ristocetin- and thrombin-mediated binding to platelets as demonstrated by direct and competitive binding assays. Examination of its multimeric pattern by sodium dodecyl sulfate-agarose electrophoresis reveals a normal multimeric structure. Treatment of intact FVIII/vWF with beta-D-galactosidase results in the removal of 20% of galactose (agalacto FVIII/vWF) whereas 55% of galactose is released from asialo FVIII/vWF (asialo agalacto FVIII/vWF). Agalacto and asialo-agalacto FVIII/vWF are both unable to bind to platelets in the presence of ristocetin. In contrast, they still bind to thrombin-stimulated human (except thrombasthenic) platelets. Removal of either ultimate (agalacto FVIII/vWF) or ultimate and penultimate (asialo-agalacto FVIII/vWF) galactose results in the same loss of the larger molecular weight multimers and in an increase of smaller multimers. These results suggest (1) that sialic acid does not play a significant role in ristocetin- or thrombin-mediated FVIII/vWF-platelets interactions and multimeric structure of FVIII/vWF (2) that ultimate beta-linked galactose residues are essential for the maintenance of a normal multimer organization (3) that ristocetin- and thrombin-mediated binding of FVIII/vWF to platelets differ in FVIII/vWF galactose requirement.     

Aurin tricarboxylic acid inhibits platelet adhesion to collagen by binding to the 509-695 disulphide loop of von Willebrand factor and competing with glycoprotein Ib.

Aurin tricarboxylic acid (ATA) is known to inhibit ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination but not arachidonic acid-, epinephrine- or ADP-induced aggregation. Its capacity to abolish human von Willebrand factor (vWF)-platelet interactions was further investigated by measurement of platelet adhesion to collagen, platelet agglutination tests and binding studies. In flowing blood using parallel-plate perfusion chambers and human collagen, ATA inhibited platelet adhesion to completion in a dose-dependent manner only at the highest shear rate tested (2,600 s-1). It was without effect at 100 and 650 s-1. ATA completely abolished vWF-dependent platelet agglutination induced by ristocetin, botrocetin and asialo-vWF, respectively. 125I-vWF binding to ristocetin- and botrocetin-treated platelets, to heparin and to sulfatides as well as 125I-botrocetin binding to vWF was competitively inhibited by ATA. By contrast, binding of 125I-vWF to collagen was not affected. To further localize the domain of vWF interacting with ATA, experiments of inhibition of binding of selected 125I-monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to immobilized vWF by ATA were performed. Our data led to the conclusion that: 1) the interaction of ATA with vWF involves sequences of the A1 disulphide loop of vWF (residues 509-695) and close epitopes which interact with GPIb and 2) the inhibition of platelet adhesion by ATA occurs only at a high shear rate where vWF is known to play a key role. Thus ATA, which blocks the vWF/GPIb pathway by interfering with vWF and not with platelets, is a potential tool in preventing the early stages of thrombosis.     

Platelet-binding of the von Willebrand factor.

The aggregation of platelets by the antibiotic, ristocetin, requires a plasma cofactor (VIII:vWF) and one or more specific binding sites on the platelet membrane. The interaction between VII:vWF and the platelet was examined using VIII:vWF labelled with 125I. In the presence of ristocetin (1.5 mg/ml), from 70 to 90% of the 125I-VIII:vWF became platelet-bound. By contrast, only 21% was bound with thrombin (2.5 microgram/ml), and 2.2% with buffer alone. Fractionation of the platelets revealed that peak radioactivity was present in the membrane fraction. Treatment of ristocetin-reacted platelets with either chymotrypsin, 100 microgram/ml, or trypsin, 75 microgram/ml, resulted in the partial release of the membrane-bound radioactivity. It is concluded that VIII:vWF binds to the platelet membrane in the presence of ristocetin.     

BINDING OF THE VON WILLEBRAND FACTOR A1 DOMAIN TO HISTONE

Activation of the von Willebrand Factor (vWF) A1 domain is a critical factor in regulating the interaction of vWF with its platelet membrane receptor, the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex. This activation controls vWF-dependent platelet adhesion at high shear. The vWF-GP Ib-IX-V interaction is induced in vivo by exposure of platelet-rich plasma to high shear force, or by association of vWF with one or more unidentified components of the subendothelial matrix. In vitro, soluble vWF is activated to bind to platelets by nonphysiological modulators, such as the bacterial glycopeptide, ristocetin, or the snake venom protein, botrocetin, or by removal of negatively-charged sialic acid residues. Analysis of vWF modulators and the very marked charge asymmetry of amino acid sequences within the A1 domain has led to an electrostatic model for vWF modulation. Endothelial membrane/matrix and detergent-soluble fractions of human placenta were screened for the ability to bind vWF by electrophoresis of extracts on SDS-polyacrylamide gels, electrotransferring to nitrocellulose and probing with fluid-phase ¹²⁵I-labeled vWF or a 39/34-kDa vWF fragment (Leu-480-Gly-718) that encompasses the A1 domain. In the course of these studies, it was found that both vWF and the 39/34-kDa vWF fragment bound strongly to histone. Purified soluble histone also bound vWF since, like ristocetin, it induced vWF flocculation. Histone binding to vWF did not activate or inhibit vWF binding to platelets. While the vWF-histone interaction has no conceivable physiological role, it suggests that binding to the A1 domain of vWF alone is insufficient to modulate vWF adhesive activity. This implies that specific interactions of the vWF A1 domain with either ristocetin or botrocetin are required for GP Ib-IX-V recognition to occur. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd     

Binding of porcine von Willebrand factor to human platelets in the presence of ristocetin

The interaction of porcine von Willebrand factor (vWF) with human platelets in the presence of ristocetin was examined. Binding was rapid, specific, saturable and dependent on ristocetin concentration with half-maximal stimulation occuring at a ristocetin concentration of 0.5mM. Assuming vWF to be a tetramer with a MW of 9.5×10^?5, approximately 94,000 vWF binding sites per platelet were found with an average binding constant of 2.1×10^?8M. Humam vWF competed with the porcine protein for this site only in the presence of ristocetin. Binding of porcine vWF to platelets was found to be less sensitive to reduction with dithiothreitol than platelet agglutinating activity.     

Platelet microparticle formation and thrombin generation under high shear are effectively suppressed by a monoclonal antibody against GPIba

We studied the inhibition of platelet microparticle (MP) formation and thrombin generation under high shear forces. We hypothesized that an inhibitor of the GPIb a -von Willebrand factor (vWF) interaction would be more effective in suppressing MP formation and thrombin generation than GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) anticoagulated with PPACK (D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethyl ketone) was exposed in a cone-and-plate viscometer (shear: 5,000 s(-1) for 5 min) in the presence of antagonists to GPIb a (the monoclonal antibody [Mab] Ib-23) or to GPIIb/IIIa (abciximab, tirofiban, eptifibatide) at their IC90 determined in platelet aggregometry with ristocetin or ADP, respectively. We used double labeling (CD41-PE and annexin-V-FITC) for flow cytometric detection of MP and their aminophospholipid exposure. Thrombin generation was measured using PRP prepared from ACD anticoagulated blood. About 40% of the thrombin generation was found to be mediated by the MP fraction of the PRP. Blockade of GPIb a with Mab Ib-23 reduced MP formation and thrombin generation by 50%, and was more effective than any GPIIb/IIIa antagonist. The combination of Mab Ib-23 with one of the GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors further reduced the MP formation to ~ 30%. The antibody also partially inhibited thrombin induced platelet aggregation. Epitope mapping suggested that Mab Ib-23 binds between the amino acids 201 and 268 of GPIb a , explaining the interference with vWF and thrombin interaction. In contrast to the commonly used GPIIb/IIIa antagonists, the blockade of GPIb a with Mab Ib-23 effectively reduces the prothrombotic MP generation and thrombin formation at shear rates typically found in arterial stenoses.     

Effect of fibronectin and von Willebrand factor on the adhesion of human fixed washed platelets to collagen immobilized beads

The adhesion of human fixed washed platelets (FWP) to collagen was measured using collagen immobilized beads. The addition of normal plasma or severe von Willebrand disease (VWD) plasma to FWP decreased the adhesion, suggesting the presence of some inhibitors of platelet adhesion in human plasma. Although the adhesion of FWP in severe VWD plasma was not different from that of FWP in normal plasma, the addition of purified von Willebrand factor (vWF, 1-2 mu/ml ristocetin cofactor) to FWP in buffer increased the FWP adhesion at higher flow rates, and the percent of adhesion in the absence of vWF was 10% (collagen 500 micrograms) and 30% (collagen 1,000 micrograms) of that in the presence of vWF at 10 ml/min. The enhancing effect of the vWF on FWP adhesion was also observed by pretreatment of the collagen column with vWF suggesting the important role of bound vWF to the collagen; adhesion 72% to the collagen column (1,600 micrograms) treated with vWF and 16% to the collagen column without the pretreatment at 10 ml/min. The promoting effect of vWF was also present in some commercial factor VIII preparations which had no large or intermediate multimers of vWF antigen. The adhesion of FWP was inhibited by fibronectin (FN) and the binding of ristocetin cofactor (vWF:RCo) to collagen fiber was also inhibited by FN; bound vWF:RCo to 50 micrograms/ml collagen in the absence or presence of 125 micrograms/ml FN were 60% and 8% respectively. It is suggested that vWF, even small multimer of vWF:Ag, is involved in the initial platelet-collagen interaction at high flow rates, while plasma FN acts as one of anti-adhesion factor.     

Characterisation of a monoclonal antibody to von Willebrand factor as a potent inhibitor of ristocetin-mediated platelet interaction and platelet adhesion

We studied a murine monoclonal antibody (211 A6) to von Willebrand factor (vWF) with a view to investigating structure-relationship of plasma vWF. The specificity of this antibody has been substantiated by ELISA tests and indirect immunofluorescence. It reacts with purified vWF, normal plasma but not with plasma or platelets from a severe von Willebrand's disease patient. Monoclonal antibody 211 A6 is a potent inhibitor of ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation. The 125I-FVIII/vWF binding to platelets in presence of ristocetin is totally inhibited by low 211 A6 concentrations. Thrombin-induced binding of vWF to platelets is not affected by 211 A6. The ability of this antibody to inhibit platelet adhesion to subendothelium and to collagen was investigated with a perfusion model. The complete inhibition of platelet adhesion by 211 A6 questions the similarity or the interrelationship in vWF domains involved in ristocetin-induced platelet functions and platelet adhesion.     

Glycocalicin binding to von Willebrand factor adsorbed onto collagen-coated or polystyrene surfaces

In order to analyze the interaction of platelets with von Willebrand factor (vWF) and collagen, we studied the binding of glycocalicin (GC) and formalin-fixed platelets to vWF adsorbed onto uncoated or collagen-coated polystyrene surfaces. These studies show that three-fold more vWF binds to collagen-coated polystyrene than to polystyrene coated with fibrin monomer or fibrinogen. At saturation, 37 +/- 2.9 ng vWF bound to the collagen-coated wells, compared to 12.8 +/- 5.4 ng, and 10.9 +/- 2.7 ng of vWF bound to wells coated with fibrin monomer and fibrinogen, respectively. GC also bound significantly more to collagen-coated wells than to wells coated with fibrinogen, and this binding was increased approximately two-fold (from 7 +/- 0.65 ng to 14 +/- 1.1 ng) in the presence of vWF adsorbed to the collagen-coated surface. Only 2 ng of GC was bound to 3000 ng of vWF when the latter was adsorbed directly onto a polystyrene surface. In contrast, GC binding to vWF adsorbed onto a collagen-coated surface was enhanced 600-fold with 7.0 ng of GC bound to 18 ng of immobilized vWF. Formalin-fixed platelets showed little binding to vWF adsorbed onto the microtiter wells. At saturation, 7 x 10(4) platelets bound to 3000 ng of vWF; a 6-fold increase in platelet binding was observed using collagen-coated wells and this binding was increased even further in the presence of vWF, resulting in 250-fold increase in platelet binding to vWF when the latter was adsorbed onto a collagen surface. These studies suggest that (1) GC is involved in platelet binding to collagen and this binding is increased by vWF; (2) GC binding to vWF is enhanced by the collagen-coated surface; (3) the adsorption of vWF onto a collagen surface may induce conformational changes in vWF that promote its interaction with GC or glycoprotein Ib.     

A novel monoclonal antibody against the extracellular domain of GPIbbeta modulates vWF mediated platelet adhesion

GPIbbeta is disulfide-linked to GPIbalpha to form GPIb, a platelet receptor for von Willebrand factor (vWF). GPIb is in turn non covalently linked to GPIX and GPV to form the GPIb/V/IX complex. Apart from its contribution to controlling surface expression of the complex, the exact function of GPIbbeta is not well established due to a lack of suitable ligands or antibodies. The present report describes a monoclonal antibody (RAM.1) that labeled the 26 kDa GPIbbeta subunit on western blots and coprecipitated the three subunits of the GPIb/IX complex from lysates of platelets and transfected CHO and K562 cells. RAM.1 bound to GPIbbeta deleted of its intracellular domain whereas Gi27, directed against intracellular GPIbbeta, did not. Using synthetic peptides, the RAM.1 epitope was mapped to a putative cysteine loop within the COOH-terminal leucine-rich flanking region. In functional assays, RAM.1 had no effect on platelet aggregation induced by ADP, collagen or thrombin, but inhibited ristocetin induced platelet agglutination and botrocetin induced vWF binding. RAM.1 inhibited adhesion of GPIb/V/IX transfected K562 cells to a vWF matrix under flow, increased their rolling velocity and decreased the resistance of cells to detachment at high shear. This study suggests a role of GPIbbeta in modulating the adhesive properties of GPIb/V/IX and describes a useful tool to analyze the exact functions of GPIbbeta.     

Localization of von Willebrand factor and thrombin-interactive domains on human platelet glycoprotein Ib

Platelet membrane glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) functions as receptors for thrombin and von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the presence of ristocetin. To precisely locate the domains on GPIb interacting with vWF and thrombin, we prepared several peptides that have amino acid sequences analogous to that of the GPIb alpha-chain and examined their effects on ristocetin-induced (vWF-dependent) and thrombin-induced platelet aggregations. A peptide extending from residues Asp235 to Lys262 showed the strongest inhibitory effect on ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination, and a group of overlapping peptides composed of 24-28 amino acid residues representing sequences extending from Phe216 to Asp274 was found to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by thrombin. Other peptides did not inhibit platelet aggregations. Moreover, the binding to platelets of the monoclonal anti-GPIb antibody (TM60) which had been shown to inhibit both ristocetin- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregations was strongly inhibited by a peptide extending from Asp249 to Asp274. These data demonstrate that the vWF-binding domain exists in a small region between residues Asp235 and Lys262; the thrombin-interacting domain, in contrast, is located between residues Phe216 and Ala274, with a possible center of interaction in the sequence from Phe216 to Thr240 on the GPIb alpha-chain, and thrombin binding requires a relatively strict conformation in this domain.     

Adhesion of human platelets to purified solid-phase von Willebrand factor: studies of normal and Bernard-Soulier platelets

Human Factor VIII associated von Willebrand factor (VIII:vWF) binds to human platelets in vitro only in the presence of a mediator such as ristocetin, thrombin or ADP. Studies reported here were designed to determine if human platelets will adhere to solid-phase VIII:vWF. Human VIII:vWF was purified from a phosphate precipitate of A1(OH)3 absorbed plasma using 4% agarose and DEAE cellulose. Purified VIII:vWF (90 units of VIII:vWF activity/mg) was coated on dialysis membranes using ultrafiltration (final concentration of 0.4 units/cm2). Membranes (0.5 cm2) were held stationary in human citrated PRP suspension or washed platelet suspensions and stirred continuously for 5 minutes at 37 degrees C. The membranes were then rinsed in phosphate buffered saline, fixed, stained, and examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. Abundant normal platelets adhered to VIII:vWF-coated membranes, while minimal adhesion was seen on uncoated membranes and membranes coated with albumin. Adhesion occurred without ristocetin, thrombin, ADP or other agonist and in the presence of Ca+2/Mg+2 ions. Preincubation of the VIII:vWF coated membranes with monospecific rabbit anti-VIII:vWF inhibited the adhesion reaction. However, preincubation of VIII:vWF coated membranes with naturally occurring human anti-FVIIIc antibodies failed to interfere with platelet adhesion. Platelets from a patient with Bernard-Soulier Syndrome (BSS) which did not bind human VIII:vWF in the presence of ristocetin or aggregate with bovine cryoprecipitate also did not adhere to VIII:vWF-coated membranes.     

Recombinant vWF type 2A mutants R834Q and R834W show a defect in mediating platelet adhesion to collagen, independent of enhanced sensitivity to a plasma protease.

Type 2A von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is characterized by the absence of high molecular weight von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers in plasma which is caused by enhanced extracellular proteolysis or defective intracellular transport. We identified in vWD type 2A patients two mutations in the A2 domain at position 834 in which arginine (R) was substituted for glutamine (R834Q) or tryptophan (R834W). We reproduced these mutations in vWF cDNA and expressed the recombinant proteins in furin cDNA containing baby hamster kidney (fur-BHK) cells. The subunit composition and the multimeric structure of both mutants was similar to wild-type (WT) vWF. Characterization of mutant R834Q by ristocetin or botrocetin induced platelet binding, and by binding to heparin showed no abnormality. R834W had normal botrocetin induced platelet binding, but ristocetin induced platelet binding and binding to heparin were decreased. Under static conditions R834Q and R834W, at 10 microg/ml, bound equally well to collagen type III as WT-vWF. At high shear rate conditions both mutants supported platelet adhesion normally when coated to a glass surface or preincubated on collagen. When R834Q or R834W was added to the perfusate, adhesion to collagen type III was 50% of the WT-vWF value, which was not due to a decreased collagen binding under flow. A divalent cation dependent protease, purified from plasma, degraded the 2A mutants rapidly while WT-vWF was not affected. In conclusion, the mutations present in the A2 domain of vWF result in an enhanced proteolytic sensitivity to a divalent ion-dependent protease. When present in the perfusate, R834Q and R834W show a decrease in platelet adhesion to collagen type III under flow conditions, which is not caused by decreased binding of the mutant vWF to collagen or enhanced proteolysis.     

Discontinuous residues of factor IX constitute a surface for binding the anti-factor IX monoclonal antibody A-5

Anti-human factor IX monoclonal antibody, A-5 (Mab A-5), has been widely used in structure-function studies for factor IX. Mab A-5 recognizes the catalytic domain of human factor IX (FIX). Regions important for Mab A-5 binding have previously been localized to the amino terminus of the heavy chain of factor IX, encompassing amino acid residues 181-310 [Blood (74) 971]. We have selected 20 positions in this region for alanine-scanning mutagenesis. We found that Mab A-5 failed to react with the recombinant factor IX mutants with substitutions at positions 228 and 252. Mab A-5 also reacted to a lesser extent to FIXD276A (factor IX with alanine substitution for aspartic acid at residue 276) and FIXK201A/D203A (double alanine substitutions at residues 201 and 203). The apparent dissociation rate constants (K(D)) in binding Mab A-5 were 6.0 x 10(-9), 1.4 x 10(-8) and 2.0 x 10(-8) M, for wild-type FIX, FIXK201A/D203A and FIXD276A, respectively. The increased K(D) values of the two FIX mutants are mainly owing to the increased dissociation rates. These affected residues constitute a surface opposite from the factor VIIIa binding surface. We conclude that the epitope for Mab A-5 is on a surface composed of residues 228, 252, 276, and 201 or 203. This surface, which may not be important for factor VIII binding, contains a strong antigenic region on factor IX.