A monoclonal antibody to the human platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex induces platelet activation

The platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa complex functions as the receptor for fibrinogen on activated platelets. The effects of two anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibodies on platelet function were studied. These antibodies, 6C9 and C17, recognized different epitopes, which were exclusively present on the undissociated GPIIb/IIIa complex. Whereas C17 inhibited the binding of fibrinogen to platelets and platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or collagen, 6C9 caused irreversible aggregation of platelets, both in the presence and absence of extracellular fibrinogen. When incubated with unstirred (non-aggregating) platelets, 6C9 induced release of alpha and dense granule-constituents as well as binding of 125I-fibrinogen to platelets. The latter was evidently mediated in part by platelet-derived ADP, since it was inhibited to a large extent by apyrase, the ADP-hydrolyzing enzyme. F(ab')2 fragments of 6C9 did not induce platelet-release reactions but caused (slow) aggregation of platelets in the presence of extracellular fibrinogen. These results indicate that binding of an antibody to a specific site on the platelet GPIIb/IIIa complex may cause fibrinogen-mediated aggregation. The Fc part of the platelet-bound antibody appears to be involved in the induction of platelet release.     

Absence of potentiation with murine antiplatelet GPIIb/IIIa antibody of thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in a canine venous thrombosis model

F(ab')2 fragments of a murine monoclonal anti-platelet GPIIb/IIIa antibody (7E3) are a potent platelet aggregation inhibitor, which in a canine coronary artery thrombosis model accelerate lysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and prevent reocclusion (7). In the present study, we have investigated the potential value of platelet aggregation inhibition as adjunctive therapy to lysis of venous thrombi, by measuring the thrombolytic potency of 7E3-F(ab')2 and rt-PA used alone or in combination, in dogs with a 125I-fibrin labeled femoral vein thrombus. The dose-response of thrombolysis with rt-PA infused over 4 hours was linear: doses of 0.075 mg/kg, 0.15 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg produced 37 +/- 3, 57 +/- 11 and 83 +/- 4% lysis respectively, against a background value of 20 +/- 2%. With F(ab')2 fragments of 7E3 given as a bolus of 1.2 mg/kg, which saturated 70% of the platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptors and prolonged the bleeding to more than 30 min, lysis was not significantly increased over background. Combination of 0.3 or 0.6 mg/kg of 7E3-F(ab')2 with either 0.03 or 0.06 mg/kg of rt-PA did not produce more lysis than obtained with a comparable dose of rt-PA alone. No significant changes in plasma fibrinogen or alpha 2-antiplasmin were observed with either agent alone or with the combination. It is concluded that extensive inhibition of platelet aggregation does not potentiate the thrombolytic effect of rt-PA in this venous thrombosis model.     

Activation of human platelets in PRP via their Fc-receptor by antigen-antibody complexes or immunoglobulin G: Requirement for particle-bound fibrinogen

While latex bearing antigen-antibody complexes or IgG (L-IgG) had no effect on platelets in plasma (PRP),and particles bearing only fibrinogen (L-Fib) caused only platelet aggregation, the presence of fibrinogen on particles bearing antibody or IgG (L-IgG-Fib) enabled them to cause both aggregation and ¹⁴C-serotonin release. Both platelet responses were dependent on the concentrations of the proteins used to treat the particles, were inhibited by a range of release inhibitors and were not dependent on complement. Neither F(ab)₂¹, Fc nor Fab fragments could replace IgG. With washed platelets the presence of fibrinogen on L-IgG abolished the lag phase typical of L-IgG-induced aggregation and release. Although IgG fragments could not replace IgG on particles, either Fc or IgG in the platelet suspension inhibited platelet reaction to L-IgG and L-IgG-Fib, indicating participation of the Fc-receptor. It is thus likely that in PRP antigen-antibody complexes or IgG on particles which also bear fibrinogen react with the platelet Fc-receptor and that adsorbed fibrinogen in some way overcomes inhibition by plasma of Fc-receptor expression.     

Effects of a monoclonal antibody to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (P256) and of enzymically derived fragments of P256 on human platelets

The anti-platelet monoclonal antibody P256 is currently undergoing development for in vivo detection of thrombus. We have examined the actions of P256 and two fragments on human platelet function. P256, and its divalent fragment, caused aggregation at concentrations of 10(-9)-3 x 10(-8) M. A monovalent fragment of P256 did not cause aggregation at concentrations up to 10(-7) M. P256-induced platelet aggregation was dependent upon extracellular calcium ions as assessed by quin2 fluorescence. Indomethacin partially inhibited platelet aggregation and completely inhibited intracellular calcium mobilisation. Apyrase caused partial inhibition of aggregation. Aggregation induced by the divalent fragment was dependent upon fibrinogen and was inhibited by prostacyclin. Aggregation induced by the whole antibody was only partially dependent upon fibrinogen, but was also inhibited by prostacyclin. P256 whole antibody was shown, by flow cytometry, to induce fibrinogen binding to indomethacin treated platelets. Monovalent P256 was shown to be a specific antagonist for aggregation induced by the divalent forms. In-111-labelled monovalent fragment bound to gel-filtered platelets in a saturable and displaceable manner. Monovalent P256 represents a safer form for in vivo applications.     

Anisomycin does not activate p38MAPK in human platelets.

Human platelets are known to contain three forms of mitogen-activated protein kinases; erk1, erk2, and p38MAPK. However the role(s) of mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades in platelet function remains to be determined. Evidence has been presented that suggests that these kinases are involved in the cytoskeleton and in the activation of phospholipase A2; however, other functions seem likely. The object of the present study was to examine the role of the p38MAPK in platelet function using anisomycin, a reported activator of p38MAPK, and SB203580, an inhibitor of p38MAPK. Thrombin and collagen caused the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and this was inhibited by SB203580. Anisomycin did not cause the aggregation of either intact or saponin-permeabilised platelets. In addition anisomycin failed to produce synergistic aggregation responses with submaximal concentrations of collagen, thrombin, the thromboxane mimetic U46619, or the calcium ionophore A23187. There was no detectable phosphorylation of p38MAPK in either intact platelets or platelet lysates incubated with anisomycin. Anisomycin also failed to modulate p38MAPK phosphorylation in response to submaximal concentrations of collagen, thrombin, U46619, or A23187. In contrast anisomycin did cause p38MAPK phosphorylation in rabbit lung and C3 fibroblasts and in rabbit lung fibroblast lysates. These data demonstrate that anisomycin has no detectable effect on either platelet function or p38MAPK phosphorylation and, therefore, that anisomycin has proven to be an ineffective tool to define the role that p38MAPK plays in platelet function.     

Effects of garlic extract and of three pure components isolated from it on human platelet aggregation, arachidonate metabolism, release reaction and platelet ultrastructure

We studied the effect of the methanol extract of garlic bulbs (EOG) and of three pure components isolated from it (F1, F2, F3), on human platelet aggregation induced by ADP, epinephrine, collagen, thrombin, arachidonate, PAF, and the ionophore A-23187. Incubation of PRP with EOG, either in methanol or in homologous PPP, inhibits platelet aggregation induced by all of the above mentioned agonists. F1, F2, and F3 also inhibit platelet aggregation, however, F3 was about four times more potent. Addition of EOG or F3 to platelets that have already been irreversibly aggregated by 10 microM ADP, induces rapid deaggregation. Inhibition of aggregation was still present after three hours. The inhibitory effect persisted even after the treated platelets were Gel-Filtered (GFP) or separated from plasma through a metrizamide gradient and resuspended in new homologous PPP. Thrombin-induced release of ATP from GFP was inhibited by 75-80% after EOG or F3 treatment. Incorporation of [3-H]-arachidonate by intact platelets was decreased by 50-60% in treated platelets. However, platelets incubated with the inhibitors after incorporation of radiolabeled arachidonate, although did not aggregate, produced, after thrombin activation similar amounts of radiolabeled TXB2 and lipoxygenase products as the controls. Electron microscopy of inhibited platelets, in the presence of thrombin, showed no degranulation but an increase of spherical forms. Our results suggest that the effects described might be mediate by a perturbation of the physicochemical properties of the plasma membrane rather than by affecting arachidonate or calcium metabolism in the cells. Chemical structures of F1, F2 and F3 have been provisionally assigned: F1 is diallytrisulfide, F2 is 2-vinyl-1,3-dithiene, and F3 is most probably allyl 1,5-hexadienyltrisulfide.     

Characteristics of thrombin-degranulated human platelets: development of a method that does not use proteolytic enzymes for deaggregation

A method has been developed for preparing suspensions of washed human platelets that have lost as much as 90% of their dense granule and alpha granule contents as a result of stimulation by thrombin (0.9 U/ml for 3 min at 37 degrees C), and recovering the platelets without using a proteolytic enzyme. Glycyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl-L-proline (GPRP) was used to prevent polymerization of released fibrinogen and arginyl-glycyl-aspartyl-serine (RGDS) to block the interaction of released fibrinogen, vWf or fibronectin with the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex. The thrombin used to degranulate the platelets was neutralized with D-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl-L-arginine chloromethyl ketone (FPRCH2Cl) and prostaglandin E1 was added to return the platelets towards a disc shape. The degranulated platelets aggregated in response to ADP, platelet activating factor, arachidonate and the thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46619 in the presence of added fibrinogen; the platelets changed shape but did not aggregate in response to collagen. Thrombin and the calcium ionophore, A23187, caused aggregation without added fibrinogen. Synergism between pairs of aggregating agents at low concentrations was observed. Little TXB2 was formed when the platelets were reaggregated by thrombin. RGDS and F(ab')2 fragments of an antibody to fibrinogen inhibited reaggregation induced by thrombin and A23187 indicating that small amounts of fibrinogen at the platelet surface may support aggregation by strong agonists. Adherence of thrombin-degranulated platelets to a collagen-coated surface was less than for controls, but spreading was more extensive. Electron-microscopic immunogold cytochemistry with anti-human fibrinogen IgG showed numerous gold particles in platelet vacuoles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Antithrombogenic effects of calcium channel blockers: synergism with prostacyclin and thromboxane synthase inhibitors

Four calcium channel blockers (nimodipine, nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem) of three chemical classes were tested in vitro for inhibition of platelet aggregation using heparinized human platelet rich plasma. Both ADP- and thrombin-induced aggregation were inhibited as was the biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 in response to ADP or thrombin. However, the IC50's for the calcium channel blockers were greater than or equal to 110 microM. Nimodipine was also tested in combination with prostacyclin, the potent platelet antiaggregatory agent, or with a thromboxane synthase inhibitor, U63557A. At concentrations at which neither nimodipine or prostacyclin inhibited platelet aggregation greater than or equal to 10%, the two compounds is combination synergistically inhibited both ADP- and thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. U63557A inhibited biosynthesis of thromboxane A2 by platelets in response to ADP or thrombin, but did not inhibit either ADP- or thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. However, U63557A in combination with a threshold inhibitory concentration of nimodipine resulted in a synergistic inhibition of platelet aggregation induced by ADP or thrombin. These results suggest that calcium channel blockers may be of therapeutic value as a new class of antithrombogenic agents when used in combination with agents that inhibit either platelet aggregation or synthesis of platelet thromboxane A2.     

The effect of antibodies to human platelet membrane and cytoplasmic myosins on myosin ATPase activity and platelet aggregation

Myosins were purified from the membrane fraction and the cytoplasm of human platelets. Polyclonal antibodies to the purified myosins were induced in rabbits. Their effects on the ATPase activity of the purified myosins as well as on the process of platelet aggregation were studied. A strong cross reactivity was found between the two myosins and their respective antibodies by the ELISA technique. It was found that the antibodies preferentially bind to the "head" segment of the myosins, since purified myosin "rod" reacted only weakly with the two kinds of antibodies. The two antimyosin antibodies strongly inhibited the K+(EDTA) ATPase activity of both myosins, as well as the activity of the isolated myosin "heads". The amount of antimembrane myosin antibody required to inhibit the above enzymatic activity was smaller than that of the anticytoplasmatic myosin antibody. Similar results were observed with F(ab)2 fragments of the two kinds of antibodies. No effect of these antibodies or their F(ab)2 fragments was observed on platelet aggregation induced by various agonists, although their inhibitory effect on the platelet myosin ATPase activity was strong.     

CD32-dependent platelet activation by a drug-dependent antibody to glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists

Thrombocytopenia is observed with a frequency of up to 2% in patients treated with glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa antagonists. We recently provided evidence that thrombocytopenia is caused by antibody binding to drug-induced conformational changes in GP IIb/IIIa. Here, we report that a murine monoclonal antibody binds to GP IIb/IIIa in an antagonist-dependent manner and activates platelets. Platelet stimulation is associated with a disruption of the phospholipid asymmetry, resulting in the assembly of catalytic active intrinsic Xase and prothrombinase complexes. Further mechanistic studies revealed that this response is (I) mediated in cis, (II) not associated with the formation of prothrombotic microparticles, and (III) requires intact platelet signaling and (IV) is blocked by increases in cAMP. The prothrombotic response is not observed using F(ab')2 fragments and is blocked by incubation of platelets with neutralizing antibodies to the platelet FcgammaRIIa receptor (CD 32).Taken together, these observations suggest that GPIIb/IIIa antagonist-dependent antibody binding to the platelet fibrinogen receptor has the propensity to lead to CD32-mediated platelet activation and accelerated platelet clearance, leading to thrombocytopenia.     

Atipamezole, an imidazoline-type alpha(2)-adrenoceptor inhibitor, binds to human platelets and inhibits their adrenaline-induced aggregation more effectively than yohimbine

To investigate the usefulness of atipamezole [MPV-1248, 4-(2-ethyl-2, 3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-1H-imidazole], a novel alpha(2)-adrenoceptor-specific antagonist, as a tool in platelet studies, the ability of this antagonist: (1) to bind to platelet alpha(2)-adrenoceptors, and (2) to inhibit adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation was compared to that of yohimbine, another commonly used alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist. It was found that atipamezole binds to platelet alpha(2)-adrenoceptors more effectively than yohimbine: [3H]atipamezole has more than three times higher alpha(2)-adrenoceptor binding affinity in intact gel-filtered human platelets (equilibrium dissociation constant (K(d)) 0.7+/-0.21 vs. 2.9+/-0.77 nM, p<0.05), but only one-third of the binding capacity of [3H]yohimbine (B(max) 27.0+/-3.8 vs. 100+/-19 pM/10(5) cells, p<0.01). Functionally, in comparison with yohimbine, an almost threefold lower concentration of atipamezole inhibited adrenaline (5 microM)-induced platelet aggregation. A concentration of atipamezole, which inhibited this aggregation by 50% (IC(50)), was 0.37+/-0.07 microM, whereas IC(50) for yohimbine was 0.98+/-0.12 microM, p<0.0001. Thus, atipamezole represents a functionally undisputed alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist, more effective than yohimbine. Its distinct binding profile as a radioligand also suggests the presence of imidazol(in)e binding sites in platelets.     

A polyclonal antibody to protein disulfide isomerase induces platelet aggregation and secretion

Monoclonal mouse antiplatelet antibodies against a variety of platelet surface components can activate platelets, causing platelet aggregation and secretion. The mechanism involves binding of the Fab domain to a platelet surface antigen, and the activation occurs through an interaction of the Fc domain with the platelet FcγRII receptor. There is almost no information on FcγRII receptor-dependent activation of platelets by polyclonal rabbit antibodies. We presently report that a polyclonal rabbit antibody to a platelet surface antigen, protein disulfide isomerase, induces platelet aggregation and secretion. These effects are seen with concentrations of the antiprotein disulfide isomerase antibody as low as 25 to 40 μg/mL. Fab and F(ab′)₂ preparations of the rabbit antiprotein disulfide isomerase antibody do not cause aggregation. Fab made from the rabbit antiprotein disulfide isomerase antibody as well as a monoclonal antibody to the FcγRII (IV.3) receptor block the aggregation and secretion responses. Aggregation and secretion are inhibited by an antiglycoprotein IIbIIIa antibody, which blocks fibrinogen binding and wortmannin, an inhibitor of phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Aspirin, prostaglandin E₁, and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) also block the platelet responses. These data suggest that activation of platelets by polyclonal antibodies occurs by mechanisms similar to those found with activating monoclonal antibodies.     

Effects of ticlopidine on monoclonal anti-CD9 antibody-induced platelet aggregation and microparticle generation.

We analyzed the effects of ticlopidine on platelet aggregation and on microparticle (MP) formation when platelets were exposed to a monoclonal anti-CD9 antibody (NNKY1-19) in vitro. Even when NNKY1-19-induced platelet aggregation was completely inhibited by preincubation with anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibody or Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser, or by using washed platelets from a Glanzmann's thrombasthenia patient, the formation of MP was still observed. Prostaglandin E1 and protein kinase C antagonists (H-7 and staurosporine) inhibited both NNKY1-19-induced aggregation and MP formation. Ticlopidine or aspirin plus apyrase scarcely affected NNKY1-19-induced platelet aggregation, except to prolong the lag time. However, ticlopidine significantly inhibited MP formation (p less than 0.01). These results suggest that ticlopidine inhibits NNKY1-19-induced MP formation by a different mechanism to that of the other antagonists, and that this mechanism is unrelated to the inhibition of platelet aggregation.     

Evidence for two distinct G-protein-coupled ADP receptors mediating platelet activation.

The identity of the receptors mediating platelet activation by ADP remains elusive. To distinguish between platelet ADP receptor subtypes, the effects of antagonists on platelet responses and the cloned P2Y1 receptor, a putative platelet ADP receptor, have been investigated. 2-methylthio-AMP (2MeSAMP), an inhibitor of ADP-dependent platelet aggregation, antagonized ADP-mediated inhibition of adenylyl cyclase, competed with binding of [3H]2-methylthio-ADP and inhibited the stimulation of [35S]GTPgammaS binding. 2MeSAMP did not inhibit platelet shape change and was only a weak antagonist of intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets or in cells expressing the cloned human P2YI receptor. By contrast, the P2Y1 receptor antagonist adenosine 3',5'-diphosphate (A3P5P) inhibited ADP-induced platelet aggregation, completely abolished shape change, but did not antagonize ADP effects on cyclic AMP generation or [3H]2-methylthio-ADP binding. However, A3P5P antagonized intracellular calcium mobilization in platelets and cells expressing the cloned P2Y1 receptor. Furthermore, using a specific monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry, P2Y1 receptor protein was detected on human platelets. These results support the existence of two G protein-coupled ADP receptors mediating platelet aggregation, one of which is coupled to Gi proteins and blocked by 2MeSAMP, whereas the second receptor is similar or identical to P2Y1 and coupled to Gq.     

Improved adhesion and proliferation of human endothelial cells on polyethylene precoated with monoclonal antibodies directed against cell membrane antigens and extracellular matrix proteins.

Endothelial cell seeding may improve the patency of synthetic vascular grafts provided that platelet reactivity of nonendothelialized sites is not increased. We have investigated if surface-adsorbed monoclonal antibodies directed against endothelial cell membrane proteins and against extracellular matrix proteins promote the adhesion and proliferation of cultured human endothelial cells, without causing platelet deposition at non-endothelialized sites. Adhesion of endothelial cells onto polyethylene coated with monoclonal antibodies directed against endothelial cell-specific membrane antigens, integrin receptors and glycoprotein CD31 was equal to or higher than adhesion onto fibronectin-coated polyethylene. Endothelial cells did not proliferate on these surface-adsorbed antibodies. However, pre-coating of polyethylene with mixtures of endothelial cell-specific monoclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibodies directed against fibronectin or von Willebrand factor, resulted in relatively high adhesion and optimal proliferation. Platelet reactivity of the polyethylene surface was found to significantly increase after adsorption of fibronectin, endothelial cell-specific monoclonal antibody or its Fc fragments. In contrast, adsorption of F(ab')2 fragments of endothelial cell-specific monoclonal antibody did not promote platelet deposition. Therefore, it is concluded that coating of vascular graft materials with mixtures of F(ab')2 fragments of monoclonal antibodies specifically directed against endothelial cells and against extracellular matrix proteins may be an effective way to both promote the growth of seeded endothelial cells and limit platelet-graft interaction.     

Effects of trifluoperazine on platelet activation

Previous reports of the inhibitory effects of trifluoperazine on platelet responses to different aggregating agents have been conflicting, and the mechanism of action remains unclear. We have found that aggregation by minimum concentrations of collagen and arachidonic acid, and second phase aggregation by minimum concentrations of ADP, thrombin, epinephrine and the calcium ionophore A23187 were inhibited by 40–60μM trifluoperazine. The first phase of aggregation by a minimum concentration of epinephrine was completely inhibited by 100μM trifluoperazine, and the first phase of aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin or A23187 was decreased by 300μM trifluoperazine. The platelet shape change caused by collagen, but by no other aggregating agent examined, was inhibited by 300μM trifluoperazine. Secretion of ³H-5 hydroxytryptamine by minimum concentrations of ADP, collagen, epinephrine and arachidonic acid was completely suppressed by 50μM trifluoperazine. Secretion by thrombin and A23187 was incompletely inhibited by 300μM trifluoperazine. Thromboxane B₂ formation caused by all aggregating agents, except epinephrine, was incompletely suppressed by 50μM trifluoperazine, and 300μM trifluoperazine only caused complete inhibition of thromboxane B₂ formation by ADP, collagen and epinephrine. The phorbol ester, TPA, which mimics diacylglycerol by activating protein kinase C, caused aggregation and secretion. Aggregation, but not secretion, by low concentrations of TPA was inhibited by concentrations of trifluoperazine as low as 50μM. However, aggregation by a combination of TPA and A23187 was only inhibited by concentrations of trifluoperazine in excess of 100 μM. Secretion by TPA was inhibited by concentrations of trifluoperazine in excess of 200μM. Our findings suggest that low concentrations of trifluoperazine inhibit platelet activation by inhibiting phospholipase A₂, and that higher concentrations inhibit platelet responses by interfering with protein kinase C.     

The effect of monoclonal anti-human-platelet antibodies on platelet kinetics in a baboon model: IgG subclass dependency

We assessed the in vivo effect of six intact anti-human antiplatelet antibodies of two major IgG subclasses on platelet kinetics in baboons. Five of the six antibodies tested caused thrombocytopenia of varying degree when injected at a precalculated threshold value. An agglutinating IgG1 antibody (MA-8L4A12) caused a long-lasting, mild thrombocytopenia with a predominant uptake of radiolabelled platelets in the spleen, while the four IgG2 antibodies tested (MA-13G8E1, MA-2M5A6, MA-21K2E8 and MA-22M10) caused a severe, transient thrombocytopenia with uptake of platelets in the liver. Two of the IgG2 antibodies (MA-13G8E1 and MA-2M5A6) caused platelet activation and aggregation in vitro, whilst the other two did not elicit a platelet aggregation response. The platelet survival time was shortened with all five of the thrombocytopenia-inducing antibodies, while only one antibody (MA-2M5A6) had a significant effect on the bleeding time. This study indicates that the IgG subclasss may be a determining factor in the outcome of platelet sequestration in immune-induced thrombocytopenia.     

7E3 F(ab')2, an effective antagonist of rat alphaIIbbeta3 and alphavbeta3, blocks in vivo thrombus formation and in vitro angiogenesis

Abciximab (c7E3 Fab, ReoPro) blocks GPIIb/IIIa and alphavbeta3 and inhibits thrombotic and proliferative events only in humans and non-human primates. The bivalent F(ab')2 fragment is an effective anti-thrombotic agent in canine models. In the present study, 7E3 F(ab')2 was also found to bind to rat GPIIb/IIIa (KD = 27 +/- 4 microg/mL) and alphavbeta3 (KD = 9 +/- 8 microg/mL), to block in vitro rat platelet aggregation (IC50 = 16 +/- 6 microg/mL), and to inhibit alphavbeta3-mediated microvessel sprout formation in a rat aortic ring assay. Following administration of 7E3 F(ab')2 (4 mg/kg) to rats, platelet aggregation was completely blocked for up to 6 h and thrombus formation in response to a rat abdominal aorta double crush injury was prevented. Effective chronic dosing was achieved with 6 mg/kg daily I.P. injections. In vitro mixing experiments indicated that 7E3 F(ab')2 redistributed to unlabeled platelets in 2 h. Ex vivo, 7E3 F(ab')2 was detected on platelets for up to 4 days after a single 4-mg/kg injection. These data suggest that 7E3 F(ab')2 may be a useful agent to study the effects of GPIIb/IIIa and alphavbeta3 blockade in rat models of thrombosis and vascular disease.     

Studies on the dual effects on platelets of a monoclonal antibody to CD9, and on the properties of platelet CD9.

The article describes effects on human platelets of a murine monoclonal antibody of the IgG2a subtype (clone FN99) directed against the membrane glycoprotein CD9. This antibody exerts a dual action on human platelets in plasma depending on whether the complement system can be activated or not, resulting either in membrane permeabilization or a true platelet aggregation. Secretion from the alpha-granules during permeabilisation was not observed in the sense that the granule-located protein thrombospondin was retained in the platelets, as opposed to what was seen with platelets that had undergone an antibody-induced aggregation. Only a small fraction of P-selectin was found on the surface of the permeabilised platelets. The cytoskeletal protein actin-binding protein (filamin) was profoundly degraded during membrane permeabilisation, however, and scanning electron microscopy showed platelets that were swollen with only a few pseudopodia. Preincubation of platelets with three different antibodies to CD9 showed strong inhibition of a subsequent binding of FITC-labelled Fab fragment of FN99 indicating that antibodies tend to bind in the same area of the CD9 molecule. No association of CD9 to the platelet actin-based cytoskeleton was observed. CD9 was present on the surface of microvesicles derived from calcium ionophore-treated platelets.     

d-Indobufen inhibits collagen-induced intracellular calcium mobilization and inositol phosphates formation in human platelets

We obtained evidence that the cyclooxygenase inhibitor d-indobufen, (+)2[p-(1-oxo-2-isoindolinyl)phenyl] buthylic acid has a potent and specific inhibitory effect on collagen-induced aggregation and 40K-protein phosphorylation (Mamiya, S., Hagiwara, M., Ishikawa, T., and Hidaka, H. Thromb. Res. 54, 447, 1989). In Fura-2 loaded platelets, d-indobufen inhibited collagen-induced intracellular calcium mobilization in a dose dependent manner and this inhibitory effect on calcium mobilization paralleled that on aggregation, either in the presence or absence of extracellular free calcium ions. This compound inhibited inositol phosphates (IPs) formation in collagen-stimulated platelets. In arachidonic acid-stimulated platelets, d-indobufen caused a lag on calcium mobilization, as observed with arachidonic acid-induced aggregation. There was no significant effect on thrombin- or A23187-induced calcium mobilization or on aggregation. These observations suggest that the collagen receptor couples to a distinct intracellular calcium mobilization system possibly via inositol phospholipid metabolism and that d-indobufen blocks the collagen-induced aggregation by arresting mobilization of intracellular calcium.