scholarly journals Inhibition of Collagen Related Peptide Induced Platelet Activation and Apoptosis by Ceritinib

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 1707-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Cao ◽  
Anja T. Umbach ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Meinrad Gawaz ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The anaplastic lymphoma (tyrosine) kinase (ALK) inhibitor ceritinib triggers apoptosis of tumor cells and eryptosis of erythrocytes. Blood platelets may similarly enter a state resembling apoptosis, which could be triggered by activation with collagen related peptide (CRP). CRP-induced platelet apoptosis is characterized by cell membrane scrambling with phosphatidylserine exposure to the platelet surface and cell shrinkage, preceded by externalization of Ca2+ channel Orai1, increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i), formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and caspase activation. The present study explored whether ceritinib triggers platelet apoptosis and/or modifies the CRP induced apoptosis. Methods: Platelets isolated from wild-type mice were exposed for 30 minutes to ceritinib (1.5 µg/ml) without or with 2.5 – 15 min pretreatment with CRP (2 µg/ml or 5 µg/ml). Flow cytometry was employed to estimate cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fluorescence, ROS abundance from 2’,7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate fluorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, caspase activity utilizing an Active Caspase-3 Staining kit, phosphatidylserine abundance from annexin-V-binding, platelet volume from forward scatter and aggregation utilizing staining with CD9-APC and CD9-PE. Results: In the absence of CRP, ceritinib slightly, but significantly decreased [Ca2+]i without significantly modifying the other measured parameters. CRP significantly increased [Ca2+]i, ROS abundance, P-selectin abundance, activated αIIbβ3 integrin, annexin-V-binding, caspase activity as well as aggregation and decreased cell volume, all effects significantly blunted in the presence of ceritinib. Conclusions: The present observations uncover a novel, unexpected effect of ceritinib, i.e. inhibition of CRP-induced platelet activation and apoptosis.

2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 1252-1263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Cao ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Anja T. Umbach ◽  
Meinrad Gawaz ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor temsirolimus stimulates apoptosis of tumor cells and is thus therapeutically used for the treatment of diverse malignancies. On the other hand, temsirolimus has been shown to protect against apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Similar to nucleated cells, blood platelets may enter suicidal death characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling. Platelet apoptosis is frequently preceded by Ca2+ entry, degranulation, integrin activation and stimulation of caspases. Those events could be triggered by collagen related peptide (CRP). The present study explored whether treatment of platelets with temsirolimus modifies platelet activation, caspase activity, platelet shrinkage, and phosphatidylserine abundance. Methods: Platelets isolated from wild-type mice were exposed for 30 minutes to temsirolimus (40 µg/ml) without or with additional CRP (2 µg/ ml or 5 µg/ml) treatment. Flow cytometry was employed to estimate cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fuorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, caspase activity utilizing an Active Caspase-3 Staining kit, phosphatidylserine abundance from annexin-V-binding and relative platelet volume from forward scatter. Results: In the absence of CRP, the administration of temsirolimus (40 µg/ml) significantly decreased [Ca2+]i, but did not significantly modify P-selectin abundance, activated αIIbβ3 integrin, annexin-V-binding, cell volume, caspase activity and aggregation. Exposure of platelets to CRP was followed by significant increase of [Ca2+]i, P-selectin abundance, αIIbβ3 integrin activity, annexin-V-binding, ROS, caspase activity and aggregation, effects significantly blunted in the presence of temsirolimus. CRP further decreased forward scatter, an effect again significantly blunted by temsirolimus. Conclusions: Temsirolimus is a powerful inhibitor of platelet activation and suicidal platelet death.


2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 2264-2276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Cao ◽  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Anja T. Umbach ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Meinrad Gawaz ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor afatinib is used for the treatment of several malignancies. Afatinib is at least partially effective by triggering apoptosis of tumor cells. Platelets may similarly undergo apoptosis, which is characterized by caspase 3 activation, cell shrinkage and phosphatidylserine translocation. However, an effect of afatinib on platelets has never been reported. The present study explored whether treatment of platelets with afatinib modifies platelet activation and apoptosis in the absence and presence of platelet activators thrombin or collagen related peptide (CRP). Methods: Platelets isolated from wild-type mice were exposed for 30 minutes to afatinib (18 µg/ml) without or with subsequent treatment with thrombin (0.005 U/ml or 0.01 U/ml) or CRP (2 µg/ml or 5 µg/ml). Flow cytometry was employed to estimate Orai1 abundance at the platelet surface with specific antibodies, cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fluorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, caspase activity utilizing an Active Caspase-3 Staining kit, phosphatidylserine abundance from annexin-V-binding, platelet volume from forward scatter and aggregation utilizing staining with CD9-APC and CD9-PE. Results: In the absence of thrombin and CRP, the administration of afatinib (18 µg/ml) slightly, but significantly, increased [Ca2+]i and annexin-V-binding, but did not significantly modify Orai1 abundance, P-selectin abundance, activated αIIbβ3 integrin, cell volume, caspase activity and aggregation. Exposure of platelets to 0.005 U/ml or 0.01 U/ml thrombin or 2 µg/ml or 5 µg/ ml CRP was followed by a significant increase of Orai1 abundance, increase of [Ca2+]i, P-selectin abundance, αIIbβ3 integrin activity, annexin-V-binding, caspase activity, and aggregation, as well as a significant decrease of forward scatter, all effects significantly blunted (thrombin) or virtually abolished (CRP) by afatinib. Conclusions: Afatinib is a powerful inhibitor of platelet activation, platelet apoptosis and platelet aggregation.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 838-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Cao ◽  
Rosi Bissinger ◽  
Anja T. Umbach ◽  
Meinrad Gawaz ◽  
Florian Lang

Background/Aims: The retinoid X receptor (RXRs) stimulator Bexarotene ((4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethynyl] benzoic acid) is used for the treatment of several malignancies. Bexarotene is at least in part effective by stimulation of apoptosis of tumor cells. Moreover, Bexarotene triggers eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes. Similar to erythrocytes, blood platelets lack nuclei but are nevertheless able to enter an apoptosis-like phenotype, characterized by caspase activation, cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with phospha-tidylserine translocation to the cell surface. Platelet apoptosis is triggered by increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i), which further leads to degranulation and integrin activation. Platelet activation and apoptosis could be elicited by thrombin or collagen related peptide (CRP). The present study explored whether treatment of platelets with bexarotene modifies platelet activation and apoptosis following exposure to thrombin or CRP. Methods: Platelets isolated from wild-type mice were exposed for 30 minutes to bexarotene (6 µg/ml) without or with an additional treatment with thrombin (0.01 U/ml) or CRP (2 µg/ml or 5 µg/ml). Flow cytometry was employed to estimate cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fluorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, caspase activity utilizing an Active Caspase-3 Staining kit, phosphatidylserine abundance from annexin-V-binding, and relative platelet volume from forward scatter. Results: In the absence of thrombin or CRP, the administration of bexarotene slightly but significantly increased [Ca2+]i, but did not significantly modify P-selectin abundance, activated αIIbβ3 integrin, annexin-V-binding, cell volume, or caspase activity. Exposure of platelets to thrombin or CRP was followed by significant increase of [Ca2+]i, P-selectin abundance, active αIIbβ3 integrin, annexin-V-binding, and caspase activity. The effects of thrombin on [Ca2+]i, annexin-V-binding, cell volume, and caspase activity as well as the effects of CRP on [Ca2+]i, P-selectin abundance, activated αIIbβ3 integrin, annexin-V-binding, cell volume, and caspase activity were significantly augmented in the presence of bexarotene. Conclusions: Bexarotene sensitizes blood platelets for thrombin and/or CRP induced activation and apoptosis.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 726-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxing Liu ◽  
Guilai Liu ◽  
Madhumita Chatterjee ◽  
Anja T. Umbach ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: DAPT (24-diamino-5-phenylthiazole) inhibits γ-secretase, which cleaves the signaling molecule CD44, a negative regulator of platelet activation and apoptosis. CD44 is a co-receptor for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) an anti-apoptotic pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed and released from blood platelets. Whether DAPT influences platelet function, remained, however, elusive. Activators of platelets include collagen related peptide (CRP). The present study thus explored whether DAPT modifies the stimulating effect of CRP on platelet function. Methods: Platelets isolated from wild-type mice were exposed for 30 minutes to DAPT (10 µM). Flow cytometry was employed to estimate Orai1 abundance with specific antibodies, cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fluorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from DCFDA fluorescence, mitochondrial transmembrane potential from TMRE fluorescence, phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane from annexin-V-binding, relative platelet volume from forward scatter and aggregation utilizing staining with CD9-APC and CD9-PE. Results: Exposure of platelets to 2-5 µg/ml CRP was followed by significant increase of Orai1 abundance, [Ca2+]i, and P-selectin abundance, as well as by αIIbβ3 integrin activation, ROS generation, mitochondrial depolarization, enhanced annexin-V-binding, decreased cell volume, and aggregation. All CRP induced effects were significantly blunted in the presence of DAPT. Conclusions: The γ-secretase inhibitor DAPT counteracts agonist induced platelet activation, apoptosis and aggregation.


Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hang Cao ◽  
Abdulla Al Mamun Bhuyan ◽  
Anja T. Umbach ◽  
Ke Ma ◽  
Oliver Borst ◽  
...  

Garcinol, an anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic polyisoprenylated benzophenone isolated from Garcinia plants, stimulates tumor cell apoptosis and suicidal erythrocyte death, but supports the survival of hepatocytes and neurons. The present study explored whether the substance influences platelet function and/or apoptosis. To this end, we exposed murine blood platelets to garcinol (33 µM, 30 min) without and with activation by collagen-related peptide (CRP) (2–5 µg/mL) or thrombin (0.01 U/mL); flow cytometry was employed to estimate cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) from Fluo-3 fluorescence, platelet degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3 integrin abundance, caspase activity utilizing an Active Caspase-3 Staining kit, phosphatidylserine abundance from annexin-V-binding, relative platelet volume from forward scatter, and aggregation utilizing staining with CD9-APC and CD9-PE. As a result, in the absence of CRP and thrombin, the exposure of the platelets to garcinol did not significantly modify [Ca2+]i, P-selectin abundance, activated αIIbβ3 integrin, annexin-V-binding, cell volume, caspase activity, and aggregation. Exposure of platelets to CRP or thrombin was followed by a significant increase of [Ca2+]i, P-selectin abundance, αIIbβ3 integrin activity, annexin-V-binding, caspase activity, and aggregation, as well as significant cell shrinkage. All effects of CRP were strong and significant; those of thrombin were only partially and slightly blunted in the presence of garcinol. In conclusion, garcinol blunts CRP-induced platelet activity, apoptosis and aggregation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1934-1944 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxing Liu ◽  
Guilai Liu ◽  
Hong Chen ◽  
Oliver Borst ◽  
Meinrad Gawaz ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: The ubiquitously expressed Ca2+ Activated Cl- Channel Ano6 participates in the stimulation of cell membrane scrambling. Defective Ano6 underlies the Scott syndrome, an inherited bleeding disorder with impaired scrambling of plasma membrane phospholipids. At least in theory, the bleeding disorder of Scott syndrome may result from impaired platelet function. Activators of platelets include thrombin and collagen related peptide (CRP), which trigger increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), degranulation, integrin activation, as well as cell shrinkage and phospholipid scrambling of the cell membrane. The present study thus explored whether Ano6 modifies activation-induced alterations of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i), degranulation (P-selectin exposure), integrin activation, phosphatidylserine exposure on the platelet surface and platelet volume. Methods: Platelets from mice lacking Ano6 (ano6-/-) were compared to platelets from corresponding wild-type mice (ano6+/+). [Ca2+]i was estimated from Fluo-3 fluorescence, ROS from DCFDA fluorescence, degranulation from P-selectin abundance, integrin activation from αIIbβ3-integrin abundance, phosphatidylserine abundance from annexin-V-binding, and cell volume from forward scatter. Results: Platelet number in blood was slightly higher in ano6-/- mice than in ano6+/+ mice. Without activation [Ca2+]i and volume were similar in ano6-/- and ano6+/+ platelets as well as ROS abundance, P-selectin abundance, αIIbβ3 integrin activation, and phosphatidylserine exposure were negligible in both genotypes. Thrombin (0.01 U/ml) and CRP (2 or 5 µg/ml) increased [Ca2+]i, ROS abundance, platelet degranulation, αIIbβ3 integrin activation, and triggered annexin-V-binding as well as cell shrinkage, all effects less pronounced in ano6-/- than in ano6+/+ platelets. Conclusions: Genetic knockout of Ano6 blunts thrombin- and CRP-induced activation and apoptosis of blood platelets.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 1094-1094
Author(s):  
Valery Leytin ◽  
David J. Allen ◽  
Sergiy Mykhaylov ◽  
Elena Lyubimov ◽  
John Freedman

Abstract Although primarily known as a coagulation factor and as an inducer of platelet activation and aggregation, thrombin can modulate apoptosis in nucleated cells. Over the last decade, it has been recognized that apoptosis occurs not only in nucleated cells but also in anucleated cytoplasts and platelets. The current study investigated whether thrombin can impact apoptosis in anucleated human platelets. Using flow cytometry, we studied platelet apoptosis at the single cell level, analyzing markers of mitochondrial and cytoplasmic apoptosis (Leytin et al, Biochem Biophys Res Commun320:303, 2004; Leytin et al, Br J Haematol133:78, 2006). Western blotting was also employed, in addition to flow cytometry, for determining the expression of proapoptotic Bax and Bak proteins. We found that, in comparison to untreated platelets, human alpha-thrombin (1 U/mL) significantly induced four key manifestations of platelet apoptosis: (i) mitochondrial inner transmembrane potential depolarization (P<0.01), (ii) expression of pro-apoptotic Bax (P=0.002) and Bak (P=0.04) proteins, (iii) caspase-3 activation (P=0.0009), and (iv) phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure (P<0.0001). We also compared the magnitude of thrombin effects with those of A23187 and in vitro platelet storage under standard blood banking conditions. We demonstrated that the maximal level of both caspase-3 activation and PS exposure is achieved in A23187-stimulated platelets, indicating that A23187 is a useful positive control for quantifying these apoptosis events. Thrombin triggered caspase-3 activation to a level equal to that in A23187-induced platelets and significantly higher than in platelets stimulated with control buffer (P<0.001) and stored for 0, 6 (P<0.001) and 13 days at 22°C (P<0.05). PS exposure was also markedly enhanced in thrombin-stimulated platelets resulting in increase of annexin V-positive cells from 1.2 ± 0.1% to 21.2 ± 2.5% (P=0.0002); platelet storage increased annexin V-positive cells from 1.4 ± 0.4% (Day 0) to 6.0 ± 0.6% (Day 6, P=0.006) and 47.6 ± 5.6% (Day 13 platelets, P=0.0013) and much higher PS exposure was observed with 10 μM A23187 (97.8 ± 0.4%, P<0.0001). Thus, PS exposure induced by 1 U/mL thrombin is significantly higher than in platelets stored for 6 days (P<0.001), but lower than in 13 day-old platelets (P<0.001) and A23187-stimulated platelets (P<0.0001). This study demonstrates that, aside from its ‘classical’ function as a coagulation factor and an inducer of platelet activation, thrombin can trigger platelet apoptosis. Thrombin appears to trigger platelet apoptosis by impacting on several intracellular apoptotic targets, including shifting the balance between Bcl-2 regulatory proteins in a pro-apoptotic direction, depolarizing the inner mitochondrial membrane, activating the executioner caspase-3, and stimulating aberrant exposure of phosphatidylserine on the platelet surface. Thrombin-induced platelet apoptosis may contribute to the pathophysiology of thrombocytopenia in diseases associated with enhanced thrombin generation, such as sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 3875-3875
Author(s):  
Valery Leytin ◽  
Sergiy Mykhaylov ◽  
David J. Allen ◽  
Lukasz Miz ◽  
Elena V. Lyubimov ◽  
...  

Abstract Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is appreciated as the main physiologic mechanism that regulates cell life-span and serves for controlled deletion of unwanted cells. Since its discovery in 1972, apoptosis was long attributed exclusively to nucleate cells. It took more than 20 years to recognize apoptosis in enucleated cells cytoplasts and anucleate platelets. During the following years, apoptosis has been demonstrated in platelets treated with natural and artificial agonists, in platelet concentrates aged during storage under standard blood banking conditions, and in animal models of suppressed thrombopoiesis and thrombocytopenia. Other studies documented that mechanical forces (shear stresses) stimulate platelet activation and signaling in the absence of exogenous chemical stimuli. We analysed whether shear stresses can trigger platelet apoptosis, a question that has not yet been studied. Using a cone-and-plate viscometer (CAP-2000, Brookfield Engineering Labs, Inc., Middleboro, MA), we exposed human platelet-rich plasma to different shear stresses, ranging from physiologic arterial and arterioles levels (10–44 dynes/cm2) to pathologic high levels (117–388 dynes/cm2) occurring in stenosed coronary, peripheral or cerebral arteries. We found that pathologic shear stresses induce not only platelet activation (P-selectin upregulation and GPIb-alpha downregulation) but also trigger apoptosis events, including mitochondrial transmembrane potential depolarization, caspase 3 activation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and platelet shrinkage and fragmentation into microparticles, whereas physiologic shear stresses are not effective. Platelets subjected to pathologic shear stresses are characterized by impaired platelet function as shown by the absence of ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Apoptosis changes were also induced by the treatment of platelets with calcium ionophore A23187 (10 μM) and thrombin (1 U/mL). Thus, in the present work, we have demonstrated that platelet apoptosis can be induced by chemical stimuli and by mechanical rheological forces (pathologic high shear stresses). Most of shear-induced activation and apoptosis events occur inside of the platelet, including translocation of CD62 from alpha-granules to the platelet surface, depolarization of mitochondrial inner membrane potential, activation of cytosolic enzyme caspase 3, and translocation of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer plasma membrane leaflet. These data suggest that the effects of shear stress on platelet activation and apoptosis are mediated by mechanoreceptor(s) that transmit activation and apoptosis signals to the cell interior. The platelet paradigm of apoptosis induced by chemical agonists and shear stresses suggests that apoptotic cytoplasmic machinery may function without nuclear participation.


Blood ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 81 (10) ◽  
pp. 2554-2565 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Dachary-Prigent ◽  
JM Freyssinet ◽  
JM Pasquet ◽  
JC Carron ◽  
AT Nurden

Annexin V, a protein with a high affinity and a strict specificity for aminophospholipids at physiologic calcium concentrations, was used to probe platelet activation and the development of procoagulant activity. Platelet secretion was studied in parallel using VH10, a murine monoclonal antibody specific for GMP-140, an alpha-granule membrane glycoprotein. Both proteins were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate and platelet activation was assessed by flow cytometry. Microparticles, which are shed from the platelet surface and also support procoagulant activity, were distinguished from platelets according to their associated light scattering signal. The relative ability of different inducers to trigger exposure of the procoagulant surface and microparticle formation was: ionophore A23187 = thrombin plus collagen = collagen = thrombin. The density of aminophospholipid on microparticles was higher than on remnant platelets. Platelet activation by these agonists was accompanied by GMP-140 exposure, both on platelets and microparticles. Here, thrombin was the most efficient agonist. The mechanisms responsible for the above processes were investigated using E-64-d, a specific membrane-permeable inhibitor of Ca(2+)-activated protease (calpain); tetracaine, an activator of calpain; and N-ethylmaleimide and diamide, two sulfhydryl-reactive agents. These agents were added to platelets alone or before stimulation by agonists. Calpain activity was assessed by the hydrolysis of cytoskeletal proteins as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results showed that calpain activity is not essential for aminophospholipid translocation or for secretion. In contrast, although sulfhydryl-reactive agents alone can trigger procoagulant activity, they inhibit microvesicle formation and platelet secretion induced by the above agonists, suggesting that different mechanisms account for these phenomena. The use of annexin V in flow cytometry is a rapid method to assess procoagulant activity in platelets and the loss of phospholipid asymmetry in cell membranes.


Blood ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 104 (11) ◽  
pp. 3882-3882
Author(s):  
Karel Holada ◽  
Adela Brouckova ◽  
Jan Simak ◽  
William A. Gahl ◽  
Jaroslav G. Vostal

Abstract The cellular prion protein (PrPc) is a membrane glycoprotein expressed on many human cells including blood platelets. We have previously shown that human platelets rapidly up-regulate PrPc on their plasma membranes after activation (Holada et al., Br J Haematol.1998;103(1):276–82.). Our preliminary results also showed that platelet PrPc is resistant to cleavage by phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PIPLC). In this study we investigated intracellular localization of platelet PrPc and its resistance to PIPLC of different origin and under different experimental conditions. To determine the intracellular localization of platelet PrPc, we used flow cytometry and PrPc directed monoclonal antibodies (MAb) 1562 and 6H4, which recognize residues 109–112, and 144–152, in human PrPc sequence, respectively. The specificity of MAb binding was confirmed by its inhibition with competing peptides. We compared the increase in PrPc expression after platelet activation with increase in expression of P-selectin (CD62) - an α-granular protein, and LIMP (CD63) - a lysosomal and δ-granular protein. Gel filtered platelets were activated by ADP (1–100 μM) or TRAP (0.5–50 μM). Increasing concentrations of agonists induced coexpression of P-selectin and PrPc on the platelet surface at lower concentrations than were required for expression of LIMP (e.g. 5 μM ADP vs. 50 μM ADP to reach 40% of maximal expression), suggesting that PrPc did not associate with lysosomes. To further address the question of the origin of intraplatelet PrPc, we evaluated the expression of platelet PrPc in two patients with Hermansky-Pudlak (H/P) syndrome and two patients with Grey platelet syndrome (GPS). H/P platelets have a low number of δ-granules, but normal numbers of α-granules and lysosomes. When compared to controls, the H/P platelets had decreased mepacrine staining, demonstrating a defect of δ-granules. The expression of LIMP was equivalent on resting control (15.2 geometric mean of FL1 (GMF)) and H/P platelets (14.4 GMF), but was substantially decreased on H/P platelets after full platelet activation (38.2 vs. 168.8 GMF). In comparison, similar levels of PrPc and α-granular P-selectin were expressed on normal (35.7 and 726 GMF) and H/P patient (33.9 and 689 GMF) activated platelets. Platelets of GPS patients are deficient in α-granules. Resting GPS platelets demonstrated higher expression of P-selectin (9.9 GMF) and PrPc (25.8 GMF) than normal platelets (4.9 and 14.3 GMF, respectively). In contrast to normal platelets, GPS platelets failed to up-regulate P-selectin (76 vs. 653 GMF) and PrPc (30.1 vs. 59.9 GMF) after activation. In order to confirm a resistance of PrPc to PIPLC in normal platelets, the presence of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor was verified by the treatment of platelet PrPc with hydrofluoric acid, which resulted in a 2–4 kDa decrease of its molecular weight corresponding to the removal of GPI anchor. Interestingly, PIPLC enzymes of three different origins (B. thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. subtilis) did not cleave GPI anchor even after the solubilization of platelet membranes by Triton X-100, which should make anchor more accessible to the enzyme. In conclusion, our results suggest that platelet intracellular PrPc is associated with α-granules, but not with lysosomes, and δ-granules. Platelet membrane PrPc is resistant to PIPLC, likely due to GPI-modification rather than GPI accessibility.


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