fibrinogen receptor
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Abstract Background: Primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a megakaryocytic (MK)/platelet-specific autoimmune disorder characterized by platelet count <100×10 9/L with or without bleeding manifestations, and diagnosed by exclusion of other causes of thrombocytopenia. It is widely accepted the involvement of platelet autoantibodies on deterioration of platelets from patients with ITP. Moreover, an enhanced activity of neuraminidase may also reduce sialic acid from glycoside residues on platelet surface, especially from the highly glycosylated von Willebrand factor (vWF) receptor. Because controversial results regarding the functionality of platelets from ITP patients can be found in literature, we aimed to determine platelet ability to be stimulated by agonists. Moreover, we aimed to determine the way anti-platelet auto- antibodies (abs) and neuraminidase activity may affect the function of platelets derived from MKs of healthy controls. Methods: This observational, prospective and transversal study included 42 patients with chronic primary ITP and 55 healthy controls. Platelet fibrinogen and vWF receptors and activation markers (PAC1 binding to activated fibrinogen receptor and exposure of P-selectin after agonists treatment), were evaluated by flow cytometry. Presence of Antibodies (abs) against platelet's glycoproteins in ITP serum was analysed with a Luminex based assay (LifecodesPak Lx). Neuraminidase (NEU) activity in serum was determined with the substrate 20-(4-methylumbelliferyl)-a-D-N-(MUNANA). Human CD34 + cell-enriched population was obtained with CliniMACS (MiltenyiBiotec) from G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood of a healthy donor. For MK differentiation, CD34 + cells were cultured 12 days in StemSpan™ Serum-Free Expansion Medium II (SFEM II) with 50ng/ml of recombinant human thrompoietin. Then, 10% of serum from healthy controls (4) or ITP patients (4) were added to the culture of mature MKs and incubated for 3 days. Phenotypic analysis of MKs and culture derived-platelets was carried out using abs against CD34, CD41, CD42a and CD42b.Platelet-like particles were considered as CD41-positive events with a size (FSC) and granularity (SSC) scatter properties similar to blood platelets. Culture-derived platelets were stimulated with 100 µM TRAP and 10 µM ADP and activation markers were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: Expression of fibrinogen receptor on platelets from ITP patients were similar to those from healthy controls but showed a reduced capacity to be activated. Impairment in platelet degranulation measured as exposition of P-selectin after agonist's stimulation was also observed in platelets from these patients (Figure 1). Of note, surface content of CD42b subunit of vWF receptor was reduced (Figure 1). To determine whether diminished platelet function might be due to a plasma component, we induced platelet production from MK of healthy controls as referred in Methods. Abs against platelets and neuraminidase activity were determined in serum samples. Serum from 4 healthy controls or from 4 ITP patients (1 with anti-CD42b, 1 with anti-GPIa-IIa and 2 with undetectable abs) were added to MKs culture. No differences existed in MK differentiation and platelet production between MKs incubated with serum from healthy controls or from ITP patients, but similarly as observed in platelets from ITP patients, MK-derived platelets had an impaired ability to be activated (Table 1). Platelets derived from MKs incubated with ITP serum with anti-platelet abs had also a diminished exposure of CD42b (73±8% of controls). Moreover, neuraminidase content of these samples was slightly higher than that from ITP samples without abs (130 vs 100 % of controls). Conclusion: Platelets from ITP patients had a diminished ability to be stimulated. In vitro study showed that megakaryopoiesis was normal in presence of ITP serum, but released platelets had a lower ability to be activated. Involvement of abs in this effect cannot be ruled out despite we detected abs only in 2 of the tested sera because efficiency of method to detect these abs is ~ 50%. On the other hand, reduced levels of CD42b might be due to the increased activity of neuraminidase. Reduction of sialic acid from CD42b might initiate its metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage or change affinity of the ab used for its detection. Research funded by ISCIII-Fondos FEDER PI19/00772 and Platelet Disorder Support Association Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Alvarez Román: Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biomarin: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL-Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novo-Nordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. García Barcenilla: Roche: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Bayer: Speakers Bureau; SOBI: Speakers Bureau. Canales: Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Gilead/Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Eusa Pharma: Consultancy, Honoraria; Incyte: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy; iQone: Honoraria; Sandoz: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Jiménez-Yuste: Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; NovoNordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; BioMarin: Consultancy; Sobi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Butta: Novo-Nordisk: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Roche: Speakers Bureau; CSL-Behring: Research Funding.

Fermitin family homolog 3 (FERMT3), alternatively kindlin-3 (KIND3), is an integrin binding protein (of 667 residues) encoded by the FERMT3 gene. The molecule is essential for activating integrin αIIbβ3 (the fibrinogen receptor) on platelets and for the integrin-mediated hematopoietic cell (including platelets, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and granulocytes) adhesion. Its defects are associated with impaired primary hemostasis, described as “Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (MIM#273800)-like bleeding problem.” The defects are also associated with infections, designated as “LAD1 (leukocyte adhesion deficiency, type I; MIM#116920)-like immune deficiency.” The entity that joins the impaired primary hemostasis with the leukocyte malfunction has been termed “leukocyte adhesion deficiency, type III” (LAD3, autosomal recessive, MIM#612840), representing a defective activation of the integrins β1, β2, and β3 on leukocytes and platelets. Here, we report a male toddler with novel compound heterozygous variants, NM_178443.2(FERMT3):c.1800G>A, p.Trp600* (a non-sense variant) and NM_178443.2(FERMT3):c.2001del p.*668Glufs*106 (a non-stop variant). His umbilical cord separated at about 3 weeks of age. A skin rash (mainly petechiae and purpura) and recurrent episodes of severe epistaxis required blood transfusions in early infancy. His hemostatic work-up was remarkable for a normal platelet count, but abnormal platelet function screen with markedly prolonged collagen-epinephrine and collagen-ADP closure times. The impaired platelet function was associated with reduced platelet aggregation with all agonists. The expression of platelet receptors was normal. Other remarkable findings were persistent lymphocytosis and granulocytosis, representing defects in diapedesis due to the integrin dysfunction. The natural history of his condition, structure and sequence analysis of the variations, and comparison with other LAD3 cases reported in the literature are presented.

Thrombus formation and thromboembolic events play important roles in various cardiovascular pathologies. The key receptor involved in platelet aggregation is the fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. [18F]GP1, a derivative of the GPIIb/IIIa antagonist elarofiban, is a specific 18F-labeled small-molecule radiotracer that binds with high affinity to GPIIb/IIIa receptors of activated platelets. An improved, robust and fully automated radiosynthesis of [18F]GP1 has been developed. [18F]GP1 has been synthesized with decay corrected radiochemical yields of 38 ± 6%, with a radiochemical concentration up to 1900 MBq/mL, molar activities of 952–9428 GBq/µmol and a radio-chemical purity >98%. After determination of the optimal reaction conditions, in particular for HPLC separation, adaption of the reaction conditions to PET center requirements, validation of the manufacturing process and the quality control methods, the synthesis of [18F]GP1 was successfully implemented to GMP standards and was available for clinical application. We describe the GMP-compliant synthesis of the novel radiotracer [18F]GP1. Moreover, we provide some proof-of-concept examples for clinical application in the cardiovascular field. PET/CT with the novel small-molecular radiotracer [18F]GP1 may serve as a novel highly sensitive tool for visualizing active platelet aggregation at the molecular level.

Background: Several platelet-derived miRNAs are associated with platelet reactivity (PR) and clinical outcome in cardiovascular patients. We previously showed an association between miR-204-5p and PR in stable cardiovascular patients, but data on functional mechanisms are lacking. Aims: To validate miR-204-5p as a regulator of PR in platelet-like structures (PLS) derived from human megakaryocytes and to address mechanistic issues. Methods: Human hematopoietic stem cells were differentiated into megakaryocytes, enabling the transfection of miR-204-5p and the recovery of subsequent PLS. The morphology of transfected megakaryocytes and PLS was characterized using flow cytometry and microscopy. The functional impact of miR-204-5p was assessed using a flow assay, the quantification of the activated form of the GPIIbIIIa receptor and a fibrinogen-binding assay. qPCR and western blot were used to evaluate the impact of miR-204-5p on a validated target, CDC42. The impact of CDC42 modulation was investigated using a silencing strategy. Results: miR-204-5p transfection induced cytoskeletal changes in megakaryocytes associated with the retracted protrusion of proPLS, but it had no impact on the number of PLS released. Functional assays showed that the PLS produced by megakaryocytes transfected with miR-204-5p were more reactive than controls. This phenotype is mediated by the regulation of GPIIbIIIa expression, a key contributor in platelet–fibrinogen interaction. Similar results were obtained after CDC42 silencing, suggesting that miR-204-5p regulates PR, at least in part, via CDC42 downregulation. Conclusions: We functionally validated miR-204-5p as a regulator of the PR that occurs through CDC42 downregulation and regulation of fibrinogen receptor expression.

The accumulation of DNA and nuclear components in blood and their recognition by autoantibodies play a central role in the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Despite the efforts, the sources of circulating autoantigens in SLE are still unclear. Here, we show that in SLE, platelets release mitochondrial DNA, the majority of which is associated with the extracellular mitochondrial organelle. Mitochondrial release in patients with SLE correlates with platelet degranulation. This process requires the stimulation of platelet FcγRIIA, a receptor for immune complexes. Because mice lack FcγRIIA and murine platelets are completely devoid of receptor capable of binding IgG-containing immune complexes, we used transgenic mice expressing FcγRIIA for our in vivo investigations. FcγRIIA expression in lupus-prone mice led to the recruitment of platelets in kidneys and to the release of mitochondria in vivo. Using a reporter mouse with red fluorescent protein targeted to the mitochondrion, we confirmed platelets as a source of extracellular mitochondria driven by FcγRIIA and its cosignaling by the fibrinogen receptor α2bβ3 in vivo. These findings suggest that platelets might be a key source of mitochondrial antigens in SLE and might be a therapeutic target for treating SLE.

Patients affected by the rare Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) suffer from defective or low levels of the platelet-associated glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa, which acts as a fibrinogen receptor, and have therefore an impaired ability to aggregate platelets. Because the procoagulant activity is a dichotomous facet of platelet activation, diverging from the aggregation endpoint, we were interested in characterizing the ability to generate procoagulant platelets in GT patients. Therefore, we investigated, by flow cytometry analysis, platelet functions in three GT patients as well as their ability to generate procoagulant collagen-and-thrombin (COAT) platelets upon combined activation with convulxin-plus-thrombin. In addition, we further characterized intracellular ion fluxes during the procoagulant response, using specific probes to monitor by flow cytometry kinetics of cytosolic calcium, sodium, and potassium ion fluxes. GT patients generated higher percentages of procoagulant COAT platelets compared to healthy donors. Moreover, they were able to mobilize higher levels of cytosolic calcium following convulxin-plus-thrombin activation, which is congruent with the greater procoagulant activity. Further investigations will dissect the role of GPIIb/IIIa outside-in signalling possibly implicated in the regulation of platelet procoagulant activity.

Objective: Pulmonary thrombosis is observed in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pneumonia. Aim was to investigate whether subpopulations of platelets were programmed to procoagulant and inflammatory activities in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with pneumonia, without comorbidities predisposing to thromboembolism. Approach and Results: Overall, 37 patients and 28 healthy subjects were studied. Platelet-leukocyte aggregates, platelet-derived microvesicles, the expression of P-selectin, and active fibrinogen receptor on platelets were quantified by flow cytometry. The profile of 45 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors released by platelets was defined by immunoassay. The contribution of platelets to coagulation factor activity was selectively measured. Numerous platelet-monocyte (mean±SE, 67.9±4.9%, n=17 versus 19.4±3.0%, n=22; P <0.0001) and platelet-granulocyte conjugates (34.2±4.04% versus 8.6±0.7%; P <0.0001) were detected in patients. Resting patient platelets had similar levels of P-selectin (10.9±2.6%, n=12) to collagen-activated control platelets (8.7±1.5%), which was not further increased by collagen activation on patient platelets (12.4±2.5%, P =nonsignificant). The agonist-stimulated expression of the active fibrinogen receptor was reduced by 60% in patients ( P <0.0001 versus controls). Cytokines (IL [interleukin]-1α, IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, IL, 17, IL-27, IFN [interferon]-α, and IFN-γ), chemokines (MCP-1/CCL2 [monocyte chemoattractant protein 1]), and growth factors (VEGF [vascular endothelial growth factor]-A/D) were released in significantly larger amounts upon stimulation of COVID-19 platelets. Platelets contributed to increased fibrinogen, VWF (von Willebrand factor), and factor XII in COVID-19 patients. Patients (28.5±0.7 s, n=32), unlike controls (31.6±0.5 s, n=28; P <0.001), showed accelerated factor XII–dependent coagulation. Conclusions: Platelets in COVID-19 pneumonia are primed to spread proinflammatory and procoagulant activities in systemic circulation.

AbstractSeptins (Septs) are a widely expressed protein family of 13 mammalian members, recognized as a unique component of the cytoskeleton. In human platelets, we previously described that SEPT4 and SEPT8 are localized surrounding α-granules and move to the platelet surface after activation, indicating a possible role in platelet physiology. In this study, we investigated the impact of Sept8 on platelet function in vitro using Sept8-deficient mouse platelets. Deletion of Sept8 in mouse platelets caused a pronounced defect in activation of the fibrinogen receptor integrin αIIbβ3, α-granule exocytosis, and aggregation, especially in response to the glycoprotein VI agonist convulxin. In contrast, δ-granule and lysosome exocytosis of Sept8-deficient platelets was comparable to wild-type platelets. Sept8-deficient platelet binding to immobilized fibrinogen under static conditions was diminished and spreading delayed. The procoagulant activity of Sept8-deficient platelets was reduced in response to convulxin as determined by lactadherin binding. Also thrombin generation was decreased relative to controls. Thus, Sept8 is required for efficient integrin αIIbβ3 activation, α-granule release, platelet aggregation, and contributes to platelet-dependent thrombin generation. These results revealed Sept8 as a modulator of distinct platelet functions involved in primary and secondary hemostatic processes.