Inhibition by diallyl trisulfide, a garlic component, of intracellular Ca(2+) mobilization without affecting inositol-1,4, 5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) formation in activated platelets

Garlic has been used in herbal medicine for thousands of years. Some reports have shown that garlic has protective effects against atherosclerosis and inhibits platelet function. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which diallyl trisulfide (DT), a component of garlic, inhibits platelet function. DT inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization in a concentration-dependent manner without increasing intracellular cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. DT also had no inhibitory effects on thromboxane A(2) (TXA(2)) production in cell-free systems. Collagen-related peptide (CRP)-induced Ca(2+) mobilization is regulated by phospholipase C-gamma2 (PLC-gamma2) activation. We evaluated the effect of DT on tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 and the production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)). DT at concentrations that inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization had no effects on tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma2 or on the formation of IP(3) induced by CRP. Similar results were obtained with thrombin-induced platelet activation. DT inhibited platelet aggregation and Ca(2+) mobilization induced by thrombin without affecting the production of IP(3.) We then evaluated the effect of DT on the binding of IP(3) to its receptor. DT at high concentrations partially blocked the binding of IP(3) to its receptor. Taken together, our findings suggest that the agent suppresses Ca(2+) mobilization at a step distal to IP(3) formation. DT may provide a good tool for investigating Ca(2+) mobilization.

Expression of hyaluronan receptors CD44 and RHAMM in stomach cancers: relevance with tumor progression

Interactions of hyaluronic acid (HA) with its binding proteins CD44 and RHAMM (receptor for HA-mediating motility) have been proposed to be important in promoting tumor progression and dissemination. However, a comparative study of their expression patterns in stomach cancer and its associated lesions is not yet available. To address this issue, the combined examinations of pathology, immunocytochemistry and Western blot hybridization were performed on advanced gastric cancer specimens as well as their preneoplastic and non-cancerous counterparts. Alternative CD44 expression was observed in the gastric mucosa with different lesions. CD44 proteins harboring variant exon 6 (CD44 v6) was detected only in cancer tissues with a total positive rate of 14% (10/74). Intracellular RHAMM molecules in Mr 93000 to 95000 were expressed in 3/31 non-cancerous mucosa. RHAMM detection rates increased along with tumor progression. Irrespective of the differences of gross and morphological pattern, majority (54/74) of cancer cases expressed multiple RHAMM isoforms in Mr 40000-45000, 64000, 70000-73000, 85000 and 93000-95000 with the appearance of cell surface immunocytochemical labeling. Among CD44 variant isoforms, v6 is more relevant with malignant transformation of gastric epithelium. Expression of RHAMM, especially the cell surface variants, is closely correlated with tumor progression (P<0.01). Expression of CD44 and RHAMM may benefit the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells presumably in a reciprocal manner.

Platelet activation mediated through membrane glycoproteins: involvement of tyrosine kinases

Fc gamma RII cross-linking and anti-CD9 mAbs included tyrosine phosphorylation of Fc gamma RII, Syk, and Lyn associated with Fc gamma RII in Fc gamma RII cross-linking but not in anti-CD9 mAb-induced platelet activation. We prepared various GST fusion proteins expressing one or two SH2 domains of Syk and evaluated the association between these GST fusion proteins with Fc gamma RII. Based on the results obtained from these experiments, we suggest that only one tyrosine residue in ITAM of Fc gamma RII is phosphorylated with anti-CD9 mAb and that both are phosphorylated with Fc gamma RII cross-linking. Platelet activation mediated by GPIb, the receptor for vWF, is also related with tyrosine phosphorylation. Botrocetin and vWF induced Syk activation. Shc was also rapidly and heavily tyrosine phosphorylated. Sre and Lyn, a 54-kDa tyrosine kinase, was associated with cytoskeletal proteins. When GPIb was immunoprecipitated with nonfunctional anti-GPIb mAbs after platelets were activated with vWF and botrocetin, an in vitro kinase assay revealed the transient association of a kinase activity with GPIb after platelet activation. Phosphoamino acid analysis of phosphorylated proteins in this assay demonstrated that only tyrosine residues but not serine or threonine were phosphorylated, suggesting that the kinase was indeed a tyrosine kinase.

A concise guide to cDNA microarray analysis

Microarray expression analysis has become one of the most widely used functional genomics tools. Efficient application of this technique requires the development of robust and reproducible protocols. We have optimized all aspects of the process, including PCR amplification of target cDNA clones, microarray printing, probe labeling and hybridization, and have developed strategies for data normalization and analysis.

Optical mapping of BAC clones from the human Y chromosome DAZ locus

The accurate mapping of clones derived from genomic regions containing complex arrangements of repeated elements presents special problems for DNA sequencers. Recent advances in the automation of optical mapping have enabled us to map a set of 16 BAC clones derived from the DAZ locus of the human Y chromosome long arm, a locus in which the entire DAZ gene as well as subsections within the gene copies have been duplicated. High-resolution optical mapping employing seven enzymes places these clones into two contigs representing four distinct copies of the DAZ gene and highlights a number of differences between individual copies of DAZ.

FcgammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation differs between FcgammaRII cross-linking and platelet-activating anti-platelet monoclonal antibodies

Using glutathione S-transferase Syk fusion proteins, we evaluated the mode of platelet FcgammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation induced by FcgammaRII cross-linking or anti-CD9 monoclonal antibodies (mAb). The N-terminal SH2 domain of Syk (Syk-N-SH2), the C-terminal SH2 domain of Syk (Syk-C-SH2), and the domain having both the N- and C-terminal SH2 of Syk (Syk-NC-SH2) all bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated FcgammaRII with FcgammaRII cross-linking. In the case of anti-CD9 mAb-induced platelet activation, only Syk-C-SH2 and Syk-NC-SH2 bound to tyrosine-phosphorylated FcgammaRII. Since the SH2 domain is specific for a particular structure containing phosphotyrosine, these findings suggest that only one tyrosine residue in the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) is phosphorylated with anti-CD9 mAb, and that both are phosphorylated with FcgammaRII cross-linking. Synthetic peptides corresponding to the ITAM of human platelet FcgammaRII with the N-terminal tyrosine residue phosphorylated (N-P) or the C-terminal tyrosine residue phosphorylated (C-P), were used. N-P more potently dissociated Syk-C-SH2 from tyrosine-phosphorylated FcgammaRII than C-P, suggesting that the N-terminal tyrosine residue is phosphorylated upon anti-CD9 mAb-induced activation. Furthermore, these findings imply that Syk-N-SH2 binds to the phosphorylated C-terminal tyrosine residue of ITAM, and Syk-C-SH2 to the N-terminal tyrosine. Taken together, our findings suggest that FcgammaRII-dependent platelet activation without FcgammaRII dimerization, such as with anti-CD9 mAb, is distinct from that induced by FcgammaRII cross-linking.

Whole-genome shotgun optical mapping of Deinococcus radiodurans

A whole-genome restriction map of Deinococcus radiodurans, a radiation-resistant bacterium able to survive up to 15,000 grays of ionizing radiation, was constructed without using DNA libraries, the polymerase chain reaction, or electrophoresis. Very large, randomly sheared, genomic DNA fragments were used to construct maps from individual DNA molecules that were assembled into two circular overlapping maps (2.6 and 0.415 megabases), without gaps. A third smaller chromosome (176 kilobases) was identified and characterized. Aberrant nonlinear DNA structures that may define chromosome structure and organization, as well as intermediates in DNA repair, were directly visualized by optical mapping techniques after gamma irradiation.

A cross-sectional evaluation of spontaneous platelet aggregation in relation to complications in patients with type II diabetes mellitus

To clarify the relationship between platelet function and diabetic complications, we investigated spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) and agonist-induced platelet aggregation by a particle counting method using light scattering (LS) and by a conventional light transmission method (LT) in 23 age- and sex-matched control subjects and 74 patients with type II diabetes mellitus. We also observed platelets using the FIC-2 (TOA Medical Electronics, Kobe, Japan) flow cytometer and imaging device. Observation by the FIC-2 device showed microaggregates of platelets in samples with increased SPA-LS. SPA-LS was significantly elevated in patients with type II diabetes mellitus as a whole compared with control subjects. SPA-LS also showed significant differences between control subjects and three diabetic patient subgroups with a varying severity of retinopathy, nephropathy, or neuropathy, and the mean values increased along with the increasing severity of complications. On the other hand, although SPA-LT also showed significant differences between these groups, the absolute values were all less than 10%, which we believe does not warrant quantitative analysis. Adenosine-5'-diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation failed to show significant differences between controls and subjects with a varying severity of retinopathy by either LS or LT, which indicates that SPA is more sensitive than agonist-induced platelet aggregation in relation to diabetic complications. We observed significant correlations between SPA-LS and the patients' age, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, plasma fibrinogen level, or 6-keto-PGF1alpha (6KF) to 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (TXB2) ratio. Our study demonstrated a close relationship between platelet hyperaggregability and diabetic complications, and a longitudinal prospective study of SPA-LS in diabetic patients is warranted to clarify cause-and-effect relationships.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate, a bioactive sphingolipid abundantly stored in platelets, is a normal constituent of human plasma and serum

Although sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P) is reportedly involved in diverse cellular processes and the physiological roles of this bioactive sphingolipid have been strongly suggested, few studies have revealed the presence of Sph-1-P in human samples, including body fluids and cells, under physiological conditions. In this study, we identified Sph-1-P as a normal constituent of human plasma and serum. The Sph-1-P levels in plasma and serum were 191+/-79 and 484+/-82 pmol/ml (mean+/-SD, n=8), respectively. Furthermore, when Sph-1-P was measured in paired plasma and serum samples obtained from 6 healthy adults, the serum Sph-1-P/plasma Sph-1-P ratio was found to be 2.65+/-1.26 (mean+/-SD). It is most likely that the source of discharged Sph-1-P during blood clotting is platelets, because platelets abundantly store Sph-1-P compared with other blood cells, and release part of their stored Sph-1-P extracellularly upon stimulation. We also studied Sph-1-P-related metabolism in plasma. [3H]Sph was stable and not metabolized at all in plasma, but was rapidly incorporated into platelets and metabolized mainly to Sph-1-P in platelet-rich plasma. [3H]Sph-1-P was found to be unchanged in plasma, revealing that plasma does not contain the enzymes needed for Sph-1-P degradation. In summary, platelets can convert Sph into Sph-1-P, and are storage sites for the latter in the blood. In view of the diverse biological effects of Sph-1-P, the release of Sph-1-P from activated platelets may be involved in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological processes, including thrombosis, hemostasis, atherosclerosis and wound healing.

Differential activation of human platelets induced by Fc gamma receptor II cross-linking and by anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody

Platelet activation induced by anti-CD9 mAb, which depends upon Fc gammaRII, has been considered to be similar to that induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking. In this work, we present several lines of evidence to suggest that the mode of platelet activation induced by anti-CD9 mAb is distinct from that induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking. Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores induced by anti-CD9 mAb depended almost totally upon thromboxane A2 production and released ADP, whereas that induced by Fc gammaRII was affected only minimally by these factors. Fc gammaRII cross-linking induced Ca2+ channel opening, which is dependent upon the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. In contrast, anti-CD9 mAb appeared to directly open Ca2+ channels, irrespective of intracellular Ca2+ stores (Kuroda et al., 1995. J. Immunol. 155: 4427). The Ca2+ requirement for the Ca2+ channels opened by Fc gammaRII cross-linking was also distinct from that induced by anti-CD9 mAb. The early phase of Fc gammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation was dependent upon thromboxane A2 production with anti-CD9 mAb-induced activation, whereas that of Fc gammaRII cross-linking was not. p72(syk) and p53/56(lyn) appeared to associate with Fc gammaRII in platelet activation induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking, whereas there was little, if any, association between Fc gammaRII and these tyrosine kinases in anti-CD9 mAb-induced activation. Piceatannol, a selective inhibitor of p72(syk), enhanced Fc gammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking, whereas it attenuated the process in anti-CD9 mAb-induced platelet activation. It is suggested that the regulatory mechanism of Fc gammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation differs between these two modes of platelet activation.

Differential activation of human platelets induced by Fc gamma receptor II cross-linking and by anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody

Platelet activation induced by anti-CD9 mAb, which depends upon Fc gammaRII, has been considered to be similar to that induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking. In this work, we present several lines of evidence to suggest that the mode of platelet activation induced by anti-CD9 mAb is distinct from that induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking. Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores induced by anti-CD9 mAb depended almost totally upon thromboxane A2 production and released ADP, whereas that induced by Fc gammaRII was affected only minimally by these factors. Fc gammaRII cross-linking induced Ca2+ channel opening, which is dependent upon the depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores. In contrast, anti-CD9 mAb appeared to directly open Ca2+ channels, irrespective of intracellular Ca2+ stores (Kuroda et al., 1995. J. Immunol. 155: 4427). The Ca2+ requirement for the Ca2+ channels opened by Fc gammaRII cross-linking was also distinct from that induced by anti-CD9 mAb. The early phase of Fc gammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation was dependent upon thromboxane A2 production with anti-CD9 mAb-induced activation, whereas that of Fc gammaRII cross-linking was not. p72(syk) and p53/56(lyn) appeared to associate with Fc gammaRII in platelet activation induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking, whereas there was little, if any, association between Fc gammaRII and these tyrosine kinases in anti-CD9 mAb-induced activation. Piceatannol, a selective inhibitor of p72(syk), enhanced Fc gammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation induced by Fc gammaRII cross-linking, whereas it attenuated the process in anti-CD9 mAb-induced platelet activation. It is suggested that the regulatory mechanism of Fc gammaRII tyrosine phosphorylation differs between these two modes of platelet activation.

Activation of protein-tyrosine kinase Syk in human platelets stimulated with lysophosphatidic acid or sphingosine 1-phosphate

It has been reported that not only lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) but also its sphingolipid counterpart, sphingosine 1-phosphate (Sph-1-P), induce platelet functional responses. We report here Syk activation in human platelets stimulated with these lysophospholipids. LPA rapidly induced platelet protein-tyrosine phosphorylation, including that of Syk, and Syk activation, assessed by immunoprecipitation kinase assay. Sph-1-P, although rather weaker, mimicked LPA in inducing these tyrosine kinase-related events. Pretreatment of platelets with staurosporine, a potent protein kinase inhibitor, diminished LPA-induced Syk phosphorylation and activation, but not intracellular Ca2+ mobilization. These results demonstrate that, in platelets, the bioactive lysophospholipids induce Syk activation, which, however, may not be related to Ca2+ mobilization.

Intracellular levels of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP differentially modify platelet aggregate size in human platelets activated with epinephrine or ADP

We investigated the effects on human platelet aggregation of several agents that increase either intracellular cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP, using a platelet aggregometer that allows quantification of the size and number of platelet aggregates. During the initial phase of aggregation induced by epinephrine and ADP, small aggregates consisting of < 100 cells predominated; large aggregates formed later. Prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), which increases intracellular cyclic AMP, suppressed the formation of small as well as large aggregates induced by epinephrine, with ID50 values of 10.7 +/- 2.8 and 3.8 +/- 0.5 nM, respectively. ADP-induced formation of small and large aggregates was also inhibited by PGI2, with similar ID50 values. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db cyclic AMP), a cell-permeant form of cyclic AMP, also inhibited small and large aggregate formation induced by epinephrine or ADP, with ID50 values of 420-560 microM for small aggregates and 139-166 microM for large aggregates, respectively. On the other hand, nitroprusside, which increases intracellular cyclic GMP, inhibited only the formation of large aggregates, with an ID50 value of 454 +/- 191 nM for epinephrine-induced activation and of 2.1 +/- 0.6 microM for ADP-induced activation. Nitroprusside at 1 mM did not affect the formation of small aggregates induced by epinephrine, whereas that of large aggregates was completely blocked at 10 microM. 8-Bromo cyclic GMP (8-br cyclic GMP) also inhibited only the formation of large aggregates, with ID50 values of 140-170 microM, but not that of small aggregates induced by epinephrine and ADP. Milrinone, which increases the intracellular level of both cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, suppressed the formation of small and large aggregates induced by epinephrine and ADP. These findings suggest that cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP differentially modify the size of aggregates formed during epinephrine or ADP activation.

Protein-tyrosine phosphorylation and p72syk activation in human platelets stimulated with collagen is dependent upon glycoprotein Ia/IIa and actin polymerization

In human platelets treated with acetylsalicylic acid, collagen induced protein-tyrosine-phosphorylation of several proteins. The major 75 kDa band included cortactin and auto-phosphorylated p72syk. p72syk activity rapidly increased upon collagen stimulation, whereas p60c-src activation was below detectable levels. A combination of inhibitors to remove the effects of extracellular and intracellular Ca2+, released ADP, and fibrinogen binding to GPIIb/IIIa delayed and attenuated the major 75 kDa band. By contrast, p72syk activation was not inhibited by these treatments. Cytochalasin D completely inhibited protein tyrosine phosphorylation and p72syk activation. It also potently inhibited aggregation and [Ca2+]i elevation. Anti-GPIa/IIa MoAb in a concentration-dependent manner partially attenuated protein tyrosine phosphorylation and p72syk activation. Its inhibitory effects on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, release of intracellular granule contents, and aggregation also were partial. No tyrosine kinase activity was coprecipitated with GPIa/IIa. These results suggest that p72syk activation lies upstream of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, Ca2+ mobilization, ADP release, thromboxane A2 production and aggregation. GPIa/IIa plays a key role in p72syk activation induced by collagen, but other collagen receptors may work in synergy to fully activate p72syk. Actin polymerization is a prerequisite for both p72syk activation and other intracellular signal transduction pathways.

Factors that affect the size of platelet aggregates in epinephrine-induced activation: a study using the particle counting method based upon light scattering

Platelet aggregate size was determined with a newly-developed platelet aggregometer, PA-100 (KOWA), which can quantitatively evaluate the size and number of platelet aggregates by means of the particle counting method based upon light scattering. Epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation consists of two phases, the former characterized by the formation of small-sized aggregates (less than 100 cells), which is followed by the phase of large aggregate formation with concomitant decrease in the number of small aggregates. These findings suggest that small aggregates fuse to form large aggregates. Effects of various inhibitors and antibodies directed against platelet membrane glycoproteins were evaluated on the size of platelet aggregates induced by epinephrine. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors, thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists, and a Na+/H+ exchanger inhibitor (ethylisopropylamiloride) inhibited the formation of large aggregates (more than 100 cells) but not that of small aggregates. Cytochalasin B, which interferes with microfilaments, suppressed large aggregate formation, whereas taxol, which reacts with microtubules, had no effects. Anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibody (MoAb) inhibited both the formation of small and large platelet aggregates, while antibodies directed against GPIb, thrombospondin, P-selectin, or PECAM-1 had no effects on platelet aggregate formation. These findings, taken together, suggest that intracellular alkalinization, thromboxane A2 formation and microfilament rearrangement are prerequisites for large platelet aggregate formation. GPIIb/IIIa is involved in the formation of small as well as large aggregates, but a membrane glycoprotein(s) responsible for the transition of small aggregates into large aggregates awaits to be determined.

Quantitative measurement of various 5-HT receptor antagonists on platelet activation induced by serotonin

The effects of S2-serotonergic receptor antagonists, ketanserin, MCI-9042, and one of its major metabolite, M-1, were evaluated on human platelet activation induced by serotonin. A newly developed method for detecting particles in suspensions was used to assess serotonin-induced platelet aggregation. Serotonin added to platelets in plasma induced transient formation of small aggregates but not that of large ones. All the three antagonists in a dose-dependent manner suppressed serotonin-induced platelet aggregation. The ID50 values for ketanserin, MCI-9042, and M-1 are 10 nM, 0.6 microM, and 40 nM, respectively. The effects of these antagonists were also evaluated on [Ca+2]i elevation and shape change, the measurement of which does not require the presence of plasma proteins. These antagonists effectively inhibited [Ca+2]i elevation and shape change induced by serotonin. The ID50 value for MCI-9042 was approximately 1/10 for platelet aggregation. These findings suggest that MCI-9042 tightly binds to plasma proteins with resultant reduction in overall potency. The ID50 values obtained in this study are essentially equivalent to those reported for S2-serotonergic receptor binding in rabbit platelets, suggesting that these agents are also potent antagonists serotonin-induced activation of human platelets.

Fc gamma II receptor-mediated platelet activation induced by anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody opens Ca2+ channels which are distinct from those associated with Ca2+ store depletion

Anti-human platelet CD9 mAb, NNKY1-19, induced platelet activation in a Fc gamma RII-dependent manner in terms of aggregation and secretion of intracellular granule contents. These responses were considerably suppressed by aspirin. [Ca2+]i elevation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e), which represents the amount of Ca2+ released from intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) stores, was also greatly reduced, whereas Ca2+ influx was sustained at similar levels. We thus investigated the mechanism that leads to the opening of Ca2+ channels in platelets incubated with aspirin. IP3 production and Ca2+ efflux were below detectable levels. 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid loading of platelets to chelate [Ca2+]i did not reduce Ca2+ influx, as assessed by 45Ca2+ measurement. These findings suggested that NNKY1-19 induces Ca2+ channels to open without [Ca2+]i mobilization or by depleting the [Ca2+]i stores. The magnitude of Ca2+ influx was evaluated by adding [Ca2+]e to a platelet suspension activated by various agonists in the absence of [Ca2+]e. The dose dependence of the Ca2+ influx on [Ca2+]e concentrations differed according to the mode of activation. The ED50 value of Ca2+ after thrombin or thapsigargin stimulation was 0.6 mM, whereas that of NNKY1-19 activation was about 3 mM. The addition of anti-Fc gamma RII mAb, IV.3, even 10 min after the initiation of platelet activation induced by NNKY1-19, inhibited the Ca2+ influx. These findings suggest that the Fc gamma RII-dependent activation of platelets induced by NNKY1-19 directly opens Ca2+ channels, which are distinct from those opened by thrombin or thapsigargin.

Fc gamma II receptor-mediated platelet activation induced by anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody opens Ca2+ channels which are distinct from those associated with Ca2+ store depletion

Anti-human platelet CD9 mAb, NNKY1-19, induced platelet activation in a Fc gamma RII-dependent manner in terms of aggregation and secretion of intracellular granule contents. These responses were considerably suppressed by aspirin. [Ca2+]i elevation in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]e), which represents the amount of Ca2+ released from intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) stores, was also greatly reduced, whereas Ca2+ influx was sustained at similar levels. We thus investigated the mechanism that leads to the opening of Ca2+ channels in platelets incubated with aspirin. IP3 production and Ca2+ efflux were below detectable levels. 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid loading of platelets to chelate [Ca2+]i did not reduce Ca2+ influx, as assessed by 45Ca2+ measurement. These findings suggested that NNKY1-19 induces Ca2+ channels to open without [Ca2+]i mobilization or by depleting the [Ca2+]i stores. The magnitude of Ca2+ influx was evaluated by adding [Ca2+]e to a platelet suspension activated by various agonists in the absence of [Ca2+]e. The dose dependence of the Ca2+ influx on [Ca2+]e concentrations differed according to the mode of activation. The ED50 value of Ca2+ after thrombin or thapsigargin stimulation was 0.6 mM, whereas that of NNKY1-19 activation was about 3 mM. The addition of anti-Fc gamma RII mAb, IV.3, even 10 min after the initiation of platelet activation induced by NNKY1-19, inhibited the Ca2+ influx. These findings suggest that the Fc gamma RII-dependent activation of platelets induced by NNKY1-19 directly opens Ca2+ channels, which are distinct from those opened by thrombin or thapsigargin.

Anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody activates p72syk in human platelets

NNKY 1-19, anti-CD9 monoclonal antibody (MoAb), induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation of 125-, 97-, 75-, 64-, and 40-kDa proteins in human platelets, whereas F(ab')2 fragments of NNKY 1-19 did not, suggesting that the stimulation of Fc gamma II receptors is required for the induction of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins of 97 and 125 kDa were associated with aggregation, while NNKY 1-19-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation was completely inhibited by prostaglandin I2 (PGI2). The activity of p72syk was assessed in immunoprecipitation kinase assays to determine at which step the signal transduction pathway leading to protein tyrosine phosphorylation was suspended. NNKY 1-19 induced a rapid and transient increase in the p72syk-associated tyrosine kinase activity that peaked at 10 s and subsided to the original level 2 min after stimulation. Coinciding with this time course, p60c-src transiently associated with p72syk. In platelets preexposed to GRGDS peptides or PGI2, NNKY 1-19 also increased the p72syk-associated tyrosine kinase activity and led to the association of p60c-src with p72syk. However, in contrast to the control without any inhibitor, the elevated tyrosine kinase activity and the associated state of the two tyrosine kinases persisted as long as 5 min after stimulation. F(ab')2 fragments of NNKY 1-19 induced changes similar to those observed with the effects of GRGDS peptides or PGI2 treatment on intact IgG NNKY 1-19 stimulation. F(ab')2 fragments of another CD9 MoAb, PMA2, had effects on p72syk essentially similar to those of NNKY 1-19. These findings suggest that the binding of anti-CD9 MoAb to CD9 on the platelet membrane per se induces an increase in the p72syk-associated tyrosine kinase activity but that Fc gamma II receptor-mediated signal(s) is required for the full activation of platelets and the appearance of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins. The elevated intracellular cAMP level induced by PGI2 acts at a step distal to the activation of p72syk and inhibited the signal transduction pathway leading to protein tyrosine phosphorylation and aggregation. p72syk activation occurs in the absence of aggregation, but aggregation appears to reduce the elevated p72syk activity induced by anti-CD9 MoAb.

Sulphonylurea agents inhibit platelet aggregation and [Ca2+]i elevation induced by arachidonic acid

The effects of three hypoglycaemic agents--glimepiride, glibenclamide and gliclazide--were evaluated on platelet aggregation and intracellular Ca2+ elevation induced by arachidonic acid. Platelet aggregation was assessed both by the conventional method using changes in light transmission and by a newly-developed procedure using light scattering which allows the detection of small as well as large aggregates. Glimepiride and glibenclamide inhibited the formation of small and large aggregates induced by optimal concentrations of arachidonic acid in a dose-dependent manner. The ID50 values for the inhibition of platelet aggregation were approximately one third of those for arachidonic acid metabolism, suggesting that both agents have certain direct inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation unrelated to arachidonic acid metabolism. Gliclazide inhibited the formation of small aggregates induced by low concentrations of arachidonic acid to a limited extent. However, it inhibited the formation of large aggregates but not small aggregates when higher concentrations of arachidonic acid were used. Glimepiride and glibenclamide inhibited [Ca2+]i elevation induced by arachidonic acid in a dose-dependent manner, whereas gliclazide had no inhibitory effect. Taken together, these suggest that gliclazide does not inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism but does have certain direct inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation.

Phosphatase inhibitors suppress Ca2+ influx induced by receptor-mediated intracellular Ca2+ store depletion in human platelets

The effects of three phosphatase inhibitors including okadaic acid, calyculin A and tautomycin were evaluated on platelet Ca2+ mobilization. Calyculin A and tautomycin at appropriate concentrations appeared to have a selective inhibitory effect on thrombin-induced Ca2+ influx, but not on [Ca2+]i release from intracellular Ca2+ storage sites. In contrast, pretreatment with okadaic acid at concentrations that effectively lowered Ca2+ influx also suppressed Ca2+ release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. In a system that specifically evaluates the effects of agents on Ca2+ influx induced by the Ca(2+)-depleted state of intracellular Ca2+ storage sites, the three phosphatase inhibitors attenuated Ca2+ influx in a dose dependent manner and showed complete inhibition at appropriate concentrations. These findings suggest that protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation plays an important role in mediating signals to open Ca2+ channels when Ca2+ depletion in intracellular Ca2+ stores is caused by thrombin. In contrast, Ca2+ influx induced by thapsigargin, a Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibitor, was only partially suppressed by pretreatment with each of the three phosphatase inhibitors. Based on these findings, we suggest that the Ca(2+)-depleted state of intracellular Ca2+ stores by thapsigargin induces the opening of Ca2+ channels via phosphatase inhibitor-insensitive pathways. All the phosphatase inhibitors, at the highest concentrations tested in the present study, only partially inhibited Mn2+ entry induced by thrombin. These findings suggest that there are at least two types of divalent ion channels on platelet plasma membranes and that one of them, that preferentially allows Mn2+ entry, is resistant to the inhibitory effects of phosphatase inhibitors.