Exposure of fibrinogen-adherent platelets to plasma proteins: a new method for studying protein interactions with platelets

Inhibition of Platelet Receptors Involved in Neutrophil?Platelet Interaction in Model Cardiopulmonary Bypass

We investigated the interactions between neutrophils, platelets, and artificial surfaces, and whether blocking of relevant receptors on platelets reduced unwanted activation responses in model cardiopulmonary bypass. Isolated neutrophils and platelets resuspended in heparin-anticoagulated plasma were recirculated with and without blocking antibodies to CD62P, CD42b, or junctional adhesion molecule C (JAM-C) in polyvinyl chloride tubing using a roller pump. Platelet adhesion to the tubing was inhibited by anti-CD42b and anti-CD62P, and adhesion of neutrophils by anti-JAM-C. Formation of platelet-neutrophil and platelet aggregates was reduced by anti-CD62P. Anti-JAM-C decreased platelet-neutrophil aggregation at low concentrations and platelet macroaggregates at high concentrations. Anti-CD62P increased neutrophil CD11b expression but not degranulation. Anti-JAM-C substantially increased neutrophil degranulation and slightly increased CD11b expression. Platelet activation increased when CD62P was blocked and decreased with anti-CD42b antibody. High-dose anti-JAM-C reduced platelet activation. In conclusion, inhibiting platelet and neutrophil-platelet interactions had useful effects but no single blocking antibody seemed capable of inducing only beneficial effects.

Cell mimetic lateral stabilization of outer cell mimetic bilayer on polymer surfaces by peptide bonding and their blood compatibility

The biological lipid bilayer membranes are stabilized laterally with the help of integral proteins. We have simulated this with an optimized ternary phospholipid/glycolipid/cholesterol system, and stabilized laterally on functionalized poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) surfaces, using albumin, heparin, and polyethylene glycol as anchors. We have earlier demonstrated the differences due to orientation and packing of the ternary phospholipid monolayers in relation to blood compatibility (Kaladhar and Sharma, Langmuir 2004;20:11115-11122). The structure of albumin is changed here to expose its interior hydrophobic core by treating with organic solvent. The interaction between the hydrophobic core of the albumin molecule and the hydrophobic core of the lipid molecules is confirmed by incorporating the molecule into bilayer membranes. The secondary structure of the membrane incorporated albumin is studied by CD spectral analysis. The structure of the altered albumin molecule contains more beta-sheet as compared to the native albumin. This conformation is also retained in membranes. The partitioning of the different anchors based on its polarity and ionic interactions in the monolayer is studied from the pressure-area (pi-A) isotherm of the lipid monolayers at the air/water interface using Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) trough facility. Such two monolayers are deposited onto the functionalized PMMA surface using LB trough and crosslinked by carbodiimide chemistry. The structure of the deposited bilayer is studied by depth analysis using contact mode AFM in dry conditions. The stabilized bilayer shows stability up to 1 month by contact angle studies. Preliminary blood compatibility studies reveal that the calcification, protein adsorption, as well as blood-cell adhesion is significantly reduced after the surface modification. The reduced adsorption of ions, proteins, and cells to the modified surfaces may be due to the fluidity of the microenvironment along with the contribution of the mobile PEG groups at the surface and the phosphorylcholine groups of the phospholipids. The stability of the anchored bilayer under low shear stress conditions promises that the laterally stabilized supported bilayer system can be used for low shear applications like small diameter vascular graft and modification of biosensors, and so forth.

Activation of Neutrophil Granulocytes in an In Vitro Model of a Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Activated neutrophils play a central role in the pathogenesis of postoperative organ dysfunction after surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. The researchers used an in vitro roller pump model to investigate the relative importance of the biomaterial, platelets, plasma proteins including activated complement, and flow mode on neutrophil activation as shown by the adhesion, degranulation, and increased the surface expression of CD11b. Neutrophil adhesion to the biomaterial increased with platelet addition, but not with plasma. Biomaterial contact activated neutrophils in a serum-free buffer, but was significantly increased by activated complement. Platelets increased neutrophil degranulation in a serum-free buffer but tended to reduce it in plasma. CD11b expression increased in both media. Complement activation was higher with neutrophils alone than with neutrophils and platelets combined. The roller pump reduced neutrophil adhesion and increased degranulation compared to passive rotation. Neutrophil interaction with platelets and complement were more important for activation than biomaterial contact and use of the roller pump. Improvement of biocompatibility is dependent on modifying complement activation and platelet interaction with neutrophils.