Combined effects of genetic polymorphisms of P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 on the binding of platelets to monocytes

Impact of variables of the P-selectin - P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 axis on leukocyte-platelet interactions in cardiovascular disease

The formation of leukocyte-platelet aggregates (LPA), through the P-selectin - P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL)-1 axis, plays a pivotal role in atherothrombosis. In order to investigate the influence of platelet (pP-selectin) and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), and of variations in the genes encoding for P-selectin (SELP) and PSGL-1 (SELPLG) on LPA formation, we assessed monocyte (MPA)- and neutrophil-platelet aggregates (NPA) as well as pP-selectin by flow cytometry in 263 patients undergoing angioplasty and stenting. sP-selectin was determined by ELISA, the SELP Pro715 allele and the SELPLG Ile62 allele were determined by allele specific PCR. The Pro715 allele was significantly associated with lower levels of in vivo pP-selectin and sP-selectin, while agonists´ inducible pP-selectin was not influenced by the Pro715 allele. PP-selectin was significantly associated with MPA and NPA formation. The in vivo formation of MPA and NPA depended to 19 % and 7.4 %, respectively, on in vivo pP-selectin, irrespective of the Pro715 allele and the Ile62 allele carrier status. TRAP-6 inducible MPA and NPA depended to 34 % and 27 %, respectively, on TRAP-6 inducible pP-selectin, but were independent of the Pro715 allele carrier status. Carriers of the Ile62 allele showed a stronger correlation between TRAP-6 inducible pP-selectin and TRAP-6 inducible MPA/NPA than non-carriers. Furthermore, TRAP-6 inducible NPA were higher in Ile62 allele carriers, which suggests higher thrombin sensitivity. In conclusion, our findings point to the significant role of pP-selectin for MPA and NPA formation, while other variables like sP-selectin, the SELP Pro715 allele and the SELPLG Ile62 allele have less influence.

Increased responsiveness to thrombin through protease-activated receptors (PAR)-1 and -4 in active Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Platelets are essential in hemostasis and inflammation, thereby linking coagulation with inflammation. Abundant thrombin generation in association with inflammation is considered a major reason for the increased risk for thromboembolic events. We therefore investigated platelet responsiveness to thrombin.

METHODS

In this case-control study 85 patients with Crohn's disease (active CD 42, remission 43) and 30 sex- and age-matched controls were enrolled. Clinical disease activity (Harvey-Bradshaw-Index) was assessed and CD-related data were determined by chart review. Platelets' response to protease activated receptor-1 and -4 (PAR-1, -4) was assessed by whole blood platelet aggregometry (MEA), levels of platelets adhering to monocytes (PMA), and platelet surface P-selectin.

RESULTS

Platelets' aggregation after activation with the specific PAR-1 agonist (SFLLRN) and PAR-4 agonist (AYPGKF) was higher in patients with active CD compared to patients in remission and controls (p=0.0068 and p=0.0023 for SFLLRN, p=0.0019 and 0.0003 for AYPGKF). Likewise, levels of PMA after activation with PAR-1 and PAR-4 receptor agonists were higher in patients with active CD compared to patients in remission and controls (p=0.0001 and p<0.0001 for SFLLRN, p=0.0329 and p=0.0125 for AYPGKF). However, P-selectin expression on human platelets showed heterogeneous results. Only PAR-1 activation of platelets resulted in significant differences between CD patients and controls (p=0.0001 and p=0.0022 for active and inactive CD versus controls, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest a new mechanism of platelet activation which has the potential to increase risk for thromboembolism in patients with active CD which might be due to platelets poised for thrombin-inducible activation.

Function of eltrombopag-induced platelets compared to platelets from control patients with immune thrombocytopenia

Data on the in vivo function of platelets induced by the thrombopoietin receptor agonist eltrombopag are scarce. To assess a possible influence of eltrombopag we compared platelet function of eltrombopag-treated immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients (group 1; n=10) after treatment response to that from control ITP patients (group 2; n=12). We further analysed platelet function at baseline and after one, three, and four weeks of eltrombopag treatment and estimated daily changes of platelet function during the eltrombopag-induced platelet rise. The formation of platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMA), P-selectin expression [MFI], and platelet adhesion under high shear conditions (surface coverage, SC) in vivo and after in vitro addition of agonists (ADP, TRAP-6, Collagen) were similar between both groups after response to eltrombopag treatment. Only TRAP-6 induced a lower SC in the eltrombopag group (p=0.03). All platelet function parameters except for Collagen-induced P-selectin expression changed significantly during treatment with eltrombopag. PMA, naïve and after addition of ADP or TRAP-6 increased with increasing platelet counts. P-selectin expression decreased, when measured without and upon addition of ADP, increased in the presence of TRAP-6, and remained unchanged after addition of Collagen. SC increased during the eltrombopag-induced platelet rise. All significant changes of platelet function correlated to changes in platelet counts. Two patients developed venous thromboses during eltrombopag treatment, but no association with any distinct single platelet function parameter or combinations thereof was identifiable. Thus, eltrombopag-induced platelets function similar to those from control ITP patients without discernible increased hyper-reactivity.