Aspirin treatment reduces platelet resistance to deformation

Quantifying single-platelet biomechanics: An outsider's guide to biophysical methods and recent advances

Platelets are the key cellular components of blood primarily contributing to formation of stable hemostatic plugs at the site of vascular injury, thus preventing excessive blood loss. On the other hand, excessive platelet activation can contribute to thrombosis. Platelets respond to many stimuli that can be of biochemical, cellular, or physical origin. This drives platelet activation kinetics and plays a vital role in physiological and pathological situations. Currently used bulk assays are inadequate for comprehensive biomechanical assessment of single platelets. Individual platelets interact and respond differentially while modulating their biomechanical behavior depending on dynamic changes that occur in surrounding microenvironments. Quantitative description of such a phenomenon at single-platelet regime and up to nanometer resolution requires methodological approaches that can manipulate individual platelets at submicron scales. This review focusses on principles, specific examples, and limitations of several relevant biophysical methods applied to single-platelet analysis such as micropipette aspiration, atomic force microscopy, scanning ion conductance microscopy and traction force microscopy. Additionally, we are introducing a promising single-cell approach, real-time deformability cytometry, as an emerging biophysical method for high-throughput biomechanical characterization of single platelets. This review serves as an introductory guide for clinician scientists and beginners interested in exploring one or more of the above-mentioned biophysical methods to address outstanding questions in single-platelet biomechanics.

Influence of Adrenergic Receptor Blockade on Aspirin-induced Inhibition of Platelet Function

Studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that epinephrine via alpha(2)-adrenoreceptor modulation can restore the sensitivity of aspirin-treated platelets to the action of agonists independent of secretion of granule contents or synthesis of prostanoids. The present study has evaluated the effects of full strength aspirin (take on alternate days) and low dose aspirin (taken daily) and sought to determine whether agents which antagonise alpha or beta adrenergic receptors can prevent the corrective influence of epinephrine on aspirin-treated platelets. Adult volunteers were given 325 mg aspirin every other day or 80 mg aspirin daily. After confirming the inhibitory effect of aspirin, these individuals were given yohimbine (5 mg), atenolol (100 mg), verapamil (160 mg) or ethanol (white wine 8 oz). Two hours later, blood was drawn for platelet studies. Cells exposed to aspirin did not aggregate when stirred with arachidonate (0.45 mM) or epinephrine (5 M) alone. Addition of epinephrine to aspirin treated platelets restored the sensitivity to the action of arachidonate and resulted in irreversible aggregation. Ethanol and verapamil at the concentrations tested did not potentiate the action of aspirin. Ingestion of yohimbine, an alpha(2)-adrenergic antagonist, or atenolol, a beta blocker, prevented the corrective influence of epinephrine on aspirin-treated refractory platelets. Results suggest that alpha and beta blockers may serve a useful role in reinforcing the antithrombotic influence of aspirin in vivo.

Micropipette aspiration on the outer hair cell lateral wall

The mechanical properties of the lateral wall of the guinea pig cochlear outer hair cell were studied using the micropipette aspiration technique. A fire-polished micropipette with an inner diameter of approximately 4 microm was brought into contact with the lateral wall and negative pressure was applied. The resulting deformation of the lateral wall was recorded on videotape and subjected to morphometric analysis. The relation between the length of the aspirated portion of the cell and aspiration pressure is characterized by the stiffness parameter, K(s) = 1.07 +/- 0.24 (SD) dyn/cm (n = 14). Values of K(s) do not correlate with the original cell length, which ranges from 29 to 74 microm. Theoretical analysis based on elastic shell theory applied to the experimental data yields an estimate of the effective elastic shear modulus, mu = 15.4 +/- 3.3 dyn/cm. These data were obtained at subcritical aspiration pressures, typically less than 10 cm H2O. After reaching a critical (vesiculation) pressure, the cytoplasmic membrane appeared to separate from the underlying structures, a vesicle with a length of 10-20 microm was formed, and the cytoplasmic membrane resealed. This vesiculation process was repeated until a cell-specific limit was reached and no more vesicles were formed. Over 20 vesicles were formed from the longest cells in the experiment.

The influence of aspirin on plasma and platelet catecholamine levels, and platelet function in normal man

The aim of the study was to determine whether aspirin influences sympathoadrenal output in normal human subjects. Plasma and platelet adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were measured before and after chronic administration of oral aspirin (300 mg per day for 7 days). Catecholamine concentrations measured immediately following aspirin did not differ from control (pre-treatment) values. Platelet noradrenaline and plasma adrenaline levels were, however, significantly increased 2 weeks after cessation of treatment. Platelet TxB2 generation was significantly reduced following aspirin treatment indicating that platelet cyclooxygenase had been inhibited. Catecholamine concentrations did not correlate with TxB2 generation. In vitro platelet aggregation induced by ADP, adrenaline and collagen was reduced after aspirin providing additional confirmation of cyclooxygenase inhibition. However, the in vivo markers of platelet function, beta-TG and PF4 were unaffected. These data do not provide convincing evidence for an action of aspirin on sympathoadrenal outflow, either directly or via a prostaglandin (thromboxane) mediated effect, although this does not exclude a later, delayed effect. There was no evidence for interactions between thromboxane, catecholamine levels in plasma and platelets, and platelet function.

Prostaglandin E1 and dibutyryl cyclic AMP enhance platelet resistance to deformation

The effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on platelets is mediated through the PGE1 receptor and the consequent maintenance of the platelet's discoid shape. The effects of PGE1 and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP) on the deformability of human platelets were studied. Deformability tests based upon the micropipette aspiration on the platelets were performed by using pipettes with radii (Rp) of 0.26-0.36 microns. The time course of the extension length (Dp, in microns) of the platelets in response to aspiration with a negative pressure (delta P) of 5 cm H2 O (delta P x Rp = 0.15 dynes/cm) was analyzed. PGE1 treatment (0.1 microM) resulted in a decrease of platelet deformability as compared with results obtained for apparently non-activated, control platelets. The deformation index, i.e., Dp/Rp (PGE1-treated)/Dp/Rp (control), was significantly reduced to 0.90 +/- 0.04. DbcAMP treatment also significantly decreased the deformability of platelets and this decrease was dbcAMP dose dependent. In contrast, colchicine- or cytochalasin D-treated platelets increased deformability. PGE1-treated platelets had a higher [cAMP]i than controls. Platelets treated with PGE1 or dbcAMP showed a reduced [Ca2+]i increment induced by thrombin as compared to non-treated controls. These results indicate that PGE1 and dbcAMP treatment of platelets is accompanied by an enhancement of platelet resistance to deformation. The increased [cAMP]i and low [Ca2+]i after PGE1 treatment may limit the rearrangement of cytoskeleton and thus enhance platelet resistance to deformation.

Influence of anti-platelet drugs on platelet-vessel wall interactions

The influence of in vitro treatment of platelets with antiplatelet drugs on the interaction of these cells with the subendothelium was studied using citrated human blood obtained from normal control donors. Reconstituted blood following drug treatment was circulated through a special chamber which housed everted segments of de-endothelialized rabbit aorta. The wall shear rate used in these studies was 800 sec-1. Surface coverage of platelets on the subendothelium were morphometrically evaluated. Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Prostaglandin E1 and 13-Azaprostanoic acid significantly reduced platelet thrombi on exposed subendothelium. The calcium antagonists, Quin 2 and Diltiazem, exerted similar inhibitory effects, whereas Verapamil was a poor inhibitor. Aspirin treatment significantly enhanced platelet adhesion to the exposed vascular surface. Salicylate and Salicylamide did not enhance platelet adherence. Only Aspirin enhanced the formation of lipoxygenase metabolites of radiolabeled arachidonate. Results suggest that drugs which inhibit platelet aggregation and secretion of granule contents reduce formation of platelet thrombi. However, these drugs may or may not have a similar influence on platelet interaction with the subendothelium leading to spreading, adherence or formation of aggregates.