Effects of ex vivo blood anticoagulation and preanalytical processing time on the proteome content of platelets

BACKGROUND

Ex vivo assays of platelet function critically inform mechanistic and clinical hematology studies, where effects of divergent blood processing methods on platelet composition are apparent, but unspecified.

OBJECTIVE

Here, we evaluate how different blood anticoagulation options and processing times affect platelet function and protein content ex vivo.

METHODS

Parallel blood samples were collected from healthy human donors into sodium citrate, acid citrate dextrose, EDTA or heparin, and processed over an extended time course for functional and biochemical experiments, including platelet proteome quantification with multiplexed tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling and triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS).

RESULTS

Each anticoagulant had time-dependent effects on platelet function in whole blood. For instance, heparin enhanced platelet agonist reactivity, platelet-monocyte aggregate formation and platelet extracellular vesicle release, while EDTA increased platelet α-granule secretion. Following platelet isolation, TMT-MS quantified 3357 proteins amongst all prepared platelet samples. Altogether, >400 proteins were differentially abundant in platelets isolated from blood processed at 24 h versus 1 h post-phlebotomy, including proteins pertinent to membrane trafficking and exocytosis. Anticoagulant-specific effects on platelet proteomes included increased complement system and decreased α-granule proteins in platelets from EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Platelets prepared from heparinized blood had higher levels of histone and neutrophil-associated proteins in a manner related to neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation and platelet:NET interactions in whole blood ex vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that different anticoagulants routinely used for blood collection have varying effects on platelets ex vivo, where methodology-associated alterations in platelet proteome may influence mechanistic, translational and biomarker studies.

Revised model of the tissue factor pathway of thrombin generation: Role of the feedback activation of FXI

BACKGROUND

Biochemical reaction networks are self-regulated in part due to feedback activation mechanisms. The tissue factor (TF) pathway of blood coagulation is a complex reaction network controlled by multiple feedback loops that coalesce around the serine protease thrombin.

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to evaluate the relative contribution of the feedback activation of coagulation factor XI (FXI) in TF-mediated thrombin generation using a comprehensive systems-based analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We developed a systems biology model that improves the existing Hockin-Mann (HM) model through an integrative approach of mathematical modeling and in vitro experiments. Thrombin generation measured using in vitro assays revealed that the feedback activation of FXI contributes to the propagation of thrombin generation based on the initial concentrations of TF or activated coagulation factor X (FXa). We utilized experimental data to improve the robustness of the HM model to capture thrombin generation kinetics without a role for FXI before including the feedback activation of FXI by thrombin to construct the extended (ext.) HM model.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Using the ext.HM model, we predicted that the contribution of positive feedback of FXI activation by thrombin can be abolished by selectively eliminating the inhibitory function of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a serine protease inhibitor of FXa and TF-activated factor VII (FVIIa) complex. This prediction from the ext.HM model was experimentally validated using thrombin generation assays with function blocking antibodies against TFPI and plasmas depleted of FXI. Together, our results demonstrate the applications of combining experimental and modeling techniques in predicting complex biochemical reaction systems.

Platelet reactivity and platelet count in women with iron deficiency treated with intravenous iron

Background

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and heavy menstrual bleeding are prevalent, interrelated issues impacting over 300 million premenopausal women worldwide. IDA is generally associated with increased platelet counts; however, the effects of IDA and its correction on platelet function in premenopausal women remain unknown.

Objectives

We sought to determine how IDA and intravenous iron affect platelet count and platelet function in premenopausal women.

Methods

Hematologic indices were assessed in a multicenter, retrospective cohort of 231 women repleted with intravenous iron. Pre- and postinfusion blood samples were then obtained from a prospective cohort of 13 women to analyze the effect of intravenous iron on hematologic parameters as well as platelet function with flow cytometry and platelet aggregation assays under physiologic shear.

Results

Following iron replacement, anemia improved, and mean platelet counts decreased by 26.5 and 16.0 K/mm³ in the retrospective and prospective cohorts, respectively. Replacement reduced baseline platelet surface P-selectin levels while enhancing platelet secretory responses to agonists, including collagen-related peptide and ADP. Platelet adhesion and aggregation on collagen under physiologic shear also significantly increased following repletion.

Conclusion

We find that intravenous iron improves anemia while restoring platelet counts and platelet secretory responses in premenopausal women with iron deficiency. Our results suggest that iron deficiency as well as iron replacement can have a range of effects on platelet production and function. Consequently, platelet reactivity profiles should be further examined in women and other groups with IDA where replacement offers a promising means to improve anemia as well as quality of life.

The Toll-Like Receptor 2 Ligand Pam2CSK4 Activates Platelet Nuclear Factor-κB and Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Signaling to Promote Platelet-Endothelial Cell Interactions

Circulating platelets establish a variety of immunological programs and orchestrate inflammatory responses at the endothelium. Platelets express the innate immunity family of Toll-like receptors (TLRs). While TLR2/TLR1 ligands are known to activate platelets, the effects of TLR2/TLR6 ligands on platelet function remain unclear. Here, we aim to determine whether the TLR2/TLR6 agonists Pam2CSK4 and FSL-1 activate human platelets. In addition, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and platelets were co-cultured to analyze the role of platelet TLR2/TLR6 on inflammation and adhesion to endothelial cells. Pam2CSK4, but not FSL-1, induced platelet granule secretion and integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, Pam2CSK4 promoted platelet aggregation and increased platelet adhesion to collagen-coated surfaces. Mechanistic studies with blocking antibodies and pharmacologic inhibitors demonstrated that the TLR2/Nuclear factor-κB axis, Bruton’s-tyrosine kinase, and a secondary ADP feedback loop are involved in Pam2CSK4-induced platelet functional responses. Interestingly, Pam2CSK4 showed cooperation with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-mediated signaling to enhance platelet activation. Finally, the presence of platelets increased inflammatory responses in HUVECs treated with Pam2CSK4, and platelets challenged with Pam2CSK4 showed increased adhesion to HUVECs under static and physiologically relevant flow conditions. Herein, we define a functional role for platelet TLR2-mediated signaling, which may represent a druggable target to dampen excessive platelet activation in thrombo-inflammatory diseases.

Janus kinase inhibitors ruxolitinib and baricitinib impair glycoprotein-VI mediated platelet function

Several Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (jakinibs) have recently been approved to treat inflammatory, autoimmune and hematological conditions. Despite emerging roles for JAKs and downstream signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins in platelets, it remains unknown whether jakinibs affect platelet function. Here, we profile platelet biochemical and physiological responses in vitro in the presence of five different clinically relevant jakinibs, including ruxolitinib, upadacitinib, oclacitinib, baricitinib and tofacitinib. Flow cytometry, microscopy and other assays found that potent JAK1/2 inhibitors baricitinib and ruxolitinib reduced platelet adhesion to collagen, as well as platelet aggregation, secretion and integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation in response to the glycoprotein VI (GPVI) agonist collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL). Western blot analysis demonstrated that jakinibs reduced Akt phosphorylation and activation following GPVI activation, where ruxolitinib and baricitinib prevented DAPP1 phosphorylation. In contrast, jakinibs had no effects on platelet responses to thrombin. Inhibitors of GPVI and JAK signaling also abrogated platelet STAT5 phosphorylation following CRP-XL stimulation. Additional pharmacologic experiments supported roles for STAT5 in platelet secretion, integrin activation and cytoskeletal responses. Together, our results demonstrate that ruxolitinib and baricitinib have inhibitory effects on platelet function in vitro and support roles for JAK/STAT5 pathways in GPVI/ITAM mediated platelet function.

Assessment of the effects of Syk and BTK inhibitors on GPVI-mediated platelet signaling and function

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) play critical roles in platelet physiology, facilitating intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)-mediated signaling downstream of platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and GPIIb/IIIa receptors. Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) targeting Syk and BTK have been developed as antineoplastic and anti-inflammatory therapeutics and have also gained interest as antiplatelet agents. Here, we investigate the effects of 12 different Syk and BTK inhibitors on GPVI-mediated platelet signaling and function. These inhibitors include four Syk inhibitors, Bay 61-3606, R406 (fostamatinib), entospletinib, TAK-659; four irreversible BTK inhibitors, ibrutinib, acalabrutinib, ONO-4059 (tirabrutinib), AVL-292 (spebrutinib); and four reversible BTK inhibitors, CG-806, BMS-935177, BMS-986195, and fenebrutinib. In vitro, TKIs targeting Syk or BTK reduced platelet adhesion to collagen, dense granule secretion, and alpha granule secretion in response to the GPVI agonist cross-linked collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL). Similarly, these TKIs reduced the percentage of activated integrin α_IIbβ₃ on the platelet surface in response to CRP-XL, as determined by PAC-1 binding. Although all TKIs tested inhibited phospholipase C γ2 (PLCγ2) phosphorylation following GPVI-mediated activation, other downstream signaling events proximal to phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and PKC were differentially affected. In addition, reversible BTK inhibitors had less pronounced effects on GPIIb/IIIa-mediated platelet spreading on fibrinogen and differentially altered the organization of PI3K around microtubules during platelets spreading on fibrinogen. Select TKIs also inhibited platelet aggregate formation on collagen under physiological flow conditions. Together, our results suggest that TKIs targeting Syk or BTK inhibit central platelet functional responses but may differentially affect protein activities and organization in critical systems downstream of Syk and BTK in platelets.

Phosphoproteomic quantitation and causal analysis reveal pathways in GPVI/ITAM-mediated platelet activation programs

Platelets engage cues of pending vascular injury through coordinated adhesion, secretion, and aggregation responses. These rapid, progressive changes in platelet form and function are orchestrated downstream of specific receptors on the platelet surface and through intracellular signaling mechanisms that remain systematically undefined. This study brings together cell physiological and phosphoproteomics methods to profile signaling mechanisms downstream of the immunotyrosine activation motif (ITAM) platelet collagen receptor GPVI. Peptide tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling, sample multiplexing, synchronous precursor selection (SPS), and triple stage tandem mass spectrometry (MS3) detected >3000 significant (false discovery rate < 0.05) phosphorylation events on >1300 proteins over conditions initiating and progressing GPVI-mediated platelet activation. With literature-guided causal inference tools, >300 site-specific signaling relations were mapped from phosphoproteomics data among key and emerging GPVI effectors (ie, FcRγ, Syk, PLCγ2, PKCδ, DAPP1). Through signaling validation studies and functional screening, other less-characterized targets were also considered within the context of GPVI/ITAM pathways, including Ras/MAPK axis proteins (ie, KSR1, SOS1, STAT1, Hsp27). Highly regulated GPVI/ITAM targets out of context of curated knowledge were also illuminated, including a system of >40 Rab GTPases and associated regulatory proteins, where GPVI-mediated Rab7 S72 phosphorylation and endolysosomal maturation were blocked by TAK1 inhibition. In addition to serving as a model for generating and testing hypotheses from omics datasets, this study puts forth a means to identify hemostatic effectors, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets relevant to thrombosis, vascular inflammation, and other platelet-associated disease states.

The basement membrane protein nidogen-1 supports platelet adhesion and activation

The core structure of the extracellular basement membrane is made up of self-assembling networks of collagen and laminin which associate with each other through the bridging adapter proteins including the sulfated monomeric glycoprotein nidogen. While collagen and laminin are known to support platelet adhesion and activation via β1 integrins and glycoprotein (GP) VI, respectively, whether nidogen contributes to platelet activation and hemostasis is unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that recombinant human nidogen-1 supports platelet adhesion and stimulates platelet activation in a phospholipase-C γ-2 (PLCγ2), Src and Syk kinase-dependent manner downstream. Platetet adhesion to nidogen-1 was inhibited by blocking the platelet receptors GPVI and β1 integrins. Platelet adhesion to nidogen-1 activated the IκB kinase (IKK) complex, while pharmacological inhibition of IKK blocked platelet spreading on nidogen. Taken together our results suggest that nidogen may play a redundant role in hemostasis by activating platelets downstream of GPVI.

Identification, Quantification, and System Analysis of Protein N-ε Lysine Methylation in Anucleate Blood Platelets

Protein posttranslational modifications critically regulate a range of physiological and disease processes. In addition to tyrosine, serine, and threonine phosphorylation, reversible N-ε acylation and alkylation of protein lysine residues also modulate diverse aspects of cellular function. Studies of lysine acyl and alkyl modifications have focused on nuclear proteins in epigenetic regulation; however, lysine modifications are also prevalent on cytosolic proteins to serve increasingly apparent, although less understood roles in cell regulation. Here, the methyl-lysine (meK) proteome of anucleate blood platelets is characterized. With high-resolution, multiplex MS methods, 190 mono-, di-, and tri-meK modifications are identified on 150 different platelet proteins-including 28 meK modifications quantified by tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling. In addition to identifying meK modifications on calmodulin (CaM), GRP78 (HSPA5, BiP), and EF1A1 that have been previously characterized in other cell types, more novel modifications are also uncovered on cofilin, drebin-like protein (DBNL, Hip-55), DOCK8, TRIM25, and numerous other cytoplasmic proteins. Together, the results and analyses support roles for lysine methylation in mediating cytoskeletal, translational, secretory, and other cellular processes. MS data for this study have been deposited into the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD012217.