Platelet Shape Changes during Thrombus Formation: Role of Actin-Based Protrusions

AbstractPlatelet activation and aggregation are essential to limit blood loss at sites of vascular injury but may also lead to occlusion of diseased vessels. The platelet cytoskeleton is a critical component for proper hemostatic function. Platelets change their shape after activation and their contractile machinery mediates thrombus stabilization and clot retraction. In vitro studies have shown that platelets, which come into contact with proteins such as fibrinogen, spread and first form filopodia and then lamellipodia, the latter being plate-like protrusions with branched actin filaments. However, the role of platelet lamellipodia in hemostasis and thrombus formation has been unclear until recently. This short review will briefly summarize the recent findings on the contribution of the actin cytoskeleton and lamellipodial structures to platelet function.

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Abstract 13598: The G-protein BetaGamma Subunits Regulate Platelet Function

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.13598 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed Alarabi ◽

Zubair Karim ◽

Victoria Hinojos ◽

Patricia A Lozano ◽

Keziah Hernandez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

G Protein ◽

Platelet Function ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Human Platelets ◽

Inhibitory Effects ◽

Clot Retraction ◽

Betagamma Subunits

Platelet activation involves tightly regulated processes to ensure a proper hemostasis response, but when unbalanced, can lead to pathological consequences such as thrombus formation. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate platelet function by interacting with and mediating the response to various physiological agonists. To this end, an essential mediator of GPCR signaling is the G protein Gαβγ heterotrimers, in which the βγ subunits are central players in downstream signaling pathways. While much is known regarding the role of the Gα subunit in platelet function, that of the βγ remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the role of Gβγ subunits in platelet function using a Gβγ (small molecule) inhibitor, namely gallein. We observed that gallein inhibits platelet aggregation and secretion in response to agonist stimulation, in both mouse and human platelets. Furthermore, gallein also exerted inhibitory effects on integrin αIIbβ3 activation and clot retraction. Finally, gallein’s inhibitory effects manifested in vivo , as documented by its ability to modulate physiological hemostasis and delay thrombus formation. Taken together, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that Gβγ directly regulates GPCR-dependent platelet function, in vitro and in vivo . Moreover, these data highlight Gβγ as a novel therapeutic target for managing thrombotic disorders.

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Thymosin β4 is essential for thrombus formation by controlling the G-actin/F-actin equilibrium in platelets

Haematologica ◽

10.3324/haematol.2021.278537 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Inga Scheller ◽

Sarah Beck ◽

Vanessa Göb ◽

Carina Gross ◽

Raluca A. I. Neagoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombus Formation ◽

Critical Role ◽

Actin Dynamics ◽

Thymosin Β4 ◽

Clot Retraction ◽

And Function ◽

External Signals

Coordinated rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton are pivotal for platelet biogenesis from megakaryocytes (MKs) but also orchestrate key functions of peripheral platelets in hemostasis and thrombosis, such as granule release, the formation of filopodia and lamellipodia, or clot retraction. Along with profilin (Pfn) 1, thymosin β4 (encoded by Tmsb4x) is one of the two main G-actin sequestering proteins within cells of higher eukaryotes, and its intracellular concentration is particularly high in cells that rapidly respond to external signals by increased motility, such as platelets. Here, we analyzed constitutive Tmsb4x knockout (KO) mice to investigate the functional role of the protein in platelet production and function. Thymosin β4 deficiency resulted in a macrothrombocytopenia with only mildly increased platelet volume and an unaltered platelet life span. MK numbers in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen were unaltered, however, Tmsb4x KO MKs showed defective proplatelet formation in vitro and in vivo. Thymosin β4 deficient platelets displayed markedly decreased G-actin levels and concomitantly increased F-actin levels resulting in accelerated spreading on fibrinogen and clot retraction. Moreover, Tmsb4x KO platelets showed activation defects and an impaired immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signaling downstream of the activating collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP) VI. These defects translated into impaired aggregate formation under flow, protection from occlusive arterial thrombus formation in vivo and increased tail bleeding times. In summary, these findings point to a critical role of thymosin β4 for actin dynamics during platelet biogenesis, platelet activation downstream of GPVI and thrombus stability.

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NADPH Oxidases Are Required for Full Platelet Activation In Vitro and Thrombosis In Vivo but Dispensable for Plasma Coagulation and Hemostasis

Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology ◽

10.1161/atvbaha.120.315565 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Dina Vara ◽

Reiner K. Mailer ◽

Anuradha Tarafdar ◽

Nina Wolska ◽

Marco Heestermans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thrombus Formation ◽

Single Gene ◽

Coagulation Cascade ◽

Intracellular Cgmp ◽

Antithrombotic Effects ◽

Tail Tip ◽

Synthase Inhibitor

Objective: Using 3KO (triple NOX [NADPH oxidase] knockout) mice (ie, NOX1 −/− /NOX2 −/− /NOX4 −/− ), we aimed to clarify the role of this family of enzymes in the regulation of platelets in vitro and hemostasis in vivo. Approach and Results: 3KO mice displayed significantly reduced platelet superoxide radical generation, which was associated with impaired platelet aggregation, adhesion, and thrombus formation in response to the key agonists collagen and thrombin. A comparison with single-gene knockouts suggested that the phenotype of 3KO platelets is the combination of the effects of the genetic deletion of NOX1 and NOX2, while NOX4 does not show any significant function in platelet regulation. 3KO platelets displayed significantly higher levels of cGMP—a negative platelet regulator that activates PKG (protein kinase G). The inhibition of PKG substantially but only partially rescued the defective phenotype of 3KO platelets, which are responsive to both collagen and thrombin in the presence of the PKG inhibitors KT5823 or Rp-8-pCPT-cGMPs, but not in the presence of the NOS (NO synthase) inhibitor L-NG-monomethyl arginine. In vivo, triple NOX deficiency protected against ferric chloride–driven carotid artery thrombosis and experimental pulmonary embolism, while hemostasis tested in a tail-tip transection assay was not affected. Procoagulatory activity of platelets (ie, phosphatidylserine surface exposure) and the coagulation cascade in platelet-free plasma were normal. Conclusions: This study indicates that inhibiting NOXs has strong antithrombotic effects partially caused by increased intracellular cGMP but spares hemostasis. NOXs are, therefore, pharmacotherapeutic targets to develop new antithrombotic drugs without bleeding side effects.

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Functional Genomics for the Identification of Modulators of Platelet-Dependent Thrombus Formation

TH Open ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1670630 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 02 (03) ◽

pp. e272-e279

Author(s):

Elien Vermeersch ◽

Benedicte Nuyttens ◽

Claudia Tersteeg ◽

Katleen Broos ◽

Simon De Meyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Functional Genomics ◽

Platelet Reactivity ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Cell Types ◽

Correlative Analysis ◽

Genome Expression ◽

Genome Wide ◽

Whole Genome Expression

AbstractDespite the absence of the genome in platelets, transcription profiling provides important insights into platelet function and can help clarify abnormalities in platelet disorders. The Bloodomics Consortium performed whole-genome expression analysis comparing in vitro–differentiated megakaryocytes (MKs) with in vitro–differentiated erythroblasts and different blood cell types. This allowed the identification of genes with upregulated expression in MKs compared with all other cell lineages, among the receptors BAMBI, LRRC32, ESAM, and DCBLD2. In a later correlative analysis of genome-wide platelet RNA expression with interindividual human platelet reactivity, LLRFIP and COMMD7 were additionally identified. A functional genomics approach using morpholino-based silencing in zebrafish identified various roles for all of these selected genes in thrombus formation. In this review, we summarize the role of the six identified genes in zebrafish and discuss how they correlate with subsequently performed mouse experiments.

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IκB kinase 2 is not essential for platelet activation

Blood Advances ◽

10.1182/bloodadvances.2019001044 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (4) ◽

pp. 638-643

Author(s):

Manuel Salzmann ◽

Sonja Bleichert ◽

Bernhard Moser ◽

Marion Mussbacher ◽

Mildred Haase ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Activation ◽

Active Site ◽

Bleeding Time ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Human Platelets ◽

Iκb Kinase ◽

Specific Deletion

Abstract Platelets are small anucleate cells that release a plethora of molecules to ensure functional hemostasis. It has been reported that IκB kinase 2 (IKK2), the central enzyme of the inflammatory NF-κB pathway, is involved in platelet activation, because megakaryocyte/platelet-specific deletion of exons 6 and 7 of IKK2 resulted in platelet degranulation defects and prolonged bleeding. We aimed to investigate the role of IKK2 in platelet physiology in more detail, using a platelet-specific IKK2 knockout via excision of exon 3, which makes up the active site of the enzyme. We verified the deletion on genomic and transcriptional levels in megakaryocytes and were not able to detect any residual IKK2 protein; however, platelets from these mice did not show any functional impairment in vivo or in vitro. Bleeding time and thrombus formation were not affected in platelet-specific IKK2-knockout mice. Moreover, platelet aggregation, glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa activation, and degranulation were unaltered. These observations were confirmed by pharmacological inhibition of IKK2 with TPCA-1 and BMS-345541, which did not affect activation of murine or human platelets over a wide concentration range. Altogether, our results imply that IKK2 is not essential for platelet function.

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CD40 Ligand-Dependent Maturation of Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells by Activated Platelets

International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology ◽

10.1177/039463200301600307 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 225-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 47

Author(s):

N.C. Kaneider ◽

A. Kaser ◽

H. Tilg ◽

G. Ricevuti ◽

C.J. Wiedermann

Keyword(s):

Dendritic Cells ◽

Dendritic Cell ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Cd40 Ligand ◽

Dendritic Cell Maturation ◽

Cell Maturation ◽

Monocyte Migration ◽

Activated Platelets

Atherosclerosis is defined as an inflammatory immunological disease that is triggered by platelet activation, endothelial injury and consequent innate and adaptive immune processes. Dendritic cells are critical for the cell-mediated arm of the immune response as they activate naïve T cells after maturation. Platelets play a crucial role in thrombus formation in the injured vessel walls. We investigated the role of resting and thrombin-activated platelets in dendritic cell maturation in vitro using platelets and monocyte-derived dendritic cells from healthy donors. Resting platelet supernatants did not affect maturation, whereas supernatants from thrombin-activated platelets induced dendritic cell maturation as demonstrated by FACS analysis of HLA-DR expression. This effect was inhibited by anti CD40 ligand antibody, but not by aspirin pretreatment of platelets. Supernatants of platelet-dendritic cell co-cultures induced augmented monocyte migration when platelets were activated by thrombin, again reversible by blocking CD40 ligand. These data show that activated platelets trigger dendritic cell maturation independent of cyclooxygenase-derived arachidonic acid metabolites by mechanisms involving CD40 ligand, which is also involved in monocyte chemotactic mediator release from platelets and dendritic cells. The results of this study suggest a role of CD40 ligand from activated platelets in connecting innate and adaptive immunity.

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PDK1 selectively phosphorylates Thr(308) on Akt and contributes to human platelet functional responses

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th13-06-0484 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 111 (03) ◽

pp. 508-517 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Carol Dangelmaier ◽

Bhanu Kanth Manne ◽

Elizabetta Liverani ◽

Jianguo Jin ◽

Paul Bray ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protein Kinase ◽

Protein A ◽

Human Platelets ◽

Clot Retraction ◽

Functional Responses ◽

Atp Secretion ◽

Dependent Protein ◽

Induced Aggregation

Summary3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1), a member of the protein A,G and C (AGC) family of proteins, is a Ser/Thr protein kinase that can phosphorylate and activate other protein kinases from the AGC family, including Akt at Thr308, all of which play important roles in mediating cellular responses. The functional role of PDK1 or the importance of phosphorylation of Akt on Thr308 for its activity has not been investigated in human platelets. In this study, we tested two pharmacological inhibitors of PDK1, BX795 and BX912, to assess the role of Thr308 phosphorylation on Akt. PAR4-induced phosphorylation of Akt on Thr308 was inhibited by BX795 without affecting phosphorylation of Akt on Ser473. The lack of Thr308 phosphorylation on Akt also led to the inhibition of PAR4-induced phosphorylation of two downstream substrates of Akt, viz. GSK3β and PRAS40. In vitro kinase activity of Akt was completely abolished if Thr308 on Akt was not phosphorylated. BX795 caused inhibition of 2-MeSADP-induced or collagen-induced aggregation, ATP secretion and thromboxane generation. Primary aggregation induced by 2-MeSADP was also inhibited in the presence of BX795. PDK1 inhibition also resulted in reduced clot retraction indicating its role in outside-in signalling. These results demonstrate that PDK1 selectively phosphorylates Thr308 on Akt thereby regulating its activity and plays a positive regulatory role in platelet physiological responses.

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Roles of SLP-76, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, and gelsolin in the platelet shape changes initiated by the collagen receptor GPVI/FcRγ-chain complex

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v96.12.3786 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 96 (12) ◽

pp. 3786-3792 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Hervé Falet ◽

Kurt L. Barkalow ◽

Vadim I. Pivniouk ◽

Michael J. Barnes ◽

Raif S. Geha ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Activation ◽

Shape Change ◽

Chain Complex ◽

Actin Assembly ◽

Coated Surface ◽

Phosphoinositide 3 Kinase ◽

Collagen Receptor ◽

Shape Changes ◽

Platelet Shape

Abstract How platelet shape change initiated by a collagen-related peptide (CRP) specific for the GPVI/FcRγ-chain complex (GPVI/FcRγ-chain) is coupled to SLP-76, phosphoinositide (PI) 3-kinase, and gelsolin is reported. As shown by video microscopy, platelets rapidly round and grow dynamic filopodial projections that rotate around the periphery of the cell after they contact a CRP-coated surface. Lamellae subsequently spread between the projections. All the actin-driven shape changes require SLP-76 expression. SLP-76 is essential for the Ca++mobilization induced by CRP, whereas PI 3-kinase only modulates it. The extension of lamellae requires net actin assembly and an exposure of actin filament barbed ends downstream of PI 3-kinase. Gelsolin expression is also required for the extension of lamellae, but not for the formation of filopodia. Altogether, the data describe the role of SLP-76 in the platelet activation initiated by GPVI/FcRγ-chain and the roles of PI 3-kinase and gelsolin in lamellae spreading.

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NAD(P)H oxidase–dependent platelet superoxide anion release increases platelet recruitment

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v100.3.917 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 100 (3) ◽

pp. 917-924 ◽

Cited By ~ 183

Author(s):

Florian Krötz ◽

Hae Young Sohn ◽

Torsten Gloe ◽

Stefan Zahler ◽

Tobias Riexinger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate ◽

Human Platelets ◽

Nicotinamide Adenine ◽

Irreversible Aggregation ◽

Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide ◽

Specific Peptide

Abstract Platelets, although not phagocytotic, have been suggested to release O2−. Since O2−-producing reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) oxidases can be specifically activated by certain agonists and are found in several nonphagocytotic tissues, we investigated whether such an enzyme is the source of platelet-derived O2−. We further studied which agonists cause platelet O2−release and whether platelet-derived O2− influences thrombus formation in vitro. Collagen, but not adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP) or thrombin, increased O2− formation in washed human platelets. This was a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)–dependent process, as shown in platelet lysates. Consistent with a role of a platelet, NAD(P)H oxidase expression of its subunits p47phox and p67phoxand inhibition of platelet O2− formation by diphenylene-iodoniumchloride (DPI) and by the specific peptide-antagonist gp91ds-tat were observed. Whereas platelet-derived O2− did not influence initial aggregation, platelet recruitment to a preformed thrombus following collagen stimulation was significantly attenuated by superoxide dismutase (SOD) or DPI. It was also inhibited when ADP released during aggregation was cleaved by the ectonucleotidase apyrase. ADP in supernatants of collagen-activated platelets was decreased in the presence of SOD, resulting in lower ADP concentrations available for recruitment of further platelets. Exogenous O2−increased ADP- concentrations in supernatants of collagen-stimulated platelets and induced irreversible aggregation when platelets were stimulated with otherwise subthreshold concentrations of ADP. These results strongly suggest that collagen activation induces NAD(P)H oxidase–dependent O2− release in platelets, which in turn enhances availability of released ADP, resulting in increased platelet recruitment.

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Platelet JNK1 is involved in secretion and thrombus formation

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2009-07-233932 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 115 (20) ◽

pp. 4083-4092 ◽

Cited By ~ 72

Author(s):

Frédéric Adam ◽

Alexandre Kauskot ◽

Paquita Nurden ◽

Eric Sulpice ◽

Marc F. Hoylaerts ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Platelet Aggregation ◽

Thrombus Formation ◽

Blood Perfusion ◽

Collagen Matrix ◽

In Vivo Model ◽

Wild Type ◽

Platelet Secretion

Abstract The role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) in hemostasis and thrombosis remains unclear. We show here, with JNK1-deficient (JNK1−/−) mice, that JNK1 plays an important role in platelet biology and thrombus formation. In tail-bleeding assays, JNK1−/− mice exhibited longer bleeding times than wild-type mice (396 ± 39 seconds vs 245 ± 32 seconds). We also carried out in vitro whole-blood perfusion assays on a collagen matrix under arterial shear conditions. Thrombus formation was significantly reduced for JNK1−/− platelets (51%). In an in vivo model of thrombosis induced by photochemical injury to cecum vessels, occlusion times were 4.3 times longer in JNK1−/− arterioles than in wild-type arterioles. Moreover, in vitro studies carried out in platelet aggregation conditions demonstrated that, at low doses of agonists, platelet secretion was impaired in JNK1−/− platelets, leading to altered integrin αIIbβ3 activation and reduced platelet aggregation, via a mechanism involving protein kinase C. JNK1 thus appears to be essential for platelet secretion in vitro, consistent with its role in thrombus growth in vivo. Finally, we showed that ERK2 and another isoform of JNK affect platelet aggregation through 2 pathways, one dependent and another independent of JNK1.

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