Inherited Macrothrombocytopenia with Distinctive Platelet Ultrastructural and Functional Features

2000 ◽  
Vol 83 (01) ◽  
pp. 35-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Ranelletti ◽  
Nicola Maggiano ◽  
Giovanni Ciabattoni ◽  
Raimondo De Cristofaro ◽  
Raffaele Landolfi ◽  
...  

SummaryWe report a family with inherited macrothrombocytopenia and characteristic large membrane complexes in the platelets. Two affected subjects had platelet counts of 40 and 65X109/L respectively as assessed by contrast phase microscopy. Ultrastructural studies revealed giant spheroid platelets with characteristic large membrane complexes and/or giant vacuoles containing platelet organelles. Immunohistochemical studies of actin and tubulin showed a disorganization of the microtubule and actin systems. These abnormalities were absent in leukocytes, indicating a platelet-specific cytoskeleton disorder.Platelet autoantibodies were repeatedly absent. Nevertheless, in the peripheral blood we observed several figures of platelet phagocytosis by macrophages and neutrophils. The in vitro aggregometric response of platelets to ADP, collagen, thrombin, ristocetin was present, but shape change was absent. The urinary excretion of thromboxane A2 metabolites of the affected subjects were approximately 2 standard deviations above control values, in spite of a reduced maximal biosynthetic capacity of thromboxane from giant platelets assessed in vitro during whole blood clotting.This inherited platelet disorder shows structural and functional features which allow to distinguish it from other syndromes associated with giant platelets. We also propose to include ultrastructural and cytoskeletal studies in the diagnosis as well as in the classification of inherited giant platelet disorders.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 3988-3988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harris V.K. Naina ◽  
Samar Harris

Abstract Inherited giant platelet disorders are a group of rare disorders characterized by thrombocytopenia, giant platelets and variable bleeding symptoms. Naina et al., described a new giant platelet disorder called Harris Platelet Syndrome (HPS), the most common inherited giant platelet disorder occurring in up to one third of blood donors from north eastern part of Indian subcontinent. HPS is characterized by an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with normal to severe thrombocytopenia (less than 50x109/L), giant platelets (mean platelet volume more than 10fL) and absent bleeding symptoms with normal platelet aggregation studies. Occasionally abnormalities in red blood cell morphology have been associated with certain giant platelet disorders such as stomatocytosis in Mediterranean Macrothrmboctopenia, dyserythropoiesis in GATA 1 associated macrothrombocytopenia and thalassemia, in X Linked Thrombocytopenia Thalassemia (XLTT). This study was undertaken to analyze the platelet and red blood cell indices in blood donors with Harris Platelet syndrome. A total of 203 blood donors were included in this study, 101 blood donors from northeaster part of India with MPV more than 12fl (normal 7–10fl) and 102 blood donors from southern part of India. Before blood donation, all donors were questioned about a history of bleeding conditions, in either themselves or their relatives. Blood samples were collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Automated platelet counts were performed using a Coulter STKS (Coulter, Hialeah, Florida) within 2 hours of collection. Peripheral blood smears were examined to confirm thrombocytopenia, giant platelets and red blood cell morphology. There was a significant difference between platelet count (Mean ±SD) 136± 40 Vs 262 ± 53 in southern India (p<0.000). Thirty three donors with HPS had a normal platelet count with MPV more than 12fL. MPV was 13.6±0.13 (range 12 to21.9fL) in donors with HPS and 7.3 ±0.6 (range 6–9.2fl) in southern Indian blood donors. The platelet distribution width (PDW) was 17.4±0.8 in donors with HPS and was 16.38±0.5 in southern India blood donors(p<0.000). Though there was a significant difference between hemoglobin, 13.8 ± 1.0 vs and 14.7± 1.1 (P<0.00), there was no significant difference between RDW, MCV, MCH, MCHC. Peripheral blood smear did not show any obvious red blood cell abnormality, but showed giant platelets and thrombocytopenia. Harris platelet syndrome is associated with normal to severe thrombocytopenia, giant platelets and significant platelet anisocytosis. There was no associated red blood cell abnormalities observed with HPS.


2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaoyue Wang ◽  
Jumei Shi ◽  
Yue Han ◽  
Yingchun Wang ◽  
Changgeng Ruan

Inherited giant platelet disorders are a heterogeneous group of disorders. In the current study, a patient was reported with moderate bleeding tendency, giant platelets, and spontaneous platelet aggregation, which were not affected by the administration of aspirin or ticlopidine. The electron microscopy of platelets showed a black and thick plasma membrane with crystal-like fine hairs in the exterior coat and more large and variously shaped granules in the cytoplasm. The expression of glycoprotein (GP) Ib, GP IIb, and GP IIIa on platelet surface was normal, and no mutations in genes for GP Ibα, GP Ibβ, and GP IX were detected. These phenomena are so distinguishable from those of Mondreal platelet syndrome and other hereditary giant platelet disorders, that we propose that this patient probably has a novel platelet disorder, which has not yet been reported.


ASN NEURO ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. AN20090029 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin C Jacobs ◽  
Samuel D Reyes ◽  
Celia W Campagnoni ◽  
M Irene Givogri ◽  
Kathy Kampf ◽  
...  

Recently, several in vitro studies have shown that the golli-myelin basic proteins regulate Ca2+ homoeostasis in OPCs (oligodendrocyte precursor cells) and immature OLs (oligodendrocytes), and that a number of the functions of these cells are affected by cellular levels of the golli proteins. To determine the influence of golli in vivo on OL development and myelination, a transgenic mouse was generated in which the golli isoform J37 was overexpressed specifically within OLs and OPCs. The mouse, called JOE (J37-overexpressing), is severely hypomyelinated between birth and postnatal day 50. During this time, it exhibits severe intention tremors that gradually abate at later ages. After postnatal day 50, ultrastructural studies and Northern and Western blot analyses indicate that myelin accumulates in the brain, but never reaches normal levels. Several factors appear to underlie the extensive hypomyelination. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that golli overexpression causes a significant delay in OL maturation, with accumulation of significantly greater numbers of pre-myelinating OLs that fail to myelinate axons during the normal myelinating period. Immunohistochemical studies with cell death and myelin markers indicate that JOE OLs undergo a heightened and extended period of cell death and are unable to effectively myelinate until 2 months after birth. The results indicate that increased levels of golli in OPC/OLs delays myelination, causing significant cell death of OLs particularly in white matter tracts. The results provide in vivo evidence for a significant role of the golli proteins in the regulation of maturation of OLs and normal myelination.


1959 ◽  
Vol s3-100 (49) ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
JACK COLVARD JONES

The various classes of blood-cells in air-dried, Wright-stained blood-smears described by Yeager (1945) from heat-fixed Prodenia can be recognized in unfixed and unstained preparations with the phase microscope. With only one exception, the bloodcells do not undergo extensive transformations in vitro for at least one hour. Hence, the blood-cells may be accurately identified and differentially counted by phase microscopy. Two kinds of blood-cells undergo marked alterations in appearance on heatfixation, whereas the other types remain mostly unmodified. One type of blood-cell, the oenocytoid, typically undergoes a marked change in character in vitro in unfixed blood. Several changes in Yeager's classification of insect blood-cells are proposed, and it is suggested that this new system will be found sufficient for identifying and comparing blood-cells in the different orders of insects.


Author(s):  
Conly L. Rieder ◽  
S. Bowser ◽  
R. Nowogrodzki ◽  
K. Ross ◽  
G. Sluder

Eggs have long been a favorite material for studying the mechanism of karyokinesis in-vivo and in-vitro. They can be obtained in great numbers and, when fertilized, divide synchronously over many cell cycles. However, they are not considered to be a practical system for ultrastructural studies on the mitotic apparatus (MA) for several reasons, the most obvious of which is that sectioning them is a formidable task: over 1000 ultra-thin sections need to be cut from a single 80-100 μm diameter egg and of these sections only a small percentage will contain the area or structure of interest. Thus it is difficult and time consuming to obtain reliable ultrastructural data concerning the MA of eggs; and when it is obtained it is necessarily based on a small sample size.We have recently developed a procedure which will facilitate many studies concerned with the ultrastructure of the MA in eggs. It is based on the availability of biological HVEM's and on the observation that 0.25 μm thick serial sections can be screened at high resolution for content (after mounting on slot grids and staining with uranyl and lead) by phase contrast light microscopy (LM; Figs 1-2).


Author(s):  
D.J.P. Ferguson ◽  
M. Virji ◽  
H. Kayhty ◽  
E.R. Moxon

Haemophilus influenzae is a human pathogen which causes meningitis in children. Systemic H. influenzae infection is largely confined to encapsulated serotype b organisms and is a major cause of meningitis in the U.K. and elsewhere. However, the pathogenesis of the disease is still poorly understood. Studies in the infant rat model, in which intranasal challenge results in bacteraemia, have shown that H. influenzae enters submucosal tissues and disseminates to the blood stream within minutes. The rapidity of these events suggests that H. influenzae penetrates both respiratory epithelial and endothelial barriers with great efficiency. It is not known whether the bacteria penetrate via the intercellular junctions, are translocated within the cells or carried across the cellular barrier in 'trojan horse' fashion within phagocytes. In the present studies, we have challenged cultured human umbilical cord_vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with both capsulated (b+) and capsule-deficient (b-) isogenic variants of one strain of H. influenzae in order to investigate the interaction between the bacteria and HUVEC and the effect of the capsule.


1992 ◽  
Vol 67 (01) ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivier Spertini ◽  
Jacques Hauert ◽  
Fedor Bachmann

SummaryPlatelet function defects observed in chronic alcoholics are not wholly explained by the inhibitory action of ethanol on platelet aggregation; they are not completely reproduced either in vivo by short-term ethanol perfusion into volunteers or in vitro by the addition of ethanol to platelet-rich plasma. As acetaldehyde (AcH) binds to many proteins and impairs cellular activities, we investigated the effect of this early degradation product of ethanol on platelets. AcH formed adducts with human platelets at neutral pH at 37° C which were stable to extensive washing, trichloracetic acid hydrolysis and heating at 100° C, and were not reduced by sodium borohydride. The amount of platelet adducts formed was a function of the incubation time and of the concentration of AcH in the reaction medium. At low AcH concentrations (<0.2 mM), platelet bound AcH was directly proportional to the concentration of AcH in the reaction medium. At higher concentrations (≥0.2 mM), AcH uptake by platelets tended to reach a plateau. The amount of adducts was also proportional to the number of exposures of platelets to pulses of 20 pM AcH.AcH adducts formation severely impaired platelet aggregation and shape change induced by ADP, collagen and thrombin. A positive correlation was established between platelet-bound AcH and inhibition of aggregation.SDS-PAGE analysis of AcH adducts at neutral pH demonstrated the binding of [14C]acetaldehyde to many platelet proteins. AcH adduct formation with membrane glycoproteins, cytoskeleton and enzymes might interfere with several steps of platelet activation and impair platelet aggregation.This in vitro study shows that AcH has a major inhibitory action on platelet aggregation and may account for the prolonged ex vivo inhibition of aggregation observed in chronic alcoholics even in the absence of alcoholemia.


1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (02) ◽  
pp. 934-938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiun-ing Chen ◽  
Yueh-I Wu ◽  
Yu-Lun Hsieh ◽  
Guey-Yueh Shi ◽  
Meei-Jyh Jiang ◽  
...  

SummaryTo investigate whether the endothelium-platelet interactions may be altered by plasminogen activation, cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in the presence of plasminogen, and platelet adhesion to ECs was subsequently measured by using a tapered flow chamber. Our results demonstrated that platelets adhered more readily to t-PA treated EC monolayer than to the control monolayer at all shear stress levels tested. This phenomenon was treatment time-dependent and dose-dependent, and it could be blocked by adding plasmin inhibitors, such as e-amino caproic acid and aprotinin. Adherent platelets on t-PA treated EC monolayer underwent more severe shape change than those on the control monolayer. While the extracellular matrix directly treated with t-PA attracted less platelets than the control matrix did, platelet adhesion to the matrix that was produced by t-PA-treated ECs was unaltered. These data suggest that t-PA treatment on ECs compromised antiplatelet-adhesion capability on their apical surface without altering the reactivity of their extracellular matrix towards platelets.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (02) ◽  
pp. 383-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Bellucci ◽  
J P Girma ◽  
M Lozano ◽  
D Meyer ◽  
J P Caen

SummaryThe Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) is characterized by thrombocytopenia with giant platelets, a prolonged bleeding time with defective platelet adhesion to the subendothelium related to a defect in platelet membrane glycoprotein lb (GPIb) and a decreased prothrombin consumption. The mechanism of the latter abnormality remains unknown. In this study, we showed that this defect was corrected by the addition of purified human factor VIII (FVIII) to blood from four patients with BSS. The correction of prothrombin consumption was almost complete at concentrations between 1.5 and 3 IU/ml of FVIII procoagulant activity (VIII.'C) and partially abolished by a monoclonal antibody which neutralizes VIII:C. This correction was specific for FVIII and was not observed after addition of purified human FIX. It was obtained, in the same magnitude range, with FVIII complexed to von Willebrand factor (vWF) but not with free vWF. These data provide a new insight into the knowledge of the physiological interaction between the platelet membrane and the vWF-FVIII complex facilitating plasma coagulation activation and may lead to helpful therapeutic advances.


Author(s):  
Jogendra Singh Nim ◽  
Mohit Yadav ◽  
Lalit Kumar Gautam ◽  
Chaitali Ghosh ◽  
Shakti Sahi ◽  
...  

Background: Xenorhabdus nematophila maintains species-specific mutual interaction with nematodes of Steinernema genus. Type II Toxin Antitoxin (TA) systems, the mazEF TA system controls stress and programmed cell death in bacteria. Objective: This study elucidates the functional characterization of Xn-mazEF, a mazEF homolog in X. nematophila by computational and in vitro approaches. Methods: 3 D- structural models for Xn-MazE toxin and Xn-MazF antitoxin were generated, validated and characterized for protein - RNA interaction analysis. Further biological and cellular functions of Xn-MazF toxin were also predicted. Molecular dynamics simulations of 50ns for Xn-MazF toxin complexed with nucleic acid units (DU, RU, RC, and RU) were performed. The MazF toxin and complete MazEF operon were endogenously expressed and monitored for the killing of Escherichia coli host cells under arabinose induced tightly regulated system. Results: Upon induction, E. coli expressing toxin showed rapid killing within four hours and attained up to 65% growth inhibition, while the expression of the entire operon did not show significant killing. The observation suggests that the Xn-mazEF TA system control transcriptional regulation in X. nematophila and helps to manage stress or cause toxicity leading to programmed death of cells. Conclusion: The study provides insights into structural and functional features of novel toxin, XnMazF and provides an initial inference on control of X. nematophila growth regulated by TA systems.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document