FACTOR VIII MEDIATES BINDING OF FACTOR IX TO STIMULATED PLATELETS
In previous work we have shown that factor VII! binds to phospholipids of the membrane of stimulated platelets and that von Willebrand factor is not required for binding of factor VIII to platelets. Since factor VIII is a cofactor in the activation of factor X by factor IX, we investigated whether factor VIII enhances binding of factor IX to the platelet surface.Factor VIII and factor IX were purified by immunoadsorbent chromatography using specific rabbit antibodies. Washed human platelets (250/nl final concentration) stimulated by human thrombin and collagen were incubated with barbiturate buffer, or with purified factor IX (1 U/ml final concentration), or with factor IX (1 U/ml) in the presence of factor VIII (1 U/ml). Washed and stimulated platelets were also incubated with factor VIII and IX as above in the presence of different amounts of CaCl2. Platelets were then washed again and lysed by sonication. Factor VIII:Ag (immunoradiometric assay) and factor IX:Ag (ELISA) were measured in the platelet lysate prior to and after incubation of the lysate with phospholipase C.Platelet bound IX:Ag was significantly higher after incubation of stimulated platelets with factor IX in the presence of factor VIII than after incubation of platelets with buffer or with factor IX alone. CaCl2 proved to be essential for binding of factor IX to platelets even in the presence of factor VIII, but CaCl2 was not required for binding of factor VIII to platelets. Measurable VIII :Ag and IX:Ag increased significantly after incubation of the platelet lysate with phospholipase C.Our data suggest that factor VIII mediates binding of factor IX to phospholipids or receptors containing phospholipids on the membrane of stimulated platelets and thereby contributes to the assembly of the factor X activating complex on the platelet surface.