Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) Release In Vitro From Unstimulated Human Platelets
Human venous blood was collected (9.5:0.5) in an anticoagulant (provided in the PF4 RIA kit, Abbott Labs.) consisting of 2.5% EDTA, 0.025% adenosine and 7.0% procaine HCl. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) was stirred (900 RPM) at 37°C in a Payton aggregometer for intervals of 3, 6, 9 and 12 minutes. Unincubated aliquots of PRP were taken as the 0 time controls.A significant (p < 0.02) elevation in PF4 was observed with increasing intervals. Furthermore, from the data obtained, two populations of PF4 releasers were delineated: A high releasing (HR) group and a low releasing (LR) group. HR (n=10) displayed a baseline release of 10.3 ± 0.8 ng/ml and values of 36.1 ± 9.0 (p < 0.05 compared to baseline), 46.8 ± 8.2 (p < 0.01), 54.6 ± 7.9 (p < 0.01) and 87 ± 13.1 (p < 0.01) for the corresponding time periods. LR (n=7) exhibited significant but diminished release at each time period with a basal level of 10.1 ± 1.0 and 14.7 ± 1.4 (p < 0.05 compared to baseline), 15.3 ± 1.5 (p < 0.05), 19.7 ± 2.4 (p < 0.05) and 23.6 ± 2.0 (p < 0.01) respectively. Comparison of both populations revealed significant (p < 0.01) differences at the 6, 9 and 12 minute intervals. Total PF4 content from Triton lysed PRP displayed similar levels between groups: 360.0 ±22.6 (HR) and 380.2 ± 15.2 (LR).We conclude that an endogenous release of PF4 occurs in vitro in unstimulated human PRP even in a milieu designed to deter release. This should be a concern when PF4 values are to be assessed.