Abstract 33: Platelet 12-lipoxygenase is a Key Regulator of Platelet Reactivity and Thrombus Formation
in vivo
Background: Platelet reactivity is required to maintain hemostasis, however high platelet reactivity leads to thrombus formation, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Platelet 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX) has been demonstrated by our lab and others to regulate agonist-mediated platelet reactivity suggesting a role for 12-LOX in regulation of in vivo thrombosis. The ability to target 12-LOX in vivo has not been established to date. Therefore, we sought to determine if 12-LOX regulates platelet reactivity and thrombus formation in vivo using the selective 12-LOX inhibitor ML355 to determine whether platelet 12-LOX is an effective target for anti-platelet therapeutics. Methods: ML355 effects on human platelet function was assessed in vitro by platelet aggregometry, ex vivo by perfusion chamber, and in vivo by thrombus formation and vessel occlusion in small and large vessels in 12-LOX -/- , WT mice, and mice treated with ML355 via intravital microscopy using the FeCl 3 and laser injury models. Results: In in vitro platelet aggregation, ML355 dose-dependently inhibited agonist-induced aggregation. In ex vivo flow chamber assays, platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on collagen-coated surfaces at high shear was attenuated in both mouse and human whole blood after incubation with ML355. Further, platelet aggregation and thrombus growth in 12-LOX -/- mice were impaired in both laser and FeCl 3 -induced mesenteric, carotid artery and cremaster arteriole thrombosis models. Thrombi in 12-LOX -/- mice were unstable and frequently formed emboli, which resulted in impaired vessel occlusion or reopening. Additionally, thrombus formation and vessel occlusion was impaired in ML355 treated WT mice. Conclusions: The 12-LOX inhibitor ML355 inhibits platelet aggregation induced by a number of platelet agonists. Ex vivo high shear conditions in both mice and human was attenuated in the presence of ML355. Thrombus formation and vessel occlusion were impaired in mice deficient in 12-LOX. Finally, ML355 attenuates thrombus formation and prevents vessel occlusion in vivo . Our data strongly indicates 12-LOX is an important determinant of platelet reactivity and inhibition of platelet 12-LOX may represent a new target for anti-platelet therapeutics.