Summary
Platelet defects due to hyper-responsive GPIbα causing enhanced VWF interaction, counter-intuitively
result in bleeding rather than thrombosis. The historical explanation of platelet/VWF
clearance fails to explain mechanisms of impaired haemostasis particularly in light
of reported poor platelet binding to fibrinogen. This study aimed to evaluate the
defects of platelets with hyper-responsive GPIbα and their contribution to impaired
in vivo thrombosis. Using the PT-VWD mouse model, platelets from the hTgG233V were compared to control hTgWT mice. Platelets’ pro-coagulant capacity was evaluated using flowcytometry assessment
of P-selectin and annexin V. Whole blood platelet aggregation in response to ADP,
collagen and thrombin was tested. Clot kinetics using laser injury thrombosis model
and the effect of GPIbα inhibition in vivo using 6B4; a monoclonal antibody, were evaluated. Thrombin-induced platelet P-selectin
and PS exposure were significantly reduced in hTgG233V compared to hTgWT and not signifi-cantly different when compared to unstimulated platelets. The hTgG233V platelets aggregated normally in response to collagen, and had a delayed response
to ADP and thrombin, when compared to hTgWT platelets. Laser injury showed significant
impairment of in vivo thrombus formation in hTgG233V compared to hTgWT mice. There was a significant lag in in vitro clot formation in turbidity assay but no impairment in thrombin generation was observed
using thromboelastography. The in vivo inhibition of GPIbα facilitated new – unstable – clot formation but did not improve
the lag. We conclude platelets with hyper-responsive GPIbα have complex intrinsic
defects beyond the previously described mechanisms. Abnormal signalling through GPIbα
and potential therapy using inhibitors require further investigations.
Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.
Keywords
GPIbα inhibition - platelet activation - thrombin - platelet bleeding disorders -
hyperresponsive GPIbα