Thromb Haemost 2013; 109(01): 34-38
DOI: 10.1160/TH12-03-0202
Platelets and Blood Cells
Schattauer GmbH

Hyperreactive platelet phenotypes: Relationship to altered serotonin transporter number, transport kinetics and intrinsic response to adrenergic co-stimulation

Jeffrey S. Berger
1   New York University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
,
Richard C. Becker
2   Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
,
Francesco Dentali
2   Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
,
Cynthia Kuhn
2   Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
,
Michael J. Helms
2   Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
,
Thomas L. Ortel
2   Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
,
Redford Williams
2   Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
› Author Affiliations

Financial support:This study was supported by grant P01-HL036587 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 30 March 2012

Accepted after major revision: 25 September 2012

Publication Date:
27 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

The mechanism underlying a hyperreactive platelet phenotype remains unknown. Since serotonin has been shown to influence platelet biology and atherothrombosis, we sought to investigate the association of platelet serotonin transporter number, binding affinity, and uptake kinetics with platelet aggregation. A total of 542 healthy volunteers had light transmittance platelet aggregometry measured in response to varying concentrations of epinephrine, serotonin, epinephrine plus serotonin, ADP and collagen. Transporter-dependent serotonin uptake rate was determined (Vmax), as were serotonin transporter number (Bmax) and binding affinity (Kd) using 3H paroxetine binding in a homologous displacement assay, nonlinear regression and validated algorithms for kinetic modelling. Stimulation with submaximal (2μM) epinephrine concentration elicited a distinct, bimodal pattern of platelet aggregation in this population. In contrast, subjects exhibited minimal aggregation in response to serotonin alone. Co-stimulation with submaximal epinephrine and serotonin induced platelet aggregation to a level beyond that observed with either agonist alone and maintained a bimodal response distribution. Subjects with heightened (>60%) platelet aggregation to both epinephrine alone and epinephrine plus serotonin exhibited increased platelet serotonin uptake, and transporter number and affinity. In a population of healthy subjects, co-stimulation with submaximal concentrations of epinephrine and serotonin identifies a subset of individuals with a hyperreactive platelet aggregation profile that is associated with changes in platelet serotonin function.