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Thromb Haemost 2015; 113(01): 97-106
DOI: 10.1160/TH14-03-0218
Cellular Haemostasis and Platelets
Schattauer GmbH

Prostaglandin E2 levels and platelet function are different in cord blood compared to adults

Axel Schlagenhauf
1   Department of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
,
Harald Haidl
1   Department of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
,
Bettina Leschnik
1   Department of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
,
Hans-Joerg Leis
2   Research Unit of Osteology and Analytical Mass Spectrometry, Medical University of Graz, Austria
,
Akos Heinemann
3   Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Graz, Austria
,
Wolfgang Muntean
1   Department of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 10 March 2014

Accepted after major revision: 01 July 2014

Publication Date:
27 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Neonatal platelets support primary haemostasis and thrombin generation as well as adult platelets, despite observable hypoaggregability in vitro. High prostaglandin E2 levels at accouchement could account for inhibited platelet function via the EP4 receptor. We set out to determine prostaglandin E2 plasma levels in cord blood of healthy neonates and evaluate the impact of prostaglandin E2 on platelet function in adult and cord blood samples. Prostaglandin E2 plasma levels were measured in cord blood and venous adult blood using GC-MS. Impact of prostaglandin E2 on platelet aggregation was measured by spiking cord blood and adult samples. Contributions of EP3 and EP4 receptors were evaluated using respective antagonists. Intracellular cAMP concentrations were measured using a commercial ELISA-kit. Prosta-glandin E2 plasma levels were substantially higher in cord blood than in adult samples. Spiking with prostaglandin E2 resulted in a slight but consistent reduction of platelet aggregation in adult blood, but response to PGE2 was blunted in cord blood samples. Aggregation response of spiked adult samples was still higher than with non-spiked cord blood samples. Blockage of EP4 receptors resulted in improved platelet aggregation in adult platelets upon prostaglandin E2 spiking, while aggregation in cord blood samples remained unaltered. Intracellular cAMP concentrations after preincubation with prostaglandin E2 were only increased in adult samples. In conclusion, very high prosta -glandin E2 concentrations in cord blood affect platelet function. This effect may partially explain neonatal platelet hypoaggregability. Peak levels of prostaglandin E2 can potentially protect against birth stressinduced platelet activation.

Keywords

Cyclic AMP - neonate - prostaglandin E2 - prostanoid receptor EP4 - platelet aggregation
 

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