Biomedical subjects

Bernhard Nieswandt

Publications and source records attributed to Bernhard Nieswandt.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Dual role of platelet protein kinase C in thrombus formation: stimulation of pro-aggregatory and suppression of procoagulant activity in platelets.

Protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms regulate many platelet responses in a still incompletely understood manner. Here we investigated the roles of PKC in the platelet reactions implicated in thrombus formation as follows: secretion aggregate formation and coagulation-stimulating activity, using inhibitors with proven activity in plasma. In human and mouse platelets, PKC regulated aggregation by mediating secretion and contributing to alphaIIbbeta3 activation. Strikingly, PKC suppressed Ca(2+) signal generation and Ca(2+)-dependent exposure of procoagulant phosphatidylserine. Furthermore, under coagulant conditions, PKC suppressed the thrombin-generating capacity of platelets. In flowing human and mouse blood, PKC contributed to platelet adhesion and controlled secretion-dependent thrombus formation, whereas it down-regulated Ca(2+) signaling and procoagulant activity. In murine platelets lacking G(q)alpha, where secretion reactions were reduced in comparison with wild type mice, PKC still positively regulated platelet aggregation and down-regulated procoagulant activity. We conclude that platelet PKC isoforms have a dual controlling role in thrombus formation as follows: (i) by mediating secretion and integrin activation required for platelet aggregation under flow, and (ii) by suppressing Ca(2+)-dependent phosphatidylserine exposure, and consequently thrombin generation and coagulation. This platelet signaling protein is the first one identified to balance the pro-aggregatory and procoagulant functions of thrombi.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Diminished lymphocyte adhesion and alleviation of allergic responses by small-molecule- or antibody-mediated inhibition of L-selectin functions.

Selectins are attractive targets for specific anti-inflammatory therapies. Using human lymphocytes as well as an L-selectin-transfected pre-B-cell line in dynamic flow chamber experiments, we could demonstrate that the small-molecule compound efomycine M blocks L-selectin-mediated lymphocyte rolling on sialylated Lewis(X), an action that was confirmed by plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Recruitment of naive lymphocytes to peripheral lymph nodes depends on L-selectin-mediated adhesion to high endothelial venules. We performed intravital microscopy studying lymphocyte rolling in peripheral lymph nodes and showed a 53% reduction (P=0.0006) of lymphocyte rolling in mice treated with efomycine M or a function-blocking antibody against L-selectin. In addition, the number of lymph node-homing T cells was reduced by >60% using either efomycine M or L-selectin-blocking antibodies. As recruitment of naive lymphocytes is a prerequisite for sensitization in T-cell-mediated immune reactions and allergic responses, mice were treated with efomycine M or an L-selectin-specific antibody during contact sensitization with DNFB. After adoptive transfer of corresponding T cells into non-sensitized recipient mice, the capacity of these cells to induce contact hypersensitivity was significantly reduced (P=0.0002 and P=0.0001, respectively). Our data demonstrate that it is possible, in principle, to diminish T-cell-mediated allergic reactions through interference with L-selectin functions during the early sensitization phase.

Adoptive Transfer↗

PubMed2006

Relative efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin G in ameliorating thrombocytopenia induced by antiplatelet GPIIbIIIa versus GPIbalpha antibodies.

Intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) is used to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Although many patients benefit from IVIG, some are refractory to this therapy. ITP is characterized by platelet clearance mediated primarily by antiplatelet antibodies against GPIIbIIIa and/or the GPIbalpha complex. These 2 groups of antibodies may induce ITP through different mechanisms. We tested the hypothesis that IVIG may not be equally effective in preventing ITP caused by anti-GPIIbIIIa versus anti-GPIbalpha antibodies in mice. Thrombocytopenia was induced in BALB/c mice using monoclonal antibodies against either mouse GPIIbIIIa (JON1, JON2, and JON3) or GPIbalpha (p0p3, p0p4, p0p5, p0p9, and p0p11). Pretreatment with IVIG significantly ameliorated ITP in all anti-GPIIbIIIa-injected animals. Conversely, IVIG failed to prevent ITP in all anti-GPIbalpha-treated mice, except for p0p4. These results were repeated in C57BL/6 mice, and with different IVIG preparations. These data in mice suggest that patients with ITP mediated by anti-GPIbalpha antibodies may be less responsive to IVIG treatment.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Two-phase antithrombotic protection after anti-glycoprotein VI treatment in mice.

OBJECTIVE: Collagen and thrombin are the strongest physiological platelet agonists, acting through different receptors, among which glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and protease-activated receptors, respectively, are the essential ones. In mice, targeting of GPVI with the monoclonal antibody JAQ1 induces depletion of the receptor from circulating platelets, resulting in abolished collagen responses and long-lasting antithrombotic protection. METHODS AND RESULTS: Mice were treated with JAQ1, and the early effects of this treatment were analyzed. In addition to the known abolition of the collagen reactivity, this treatment also affected platelet response to thrombin but not other agonists. In platelets from JAQ1-treated mice, thrombin-induced activation of integrin alphaIIbbeta3, the surface expression of P-selectin, and the procoagulant activity were decreased on days 1 and 2, then progressively recovered and returned to normal on day 5. In parallel, the mice were transiently protected from lethal tissue factor-induced pulmonary thromboembolism (100% survivors versus 40% in control group), which appeared to be based on a decreased generation and activity of intravascular thrombin. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-GPVI treatment induces 2-phase antithrombotic protection in mice consisting of a partial and transient inhibition of thrombin responses in platelets and a prolonged and complete loss of the collagen response.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Targeting coagulation factor XII provides protection from pathological thrombosis in cerebral ischemia without interfering with hemostasis.

Formation of fibrin is critical for limiting blood loss at a site of blood vessel injury (hemostasis), but may also contribute to vascular thrombosis. Hereditary deficiency of factor XII (FXII), the protease that triggers the intrinsic pathway of coagulation in vitro, is not associated with spontaneous or excessive injury-related bleeding, indicating FXII is not required for hemostasis. We demonstrate that deficiency or inhibition of FXII protects mice from ischemic brain injury. After transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, the volume of infarcted brain in FXII-deficient and FXII inhibitor-treated mice was substantially less than in wild-type controls, without an increase in infarct-associated hemorrhage. Targeting FXII reduced fibrin formation in ischemic vessels, and reconstitution of FXII-deficient mice with human FXII restored fibrin deposition. Mice deficient in the FXII substrate factor XI were similarly protected from vessel-occluding fibrin formation, suggesting that FXII contributes to pathologic clotting through the intrinsic pathway. These data demonstrate that some processes involved in pathologic thrombus formation are distinct from those required for normal hemostasis. As FXII appears to be instrumental in pathologic fibrin formation but dispensable for hemostasis, FXII inhibition may offer a selective and safe strategy for preventing stroke and other thromboembolic diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Reduced thrombus stability in mice lacking the alpha2A-adrenergic receptor.

Platelet activation plays a central role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Many platelet agonists function through G-protein-coupled receptors. Epinephrine activates the alpha(2A)-adrenergic receptor (alpha(2A)) that couples to G(z) in platelets. Although alpha(2A) was originally cloned from platelets, its role in thrombosis and hemostasis is still unclear. Through analysis of alpha(2A)-deficient mice, variable tail bleeding times were observed. In vitro, epinephrine potentiated activation/aggregation responses of wild-type but not alpha(2A)-deficient platelets as determined by flow cytometry and aggregometry, whereas perfusion studies showed no differences in platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on collagen. To test the in vivo relevance of alpha(2A) deficiency, mice were subjected to 3 different thrombosis models. As expected, alpha(2A)-deficient mice were largely protected from lethal pulmonary thromboembolism induced by the infusion of collagen/epinephrine. In a model of FeCl(3)-induced injury in mesenteric arterioles, alpha(2A)(-/-) mice displayed a 2-fold increase in embolus formation, suggesting thrombus instability. In a third model, the aorta was mechanically injured, and blood flow was measured with an ultrasonic flow probe. In wild-type mice, all vessels occluded irreversibly, whereas in 24% of alpha(2A)-deficient mice, the initially formed thrombi embolized and blood flow was reestablished. These results demonstrate that alpha(2A) plays a significant role in thrombus stabilization.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

The intrinsic pathway of coagulation is essential for thrombus stability in mice.

Blood coagulation is a highly regulated process involving interactions between platelets, plasma coagulation factors, and the vessel wall. During coagulation in vivo, fibrin formation is thought to be initiated when plasma factor VIIa forms a complex with the membrane protein tissue factor. Coagulation factor XII (FXII, Hageman factor) is required for some in vitro coagulation systems; however, FXII deficiency is not associated with hemorrhage, leading to the conclusion that it is not necessary for hemostasis. We generated FXII-deficient mice to study the contributions of FXII to thrombosis and hemostasis in arterial injury models and in models of acute arterial occlusion. FXII-deficient mice do not experience excessive injury-related bleeding; however, intravital fluorescence microscopy and blood flow measurements in three separate arterial beds revealed a severe defect in formation and stabilization of platelet-rich occlusive thrombi induced by different methods of injuries. Similar findings were observed for mice deficient in factor XI, a substrate of activated FXII. Infusion of human FXII into FXII null mice restored thrombus formation. These findings demonstrate that FXII-mediated fibrin formation is crucial for pathological arterial thrombosis but not for hemostasis and suggest that FXII could be an ideal target for safe anticoagulation.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Platelets promote coagulation factor XII-mediated proteolytic cascade systems in plasma.

Blood coagulation factor XII (FXII, Hageman factor) is a plasma serine protease which is autoactivated following contact with negatively charged surfaces in a reaction involving plasma kallikrein and high-molecular-weight kininogen (contact phase activation). Active FXII has the ability to initiate blood clotting via the intrinsic pathway of coagulation and inflammatory reactions via the kallikrein-kinin system. Here we have determined FXII-mediated bradykinin formation and clotting in plasma. Western blotting analysis with specific antibodies against various parts of the contact factors revealed that limited activation of FXII is sufficient to promote plasma kallikrein activation, resulting in the conversion of high-molecular-weight kininogen and bradykinin generation. The presence of platelets significantly promoted FXII-initiated bradykinin formation. Similarly, in vitro clotting assays revealed that platelets critically promoted FXII-driven thrombin and fibrin formation. In summary, our data suggest that FXII-initiated protease cascades may proceed on platelet surfaces, with implications for inflammation and clotting.

Blood Coagulation↗

PubMed2005

The glycoprotein VI-phospholipase Cgamma2 signaling pathway controls thrombus formation induced by collagen and tissue factor in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: Both collagen and tissue factor can be initiating factors in thrombus formation. We investigated the signaling pathway of collagen-induced platelet activation in interaction with tissue factor-triggered coagulation during the thrombus-forming process. METHODS AND RESULTS: In murine blood flowing over collagen, platelet exposure of phosphatidylserine and procoagulant activity, but not adhesion, completely relied on each of the following signaling modules: glycoprotein VI (GPVI), FcR gamma-chain, Src kinases, adaptor protein LAT, and phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2). On flow in the presence of tissue factor, these signaling components were essential for platelet aggregation and greatly enhanced fibrin clot formation. Collagen-stimulated thrombin generation relied on the presence and activity of GPVI, FcR gamma-chain, Src kinase, LAT, and PLCgamma2. The physiological importance of this GPVI pathway was shown in a FeCl3-induced in vivo murine thrombosis model. In both venules and arterioles, signaling through GPVI, FcR gamma-chain, and Src kinases enhanced the formation of phosphatidylserine-exposing and fibrin-rich thrombi. CONCLUSIONS: The GPVI-PLCgamma2 activation pathway regulates collagen-dependent coagulation in venous and arterial thrombus formation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Aspirin induces platelet receptor shedding via ADAM17 (TACE).

Aspirin is effective in the therapy of cardiovascular diseases, because it causes acetylation of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1) leading to irreversible inhibition of platelets. Additional mechanisms can be suspected, because patients treated with other platelet COX inhibitors such as indomethacin do not display an increased bleeding tendency as observed for aspirin-treated patients. Recently, aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs were shown to induce shedding of L-selectin in neutrophils in a metalloproteinase-dependent manner. Therefore, we investigated the effects of aspirin on the von Willebrand Factor receptor complex glycoprotein (GP) Ib-V-IX, whose lack or dysfunction causes bleeding in patients. As quantified by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis in whole blood, aspirin, but not its metabolite salicylic acid, induced dose-dependent shedding of human and murine GPIbalpha and GPV from the platelet surface, whereas other glycoproteins remained unaffected by this treatment. Biotinylated fragments of GPV were detected by immunoprecipitation in the supernatant of washed mouse platelets, and the expression level of GPIbalpha was decreased in these platelets as measured by Western blot analysis. Although shedding occurred normally in COX-1-deficient murine platelets, shedding was completely blocked by a broad-range metalloproteinase inhibitor and, more importantly, in mouse platelets expressing an inactive form of ADAM17. Shed fragments of GPIbalpha and GPV were elevated in the plasma of aspirin-injected mice compared with animals injected with control buffer. These data demonstrate that aspirin at high concentrations induces shedding of GPIbalpha and GPV by an ADAM17-dependent mechanism and that this process can occur in vivo.

ADAM Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Effects of estrogen replacement therapies on mouse platelet function and glycoprotein VI levels.

Clinical trials have shown estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is associated with adverse arterial vascular events. Arterial thrombosis is initiated by platelet activation, but the in vivo effects of estrogens on platelet function are not well understood. We used a murine model of menopause to examine 3 major ERT regimes and test the hypothesis that ERT affects the intrinsic platelet response to agonists. The 3 ERT regimes studied were: (1) oral conjugated equine estrogen (CEE), (2) oral 17-beta estradiol (E2), and (3) subcutaneously implanted E2 (SQ E2). Paired ovariectomized littermates were treated with these regimes or placebo for 21 days. Two platelet agonists, thrombin and the GPVI-specific agonist collagen-related peptide (COL-RP), were used to evaluate platelet reactivity. Among the 3 regimens, (1) oral CEE enhanced platelet reactivity to COL-RP, (2) oral E2 had no effect on platelet reactivity to COL-RP and (3) SQ E2 increased platelet sensitivity to thrombin but lowered reactivity to COL-RP. Thus, the in vivo effects of estrogen on platelet function are agonist specific and dependent on hormone formulation and mode of delivery. The GPVI collagen receptor likely mediated some of these effects, because the ERT regimens induced changes in platelet surface GPVI expression corresponding to the observed platelet activation.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Defective thrombus formation in mice lacking coagulation factor XII.

Blood coagulation is thought to be initiated by plasma protease factor VIIa in complex with the membrane protein tissue factor. In contrast, coagulation factor XII (FXII)-mediated fibrin formation is not believed to play an important role for coagulation in vivo. We used FXII-deficient mice to study the contributions of FXII to thrombus formation in vivo. Intravital fluorescence microscopy and blood flow measurements in three distinct arterial beds revealed a severe defect in the formation and stabilization of platelet-rich occlusive thrombi. Although FXII-deficient mice do not experience spontaneous or excessive injury-related bleeding, they are protected against collagen- and epinephrine-induced thromboembolism. Infusion of human FXII into FXII-null mice restored injury-induced thrombus formation. These unexpected findings change the long-standing concept that the FXII-induced intrinsic coagulation pathway is not important for clotting in vivo. The results establish FXII as essential for thrombus formation, and identify FXII as a novel target for antithrombotic therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Platelet NAD(P)H-oxidase-generated ROS production regulates alphaIIbbeta3-integrin activation independent of the NO/cGMP pathway.

Platelets play a crucial role in the physiology of primary hemostasis and pathophysiologic processes such as arterial thrombosis. Accumulating evidence suggests a role of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) in platelet activation. Here we show that platelets activated with different agonists produced intracellular ROSs, which were reduced by reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) oxidase inhibitors and superoxide scavengers. In addition, we demonstrate that ROSs produced in platelets significantly affected alphaIIbbeta3 integrin activation but not alpha and dense granule secretion and platelet shape change. Thrombin-induced integrin alphaIIbbeta3 activation was significantly decreased after pretreatment of platelets with NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors (diphenylene iodonium [DPI] [45% +/- 9%] and apocynin [43% +/- 11%]) and superoxide scavengers (tiron [60% +/- 9%] and Mn(III)tetrakis (1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin [MnTMPyP] [70% +/- 6%]). These inhibitors also reduced platelet aggregation and thrombus formation on collagen under high shear and achieved their effects independent of the nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) pathway.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed2005

Cooperation between platelet-derived CD154 and CD4+ T cells for enhanced germinal center formation.

It has been demonstrated previously that platelet-derived CD154 communicates with the adaptive immune compartment, enhancing B and T cell responses in CD154(-/-) mice. The presence of platelets was also shown to be necessary for optimal production of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in normal C57BL/6 mice. These data led us to hypothesize that platelets perform a sentinel function, quickly relaying activating signals to the adaptive immune compartment. Here, we report that platelet-derived CD154 increases serum IgG levels and germinal center formation under conditions where antigen-specific CD4(+) T cell numbers are limiting. We propose that in the physiologic setting where antigen-specific B and T cells are rare, platelets function to enhance signals required for robust adaptive humoral immunity.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Evidence for a role of ADAM17 (TACE) in the regulation of platelet glycoprotein V.

Glycoprotein V (GPV) is a subunit of the GPIb-IX-V receptor for von Willebrand factor and thrombin and has been shown to modulate platelet responses to the two strongest physiological agonists, thrombin and collagen. Thrombin directly cleaves GPV from the platelet surface, yielding a 69-kDa fragment GPV f1 of unknown function. We show here that a approximately 82-kDa fragment of GPV is shed from the platelet surface upon cellular activation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate or the collagen-related peptide. This shedding was inhibited by the broad range metalloproteinase inhibitor GM6001, the two potent ADAM17 inhibitors GW280264X and TAPI-2, and was absent in mice lacking functional ADAM17 (ADAM17 lacking Zn-binding domain; ADAM17(DeltaZn/DeltaZn)). Furthermore, we show that recombinant ADAM17 ectodomain efficiently releases GPV from the platelet surface. GPV is known to be associated with the intracellular regulatory protein calmodulin, which has previously been shown to be involved in ADAM17-mediated shedding of l-selectin from the surface of leukocytes. As in these reports, inhibition of calmodulin led to rapid GPV shedding from the platelet surface, a process that was again blocked by GM6001 or ADAM17 inhibitors and that was absent in ADAM17(DeltaZn/DeltaZn) mice. Inhibition of outside-in signaling through GPIIb/IIIa did not significantly affect GPV shedding, excluding an essential role of this pathway for the regulation of ADAM17 activity. These results demonstrate that GPV is cleaved upon agonist-induced platelet activation and show that ADAM17 is the major enzyme mediating this process.

ADAM Proteins↗

PubMed2005

Human atheromatous plaques stimulate thrombus formation by activating platelet glycoprotein VI.

Lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques are vulnerable, and their rupture can cause the formation of a platelet- and fibrin-rich thrombus leading to myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. Although the role of plaque-based tissue factor as stimulator of blood coagulation has been recognized, it is not known whether plaques can cause thrombus formation through direct activation of platelets. We isolated lipid-rich atheromatous plaques from 60 patients with carotid stenosis and identified morphologically diverse collagen type I- and type III-positive structures in the plaques that directly stimulated adhesion, dense granule secretion, and aggregation of platelets in buffer, plasma, and blood. This material also elicited platelet-monocyte aggregation and platelet-dependent blood coagulation. Plaques exposed to flowing blood at arterial wall shear rate induced platelets to adhere to and spread on the collagenous structures, triggering subsequent thrombus formation. Plaque-induced platelet thrombus formation was observed in fully anticoagulated blood (i.e., in the absence of tissue factor-mediated coagulation). Mice platelets lacking glycoprotein VI (GPVI) were unable to adhere to atheromatous plaque or form thrombi. Human platelet thrombus formation onto plaques in flowing blood was completely blocked by GPVI inhibition with the antibody 10B12 but not affected by integrin alpha2beta1 inhibition with 6F1 mAb. Moreover, the initial platelet response, shape change, induced by plaque was blocked by GPVI inhibition but not with alpha2beta1 antagonists (6F1 mAb or GFOGER-GPP peptide). Pretreatment of plaques with collagenase or anti-collagen type I and anti-collagen type III antibodies abolished plaque-induced platelet activation. Our results indicate that morphologically diverse collagen type I- and collagen type III-containing structures in lipid-rich atherosclerotic plaques stimulate thrombus formation by activating platelet GPVI. This platelet collagen receptor, essential for plaque-induced thrombus formation, presents a promising new anti-thrombotic target for the prevention of ischemic cardiovascular diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

GATA1-mediated megakaryocyte differentiation and growth control can be uncoupled and mapped to different domains in GATA1.

The DNA-binding hemopoietic zinc finger transcription factor GATA1 promotes terminal megakaryocyte differentiation and restrains abnormal immature megakaryocyte expansion. How GATA1 coordinates these fundamental processes is unclear. Previous studies of synthetic and naturally occurring mutant GATA1 molecules demonstrate that DNA-binding and interaction with the essential GATA1 cofactor FOG-1 (via the N-terminal finger) are required for gene expression in terminally differentiating megakaryocytes and for platelet production. Moreover, acquired mutations deleting the N-terminal 84 amino acids are specifically detected in megakaryocytic leukemia in human Down syndrome patients. In this study, we have systematically dissected GATA1 domains required for platelet release and control of megakaryocyte growth by ectopically expressing modified GATA1 molecules in primary GATA1-deficient fetal megakaryocyte progenitors. In addition to DNA binding, distinct N-terminal regions, including residues in the first 84 amino acids, promote platelet release and restrict megakaryocyte growth. In contrast, abrogation of GATA1-FOG-1 interaction leads to loss of differentiation, but growth of blocked immature megakaryocytes is controlled. Thus, distinct GATA1 domains regulate terminal megakaryocyte gene expression leading to platelet release and restrain megakaryocyte growth, and these processes can be uncoupled.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Understanding platelets. Lessons from proteomics, genomics and promises from network analysis.

New large-scale analysis techniques such as bioinformatics, mass spectrometry and SAGE data analysis will allow a new framework for understanding platelets. This review analyses some important options and tasks for these tools and examines an outline of the new, refined picture of the platelet outlined by these new techniques. Looking at the platelet-specific building blocks of genome, (active) transcriptome and proteome (notably secretome and phospho-proteome), we summarize current bioinformatical and biochemical approaches, tasks as well as their limitations. Understanding the surprisingly complex platelet regarding compartmentalization, key cascades, and pathways including clinical implications will remain an exciting and hopefully fruitful challenge for the future.

Animals↗