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Defective interaction between von Willebrand factor and platelet glycoprotein Ib--a familial study of peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Hemostatic variables and platelet function were assessed as a part of a genetic study in 15 patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) and 15 healthy siblings from ten families. D-dimer, a degradation product of cross-linked fibrin, was increased in the PAOD group (mean +/- SD) (448 +/- 177 vs. 333 +/- 121 ng/ml, p < 0.05). Ristocetin-induced maximal platelet aggregation (RIPA) was reduced in the PAOD group in response to both a higher (0.75 mg/ml) (67 +/- 28 vs. 87 +/- 14%, p = 0.02) and a lower (0.55 or 0.60 mg/ml) (33 +/- 21 vs. 59 +/- 32%, p = 0.02) concentration of ristocetin. Accordingly, the rate of primary aggregation was smaller, and a larger threshold concentration of ristocetin was needed to cause aggregation. However, ristocetin cofactor activity, von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen and its multimer distribution, plasma glycocalicin, platelet glycoprotein Ib content and the binding of vWF to frozen and thawed washed platelets were equal in both groups. Thus, the observed reduced RIPA in patients with PAOD is less likely to reflect a down-regulation or blunted binding affinity in the platelet surface glycoprotein Ib.

Aged↗

Pathophysiology of platelet thrombin receptors.

The evidence is reviewed and a model presented for two distinct receptors being involved in platelet activation induced by alpha-thrombin: a high affinity thrombin receptor constituting approximately 50 copies of a supercomplexed form of GPIb coupled to phospholipase A2 and a moderate affinity receptor constituting approximately 2000 copies of the proteolytically activated, G protein-coupled seven transmembrane domain receptor coupled to phospholipase C. Reasons for the failure of certain studies to detect this role for GPIb are discussed.

Blood Platelet Disorders↗

Effect of a new monoclonal anti-glycoprotein IX antibody, KMP-9, on high shear-induced platelet aggregation.

Human platelet glycoprotein Ib/IX complex acts as a receptor for von Willebrand factor. It is widely accepted that glycoprotein Ib is the essential receptor component, but the role of glycoprotein IX is still unclear. We produced a new monoclonal anti-glycoprotein IX antibody (KMP-9) by the hybridoma technique using platelets from a patient with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. The epitope of KMP-9 was localized to the C-terminal 8 kD fragment of glycoprotein IX using ELISA analysis of polyethylene-pin-synthesized peptides, as well as Western blot analysis of platelets after digestion with N-glycosidase and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease. KMP-9 partially inhibited high shear stress-induced platelet aggregation, but had no effect on aggregation induced by ristocetin or low shear stress. Its inhibitory effect on high shear stress-induced aggregation was weaker than that of anti-glycoprotein Ib or anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa monoclonal antibodies. A 21-mer synthetic peptide (glycoprotein IX L110-G130) inhibited the binding of KMP-9 to platelets. It also competively inhibited the suppression of high shear stress-induced platelet aggregation by KMP-9, but had no direct effect on this aggregation. KMP-9 may be useful to clarify the physiological role of GPIX.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glycoproteins V and Ib-IX form a noncovalent complex in the platelet membrane.

Platelet glycoprotein (GP) V is a Mr 82,000 plasma membrane protein of unknown function that is cleaved by the potent platelet agonist, thrombin, to yield a Mr 69,500 fragment (GPVf1). Platelet GPIb, a disulfide-linked alpha beta heterodimer (Mr 160,000) that forms a noncovalent complex with GPIX (Mr 22,000), functions as the platelet adhesion receptor for surface-bound von Willebrand factor. Association between GPV and GPIb-IX has been suggested by the finding that both proteins are deficient in the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, a bleeding disorder characterized by giant platelets and defective interaction with von Willebrand factor. Here we report that GPV and GPIb-IX are coprecipitated by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against GPV, GPIb, or GPIX when platelets are solubilized in the mild detergent, digitonin. Treatment of digitonin immunopreciptates with the nonionic detergent, Nonidet P-40, released GPV from anti-GPIb and anti-GPIX mAb precipitates and GPIb-IX from the anti-GPV mAb precipitate. Removal of the Mr 45,000 amino-terminal part of GPIb alpha by treatment with elastase did not abrogate association of GPV with GPIb-IX, showing that the leucine-rich repeat sequences in GPIb alpha are not required for complex formation. Binding studies with 125I-labeled mAbs showed the presence of 24,370 GPIb-IX complexes and 11,170 molecules of GPV/platelet (n = 5). These data show that the leucine-rich glycoproteins GPV and GPIb-IX form a noncovalent complex in the platelet membrane. GPV may play a role in the interaction of platelets with von Willebrand factor.

Animals↗

Expression of platelet membrane glycoprotein V in human megakaryocytes and megakaryocytic cell lines: a study using a novel monoclonal antibody against GPV.

Glycoprotein V (GPV) is a platelet membrane protein with a molecular weight of 82 kD, and one of the leucine rich glycoproteins (LRG). By reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), GPV cDNA was amplified from mRNA of platelets and megakaryocytic cell lines. However, since there are few reports indicating whether GPV protein is expressed in megakaryocytes as a lineage and maturation specific protein, we studied the GPV expression at the protein level by using a novel monoclonal antibody (1D9) recognizing GPV. Flow cytometric and immunohistochemical analysis indicated that GPV was detected on the surface and in the cytoplasm of only the megakaryocytes in bone marrow aspirates. In a megakaryocytic cell line UT-7, GPV antigen increased after treatment with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA). These data indicate that only megakaryocytes specifically express the GPV protein among hematopoietic cells and that the expression of GPV increases with differentiation of the megakaryocyte as GPIb-IX complex.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Inherited diseases of platelet glycoproteins: considerations for rapid molecular characterization.

The characterization of inherited diseases of platelets has provided valuable information about platelet physiology and platelet protein function. Genetic studies on patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia, the Bernard-Soulier syndrome, and platelet-type von Willebrand disease have been confined to abnormalities of the GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb-IX receptor complexes. The primary molecular technique used in these analyses has been the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The amplified PCR products are either directly sequenced, or used to screen for abnormal regions of the genes which are then sequenced. This review examines the known mutations in GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb-IX, focusing on those genetic issues which should dictate decisions regarding the approach to identifying molecular defects. The techniques for characterizing mutant alleles in Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Bernard-Soulier syndrome are described and a general strategy is offered. Because mutations resulting in reduced levels of transcripts can be missed when screening RNA, an argument is made for using genomic DNA as the primary material for mutation detection.

Alleles↗

The activation-induced decrease in the platelet surface expression of the glycoprotein Ib-IX complex is reversible.

Thrombin decreases the platelet surface expression of the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex. To determine whether this effect is reversible, flow cytometric studies were performed with GPIb-IX-specific monoclonal antibodies. In both whole blood and washed platelet systems, incubation of platelets with thrombin or a combination of adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine resulted in a maximal decrease of the platelet surface expression of GPIb-IX within 5 minutes, after which there was a time-dependent return of the platelet surface GPIb-IX complex, which was maximal by 60 minutes. Exposure of the same platelets to additional exogenous thrombin resulted in a second decrease in platelet surface GPIb-IX, followed by a second reconstitution of platelet surface GPIb-IX. Throughout these experiments there was no measurable release from the platelets of glycocalicin (a proteolytic fragment of GPIb). Experiments in which platelets were preincubated with a biotinylated GPIb-specific MoAb showed that the GPIb molecules that returned to the platelet surface were the same molecules that had been translocated to the intraplatelet pool. The GPIb molecules that returned to the platelet surface were functionally competent to bind von Willebrand factor, as determined by ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination and ristocetin-induced binding of exogenous von Willebrand factor. Inhibitors of protein kinase C and myosin light-chain kinase enhanced the reexpression of platelet surface GPIb. In summary, the activation-induced decrease in the platelet surface expression of the GPIb-IX complex is reversible. Inactivation of protein kinase C and myosin light-chain kinase are important mechanisms in the reexpression of the platelet surface GPIb-IX complex.

Adult↗

Characterization of the binding domains on platelet glycoproteins Ib-IX and IIb/IIIa complexes for the quinine/quinidine-dependent antibodies.

Sera of 12 patients with quinine/quinidine-induced thrombocytopenia showed drug-dependent antibody binding to glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex. The reaction with GPIb-IX complex of 11 of these 12 sera was strongly inhibited by the complex-specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) AK1 and SZ1. The exception was a quinine-induced serum designated BU. The reaction of the six quinidine-induced sera was also partially blocked by an anti-GPIX MoAb, FMC25. Only 3 of the 12 patient sera showed drug-dependent antibody binding to GPIIb/IIIa, which was strongly inhibited by the anti-GPIIIa MoAb 22C4, and the anti-GPIIb alpha MoAb SZ22. With detergent-solubilized Serratia metalloprotease-treated platelets, quinine/quinidine-induced sera, except BU, immunoprecipitated a membrane-bound proteolytic fragment of GPIb-IX complex. In contrast, BU immunoprecipitated glycocalicin and a 40-Kd peptide tail fragment of GPIb alpha from the cell supernatant. Using purified GPIb-IX complex or its components as the target antigen, all the quinine-induced sera, except BU, immunoprecipitated GPIb-IX complex but failed to immunoprecipitate GPIb, GPIX, or the complex reformed from GPIb and GPIX. The quinidine-induced sera strongly immunoprecipitated purified GPIb-IX complex, weakly immunoprecipitated purified GPIX and the recombined complex, but did not immunoprecipitate purified GPIb. The combined data suggest that one quinine-dependent antibody (BU) recognizes an epitope in the peptide tail region of GPIb alpha and the other five quinine-dependent antibodies react with a complex-specific epitope on the membrane-associated region of GPIb-IX complex, whereas each of the six quinidine-induced sera contain two drug-dependent antibodies, one reactive with the GPIb-IX complex-specific epitope and the other reactive with GPIX. The binding domain(s) on GPIIb/IIIa for the quinine/quinidine-dependent antibodies appear to be sterically close to the epitopes for 22C4 and SZ22.

Antibodies↗

Reversible inhibition of human platelet activation by hypothermia in vivo and in vitro.

A hypothermia-induced hemorrhagic diathesis is associated with cardiopulmonary bypass, major surgery, and multiple trauma, but its pathophysiological basis is not well understood. We examined the hypothesis that hypothermia reversibly inhibits human platelet activation in vitro and in vivo. Platelet activation was studied in normal volunteers by whole blood flow cytometric analysis of modulation of platelet surface GMP-140 and the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex in: a) shed blood emerging from a standardized in vivo bleeding time wound; b) peripheral blood activated in vitro with either thrombin (in the presence of gly-pro-arg-pro, an inhibitor of fibrin polymerization) or the stable thromboxane (TX) A2 analogue U46619. Platelets in peripheral whole blood were activated at temperatures between 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C. the forearm skin temperature was maintained at temperatures between 22 degrees C and 37 degrees C prior to and during the bleeding time incision. Platelet aggregation was studied in shed blood by flow cytometry and in peripheral blood by aggregometry. Generation of TXB2 (the stable metabolite of TXA2) was determined by radioimmunoassay. In vitro, hypothermia inhibited both thrombin- and U46619-induced upregulation of GMP-140, downregulation of the GPIb-IX complex, platelet aggregation, and TXB2 generation. These inhibitory effects of hypothermia were all completely reversed by rewarming the blood to 37 degrees C. In vivo, platelet activation was inhibited by hypothermia as shown by 5 independent assays of shed blood: upregulation of GMP-140, downregulation of the GPIb-IX complex, platelet aggregate formation, TXB2 generation, and the bleeding time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

Downregulation of the platelet surface glycoprotein Ib-IX complex in whole blood stimulated by thrombin, adenosine diphosphate, or an in vivo wound.

In washed platelet systems, thrombin has been demonstrated to downregulate the platelet surface expression of glycoprotein (GP) Ib and GPIX. In the present study, we addressed the question as to whether, in the more physiologic milieu of whole blood, downregulation of platelet surface GPIb and GPIX can be induced by thrombin, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and/or by an in vivo wound. Thrombin-induced downregulation of GPIb and GPIX on the surface of individual platelets in whole blood was demonstrated by the use of flow cytometry, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) and, to inhibit fibrin polymerization, the peptide glycyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl-L-proline. Platelets were identified in whole blood by a GPIV-specific MoAb and exclusion of monocytes by light scattering properties. Flow cytometric analysis of whole blood emerging from a standardized bleeding-time wound established that downregulation of platelet surface GPIb and GPIX can occur in vivo. A GPIb-IX complex-specific antibody indicated that the GPIb and GPIX remaining on the surface of platelets activated in vivo or in vitro were fully complexed. Simultaneous analysis of individual platelets by two fluorophores demonstrated that thrombin-induced platelet surface exposure of GMP-140 (degranulation) was nearly complete at the time that downregulation of platelet surface GPIb-IX was initiated. However, degranulation was not a prerequisite because ADP downregulated platelet surface GPIb-IX without exposing GMP-140 on the platelet surface. Inhibitory effects of cytochalasins demonstrated that the activation-induced downregulation of both GPIX and GPIb are dependent on actin polymerization. In summary, downregulation of the platelet surface GPIb-IX complex occurs in whole blood stimulated by thrombin, ADP, or an in vivo wound, and is independent of alpha granule secretion.

Actins↗

The evolution of megakaryocytes to platelets.

Megakaryocytes (MKs) arise from pluripotent stem cells by a process of cell division, endoreplication and maturation. Progressively, the MK cytoplasm is invaded by the demarcation membrane system speculated to delimit pre-formed platelets. One theory is that the passage of entire MKs (or fragments) into the blood stream is followed by their physical break-up into platelets in the pulmonary circulation. A second theory is that MKs produce beaded processes (proplatelets) which then separate into platelets. Functionally vital platelet receptors such as GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb-IX complexes are specific markers of the MK lineage. CD34 and CD4 are present in progenitors but progressively disappear as MKs mature. Stroma cells secrete cytokines, produce extracellular matrix proteins and mediate cellular contact interactions that regulate MK development. Studies on thrombopoietin and the use of transgenic mouse models are helping to clarify MK biology.

Animals↗

The platelet function defect of cardiopulmonary bypass.

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery is associated with a hemostatic defect, the hallmark of which is a markedly prolonged bleeding time. However, the nature of the putative platelet function defect is controversial. In this study, blood was analyzed at 10 time points before, during, and after CPB. We used a whole-blood flow cytometric assay to study platelet surface glycoproteins in (1) peripheral blood, (2) peripheral blood activated in vitro by either phorbol myristate acetate, the thromboxane (TX)A2 analog U46619, or a combination of adenosine diphosphate and epinephrine, and (3) the blood emerging from a bleeding-time wound (shed blood). Activation-dependent changes were detected by monoclonal antibodies directed against the glycoprotein (GP)Ib-IX and GPIIb-IIIa complexes and P-selectin. In addition, we measured plasma glycocalicin (a proteolytic fragment of GPIb) and shed-blood TXB2 (a stable breakdown product of TXA2). In shed blood emerging from a bleeding-time wound, the usual time-dependent increase in platelet surface P-selectin was absent during CPB, but returned to normal within 2 hours. This abnormality paralleled both the CPB-induced prolongation of the bleeding time and a CPB-induced marked reduction in shed-blood TXB2 generation. In contrast, there was no loss of platelet reactivity to in vitro agonists during or after CPB. In peripheral blood, platelet surface P-selectin was negligible at every time point, demonstrating that CPB resulted in a minimal number of circulating degranulated platelets. CPB did not change the platelet surface expression of GPIb in peripheral blood, as determined by the platelet binding of a panel of monoclonal antibodies, ristocetin-induced binding of von Willebrand factor, and a lack of increase in plasma glycocalicin. CPB did not change the platelet surface expression of the GPIIb-IIIa complex in peripheral blood, as determined by the platelet binding of fibrinogen and a panel of monoclonal antibodies. In summary, CPB resulted in (1) markedly deficient platelet reactivity in response to an in vivo wound, (2) normal platelet reactivity in vitro, (3) no loss of the platelet surface GPIb-IX and GPIIb-IIIa complexes, and (4) a minimal number of circulating degranulated platelets. These data suggest that the "platelet function defect" of CPB is not a defect intrinsic to the platelet, but is an extrinsic defect such as an in vivo lack of availability of platelet agonists. The near universal use of heparin during CPB is likely to contribute substantially to this defect via its inhibition of thrombin, the preeminent platelet activator.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗

Regulation of the structure and activity of platelet adhesion receptors by leukocyte proteinases.

Two major membrane receptors implicated in the adhesive properties of blood platelets are the GPIb-IX complex, a receptor for subendothelial von Willebrand factor, and the alpha IIb beta 3 integrin, the receptor for plasma fibrinogen. We have evaluated how the biological activities of these receptors can be potentially modulated through limited proteolysis when platelets are exposed to the serine-proteinases secreted by activated polymorphonuclear neutrophils, i.e., leukocyte elastase (EL) and cathepsin G (CG). CG can activate the alpha IIb beta 3 integrin through intracellular metabolic pathways, but has no direct proteolytic activity on the receptor subunits. By contrast, EL does not activate the platelet metabolism, but specifically cleaves a short peptide sequence within the alpha IIb subunit, and this cleavage occurs in parallel with an up-regulation of the activity of the fibrinogen receptor. On another hand, both EL and CG cleave the amino-terminal portion of the GPIb alpha subunit of the GPIb-IX receptor, eliminating the binding site for von Willebrand factor and diminishing the capacity of platelets to interact with this adhesion protein. Thus, neutrophil proteinases have the potential to regulate the activity of platelet adhesion receptors, and such experimental observations may prove to be relevant in vivo in various pathological conditions.

Endopeptidases↗

Bernard-Soulier syndrome: quantitative characterization of megakaryocytes and platelets by flow cytometric and platelet kinetic measurements.

Platelets and megakaryocytes have been characterized in a Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) kindred with respect to glycoprotein (GP) membrane receptors and measurements of thrombocytopoiesis. The index patient exhibited lifelong bleeding tendency, moderate thrombocytopenia (35 x 10(9)/l), giant platelets (mean platelet volume 12.5 microns 3 compared to 7.5 +/- 1.5 microns 3 in normals), absent ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination and absent binding of von Willebrand factor (vWF). Flow-cytometric analysis revealed absent platelet binding (0-2%) of monoclonal antibodies (mAb, LJ-P3, LJ-Ib1 and LJ-Ib10) directed against distinct epitopes on membrane GPIb alpha of the GPIb-IX complex, and normal binding of LJ-P4 mAb directed against GPIIb/IIIa complex (relative to increased platelet surface area). Marrow megakaryocytes also failed to express GPIb-IX complex, but demonstrated normal expression of GPIIb/IIIa. Among 6 asymptomatic family members, the patient's mother and 2 of his 4 children exhibited approximately 50% binding of anti-GPIb alpha mAb to their platelets by both flow cytometry and direct binding studies using 125I-vWF, 125I-LJ-Ib1 and 125I-LJ-Ib10 mAb. Marrow megakaryocytes were increased in the average cell volume and cytoplasmic granularity with a corresponding increase in ploidy (46% > 16N compared to 22 +/- 5% in normal individuals), a pattern typical of megakaryocytes stimulated by thrombocytopenia. Autologous 111In-platelet life span was shortened to 4.1 days (compared with 9.5 +/- 0.5 days in normal subjects), and the turnover of platelet mass in the circulation was near normal. The data directly demonstrate that the platelet membrane GPIb-IX defect in BSS originates in megakaryocytes at all levels of cell maturation, and exclude the possibility that the receptor abnormality is acquired during cell maturation or after platelets are released into the circulation. Since marrow megakaryocytes exhibited cellular changes consistent with stimulated megakaryocytopoiesis, these results also suggest that thrombocytopenia in this kindred of BSS is a consequence of both decreased platelet survival and ineffective platelet production.

Adult↗

Neutrophil cathepsin G modulates the platelet surface expression of the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex by proteolysis of the von Willebrand factor binding site on GPIb alpha and by a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution of the remainder of the complex.

The effects of neutrophil cathepsin G on the glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX complex of washed platelets were examined. Cathepsin G resulted in a concentration- and time-dependent decrease in the platelet surface GPIb-IX complex, as determined by flow cytometry, binding of exogenous von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the presence of ristocetin, and ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination. Cathepsin G resulted in proteolysis of the vWF binding site on GPIb alpha (defined by monoclonal antibody [MoAb] 6D1), as determined by increased supernatant glycocalicin fragment (a proteolytic product of GPIb alpha); decreased total platelet content of GPIb; and lack of effect of either cytochalasin B (an inhibitor of actin polymerization), prostaglandin I2 (an inhibitor of platelet activation), or prior fixation of the platelets. However, cathepsin G resulted in minimal decreases in the binding to fixed platelets of MoAbs TM60 (directed against the thrombin binding site on GPIb alpha) and WM23 (directed against the macroglycopeptide portion of GPIb alpha). In contrast to its proteolytic effect on GPIb alpha, the cathepsin G-induced decrease in platelet surface GPIX and the remnant of the GPIb-IX complex (defined by MoAbs FMC25 and AK1) was via a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution, as determined by lack of change in the total platelet content of GPIX and the GPIb-IX complex; complete inhibition by cytochalasin B, prostaglandin I2, and prior fixation of platelets. Experiments with Serratia protease-treated and Bernard-Soulier platelets showed that neither platelet surface GPIb nor cathepsin G-induced proteolysis of GPIb were required for the cathepsin G-induced redistribution of the remnant of the GPIb-IX complex or the cathepsin G-induced increase in platelet surface P-selectin. In summary, neutrophil cathepsin G modulates the platelet surface expression of the GPIb-IX complex both by proteolysis of the vWF binding site on GPIb alpha and by a cytoskeletal-mediated redistribution of the remainder of the complex. Prior studies show that, although thrombospondin 1, antiserine proteases, and plasma are all inhibitors of cathepsin G, the effects of cathepsin G on platelets, including an increase in surface GPIIb-IIIa, occur during close contact between neutrophils and platelets in a protective microenvironment (eg, thrombosis and local inflammation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Actins↗

Association of a phospholipase A2 (14-3-3 protein) with the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX complex.

Platelet adhesion to subendothelial von Willebrand factor involves receptor recognition by the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX and initiates activation signals that contribute to primary hemostasis. We show here that GPIb-IX is specifically associated with an intracellular 29-kDa protein. The physicochemical characteristics and amino acid sequence of this protein indicate that it is identical to the human zeta-isoform 14-3-3 protein, previously characterized as a platelet phospholipase A2 (PLA2). As activation of PLA2 is an early event in GPIb-IX-mediated signaling, this result suggests that ligand occupancy of GPIb-IX may directly activate PLA2, leading to platelet activation.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

Defective adhesion of blood platelets to vascular microfibrils in the Bernard-Soulier syndrome.

Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) platelets, which lack the membrane glycoprotein complex Ib-IX, do not adhere to subendothelium. The adhesion of platelets from two patients with BSS to subendothelial microfibrils (MFs) and type I collagen was compared in an in vitro assay adapted to patients with low platelet count. With both patients, platelet adhesion to MFs was strongly defective, whereas the adhesion to collagen was normal. The involvement of GPIb in the MFs-induced platelet adhesion was confirmed by the inhibitory effect of a MoAb (AN51) to the von Willebrand (vWF) factor binding domain of GPIb. The adhesion of platelets to MFs thus requires GPIb-IX and an axis MFs-vWF-GPIb-IX seems therefore to be prevalent in the reactivity of platelets with subendothelium.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗