Deficient platelet-derived nitric oxide and enhanced hemostasis in mice lacking the NOSIII gene

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) has been identified in human platelets. Although platelet-derived nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to inhibit platelet recruitment in vitro, its role in the regulation of the hemostatic response in vivo has not been characterized. To define the role of platelet-derived NO in vivo, we studied mice that lacked a functional eNOS gene (NOSIII). Surface P-selectin expression in platelets from eNOS-deficient mice was not significantly altered; however, bleeding times were markedly decreased in eNOS-deficient versus wild-type mice (77.2+/-3 versus 133.4+/-3 seconds, P<0.00005). To determine the contribution of endothelium- versus platelet-derived NO to the bleeding time, isolated platelets from either eNOS-deficient or wild-type mice were transfused into a thrombocytopenic eNOS-deficient mouse and the bleeding time was measured. The bleeding times in mice transfused with eNOS-deficient platelets were significantly decreased compared with mice transfused with wild-type platelets (Deltableeding time, -24.6+/-9.1 and -3.4+/-5.3 seconds, respectively; P<0.04). Platelet recruitment was studied by measuring serotonin release from a second recruitable population of platelets that were added to stimulated platelets at the peak of NO production. There was 40.3+/-3.7% and 52. 0+/-2.1% serotonin release for platelets added to wild-type or eNOS-deficient platelets, respectively (P<0.05). In summary, mice that lacked eNOS had markedly decreased bleeding times even after endothelial NO production was controlled. These data suggest that the lack of platelet-derived NO alters in vivo hemostatic response by increasing platelet recruitment. Thus, these data support a role for platelet-derived NO production in the regulation of hemostasis.