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Updated: Oct 4, 2026

Analyzing Platelet Subpopulations by Multi-color Flow Cytometry
Published on: June 10, 2025
AlphaB-crystallin, a low-molecular-weight heat shock protein, acts as a regulator of platelet function
1Department of Pharmacology, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan. okozawa@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
It has recently been reported that alphaB-crystallin, a low-molecular-weight heat shock protein, may be released from cells by mechanical stretch. We investigated a physiological role of alphaB-crystallin in platelet function. AlphaB-crystallin inhibited platelet aggregation induced by thrombin or botrocetin in hamsters and humans. These platelets had specific binding sites for alphaB-crystallin. Moreover, alphaB-crystallin significantly reduced thrombin-induced Ca2+ influx and phosphoinositide hydrolysis by phospholipase C in human platelets. Additionally, plasma levels of alphaB-crystallin were markedly elevated in cardiomyopathic hamsters. Levels of alphaB-crystallin in vessel walls after endothelial injury were markedly reduced. Therefore, our results suggest that alphaB-crystallin, which is discharged from vessel walls in response to endothelial injury, acts intercellularly as a regulator of platelet function.
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