Both the ADP receptors P2Y1 and P2Y12, play a role in controlling shape change in human platelets

Two types of ADP receptors, P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) are involved in platelet aggregation. The P2X(1) receptor is also present but its role, in terms of platelet function, is not yet defined. The aim of this study was to establish if the ADP receptors, P2Y(1,) P2Y(12) and P2X(1) play a role in controlling platelet shape change (PSC) in human platelets. PSC is an early phase of platelet activation that precedes aggregation. Using a high-resolution channelyzer, PSC was assessed by measuring the median platelet volume (MPV). The P2Y(1) receptor antagonist MRS 2179 (1.06 - 10.25 micro mol/l) blocked ADP-induced PSC (by 100%). The median IC(50) was 3.16 micro mol/l. MRS 2179 also significantly (P = 0.01) inhibited PSC induced by the combination of ADP + serotonin (5HT). The P2Y(12) receptor antagonist AR-C69931MX significantly inhibited (at 10s, P = 0.009; 15 s, P = 0.001 and 30 s, P = 0.015) ADP-induced PSC. The P2X(1) receptor antagonist TNP-ATP had no significant effect on ADP- or ADP + 5HT-induced PSC. We conclude that the IC(50) of a P2Y(1)-blocker can be derived because of the high-resolution and reproducibility of the channelyzer technique. In addition to the P2Y(1) purinoceptor, the P2Y(12)receptor appears to be involved in ADP-induced PSC since this process was significantly inhibited by AR-C69931MX. The channelyzer technique may be more reliable than optical aggregometry to assess PSC.