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Updated: Sep 26, 2026

A Uniform Shear Assay for Human Platelet and Cell Surface Receptors via Cone-plate Viscometry
Published on: June 5, 2019
Aspirin inhibits surface glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, P-selectin, CD63, and CD107a receptor expression on human platelets
Marcus E McKenzie1, Alex I Malinin, Christopher R Bell
1Center for Thrombosis Reseasrch, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University, 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215, USA.
Insights
Aspirin directly affects major platelet receptors, beyond blocking prostaglandin synthesis, influencing acute coronary syndrome risk. This study investigated aspirin
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Aspirin therapy reduces acute coronary syndrome risk via platelet inhibition.
- The precise mechanisms of aspirin's antiplatelet effects beyond prostaglandin blockade remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effects of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) on the surface expression of nine key platelet receptors.
- To elucidate potential non-prostaglandin mediated mechanisms of aspirin's action on platelets.
Main Methods:
- Whole blood flow cytometry was used to analyze platelet receptor expression in healthy volunteers.
- Blood samples were treated with varying concentrations of aspirin, with or without apyrase.
- Surface expression of receptors including GPIIb/IIIa, P-selectin, PECAM-1, and lysosomal-associated membrane proteins was quantified using specific monoclonal antibodies.
Main Results:
- Aspirin did not affect platelet serotonin release.
- Dose-dependent inhibition of glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa, P-selectin, CD63, and CD107a receptor expression was observed.
- Apyrase potentiated aspirin's effects and independently inhibited PECAM-1 expression.
Conclusions:
- Aspirin exerts direct effects on specific platelet receptors, independent of its cyclooxygenase-1 inhibitory action.
- These findings suggest additional mechanisms contributing to aspirin's antiplatelet efficacy in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Abstract:
Platelet inhibition after aspirin therapy reduces the risk for the development of acute coronary syndromes. However, the mechanism by which aspirin affect platelets other than by prostaglandin blockade is unclear. We sought to determine the in vitro effects of aspirin on the surface expression of nine platelet receptors using whole blood flow cytometry. Blood from 24 healthy volunteers was incubated for 30 min with 1.8 and 7.2 mg/l phosphate-buffered saline-diluted acetylsalicylic acid in the presence or absence of apyrase. Platelet serotonin release, and the surface expression of platelet receptors with or without apyrase were determined using the following monoclonal antibodies: anit-CD41 [glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa], CD42b (GPIb), CD62p (P-selectin), CD51/CD61 (vitronectin receptor), CD31 [platelet/endothelial cellular adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1)], CD107a [lysosomal associated membrane protein (LAMP)-1], CD107b (LAMP-2), CD63 (LIMP or LAMP-3), and CD151 (PETA-3). Samples were then immediately fixed with 2% paraformaldehyde, and run on the flow cytometer within 48 h. Aspirin does not affect serotonin release from human platelets. Dose-dependent inhibition of GPIIb/IIIa, P-selectin, CD63, and CD107a receptor expression was observed in the aspirin-treated whole-blood samples. Apyrase potentiates the effects of aspirin, and independently inhibits PECAM-1. In addition to the known effect of irreversibly inhibiting platelet cyclooxygenase-1, thereby blocking thromboxane A(2) synthesis, it appears that aspirin exhibits direct effects on selective major platelet receptors.
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