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Increased platelet purinergic sensitivity in peripheral arterial disease--a pilot study
Oscar O Braun1, Anita Jagroop, Lingwei Wang
1Department of Cardiology, Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.
Platelets
|July 14, 2005
Summary
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients exhibit increased platelet activation by adenosine diphosphate (ADP). This heightened sensitivity in PAD is not linked to P2 receptor expression but likely involves post-receptor mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Hematology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is linked to increased platelet hyperaggregability, contributing to myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.
- Purinergic signaling, involving platelet receptors P2Y1, P2Y12, and P2X1, plays a critical role in platelet activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if increased P2 receptor expression at the transcriptional or translational level contributes to platelet hyperaggregability in PAD patients.
- To assess platelet activation and P2 receptor expression in PAD patients compared to healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Platelet activation was measured by assessing platelet shape change (PSC) via median platelet volume (MPV) and the fall in free platelet count after adenosine diphosphate (ADP) stimulation.
- Real-time PCR and Western blots were used to quantify P2 receptor mRNA and protein expression in platelets from PAD patients and controls.
Main Results:
- PAD patients showed a significantly greater fall in free platelet count after ADP stimulation compared to controls, indicating increased platelet activation.
- No significant differences were observed in median platelet volume (MPV), P2 receptor mRNA levels, or P2 receptor protein expression between PAD patients and controls.
Conclusions:
- Platelets from PAD patients exhibit heightened sensitivity to ADP, even when on aspirin therapy.
- This increased platelet hyperactivity in PAD is not attributable to altered P2 receptor expression but is suggested to be mediated by post-receptor signaling mechanisms.