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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Tissue Factor Expression in Human Platelets
Published on: November 22, 2024
The glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex contributes to tissue factor-independent thrombin generation by recombinant factor
Cees Weeterings1, Philip G de Groot, Jelle Adelmeijer
1Department of Clinical Chemistry and Haematology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Several lines of evidence suggest that recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is able to activate factor X on an activated platelet, in a tissue factor-independent manner. We hypothesized that, besides the anionic surface, a receptor on the activated platelet surface is involved in this process. Here, we showed that, in an ELISA setup, a purified extracellular fragment of GPIbalpha bound to immobilized rFVIIa. Surface plasmon resonance established a affinity constant (K(d)) of approximately 20 nM for this interaction. In addition, CHO cells transfected with the GPIb-IX-V complex could adhere to immobilized rFVIIa, whereas wild-type CHO cells could not. Furthermore, platelets sti-mulated with a combination of collagen and thrombin adhered to immobilized rFVIIa under static conditions. Platelet adhesion was inhibited by treatment with O-sialoglycoprotein endopeptidase, which specifically cleaves GPIbalpha from the platelet surface. In addition, rFVIIa-mediated thrombin generation on the activated platelet surface was inhibited by cleaving GPIbalpha from its surface. In summary, 3 lines of evidence showed that rFVIIa interacts with the GPIb-IX-V complex, and this interaction enhanced tissue factor-independent thrombin generation mediated by rFVIIa on the activated platelet surface. The rFVIIa-GPIbalpha interaction could contribute to cessation of bleeding after administration of rFVIIa to patients with bleeding disorders.
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