BF061, a novel antiplatelet and antithrombotic agent targeting P2Y₁₂ receptor and phosphodiesterase

The addition of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors has been reported to potentiate the antithrombotic effects of P2Y₁₂ antagonists without increasing bleeding risk. In this study, we report that a potent antiplatelet agent, 2-ethylthio-6-phenethylaminoadenosine (BF061), inhibits platelet activation and thrombosis via P2Y₁₂ antagonism and PDE inhibition. We explored the antiplatelet mechanism of BF061 by measuring cAMP, cGMP levels, PDE activity, and the interaction between ADP and P2Y₁₂ using atomic force microscopy. The antithrombotic effect of BF061 was evaluated in mice using intravital microscopy in FeCl₃₋induced mesenteric and laser-induced cremasteric arterial thrombosis models. BF061 robustly inhibited platelet aggregation and ATP release induced by multiple platelet agonists via P2Y₁₂ antagonism and PDE inhibition. Interestingly, despite being structurally similar to BF061, P2Y₁₂ receptor antagonist AR-C69931MX had no effect on human platelet PDE. In FeCl3-induced mesenteric arterial thrombosis model, BF061 effectively prevented thrombus formation similarly to clopidogrel; it also reduced thrombus volume in laser-injured cremaster arteriole model. In contrast, BF061 induced dramatically less bleeding at an antithrombotic dose compared to clopidogrel. In summary, we developed a novel antiplatelet and antithrombotic agent targeting both P2Y₁₂ and PDE. Given the prevalence of combined antiplatelet therapy in clinical practice, an antiplatelet agent bearing dual activities may have therapeutic advantage as a potential antithrombotic drug.