Effect of fibrinopeptides A and B on human and rat platelet aggregation in vitro

The effect of fibrinopeptides on platelet aggregation is reported. Fibrinopeptide A (minimal effective concentration, 0.65 microM) aggregated human (but not rat) platelets suspended in plasma and at lower concentrations (0.01-0.1 microM) potentiated platelet aggregation due to ADP and collagen in both species. Fibrinogen mimicked these effects of fibrinopeptide A. P-bromophenacyl bromide (100 microM), mepacrine (10 microM), indomethacin (10 microM) and dazoxiben (10 microM) inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by fibrinopeptide A and fibrinogen. In both species, fibrinopeptide B (0.65-6.5 microM) antagonised the platelet inhibitory effect of PGI2 and PGD2 but not adenosine. Antagonism was non-competitive in nature. The concentration of fibrinopeptide A required to potentiate platelet aggregation occurs naturally in the plasma of patients with thrombotic disease suggesting this effect may be of physiological significance during the formation of a thrombus. The novel action of fibrinopeptide B to reduce the platelet inhibitory effect of PGI2 and PGD2 may also contribute to the control of thrombus formation.