Mice Lacking PECAM-1 and Ceacam1 Have Enhanced Platelet Secretion and Thrombus Growth: Novel Link with PAR4

Fahd A Kuriri1,2, Genia Burchall1, Fehaid Alanazi1,3

  • 1Thrombosis and Vascular Diseases Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, STEM College, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.

Insights

Platelet receptors PECAM-1 and CEACAM1 negatively regulate collagen and PAR4 signaling. Deleting both enhances platelet activation and thrombus formation, revealing their combined role in thrombosis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Platelet activation is crucial for hemostasis but also implicated in thrombosis.
  • PECAM-1 and CEACAM1 are inhibitory receptors regulating platelet function.
  • Their combined role in platelet activation pathways and thrombosis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the combined role of PECAM-1 and CEACAM1 in regulating platelet activation.
  • To examine their collective contribution to thrombus formation in vivo.

Main Methods:

  • Generated a double knockout (DKO) mouse lacking PECAM-1 and CEACAM1.
  • Assessed DKO platelet responses to various agonists (collagen-related peptide, PAR4, ADP, TP A2).
  • Evaluated thrombus formation under high shear and in microvascular thrombosis models.

Main Results:

  • DKO platelets showed hyper-responsiveness to collagen-related peptide and rhodocytin, releasing more P-selectin.
  • DKO platelets exhibited enhanced P-selectin exposure upon PAR4 stimulation, mediated by Gαq/PLC signaling.
  • DKO mice displayed significantly increased thrombus formation in vivo compared to single knockouts or WT.

Conclusions:

  • PECAM-1 and CEACAM1 cooperate to negatively regulate platelet activation via hemiITAM and PAR4 signaling.
  • Both receptors are essential for controlling platelet responses to collagen and thrombin.
  • Combined deficiency of PECAM-1 and CEACAM1 leads to heightened platelet activation and increased microvascular thrombosis.

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