Revealing concealed cardioprotection by platelet Mfsd2b-released S1P in human and murine myocardial infarction

Amin Polzin1,2,3, Lisa Dannenberg1, Marcel Benkhoff1

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, and Vascular Medicine, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Nature Communications
|April 26, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Platelets release sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) during myocardial infarction, which protects the heart. Certain antiplatelet drugs may block this benefit, suggesting a need to reconsider therapy strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Platelet Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Antiplatelet therapy is standard for acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
  • The beneficial roles of the activated platelet secretome may be overlooked.
  • Platelets are implicated in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis and resolution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of platelet-derived sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).
  • To evaluate the impact of S1P on cardiovascular outcomes and infarct size in AMI patients.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of preserving S1P release during antiplatelet therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Identified platelets as a primary source of S1P burst during AMI.
  • Correlated S1P levels with cardiovascular mortality and infarct size in STEMI patients.
  • Administered activated platelet supernatant in murine AMI models.
  • Utilized genetic models deficient in S1P production/export and S1P receptor 1.
  • Assessed the effect of GPIIb/IIIa and P2Y12 antagonists on S1P release and cardioprotection.

Main Results:

  • Higher S1P levels favorably associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality and infarct size in STEMI patients.
  • Activated platelet supernatant reduced infarct size in mice, an effect blunted by S1P pathway deficiencies.
  • The GPIIb/IIIa antagonist tirofiban preserved S1P release and cardioprotection.
  • The P2Y12 antagonist cangrelor did not preserve S1P release or cardioprotection.

Conclusions:

  • Platelet-derived S1P mediates intrinsic cardioprotection during AMI.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting S1P may offer novel treatment avenues for AMI.
  • Antiplatelet therapy requires careful consideration to avoid inhibiting beneficial S1P-mediated effects.