Ingrid A. M. Relou

Low-density lipoprotein and its effect on human blood platelets.

Abstract: Events leading to hyperactivity of human blood platelets are accompanied by an enhanced risk of atherosclerosis and arterial thrombosis. Lipoprotein disorders affect platelet functions, and hypersensitive platelets are observed in various stages of hyperlipidemia. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), a circulating complex of lipids and proteins that is increased in hypercholesterolemia, enhances platelet function and increases sensitivity of platelets to several naturally occurring agonists. LDL sensitizes platelets via binding of apoB-100 to a receptor on the platelet membrane and via transfer of lipids to the platelet membrane. The receptor that mediates binding of LDL to the platelet and initiates subsequent intracellular signaling cascades has not yet been identified. Modification of native LDL generates a platelet-activating particle, and this interaction might contribute to the development of the atherosclerotic plaque. Lysophosphatidic acid is formed upon mild oxidation of LDL and is responsible for subsequent platelet activation induced by the modified LDL particle. Thus, LDL changes the functions of platelets via a broad spectrum of interactions.

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) inhibits low density lipoprotein-induced signaling in platelets

At physiological concentrations, low density lipoprotein (LDL) increases the sensitivity of platelets to aggregation- and secretion-inducing agents without acting as an independent activator of platelet functions. LDL sensitizes platelets by inducing a transient activation of p38MAPK, a Ser/Thr kinase that is activated by the simultaneous phosphorylation of Thr180 and Tyr182 and is an upstream regulator of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). A similar transient phosphorylation of p38MAPK is induced by a peptide mimicking amino acids 3359–3369 in apoB100 called the B-site. Here we report that the transient nature of p38MAPK activation is caused by platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (PECAM-1), a receptor with an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif. PECAM-1 activation by cross-linking induces tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 and a fall in phosphorylated p38MAPK and cPLA2. Interestingly, LDL and the B-site peptide also induce tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1, and studies with immunoprecipitates indicate the involvement of c-Src. Inhibition of the Ser/Thr phosphatases PP1/PP2A (okadaic acid) makes the transient p38MAPK activation by LDL and the B-site peptide persistent. Inhibition of Tyr-phosphatases (vanadate) increases Tyr-phosphorylated PECAM-1 and blocks the activation of p38MAPK. Together, these findings suggest that, following a first phase in which LDL, through its B-site, phosphorylates and thereby activates p38MAPK, a second phase is initiated in which LDL activates PECAM-1 and induces dephosphorylation of p38MAPK via activation of the Ser/Thr phosphatases PP1/PP2A.

Lipid Rafts Facilitate the Interaction of PECAM-1 with the Glycoprotein VI-FcR γ-Chain Complex in Human Platelets

Glycoprotein (GP) VI, the main signaling receptor for collagen on platelets, is expressed in complex with the FcR γ-chain. The latter contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif, which becomes phosphorylated, initiating a signaling cascade leading to the rapid activation and aggregation of platelets. Previous studies have shown that signaling by immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif-containing receptors is counteracted by signals from receptors with immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs. Here we show, by immunoprecipitation, that the GPVI-FcR γ-chain complex associates with the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif-containing receptor, PECAM-1. In platelets stimulated with collagen-related peptide (CRP-XL), tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 precedes that of the FcR γ-chain, implying direct regulation of the former. The GPVI-FcR γ-chain complex and PECAM-1 were present in both lipid raft and soluble fractions in human platelets; this distribution was unaltered by activation with CRP-XL. Their association occurred in lipid rafts and was lost after lipid raft depletion using methyl-β-cyclodextrin. We propose that lipid raft clustering facilitates the interaction of PECAM-1 with the GPVI-FcR γ-chain complex, leading to the down-regulation of the latter.

Site-specific phosphorylation of platelet focal adhesion kinase by low-density lipoprotein.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in signalling pathways mediated by integrins and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Upon stimulation FAK is phosphorylated on six tyrosine residues. Here we report the site-specific phosphorylation by low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is known to induce integrin-independent FAK phosphorylation, and compare this with the effect of thrombin, which phosphorylates FAK via integrin alphaIIbbeta3. Stimulation with LDL reveals (i) a major role for Tyr-925 phosphorylation which surpasses the phosphorylation of the other residues, including Tyr-397, in rate and extent, (ii) alphaIIbbeta3-independent phosphorylation of Tyr-925 and Tyr-397, and (iii) complex formation between FAK and the Src-kinase Fgr but not with c-Src. These patterns differ profoundly from those induced by thrombin. LDL-induced phosphorylation of Tyr-925 and Tyr-397 was inhibited by 60-75% by receptor-associated protein, an inhibitor of members of the LDL receptor family. Thus these findings reveal a novel mechanism of FAK phosphorylation by signalling cascades involving a member of the LDL receptor family.

Lysophosphatidic acid-independent platelet activation by low-density lipoprotein

Mildly oxidized low‐density lipoprotein activates platelets through lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Hence, the platelet‐activating properties attributed to native low‐density lipoprotein (nLDL) might be caused by LPA contamination. We show that nLDL enhances thrombin receptor‐activating peptide (TRAP)‐induced fibrinogen binding to αIIbβ3. The LPA receptor blocker N‐palmitoyl‐L‐serine‐phosphoric acid did not affect nLDL‐enhanced fibrinogen binding induced by TRAP, but reduced TRAP‐induced binding. cAMP and inhibitors of protein kinase C and Ca2+ rises completely blocked ligand binding by TRAP and nLDL/TRAP. Inhibitors of p38MAPK and ADP secretion interfered only partially. Blockade of Rho‐kinase increased ligand binding 2–3‐fold. We conclude that nLDL enhances TRAP‐induced fibrinogen binding independent of LPA.