Extracellular Na+ removal enhances granule secretion in platelets--evidence that Na+/H+ exchange is inhibitory to secretion induced by some agonists

Sodium-hydrogen exchange and platelet function

On stimulation of platelets with agonists, for example, thrombin, a rapid rise in intracellular pH is observed. This alkalinization is mediated by an increase in transport activity of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoform NHE1. In addition to this Na(+)/H(+) exchange mechanism, platelets express bicarbonate/chloride exchangers, which also contribute to pH(i) homeostasis. The main functions of NHE1 in platelets include pH(i) control, volume regulation, and participation in cell signaling. The isoform NHE1 is highly sensitive toward inhibition by EIPA, Hoe694, and Hoe642. The regulation of NHE1 activity is complex and is not completely understood. It includes the MAP kinase cascade, the Ca/calmodulin system, several heterotrimeric G proteins (Galpha12, Galpha13, Galphaq, and Galphai), small G proteins (ras, cdc42, rhoA), and downstream kinases (e.g., p160ROCK). Volume challenges stimulate tyrosine phosphorylation of cytoplasmic proteins, which ultimately activate NHE1. Thrombin, thromboxane, platelet-activating factor, angiotensin II, endothelin, phorbol ester, and Ca(2+) ionophors stimulate NHE1 activity in platelets. Blockade of platelet NHE1 can inhibit platelet activation. With the development of highly specific NHE1 inhibitors, detailed investigation of the relationships between NHE1 activity and platelet activation now becomes feasible.

Alpha-granule secretion from alpha-toxin permeabilized, MgATP-exposed platelets is induced independently by H+ and Ca2+

In order to better understand granule release from platelets, we developed an alpha-toxin permeabilized platelet model to study alpha-granule secretion. Secretion of alpha-granules was analyzed by flow cytometry using P-selectin as a marker for alpha-granule release. P-selectin surface expression occurred when platelets were permeabilized in the presence of Ca2+. Responsiveness to Ca2+ was lost 30 min after permeabilization but could be reconstituted with MgATP. Alpha-toxin-permeabilized, MgATP-exposed platelets also degranulated within a pH range of 5.4-5.9 without exposure to and independent of Ca2+. ATP, GTP, CTP, UTP, and ITP supported Ca2+-induced alpha-granule secretion, while H+-induced alpha-granule secretion occurred only with ATP and GTP. Both Ca2+- and H+-induced alpha-granule secretion required ATP hydrolysis. Kinase inhibitors blocked both Ca2+- and H+-induced secretion. These data suggest that alpha-granule secretion in this permeabilized platelet system shares many characteristics with granule secretion studied in other permeabilized cell models. Furthermore, these results show that H+ can trigger alpha-granule release independent of Ca2+.

Low-density lipoproteins inhibit the Na+/H+ antiport in human platelets. A novel mechanism enhancing platelet activity in hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND

LDL have been reported to augment platelet activation, and increased platelet reactivity has been observed in familial hypercholesterolemia. However, the underlying mechanisms of this putatively atherogenic effect is unknown. Because intracellular pH (pHi) may play an important role in platelet function, we examined the influence of LDL on pHi and Na+/H+ antiport activity in human platelets and compared it with the effect of [3-methylsulfonyl-4-piperidinobenzoyl] guanidine hydrochloride (HOE 694), a selective Na+/H+ antiport inhibitor.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a fluorescent dye technique, we demonstrated that incubation of platelets with physiological concentrations of LDL or with HOE 694 decreased pHi. In addition, both LDL and HOE 694 inhibited the Na+/H+ antiport in platelets treated with sodium propionate or thrombin. The inhibitory effect of LDL was observed both in normal and in glycoprotein (GP)IIb/IIIa-as well as in GPIIIb (CD36)-deficient platelets and was not influenced by the covalent modification of apolipoprotein B lysine residues, suggesting that specific LDL binding sites were not involved. Thrombin-induced phosphoinositide breakdown, diacylglycerol formation, and Ca2+ mobilization, as well as platelet aggregation and granule secretion, were potentiated by both LDL and HOE 694. pHi and Na+/H+ antiport activity were significantly reduced in platelets from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. Both parameters were normalized after normalization of LDL levels by apheresis treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

LDL inhibits the Na+/H+ antiport most likely via receptor-independent mechanisms, thereby augmenting platelet reactivity. This novel mechanisms explains increased platelet reactivity in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and may contribute to the atherogenic potential of LDL.

Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-dependent pH regulation in unstimulated human platelets

The influence of transmembrane Na+ and Ca2+ gradients on cytosolic pH (pHi) and free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) have been examined in unstimulated human platelets with the aid of BCECF and Fura-2 fluorescent dyes. The removal of external Na+ (Na+o) acidified the cytosol in a pHo-dependent manner which was insensitive to EIPA and DIDS, the inhibitors of the Na+/H+ exchanger and bicarbonate transporters. Na+o removal also increased [Ca2+]i by 17 +/- 5%, but the amplitude of the concomitant acidification was independent on Ca2+ influx or cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. In contrast, in the presence of 145mM Na+o, a rise in external Ca2+ concentration from 1 to 2mM increased [Ca2+]i by 38 +/- 11% and acidified the cytosol by 0.16 +/- 0.04 pH units. These results indicated that, in resting human platelets, the transmembrane Na+ gradient is a major determinant of pHi. Two Na(+)-dependent processes have been found: one is triggered by an external acidification and the other activated by a rise in Ca2+ influx or cytosolic concentration.