Circulation Research. 2006;99:1293-1304
doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000251742.71301.16
(Circulation Research. 2006;99:1293.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Activation of Platelet Function Through G ProteinCoupled Receptors
Stefan Offermanns
From the Institute of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Correspondence to Stefan Offermanns, Institute of Pharmacology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 366, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. E-mail stefan.offermanns{at}pharma.uni-heidelberg.de
This Review is part of a thematic series on Mechanisms, Models, and In Vivo Imaging of Thrombus Formation, which includes the following articles:
Activation of Platelet Function Through G ProteinCoupled Receptors
Platelets As Immune Cells: Bridging Inflammation and Cardiovascular Disease
In Vivo Thrombus Formation
Platelet Adhesion
Platelet Inhibitors and Thrombus Formation
Bernhard Nieswandt and Ulrich Walter Guest Editors
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Abstract
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Because of their ability to become rapidly activated at places
of vascular injury, platelets are important players in primary
hemostasis as well as in arterial thrombosis. In addition, they
are also involved in chronic pathological processes including
the atherosclerotic remodeling of the vascular system. Although
primary adhesion of platelets to the vessel wall is largely
independent of G proteinmediated signaling, the subsequent
recruitment of additional platelets into a growing platelet
thrombus requires mediators such as ADP, thromboxane A
2, or
thrombin, which act through G proteincoupled receptors.
Platelet activation via G proteincoupled receptors involves
3 major G proteinmediated signaling pathways that are
initiated by the activation of the G proteins G
q, G
13, and G
i.
This review summarizes recent progress in understanding the
mechanisms underlying platelet activation and thrombus extension
via G proteinmediated signaling pathways.
Key Words: platelet activation heterotrimeric G proteins GPCRs thrombosis
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Introduction
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Platelet adhesion and activation at sites of vascular wall injury
is initiated by a multistep process involving the interaction
of platelets with the subendothelial extracellular matrix which
contains adhesive macromolecules including collagen and von
Willebrand factor (vWF).
1,2 The initial interaction of platelets
with the extracellular matrix under conditions of high sheer
rates and the subsequent strengthening of this interaction involves
the platelet vWF receptor GPIb/V/IX and the collagen receptor
GPVI
24 (which will be covered in a forthcoming review
in this series). GPVI is unable to mediate adhesion but, via
activation of the FcR

chain, induces intracellular signaling
processes which promote the inside-out activation of integrins
such as
IIbß
3 (GPIIb/IIIa) or
2ß
1 (GPIa/IIa).
4,5 The interaction of activated integrins with the extracellular
matrix then mediates the firm adhesion of platelets to the injured
vessel wall, resulting in the formation of a platelet monolayer.
During the next stage of platelet activation, a platelet plug forms through the recruitment of additional platelets from the circulation and their integrin
IIbß3-mediated aggregation (see Figure 1). The recruitment of additional platelets is mediated by a variety of locally accumulating mediators that are produced or released once platelet adhesion has been initiated and some level of platelet activation through platelet adhesion receptors has occurred. These mediators include ADP/ATP and thromboxane A2 (TxA2), which are secreted or released from activated platelets and thrombin, which is produced on the surface of activated platelets. These diffusible mediators have in common that they act via G proteincoupled receptors (GPCRs). Through the activation of G proteinmediated signaling pathways, they can further increase their own formation and release, thus acting as positive-feedback mediators that amplify the initial signals to ensure the rapid activation and recruitment of platelets into a growing thrombus (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. Activation of platelets at sites of vascular injury. The initial contact of platelets with the subendothelial extracellular matrix is mediated by vWF and GPIb , followed by the activation of platelets by collagen via the collagen receptor GPVI. This results in the integrin-mediated adhesion of platelets and some cellular activation, which leads to the release and production of diffusible mediators such as ADP, TxA2, and thrombin acting via GPCRs. Activation of these receptors strengthens the adhesion of the first and second layers of adhering platelets, induces platelet-shape change, and further drives the formation and release of mediators. These diffusible mediators then act on platelets nearby and recruit them into the growing platelet plug. ECM indicates extracellular matrix; Fg, fibrinogen.
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Thus, G proteins are centrally involved in the second phase of platelet-dependent thrombus formation. Pharmacological studies as well as work based on the analysis of mice lacking individual components of G proteinmediated signaling pathways have identified GPCRs, G proteins, and effector pathways regulating platelet activation (see Tables 1 and 2
). This review describes the major GPCRs involved in platelet activation and summarizes recent data on the role of individual G proteins and their downstream effectors in the regulation of platelet functions such as integrin-mediated aggregation, degranulation, or platelet-shape change. Finally, the review discusses whether G proteinmediated signaling pathways could serve as targets for the development of new antiplatelet strategies.
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Platelet Activators Working Through G ProteinCoupled Receptors
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GPCRs constitute the largest family of proteins in the human
genome.
68 They can be activated by a chemically very
diverse group of ligands including amines, lipids, peptides,
ions, nucleotides, or proteases.
9 Because of their ability to
specifically interact with various functionally different heterotrimeric
guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), agonist-activated
GPCRs can induce different signaling pathways to change cellular
functions.
10,11 The large versatility of the G proteinmediated
signaling system may explain why it is the primary mediator
of the second phase of platelet activation during thrombosis
and hemostasis, which requires the coordinated and fast action
of a variety of diffusible mediators to activate platelets and
to recruit them into the growing thrombus.
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Adenosine Diphosphate
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ADP is stored at high concentrations in dense granules of platelets
and is released on platelet activation. Released ADP strongly
activates platelets in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. It
can also be released from damaged cells at places of vascular
injury. Platelet activation by ADP is mediated by 2 G protein-coupled
receptors, P2Y
1 and P2Y
12.
12,13 Whereas P2Y
1 couples to G
q,
14,15 P2Y
12 is coupled to G
i-type G proteins, in particular to G
i2.
16,17 Studies using receptor agonists had suggested that activation
of both receptors is required for a full response of platelets
to ADP.
1820 Platelets from mice lacking P2Y
1 do not undergo
shape change in response to ADP, and ADP-induced aggregation
is severely impaired. In addition, mice lacking P2Y
1 have mildly
increased bleeding times and a relative resistance to ADP-induced
thromboembolism.
21,22 Absence of P2Y
12 in humans results in
a mild form of hemorrhagia,
23,24 a phenotype not observed in
mice lacking P2Y
12.
25,26 Platelets from mice deficient in P2Y
12 have a normal shape change but an impaired aggregation in response
to ADP.
25,26 In addition, these animals have severely prolonged
bleeding times and form smaller and unstable thrombi.
27 Both
P2Y
1 and P2Y
12 are also involved in ADP-induced platelet procoagulant
activity.
28 Interestingly, platelet responses to thrombin and
TxA
2 at low and intermediate concentrations are reduced in the
absence of ADP receptors,
21,22,25,27 underlining the important
role of ADP as a positive-feedback mediator required for sustained
platelet activation. The P2Y
12 receptor is irreversibly inhibited
by thienopyridines such as clopidogrel, which is currently used
for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events.
29,30
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Thrombin
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Thrombin is the main effector protease of the coagulation system
and is among the most effective activators of platelets. Thrombin
formation is initiated by the exposure of tissue factor to plasma
coagulation factors after disruption of the vascular endothelium.
Thrombin formation takes place on cellular surfaces including
that of activated platelets.
31 The local production of thrombin
on the platelet surface represents an important mechanism by
which activated platelets stimulate coagulatory processes. In
addition, it may facilitate activation of platelets by thrombin,
which is rapidly inactivated after its formation. Activation
of platelets by thrombin is mediated by protease-activated receptors
(PARs),
32 which couple to G
q, G
12/G
13 and, in some cases, also
to the G
i family of heterotrimeric G proteins.
33,34 Of the four
protease-activated receptors, PAR1 and PAR4 are present on human
platelets, whereas mouse platelets express PAR3 and PAR4.
35,36 Studies using PAR1 antagonists or antibodies blocking PAR1 or
PAR4 activation have indicated that PAR1 mediates human platelet
activation at low thrombin concentrations, whereas PAR4 contributes
to thrombin-induced platelet activation only at high thrombin
concentrations.
35,3739 The higher potency of thrombin
toward PAR1 activation is most likely attributable to the presence
of a hirudin-like sequence close to the C-terminal thrombin
cleavage site, which facilitates binding of thrombin and is
absent in PAR4.
35,40 The presence of PAR3 and PAR4 in mouse
platelets suggested that they function analogous to PAR1 and
PAR4 in human platelets. This was initially suggested by studies
using platelets from PAR3-deficient mice, which did not respond
any more to low and intermediate concentrations of thrombin
but could be activated by high concentrations via PAR4.
35 However,
studies with heterologously expressed receptors revealed that
mouse PAR3, which contains a hirudin-like sequence close to
the thrombin cleavage site, did not mediate thrombin-induced
transmembrane signaling unless PAR4 was present. This suggests
that mouse PAR3 functions as a coreceptor for mouse PAR4 and
facilitates cleavage and activation of PAR4 at low thrombin
concentrations.
41 Consistent with this, platelets from PAR4-deficient
mice are unresponsive to thrombin and protected against thrombosis.
42,43 Thus, although thrombin activates human platelets by cleaving
and activating PAR1 and PAR4 at low and high concentrations,
respectively, thrombin-induced mouse platelet activation is
completely dependent on PAR4-mediated signaling and requires
PAR3 only to facilitate cleavage of PAR4 at low thrombin concentrations.
It is not known whether mouse PAR3 and PAR4 form stable heterodimers
in which PAR3 mediates activation and PAR4 signaling, or whether
binding of thrombin to PAR3 simply facilitates cleavage of PAR4.
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Thromboxane A2
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Like ADP, TxA
2 functions as a positive-feedback mediator during
platelet activation. It is produced from arachidonic acid through
conversion by cyclooxygenase-1, the target of low-dose aspirin,
and thromboxane synthase. The action of TxA
2 is locally restricted
because of its short half-life. The TxA
2 receptor (TP), which
is also activated by the prostaglandin endoperoxides PGG
2 and
PGH
2, couples to G
q and G
12/G
13.
33,44,45 The role of TP as the
platelet TxA
2 receptor has been demonstrated in studies using
platelets from TP-deficient mice, which become unresponsive
to TxA
2.
46 TP-deficient mice have prolonged bleeding times and
are unable to form stable thrombi.
46 A reduced activation of
TP-deficient platelets has been suggested to contribute to a
reduced injury-induced vascular proliferation as well as to
a reduced progression of atherosclerosis observed in mice lacking
TP.
47,48
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Other Platelet Stimuli
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Several other stimuli have been identified that act through
GPCRs. However, in contrast to ADP, thrombin, and TxA
2, they
are only weak activators of platelets and appear to serve primarily
as potentiators of platelet responses to other stimuli.
For instance, epinephrine alone is not able to activate platelets but potentiates the effect of other stimuli by acting through the
2A-adrenergic receptor. Interestingly, the
2A receptor in platelets preferentially couples to the Gi-type G protein Gz.49 In mice lacking the
2A-adrenergic receptor, the potentiating effect of epinephrine on platelet activation was absent, bleeding time was moderately prolonged, and the formation of stable thrombi was impaired.50
Prostaglandin E2 can potentiate platelet activation via the EP3 receptor. The EP3 receptor form expressed on platelets is believed to be coupled to Gi-type G proteins. In mice lacking EP3, bleeding times are increased and the potentiating effects of prostaglandin E2 are abrogated.51,52
Serotonin is taken up by platelets, stored in dense granules, and released on platelet activation. Part of its action serves as a positive-feedback mechanism by activating 5-hydroxtryptamine 2A receptors on platelets, which are Gq-coupled.
Various chemokines such as platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4), RANTES (CCL5), or CXCL5 are released from activated platelets. During recent years, it has been demonstrated that platelets express chemokine receptors such as CXCR4, the receptor of stromal cell-derived factors 1
(SDF-1/CXCL12), or CCR4, which is activated by macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC/CCL22) and by TARC (CCL17).5357 Also, the chemokine receptors CCR1, CCR2, and CX3CR1, which are activated by RANTES (CCL5), MCP-1 (CCL2), and fractalkine (CX3CL1), respectively, have been shown to be expressed by platelets.56,58 Chemokine receptors are coupled to Gi-type G proteins and mediate a rather weak activation of platelets. However, they are able to potentiate the effects of other platelet stimuli. There is increasing evidence that the secretion and presentation of chemokines by platelets, as well as the activation of platelets by chemokines, play an important role in the development of atherosclerotic vascular disease.59,60
Lysophospholipids such as lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) can activate platelets.61 There is evidence that platelets express LPA1, LPA2, and LPA3 receptors.62,63 LPA and related lysophospholipid species are found in mildly oxidized low-density lipoprotein, as well as in advanced atherosclerotic lesions, and may contribute to platelet activation at various stages of atherosclerosis.64
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Inhibitors of Platelets Acting Through GPCRs
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The major endothelium-derived inhibitors of platelet activation
are nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI
2), which raise the
levels of the cyclic nucleotides cGMP and cAMP. Although NO
directly activates guanylyl cyclase, PGI
2 acts through a G
s-coupled
receptor, the IP receptor, to stimulate adenylyl cyclase. Recent
evidence suggests that PGI
2-dependent platelet inhibition may
play an important role in the protective effect of prostacyclin.
In IP receptordeficient mice, injury-induced vascular
proliferation and platelet activation was enhanced. In mice
lacking both IP and TP receptors, this augmented response was
abolished, suggesting that PGI
2 and TxA
2, acting through their
respective receptors, antagonistically regulate vascular and
platelet functions.
47 This complex functional antagonism may
also explain the adverse cardiovascular effects associated with
selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, which inhibit the formation
of PGI
2 but not of TxA
2.
65
Adenosine released during cell damage or by conversion of ADP by the endothelial ectonucleotidase CD39 inhibits platelet function by activating the Gs-coupled A2A receptor.66
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G ProteinMediated Signaling Pathways Mediating Platelet Activation
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The main diffusible platelet stimuli ADP, TxA
2, and thrombin
recruit platelets into a growing thrombus by activating multiple
G proteinmediated signaling pathways to induce platelet-shape
change, degranulation, and integrin
IIbß
3-mediated
aggregation. They use distinct mechanisms to induce full platelet
activation. ADP activates G
q and G
i through its receptors P2Y
1 and P2Y
12, whereas TxA
2 and thrombin activate mainly G
q and
G
12/G
13 via the TxA
2 receptor or the protease-activated receptors
PAR1/PAR4 or PAR3/PAR4. Because all mediators can in turn increase
the formation and release of thrombin, TxA
2, and ADP, their
effects are amplified and eventually all major G proteinmediated
signaling pathways are activated. These positive-feedback mechanisms
have obscured the analysis of the roles individual G proteinmediated
signaling pathways play in platelet activation. Platelets lacking
the

subunits of individual G-protein subtypes have been used
to study the function of the main G proteinmediated signaling
pathways in platelet activation independently of the mediators
and their respective receptors involved. In the course of these
studies the G proteins G
q, G
13, and G
i2 have been demonstrated
to play important roles in platelet activation (see
Table 2).
The Gq/G11 family of G proteins couples receptors to ß isoforms of phospholipase C (PLC), of which, especially the ß2 and the ß3 isoforms, are present in platelets. Activation of PLC results in the formation of IP3 and diacyl glycerol leading to an elevation of free cytoplasmic [Ca2+] and activation of protein kinase C (PKC), respectively. Although most cells in the mammalian organism express both Gq and G11, platelets are an exception in that they only contain Gq.67,68 So far, no physiological significance for the lack of G11 in platelets has been reported. G13, a member of the G12/G13 family, has been shown to regulate several signaling pathways of which the Rho/Rho-kinasemediated pathway is the best established. Activated G
13 binds and activates a subgroup of Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factors.69,70 Gi2, the main member of the Gi family expressed on platelets couples receptors in an inhibitory fashion to adenylyl cyclase. In addition, Gi-type G proteins are a major source for ß
complexes, which are released on G-protein activation and can regulate a variety of channels or enzymes including adenylyl cyclases or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks).71 The latter enzyme produces phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate, which activates a variety of downstream effectors including the serine/threonine kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB).72,73
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Platelet-Shape Change
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A shape change is the initial response of platelets to activators
such as thrombin, ADP, or TxA
2. It is an extremely rapid process
based on the reorganization of the cytoskeleton.
74,75 During
platelet-shape change, new actin filaments are formed, leading
to the formation of a submembranous actin filament network and
the extension of filopodia. In addition, actomyosin-based contractile
processes are stimulated, resulting in the centralization of
dense and

granules. Finally, the circumferential microtubule
coil depolymerizes, which allows the platelet to change from
a discoid to a spherical shape. The platelet-shape change, which
is induced by agonist concentrations lower than those required
for degranulation and aggregation, is believed to be a prerequisite
for efficient secretion of granule contents and to greatly facilitate
adhesion of platelets to each other and to components of the
extracellular matrix.
Platelet agonists can induce shape change under conditions in which they do not stimulate PLC or induce an increase in [Ca2+]i, suggesting that an elevation of [Ca2+]i alone is not sufficient to induce platelet-shape change.7679 Consistent with that, thrombin and TxA2 can still induce platelet-shape change in the absence of Gq-mediated PLC activation.68 This suggests that other G proteins activated by thrombin and TxA2 receptors such as G12 and G13 are involved in the induction of platelet-shape change.34 In platelets lacking G
13 but not G
12, low and intermediate concentrations of thrombin and TxA2 were not able to induce a shape change.80 At high agonist concentrations, TxA2 and thrombin activated platelet-shape change also in the absence of G
13. However, in the absence of both G
13 and G
q, platelet-shape change could not be induced even at maximal agonist concentrations.81 This clearly indicates that platelet-shape change can be induced through Gq as well as through G13. Stimuli that are able to activate both G proteins via their respective receptors such as TxA2 and thrombin preferentially use G13 to induce platelet-shape change. Stimuli such as ADP, which activates Gq-mediated signaling pathways but not signaling via G13, induce platelet-shape change solely via Gq.68,81 Activation of Gi does not appear to be required for the induction of platelet-shape change (see Figure 2).

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Figure 2. Signaling pathways induced via GPCRs in platelets. Shown are some of the upstream signaling mechanisms linking the activation of GPCRs by ADP, TxA2, and thrombin via the G proteins G13, Gq, and Gi to the induction of platelet-shape change, inside-out activation of integrins, and degranulation. RhoGEF indicates Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor; PIP5K, phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase; MPase, myosin phosphatase; MLCK, MLC kinase; DAG, diacyl glycerol; CalDAG-GEF, calcium and diacyl glycerol-regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor; PIP3, phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate.
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The regulation of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation has been suggested to be involved in the induction of platelet-shape change.82,83 MLC phosphorylation can be controlled through a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent regulation of MLC kinase and through a Rho/Rho-kinasemediated regulation of myosin phosphatase.84 In G
q-deficient platelets the agonist-induced platelet-shape change could be blocked by inactivation of Rho and inhibition of Rho-kinase,34 and MLC phosphorylation and shape change in response to TxA2 and low concentrations of thrombin were strongly dependent on the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway in wild-type platelets.85,86 The central role of the Rho/Rho-kinasemediated regulation of MLC phosphorylation and platelet-shape change is supported by the strong correlation between the ability of stimuli to induce platelet-shape change and their ability to stimulate RhoA activation and MLC phosphorylation. In platelets lacking G
q, TxA2 and thrombin were still able to induce shape change, RhoA activation, and MLC phosphorylation.68,80,81 High concentrations of TxA2 and thrombin as well as ADP are able to induce platelet-shape change as well as RhoA activation and MLC phosphorylation also in the absence of G
13. However, in the absence of both G
q and G
13, none of the stimuli can induce platelet-shape change or activation of RhoA or MLC phosphorylation.81 This indicates that activation of the Rho/Rho-kinasemediated signaling pathway is required for agonist-induced MLC phosphorylation in platelets. When the G13-mediated signaling pathway resulting in Rho/Rho-kinase activation is blocked, Gq-mediated MLC phosphorylation can be induced only under sufficiently high agonist concentrations which result in RhoA activation through Gq. Gq has been shown to be able to mediate RhoA activation in a PLC-independent manner via Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors.8789 Stimulation of Rho/Rho-kinase and MLC phosphorylation increases actomyosin contractility, and activation of Rho-kinase has been suggested to be required for the dynamic regulation of microtubule coils during platelet-shape change.90
In addition to MLC phosphorylation, several other signaling processes may be involved in agonist-induced platelet-shape change. This includes tyrosine kinases such as pp60c-src or pp72syk.34,78,91,92 Actin assembly during platelet-shape change has also been shown to be controlled by polyphosphoinositides such as phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate. Formation of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate by phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase can be regulated by the small GTP-binding protein Rac,75,93,94 as well as by RhoA.95 Rac becomes activated in platelets on receptor activation96 and can also induce actin polymerization through the activation of the Arp2/3 complex mediated by WAVE proteins.97 However, in G
q-deficient platelets, activation of Rac by various agonists is abrogated while they are still able to induce platelet-shape change,98 indicating that Rac activation is not required for agonist-induced platelet-shape change. Under these conditions, actin assembly and polymerization may be induced through other RhoA-dependent pathways such as the activation of 4-phosphate 5-kinase99 or of formins, which promote linear elongation of actin filaments.100
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Platelet Aggregation
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The accumulation of platelets into a hemostatic thrombus is
based on the formation of multiple platelet/platelet interactions
(platelet aggregation). Platelet aggregation is mediated by
integrin
IIbß
3, which binds various extracellular
macromolecular ligands including fibrinogen and vWF. The dimeric
structure of fibrinogen and the multimeric structure of vWF
allow these ligands to crossbridge platelets and to generate
a platelet aggregate. In unactivated, resting platelets,
IIbß
3 is in an "off" state, in which ligand binding affinities are
low and no signaling occurs. Platelet activation induces intracellular
signaling processes that influence the cytoplasmic part of
IIbß
3,
rapidly converting
IIbß
3 into an active conformation
(inside-out signaling), which results in fibrinogen/vWF-mediated
platelet aggregation.
101106
Although the exact signaling mechanisms that link receptors of platelet activators to the cytoplasmic domains of
IIbß3 are incompletely understood, the role of different G-protein subfamilies and the role of some of their immediate effector pathways have been described during recent years. There is good evidence that activation of PLCß through Gq, which results in the formation of IP3 and diacyl glycerol, plays an important role in mediating
IIbß3 activation. IP3-mediated increases in cytosolic-free Ca2+ appears to be required for integrin activation, but Ca2+ alone is obviously not sufficient to induce inside-out signaling.107 Activation of PKC by diacyl glycerol or phorbol esters leads to
IIbß3 activation.107 It is, however, not clear which of the various PKC isoforms are involved in G proteinmediated inside-out activation and which are the relevant PKC substrates in this process. The requirement of Gq-mediated signaling for agonist-induced
IIbß3 activation has also been demonstrated by the phenotype of G
q-deficient platelets, which fail to aggregate and to secrete in response to thrombin, ADP, and TxA2 because of a lack of agonist-induced PLC activation.68 There is, however, clear evidence for additional Gq-independent signaling processes which are involved in
IIbß3 activation. This has first been suggested based on several observations made when the mechanisms of ADP-induced integrin
IIbß3 activation were studied. Platelets lacking the Gi-coupled P2Y12 receptor or in which P2Y12 was blocked did not aggregate in response to ADP unless the Gi-mediated pathway was activated by alternative mechanisms.14,25,86 A role for Gi-mediated signaling in integrin
IIbß3 activation by platelet stimuli is also indicated by the fact that platelets lacking G
i2 or the related G
z show reduced aggregation in response to ADP, thrombin or adrenaline.17,49,108,109 Thus, Gq and Gi appear to synergize to induce platelet aggregation.
How Gi contributes to integrin
IIbß3 activation in platelets is currently not clear. It is conceivable that the Gi-mediated decrease in cAMP levels counteracts the antiaggregatory effects of endothelial mediators such as PGI2, which increases platelet cAMP levels via its Gs-coupled receptor. However, under in vitro conditions, a decrease in cAMP levels alone does not induce aggregation of platelets.19,110,111 Activation of Gi results in the release of reasonable amounts of G-protein ß
subunits, which, as dimers themselves, regulate various effectors and may contribute to
IIbß3 activation and platelet aggregation. The 2 PI3K isoforms activated by ß
complexes, p110ß (PI3Kß) and p110
(PI3K
), are both expressed in platelets.112,113 Activation of PI3K results in the formation of 3-phosphorylated phosphoinositides, which can activate a variety of effectors including various isoforms of PKC or PKB/Akt.72,114 A role of PI3K in the activation of integrin
IIbß3 is also supported by observations in PI3K
-deficient mice, which show reduced aggregation responses to ADP,115,116 as well as by studies using specific inhibitors of PI3Kß, which suggests that this enzyme plays an important role in sustaining platelet aggregation in response to low concentrations of platelet activators.117 Consistent with that, platelets lacking the downstream effectors of PI3K, Akt1, and/or Akt2 show reduced aggregation.118,119
Recently, the small GTPase Rap1 has attracted interest as a potential mediator of integrin
IIbß3 activation by various platelet activators. Rap1, which has been implicated in the activation of inside-out signaling for a variety of integrins including
IIbß3,120,121 is rapidly activated on platelet activation obviously through Gq- and Gi-mediated signaling pathways.122,123 Mice lacking Rap1b show defects in the activation of integrin
IIbß3 in response to various platelet stimuli and are protected from arterial thrombosis.124 Similarly, mice lacking CalDAG-GEFI, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor mediating agonist-induced Rap1 activation in platelets, show decreased platelet activation and thrombus formation and have severely prolonged bleeding times.125 These data clearly indicate that Rap1 is involved in at least 1 of several mechanisms mediating the integrin
IIbß3 activation by various platelet activators.
There is also clear evidence that G13-mediated signaling contributes to efficient
IIbß3 activation. This has first been suggested on the basis of the observation that some level of integrin
IIbß3 activation and platelet aggregation can also be induced in the absence of Gq-mediated signaling when Gi- and G12/G13-dependent signaling pathways are concomitantly activated.126,127 A role of G13 in platelet integrin activation could be confirmed in studies with platelets lacking G
13. In the absence of G
13, agonist-induced
IIbß3 activation was reduced. In addition, G
13-deficient animals had prolonged bleeding times and were protected against arterial thrombosis.80 A role of the G13-mediated activation of the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway is consistent with findings that indicate a role of RhoA in platelet aggregation under high-shear conditions and in the irreversible aggregation of platelets in suspension.128,129
Although the precise signaling mechanisms linking GPCRs to integrin
IIbß3mediated platelet aggregation are only partially understood, it has become clear in recent years that the rapid platelet aggregation with high efficiency requires the activation of at least 3 signaling pathways mediated by the heterotrimeric G proteins Gq, G13, and Gi. In the absence of 1 of the 3 pathways, activation of
IIbß3 still occurs, although with lower efficacy.
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Platelet Secretion and Procoagulant Activity
|
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Secretion from platelets is an important mechanism that amplifies
platelet activation and results in the release of mediators
that act on the vessel wall as well as on other blood cells.
It occurs in 2 waves, the first consists of the release of dense
core granules and

-granules followed by the release of lysosomes.
Dense granules contain small molecules such as nucleotides (ADP,
ATP) or serotonin, whereas

granules contain various proteins
including growth factors, chemokines, adhesive molecules, and
coagulation factors. There is good evidence that platelet secretion
functions analogous to other systems of regulated secretion,
and platelets have been shown to contain the necessary components
of the secretory machinery.
130,131 Although a detailed model
of the mechanisms linking platelet surface receptors to the
activation of platelet secretion is still missing, some of the
upstream regulatory processes have been elucidated. It is well
established that an increase in the free cytosolic [Ca
2+] and
an activation of PKC are required for platelet activation.
76,132 Platelet secretion can be inhibited by various inhibitors of
PKC isoforms.
133136 However, the identity of the PKC
isoforms involved in stimulus-induced platelet secretion is
not clear. PKC

has been suggested to be involved.
137 Several
targets of Ca
2+ and PKC have been suggested including Munc-18,
MARCKS proteins, or phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinase.
131 Although elevation of cytosolic [Ca
2+] and activation of PKC
are able to induce some platelet degranulation, full secretory
responses of platelets to various stimuli require the synergistic
activation of Ca
2+ and PKC-mediated processes.
136,138140 The central role of the G
q/PLC-ß pathway in agonist-induced
platelet granule secretion is supported by the finding that
various platelet activators failed to induce secretion in platelets
lacking G
q68 and by the fact that secretion in response to TxA
2 and low concentrations of thrombin are reduced in PLCßdeficient
platelets.
116
Platelet-shape change does not appear to be required for platelet aggregation.141 Platelet-shape change, however, precedes platelet secretion, and contractile forces generated during platelet-shape change lead to the centralization of platelet granules. Centralization of platelet granules is believed to be required for fusion of granules with each other as well as with the open canalicular system and the plasma membrane. This implies that the cytoskeletal reorganization during platelet-shape change contributes to the secretion of platelet granules. Consistent with this, signaling pathways that are involved in the induction of platelet-shape change such as the Ca2+-dependent and the RhoA/Rho-kinasemediated stimulation of MLC phosphorylation have been shown to be involved in platelet secretion,142,143 and platelet secretion in response to thrombin and TxA2 is severely impaired in platelets lacking G
13.80
It is well established that the activation of platelets and the activation of the coagulation cascade are complementary processes that influence each other. Platelet secretion contributes to the procoagulant activity of activated platelets by providing additional coagulation factors including factor V, factor VIII, or fibrinogen.144 In addition, strong platelet activation results in the exposure of phosphatidylserine at the outer surface of the plasma membrane as well as in the formation of membrane blebs and microvesicles. The exposure of phosphatidylserine supports the formation of thrombin by facilitating the assembly of the prothrombinase and tenase complexes on the surface of activated platelets.31,145 The shedding of membrane blebs into the circulation is suggested to provide procoagulant microvesicles. There is good evidence that the procoagulant activity of platelets is induced by very strong and prolonged increases in intracellular [Ca2+]. The most important stimulus appears to be fibrillar collagen, which acts through primarily G proteinindependent processes. The transient [Ca2+] increases induced via Gq-coupled receptors are obviously only sufficient to induce a small degree of phosphatidylserine exposure and procoagulant activity.31 Nevertheless, the autocrine activation of platelets by ADP and subsequent activation of P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors contributes to the activation of platelet-procoagulant activity in vitro and in vivo.28,146,147
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Implications for Future Development of Antiplatelet Agents
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Platelet adhesion at sites of atherosclerotic plaque rupture
and subsequent formation of platelet aggregates is a central
mechanism underlying the formation of arterial thrombi, resulting
in acute coronary syndromes, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
In addition, platelet activation appears to be already involved
in earlier stages of atherosclerosis development.
60,148 Platelets
are therefore prime targets for therapeutic approaches to treat
or prevent cardiovascular diseases.
30,149 Although considerable
progress has been made in the development of antiplatelet agents
as well as in the clinical evaluation of their effects, available
antiplatelet therapies are still not optimal. This topic will
be covered further in a forthcoming review in this series.
The currently most widely used antiplatelet drugs, aspirin, and clopidogrel have been shown to prevent cardiovascular diseases and are relatively well tolerated by treated patients. However, despite the proven beneficial effects, both drugs can reduce the risk for serious vascular events such as myocardial infarction or stroke in high-risk patients only by approximately one-quarter.150,151 Thus, the efficacy of aspirin and clopidogrel is limited. This is probably attributable to the fact that both drugs inhibit the action of only 1 of several positive-feedback mediators acting via GPCRs. A third class of antiplatelet drug,
IIbß3 (GPIIb/IIIa) antagonists, block the final convergence point of platelet activation. Blockers of
IIbß3 have been shown in clinical trials to be very efficacious when used in patients undergoing coronary interventions. However, the increased efficacy is accompanied by a considerable reduction in safety, which restricts the use of
IIbß3 antagonists to the treatment of acute clinical conditions or to the treatment of patients undergoing coronary interventions.152,153 Thus, especially for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, there is still a clinical need for antiplatelet drugs with higher antithrombotic efficacy than aspirin and clopidogrel but with safety profiles that allow for a preventive long-term administration.
Because Gq, G13, and Gi integrate the effects of various platelet stimuli acting through their GPCRs, interference with signaling pathways downstream of GPCRs appears to be a promising strategy to develop antiplatelet agents with higher efficacy than those that block only individual platelet stimuli or their individual receptors. Because all 3 G proteinmediated signaling pathways show some level of redundancy, inhibition of 1 of the pathways should still be safer than blocking the common end point of platelet activation. Based on the fact that platelets lack G11, which can compensate Gq deficiency in almost all tissues except platelets and the nervous system,68,154 Gq has been suggested as a target for antiplatelet agents.68 To circumvent potential side effects in the central nervous system, a Gq inhibitor should not be able to pass the blood/brain barrier. It has, however, turned out to be extremely difficult to selectively target the function of Gq because of its close structural similarity to G
11.155 However, a G
q-specific approach would be required, because inhibition of both Gq and G11 is likely to have deleterious effects in multiple organs.156158 Alternatively, signaling pathways downstream of Gq, G13, or Gi such as the Rho/Rho-kinase or the PI3K-mediated signaling pathways represent attractive targets for antiplatelet drugs.159,160 Because most components of G proteinmediated downstream signaling pathways are present in a variety of cells, potential inhibitors should act in a somewhat platelet-selective manner to reduce the risk of side effects in other cells and tissues. Depending on their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, drugs acting on widely expressed protein targets can have remarkable platelet selectivity, as demonstrated by the well-established antiplatelet activity of low-dose aspirin.161
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Conclusions
|
|---|
After the initial interaction of platelets with the altered
vessel wall and their adhesion, the subsequent activation and
formation of a platelet thrombus require the action of various
diffusible mediators that act through GPCRs. In recent years,
the major GPCRs involved in platelet activation under physiological
and pathological conditions have been identified, and it has
become clear that platelet activation requires the parallel
signaling through several heterotrimeric G proteins. Although,
in the absence of G
q-, G
i-, or G
13-mediated signaling, some
platelet activation can occur, efficient activation of platelets
in vitro and in vivo requires all 3 G proteinmediated
signaling pathways. Mouse lines lacking individual G-protein

subunits or other downstream signaling components of these
pathways have provided the first models not only to evaluate
the physiological role of individual signaling pathways but
also to make predictions regarding their potential role as targets
for new antiplatelet agents.
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Acknowledgments
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The secretarial assistance of Rose LeFaucheur is gratefully
acknowledged.
Sources of Funding
Work by the author has been supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.
Disclosures
None.
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Footnotes
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Original received August 14, 2006; revision received October
2, 2006; accepted October 20, 2006.