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Biomedical subjects

John H Hartwig

Publications and source records attributed to John H Hartwig.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Mechanisms and implications of platelet discoid shape.

The platelet marginal band consists of a single peripheral microtubule (MT) that is wound in 8 to 12 coils and maintains discoid cell shape. About 90% of beta-tubulin in the marginal band is of the divergent, megakaryocyte (MK)/platelet-restricted beta1 isoform. beta1-tubulin-null mice show reduced proplatelet formation, thrombocytopenia, and platelet spherocytosis. Here, we show that structural abnormalities in resting beta1-tubulin-/- platelets include frequent kinks and breaks in the marginal band. Platelets derived from mice lacking the transcription factor GATA1 show similar defects, probably as a direct consequence of absent beta1-tubulin. beta1-tubulin+/- platelets have normal ratios of beta-tubulin isotypes but the marginal band is half the normal thickness, which is sufficient to maintain elliptical cell shape. Thus, a threshold 50% or less of the normal amount of beta1-tubulin is required to preserve marginal band integrity and cell shape. beta1-tubulin-/- platelets have normal size and contents and show no defects in serotonin release or aggregation. Accordingly, the apparently isolated spherocytosis allows investigation of the role of discoid platelet shape in hemostasis. On agonist stimulation, the disorganized MTs in beta1-tubulin-/- platelets fail to condense into central rings and instead are dispersed in short bundles and linear arrays. Nevertheless, intravital microscopy and flow chamber studies demonstrate full functionality of these spherocytic platelets under physiologic shear conditions. Together, these findings highlight the essential requirements of the MK/platelet-restricted beta1-tubulin isoform in platelet structure and suggest that spherocytosis does not impair many aspects of platelet function.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The clearance mechanism of chilled blood platelets.

Platelet transfusion is a very common lifesaving medical procedure. Not widely known is the fact that platelets, unlike other blood cells, rapidly leave the circulation if refrigerated prior to transfusion. This peculiarity requires blood services to store platelets at room temperature, limiting platelet supplies for clinical needs. Here, we describe the mechanism of this clearance system, a longstanding mystery. Chilling platelets clusters their von Willebrand (vWf) receptors, eliciting recognition of mouse and human platelets by hepatic macrophage complement type 3 (CR3) receptors. CR3-expressing but not CR3-deficient mice exposed to cold rapidly decrease platelet counts. Cooling primes platelets for activation. We propose that platelets are thermosensors, primed at peripheral sites where most injuries occurred throughout evolution. Clearance prevents pathologic thrombosis by primed platelets. Chilled platelets bind vWf and function normally in vitro and ex vivo after transfusion into CR3-deficient mice. Therefore, GPIb modification might permit cold platelet storage.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Importance of free actin filament barbed ends for Arp2/3 complex function in platelets and fibroblasts.

We investigated the effect of actin filament barbed end uncapping on Arp23 complex function both in vivo and in vitro. Arp23 complex redistributes rapidly and uniformly to the lamellar edge of activated wild-type platelets and fibroblasts but clusters in marginal actin filament clumps in gelsolin-null cells. Treatment of gelsolin-null platelets with the negative dominant N-WASp C-terminal CA domain has no effect on their residual actin nucleation activity, placing gelsolin actin filament severing, capping, and uncapping function upstream of Arp23 complex nucleation. Actin filaments capped by gelsolin or the gelsolin homolog CapG fail to enhance Arp23 complex nucleation in vitro, but uncapping of the barbed ends of these actin filaments restores their ability to potentiate Arp23 complex nucleation. We conclude that Arp23 complex contribution to actin filament nucleation in platelets and fibroblasts importantly requires free barbed ends generated by severing and uncapping.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗
PubMed2002

Normal Arp2/3 complex activation in platelets lacking WASp.

Arp2/3 complex is believed to induce de novo nucleation of actin filaments at the edge of motile cells downstream of WASp family proteins. In this study, the signaling pathways leading to Arp2/3 complex activation, actin assembly, and shape change were investigated in platelets isolated from patients with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), that is, who lack WASp, and in WASp-deficient mouse platelets. WASp-deficient human and mouse platelets elaborate filopodia, spread lamellae, and assemble actin, identical to control WASp-expressing platelets. Human platelets contain 2 microM Arp2/3 complex, or 8600 molecules/cell. Arp2/3 complex redistributes to the edge of the lamellae and to the Triton X-100-insoluble actin cytoskeleton of activated WASp-deficient platelets. Furthermore, the C-terminal CA domain of N-WASp, which sequesters Arp2/3 complex, inhibits by half the actin nucleation capacity of octylglucoside-permeabilized and activated WAS platelets, similar to its effect in WASp-expressing cells. Along with WASp, platelets express WAVE-2 as a physiologic activator of Arp2/3 complex and a small amount of N-WASp. Taken together, our findings show that platelets activate Arp2/3 complex, assemble actin, and change shape in the absence of WASp, indicating a more specialized role for WASp in these cells.

Actin-Related Protein 2↗
PubMed2002

WIP deficiency reveals a differential role for WIP and the actin cytoskeleton in T and B cell activation.

WIP stabilizes actin filaments and is important for filopodium formation. To define the role of WIP in immunity, we generated WIP-deficient mice. WIP(minus sign/minus sign) mice have normal lymphocyte development, but their T cells fail to proliferate, secrete IL-2, increase their F-actin content, polarize and extend protrusions following T cell receptor ligation, and are deficient in conjugate formation with superantigen-presenting B cells and anti-CD3 bilayers. In contrast, WIP-deficient B lymphocytes have enhanced proliferation and CD69 expression following B cell receptor ligation and mount normal antibody responses to T-independent antigens. Both WIP-deficient T and B cells show a profound defect in their subcortical actin filament networks. These results suggest that WIP is important for immunologic synapse formation and T cell activation.

Actins↗