Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Pf4”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Presence of autoantibodies to interleukin-8 or neutrophil-activating peptide-2 in patients with heparin-associated thrombocytopenia.

Eighty-seven patients with heparin-associated thrombocytopenia (HAT) showed either a positive heparin platelet aggregometry test result and/or the presence of antibodies to heparin-platelet factor 4 (H-PF4) complexes by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fifteen of these patients lacked antibodies to H-PF4, and plasma from these patients was analyzed for the presence of antibodies to PF4-related chemokines, Neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Of these 15 patients, 6 showed antibodies to IL-8 and 3 to the platelet basic protein (PBP)-derived protein, NAP-2. Antibodies to IL-8 and NAP-2 were not observed in control patients (n = 38), patients with HAT and H-PF4 autoantibodies (n = 72), patients with autoimmune diseases (n = 21), or patients with non-HAT thrombocytopenia (n = 30). Five of these nine patients with anti-IL-8 or anti-NAP-2 developed thrombosis during heparin treatment, which is not statistically different from the patients with H-PF4 antibodies. The existence of autoantibodies to IL-8 and NAP-2 in HAT patients highlights the significance of chemokines in the pathogenesis of HAT. The contribution of heparin in vitro was minimal in patients with anti-IL-8 and anti-NAP-2 antibodies, suggesting a biologic difference from the majority of patients with HAT and anti-PF4 antibodies. It may be that antibodies to IL-8 and NAP-2 have weaker affinity for heparin and that the ELISA system may not reflect in vivo heparin-chemokine complex formation. Alternatively, antichemokine autoantibodies may predate heparin exposure, and the role of heparin in initiating HAT may be to mobilize the chemokines and to target them to platelets, neutrophils, or endothelial cells. Subsequent chemokine-binding autoantibodies then lead to cell activation resulting in thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

[Platelet factor 4, target of anti-heparin antibodies: application to biological diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombopenia].

Heparin-platelet factor 4 (H-PF4) complexes are the target for heparin-dependent antibodies present in most of heparin-induced thrombocytopenias (HIT). The highest reactivity is obtained with 27 IU of heparin per mg of PF4. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and pentosane polysulphate can also form these complexes. Antibodies to H-PF4, may be of the IgG, IgA or IgM isotypes. In some HIT, IgGs are absent and only IgMs and/or IgAs are observed. These antibodies may also develop in heparin (15%) or LMWH (8%) treated patients in the absence of thrombocytopenia. IgGs rarely develop in these cases. Presence of antibodies to H-PF4 is therefore a risk factor for developing HIT. Development of pathology requires additional factors such as: PF4 and heparin at an optimised ratio allowing formation of macromolecular complexes; presence of activated platelets exposing increased Fc gamma RII-A and heparin receptors; His. 131 phenotype of Fc gamma RII-A; pre-thrombotic and/or inflammatory clinical manifestations. Assay of antibodies to H-PF4 improves HIT diagnosis and could be predictive for monitoring heparin-therapies.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1998

Antibodies from patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis recognize different epitopes on heparin: platelet factor 4.

Antibodies associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia/ thrombosis (HITT) are now thought to be specific for complexes formed between heparin and platelet factor 4 (PF4), a basic protein found normally in platelet alpha granules. How these antibodies cause thrombocytopenia and, in some patients, thrombosis, is not fully understood, in part because purified antibodies that could be labeled and used as probes to characterize target epitopes have not been available. We developed a novel method for antibody purification involving binding to and elution from PF4 complexed to heparin immobilized by end-linkage (EL) to a solid phase. Isolated antibodies were functional and after biotinylation, reacted with heparin: PF4 complexes in the same manner as unlabeled antibodies. Using these probes, we found that antibodies from 11 patients with HITT recognized two, and probably three, distinct sites on heparin: PF4 complexes. The antibodies did not bind to PF4 complexed with heparin immobilized by multiple chemical cross-linkages, suggesting that the heparin molecule must be in a flexible, relatively unconstrained state to react with PF4 in such a way as to create sites for HITT antibody binding.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Defining an antigenic epitope on platelet factor 4 associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially serious complication of heparin therapy. Antibodies to platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin complexes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this disorder, but the antigenic epitope(s) on the protein have not been defined. To address this issue, we studied the binding of HIT antibodies to a series of recombinant proteins containing either point mutations in PF4 or chimeras containing various domains of PF4 and the related protein, neutrophil activating peptide-2 (NAP-2). Serum samples from 50 patients with a positive 14C-serotonin release assay (14C-SRA) and a clinical diagnosis of HIT and 20 normal controls were studied. HIT antibodies reacted strongly with wild-type (WT) PF4/heparin complexes, but reacted little, if at all, with NAP-2/heparin complexes (optical density [OD]405 = 2.5 and 0.2, respectively). Alanine substitutions at three of the four lysine residues implicated in heparin binding, K62, K65, and K66, had little effect on recognition by HIT antibodies (OD405 = 2.2, 2.8, and 2.0, respectively), whereas an alanine substitution at position K61 led to reduced, but still significant binding (OD405 = 1.0). Similar studies involving chimeras between PF4 and NAP-2 localized a major antigenic site to the region between the third and fourth cysteine residues for more than half of the sera tested. This site appears to involve a series of amino acids immediately after the third cysteine residue beginning with P37. Thus our studies suggest that whereas the C-terminal lysine residues of PF4 are important for heparin binding, they do not comprise a critical antigenic site for most HIT antibodies. Rather, we propose that maintaining a region near the third cysteine residue of PF4, distal from the proposed heparin-binding domain, is required to form the epitope recognized by many HIT antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

[Chemokines and the regulation of hematopoiesis].

Chemokines are a large family of cytokines that act not only as immune and inflammatory regulators but also as regulators of hematopoiesis. Two major subfamilies of chemokines are distinguished on the basis of whether the first two cysteines are separated by a single residue (CXC) or three residues (CX3C) or they are adjacent (CC) or there is a single C. The Macrophage Inflammatory Protein 1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), which belongs to CC family is a powerful inhibitor of hematopoisis in vitro and in vivo. The sub-family CXC comprises two main groups. The first sub-group includes the ELR chemokines, in which interleukin-8 (IL-8) is the most prototypic and possesses suppressive activities on hematopoiesis. Platelet Factor 4 (PF4) belongs to the sub-group of non-ELR CXC chemokines. PF4 acts as an inhibitor of hematopoiesis, particularly of the megakaryocytopoiesis. Recently, it has been shown that a peptide of PF4, 34-58 which does not contain the site of heparin binding, is able to inhibit the growth of hematopoietic progenitors in vitro, providing evidence for a model of heparin dependent and independent pathways of PF4 action on hematopoiesis. PF4 can reduce the chimiosensitivity of hematopoietic cells in mice treated by the cytotoxic drug 5-Fluorouracyl, suggesting a potential clinical application of PF4 in cancer therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Antigens involved in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a common side effect of heparin therapy, can be life-threatening. Following treatment with heparin, platelet factor 4 (PF4) is released into the circulation. Heparin can bind to PF4 to form a reactive antigen on the platelet. The formation of large heparin-PF4 (H-PF4) complexes that can react with HIT antibodies depends on the concentrations of heparin and PF4. Antibodies involved in HIT are usually of the IgG class, but can be IgA or IgM; Fab and Fc fragments are necessary for the activation of platelets. In a minority of cases of HIT, antibodies to H-PF4 are not present, but antibodies to other cytokines have been found. These antibodies frequently react either with interleukin-8 (IL-8) or with neutrophil-activating peptide 2 (NAP-2). Discontinuation of heparin has been the traditional first step in the treatment of HIT. Drugs that inhibit thrombin directly may be necessary in some cases.

Antigens↗
PubMed1999

A mouse model for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) occurs in 1% to 3% of patients receiving heparin and results from the development of antibodies that recognize heparin-platelet factor 4 (H-PF4) complexes that form on the surface of activated platelets and on the vascular endothelium. With the aim of studying the pathogenic importance of these anti-H-PF4 antibodies in vivo, we attempted to create an animal model of HIT. Such a model was produced by immunization of naive mice with affinity-purified IgG anti-H-PF4 antibodies from two patients with HIT. The immunized mice developed specific antibodies (anti-idiotypic) against the human anti-H-PF4 antibodies and 2 months later, anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies appeared, which functionally resembled the human HIT antibody. Indeed, when the animals bearing anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies were injected with heparin for 4 days, a significant decrease in their platelet counts was observed; however, heparin treatment was not associated with thrombosis in any of the immunized mice. Similar to the observation in HIT patients, injections of equivalent doses of low-molecular-weight (LMW) heparin to the immunized animals did not induce thrombocytopenia. The results of this study support the importance of anti-H-PF4 antibodies in the pathogenesis of HIT. The mouse HIT model may provide a convenient system for studies on the immunoregulation of anti-H-PF4 expression and for evaluation of potential therapeutic modalities.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Clonal segregation of multiple and overlapping matrix adhesive responses in dorsal root neuronal derivative cells.

Clones of F11 hybrid (neuroblastoma X dorsal root neuron) cells have been tested for adherence and neurite outgrowth on three different substrata on which the parental cells display some competence--plasma fibronectin (pFN) with its multiple receptors, cholera toxin subunit B(CTB) as a model ganglioside GM1-binding substratum, and platelet factor-4 (PF4) as a model proteoglycan-binding substratum. This paradigm tests for independently segregating and overlapping mechanisms of neuritogenesis via transmembrane processes in pluripotent hybrid cells based on random loss of chromosomes contributed by the parent neural cells. For the nine clones tested, attachment was significantly lower on CTB but much higher on PF4 for all clones when compared to their attachment on pFN. Supplementation of cells with GM1 stimulated attachment of only two clones (on all three substrata). Neurite outgrowth was observed in a substratum-specific pattern and varied from 0 to greater than 60% on pFN; on CTB and PF4 substrata, the patterns were similar to each other but differed markedly from the pattern on pFN. In contrast, PF4- and CTB-directed neurites differed morphologically from each other while sharing some characteristics with neurites on pFN. Supplementation with GM1 or GT1b, but not GD1a, was inhibitory for neurite outgrowth in certain clones. Cycloheximide pretreatment distinguished several classes of clones based on inhibition of neuritogenesis. While most clones on pFN were unaffected, all clones on CTB and PF4 displayed significant and comparable degrees of inhibition, suggesting the sharing of some protein intermediate(s) on these substrata. Exposure to cycloheximide only during the active period of neuritogenesis generated higher percentages and longer neurites for all clones, indicating a widely-used negative regulation mechanism. Based on substratum type and cycloheximide protocols, these data have resolved six or more different transmembrane signalling processes for generating different classes of neurites. Some mechanisms have been segregated into individual clones while others overlap in other clones, providing cell systems for biochemical and molecular biological dissection of these processes.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Serglycin-binding proteins in activated macrophages and platelets.

The major proteoglycan in macrophages and platelets is the chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan serglycin. To study the biological role of serglycin, its binding to secreted and cell-associated proteins from macrophages and blood platelets was examined. Affinity chromatography with serglycin-Sepharose and chondroitin sulphate-Sepharose was used to isolate proteoglycin-binding proteins from macrophages and platelets. Antibodies against human macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) precipitated a 14-kDa 35S-methionine-labeled protein among the chondroitin sulfate binding proteins secreted from the macrophage-like U937 cells after stimulation. Two proteins from murine macrophage J774 cells with molecular masses of approximately 10 and 14 kDa were precipitated by an antiserum against the murine MIP-1 alpha. Protein sequencing of fragments obtained by trypsin digestion of a 14-kDa chondroitin sulfate-binding protein from cell extracts of stimulated U937 cells revealed 100% homology with lysozyme, a bacteriolytic enzyme. Fragment of one other protein with approximate molecular mass of 8 kDa showed high homology with bone morphogenetic protein. Inhibition studies showed that chondroitin 6-sulfate inhibited the bacteriolytic activity of lysozyme in a competitive manner more efficiently than heparin and chondroitin 4-sulphate. Amino-terminal sequencing of two proteins from platelet extracts that bound to serglycin-Sepharose revealed that they corresponded to multimeric forms of human platelet factor 4 (PE4). Chondroitin sulfate-Sepharose was shown to be equally efficient in retaining PF4 from platelet extracts as serglycin-Sepharose indicating that the glycosaminoglycan chains mediate the binding to PF4 in the intact proteoglycan molecule. Competition experiments showed that serglycin was as efficient as heparin sulfate in blocking the binding of [3H] chondrotin sulfate to PF4, whereas heparin was one order of magnitude more efficient. Affinity measurements using fluoresceinamine-labeled glycosaminoglycans showed that the affinity of heparin for PF4 is on the order of 30 nM, whereas chondroitin sulfate has an affinity of 260 nM. Both PF4, MIP-1 alpha, and lysozyme play important role in different types of inflammatory reactions. The interaction with serglycin may indicate that this proteoglycan is involved in the regulation of the inflammatory response.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

An alternative form of nucleolysin binds to a T-cluster DNA in the silencer element of platelet factor 4 gene.

The cDNA of a T-cluster binding protein (TCBP) has been cloned using the Southwestern method. The cDNA sequence of TCBP reveals that it has 78% homology to that of nucleolysin, a factor involved in apoptosis in cytolytic lymphocyte target cells. In particular, the 0.8kb sequences of the 5'-half of both cDNAs were identical. However, nucleolysin has a lysosome-targeting motif at the carboxy terminus, while TCBP has a hydrophobic sequence instead. Southern blot experiments have revealed that both cDNA sequences existed in the same YAC clone derived from chromosome 10. This strongly suggests that the TCBP cDNA is an alternatively spliced product of the nucleolysin/TCBP gene. The TCBP mRNA is ubiquitously expressed, not only in megakaryocytic cells but also in other hematopoietic cells. However, when HEL cells were induced to differentiate to megakaryocytes by DMSO, TCBP mRNA was reduced, while PF4 gene expression increased simultaneously. Gel mobility shift analysis demonstrated that recombinant TCBP specifically bound to the T-cluster and the proximal T-rich region of the PF4 promoter. Co-transfection experiments showed that TCBP reduced the gene expression from the PF4 promoter. On the other hand, TCBP did not affect expression from the PF4 promoter in which the T-cluster and the T-rich region had been removed. These results indicate that TCBP may participate in the regulation of PF4 gene expression by binding to the T-cluster and the T-rich sequence.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1978

Proteins secreted by platelets: significance in detecting thrombosis.

Because platelet survival measurements are time-consuming and may not completely reflect platelet involvement in hemostasis and thrombosis, other tests have been sought. Measurement of two proteins released by platelets, platelet factor 4 (PF4) and beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG), may provide simpler, more direct means of quantitating platelet involvement. The radioimmunoassays for these proteins reviewed in this paper are sensitive and specific. Although there are technical problems still to be resolved in their clinical application, clinical studies to date suggest that such assays will be useful in studying the pathogenesis and course of thromboembolic disorders. PF4 and betaTG levels apparently do reflect in vivo platelet release. Because release of PF4 and betaTG parallels release of platelet-derived growth factor, plasma PF4 and betaTG levels should also reflect release of that protein. The PF4 and beta TG assays along with an assay for fibrinopeptide A in clinical samples should help elucidate the relative importance of platelet release and fibrin formation in thromboembolic disorders.

Beta-Globulins↗
PubMed2002

Effects of platelet factor 4 on expression of bone marrow heparan sulfate in syngenic bone marrow transplantation mice.

To explore the effects of platelet factor 4(PF4) on hematopoietic reconstitution and its mechanism in syngenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The syngenic BMT mice models were established. 20 and 26 h before irradiation, the mice were injected 20 micrograms/kg PF4 or PBS twice into abdominal cavity, then the donor bone marrow nuclear cells (BMNC) were transplanted. On the 7th day, spleen clone forming units (CFU-S) were counted. On the 7th, 14th and 21st day after BMT, the BMNC and megakaryoryocytes in bone marrow tissue were counted and the percentage of hematopoietic tissue and expression level of heparan sulfate in bone marrow tissue were assessed. In PF4-treated groups, the CFU-S counts on the 7th day were higher than those in BMT groups after BMT. The BMNC and megakaryoryocyte counts and the percentage of hematopoietic tissue and heparan sulfate expression level were higher than those in BMT group on the 7th, 14th and 21st day after BMT (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). PF4 could accelerate hematopoietic reconstitution of syngenic bone marrow transplantation. The promotion of the heparan sulfate expression in bone marrow may be one of mechanisms of PF4.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Centripetal myosin redistribution in thrombin-stimulated platelets. Relationship to platelet Factor 4 secretion.

We have examined the F-actin and myosin distribution in resting and thrombin-activated platelets by double label immunofluorescence microscopy. In resting, discoid platelets, F-actin and myosin staining was distributed in a diffuse pattern throughout the interior of the cell with slight accentuation at the cell periphery. In contrast, platelet factor 4 antigen (PF4) was more centrally localized in a fine punctate distribution which is consistent with its localization in alpha-granules. Within 5 sec after thrombin stimulation both F-actin and myosin staining were increased at the periphery of the now spherical platelets. Subsequently, a myosin-containing spherical structure decreased in diameter closely surrounding a phase-dense central zone. In contrast, F-actin staining continued to be accentuated at the cell periphery and was prominent in filopodia and blebs. As previously shown, PF4 staining was localized after 30 sec within large intracellular masses that corresponded to closed vacuolar structures at the ultrastructural level. Morphometric analysis of electron micrographs showed that formation of these vacuolar structures kinetically paralleled alpha-granule disappearance and preceded PF4 release. These PF4-containing structures translocated to the cell periphery after 1-3 min, where they appeared to fuse with the plasma membrane. Ultrastructural analysis of thin sections showed that the myosin-rich spherical structure spatially and temporally correlated with a band of microfilaments that closely surrounded the organelle-rich central zone of the cell. Morphometric analysis of these micrographs showed that the absolute volume of this central zone decreased with time after thrombin addition, showing a significant change after 15 sec and reaching a maximum value after 3-5 min. Changes in the volume of this compartment kinetically preceded PF4 release. On the basis of these data, we propose that an actomyosin contractile force is generated which centripetally redistributes the myosinrich structure and organelle zone. Conceivably this inward force may not only accelerate granule-granule fusion to form intracellular secretory vacuoles, but may also provide aid in their extrusion toward the platelet plasma membrane.

Actins↗
PubMed1985

Neurite extension by neuroblastoma cells on substratum-bound fibronectin's cell-binding fragment but not on the heparan sulfate-binding protein, platelet factor-4.

Human and rat neuroblastoma cells extend neurites over plasma fibronectin (pFN)-coated substrata. For resolution of which fibronectin binding activities (the cell-binding domain (CBD), the heparan sulfate-binding domains, or a combination of the two) are responsible for neurite outgrowth, CBD was prepared free of heparan sulfate-binding activity as described by Pierschbacher et al. (Cell 26 (1981) 259-267). Neuroblastoma cells attached and extended neurites as stably and as effectively on CBD-coated substrata as on intact pFN, while cytoplasmic spreading was more extensive on pFN-coated substrata. The structures of growth cones on CBD or pFN were virtually identical. On substrata coated with the model heparan sulfate-binding protein, platelet factor 4 (PF4), cells attached and spread somewhat but never extended neurites. When cells were challenged with substrata coated with various ratios of CBD and PF4, PF4 was found to be an effective inhibitor of CBD-mediated neurite extension. Similarly, cells grown on substrata coated at different locations with CBD or PF4 in order to evaluate topographical dependence of growth cone formation extended neurites only onto the CBD-coated region or along the interface between these two proteins, but never onto the PF4 side of cells that bridged the interface. These studies indicate that (a) the CBD activity of pFN, and not its heparan sulfate-binding activity, is the critical determinant in neurite extension of these neural tumor cells from the central nervous system; (b) under some circumstances, heparan sulfate-binding activity can be antagonistic to neurite extension; (c) the chemical nature of the substratum controls the direction of neurite extension; (d) these neuroblastoma cells respond to these binding proteins very differently than fibroblasts or neurons from the peripheral nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Substratum contacts and cytoskeletal reorganization of BALB/c 3T3 cells on a cell-binding fragment and heparin-binding fragments of plasma fibronectin.

BALB/c 3T3 cells make both close contacts and tight-focal contacts (with associated microfilament stress fibers) on plasma fibronectin (pFN)-coated substrata. To resolve the importance of the heparan sulfate-binding or cell-binding activities of the pFN molecule in these adhesive responses, a cell-binding fragment (120K) (CBF) free of any heparan sulfate-binding activity was prepared from human pFN by chymotrypic digestion and isolated as described by Pierschbacher et al. (Cell 26 (1981) 259). These adhesive responses to CBF were also compared to those of the model heparan sulfate-binding protein, platelet factor-4 (PF4), or heparin-binding fragments (HBF) of pFN. On intact pFN, greater than 70% of the cells formed tight-focal contacts and associated stress fibers by 4 h, the latter staining with NBD-phallacidin. In contrast, cells spread differently on CBF and failed to form tight-focal contacts; staining with NBD-phallacidin was localized to spiky projections at the cell margin with no detectable stress fiber formation. On PF4 or HBF, cells failed to form tight-focal contacts but did spread well and formed long microfilament bundles in peripheral lamellae. Spreading on CBF, HBF, or PF4 was paralleled by formation of close contacts. Spreading and to some extent attachment of cells on CBF was inhibited with a small peptide containing the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser sequence; responses on HBF were unaffected by this peptide. When mixtures of CBF and PF4 were tested, cells still failed to form tight-focal contacts and stress fibers. These results demonstrate that the binding of CBF to its probable receptor under conditions routinely used to assay spreading activity results in an incomplete adhesive response compared with intact pFN. While this partial response may result from quantitative differences in the density of active cell-binding domains on the substratum, the pattern of microfilament reorganization produced by the binding of PF4 to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans suggests that the ability of pFN to promote formation of tight-focal contacts and stress fibers may reside in the coordinate interaction of two or more binding activities in the intact molecule.

Actin Cytoskeleton↗
PubMed1982

Further observations on the effects of dietary fatty acid composition on platelet reactivity and blood coagulation in man and the influence of methodology on findings.

Eight human subjects were fed diets enriched in saturated fat (SF), or polyunsaturated fat (PUF) and after each dietary regimen the plasma heparinthrombin clotting time (HTCT) was determined. The HTCT of citrated plasma indicated reduced heparin-neutralizing activity (HNA) after PUF feeding compared with SF feeding. Platelet factor 4 (PF4) levels in the citrated plasma samples demonstrated an inverse correlation with the HTCT (r = 0.62). Experiments with purified PF4 indicated that the PF4 present in citrated plasma could only account for approximately 10% of the HNA. Plasma prepared in a manner which minimized in vitro release of platelet constituents contained significantly less PF4 after PUF feeding and indicated that most of the PF4 found in citrated plasma resulted from in vitro release. The factor Xa inhibitory activity of citrated plasma was not significantly altered by either of the dietary regimens.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Study of in vivo platelet activation in uncomplicated essential hypertension.

Beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), platelet alpha-granule specific proteins, and serotonin (5-HT) which is stored in dense granules are released when platelets are activated. To investigate in vivo platelet activation in uncomplicated essential hypertension, platelet 5-HT and PF4 contents, plasma BTG and PF4 concentrations, as well as urinary BTG levels were assessed in normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Plasma BTG and PF4 concentrations and urinary BTG levels were comparable in both groups. Mean platelet 5-HT content was significantly decreased in hypertensive subjects without modification of the intraplatelet PF4 content. These data suggest first of all that the decrease in platelet 5-HT content is due mainly to the inhibition of platelet 5-HT uptake previously described, and second of all that no significant in vivo platelet activation occurs in essential hypertensive subjects devoid of cardiovascular complications.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Studies of beta-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, and fibrinopeptide A in erythrocytosis due to cyanotic congenital heart disease.

Plasma and serum assays of beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), and plasma fibrinopeptide A (FPA) were measured in adults with cyanotic congenital heart disease to characterize further the hemostatic disorder. Artifactual elevations of plasma BTG, PF4, and FPA appeared to occur occasionally when a 21 or 22 gauge needle was used to collect blood. The high packed red cell volume was probably the cause. Use of a larger caliber needle (20 gauge) appeared to lessen the problem. Normal plasma FPA levels (20 gauge needle) in 8 of 9 patients suggest that chronic intravascular coagulation is not common in these patients. Serum BTG and PF4, used to estimate total platelet content of these proteins, were normal to slightly increased. That levels were not reduced implies that platelets do not usually circulate in a "spent" state. Therapeutic phlebotomy in 8 patients was associated with small decreases in plasma BTG and PF4 of uncertain clinical significance. Five of 14 patients had elevated plasma BTG with normal to only minimally increased plasma PF4. However, 10 of 10 patients tested were found to have reduced creatinine clearance, and therefore the relative contributions of platelet secretion and reduced BTG catabolism in the kidney to elevated plasma BTG levels are unclear.

Adolescent↗