Summary
The effect of type IIB von Willebrand’s factor (vWF) on platelet cytosolic Ca2+ ion concentration, measured by means of the probe fura 2, was investigated. Seven
patients with type IIB von Willebrand disease (vWD) were studied. Addition of type
IIB vWD plasma to platelet suspensions induced a cytosolic calcium increase accompanied
by platelet aggregation. Both processes were completely abolished by addition of the
calciumchelating agent EGTA, indomethacin, peptide RGDS, and monoclonal antibodies
blocking the vWF binding site on GPIb-IX (LJIB1) or the cytoadhesive receptor on GPIIb-IIIa
(LJCP8). The ADP-scavenger apyrase and the protein kinase C-inhibitor staurosporine
partially inhibited the rate of the cytosolic calcium increase. No direct correlation
between the extent of Ca2+ rise and the phenotypic expression of IIB vWD, such as the degree of spontaneous
platelet aggregation or thrombocytopenia was apparent. It is suggested that aggregation
and cytosolic Ca2+ increase in platelets exposed to plasma from type IIB vWD patients is mediated by
a self-potentiating mechanism involving both GPIb and GPIIb-IIIa receptors as well
as the thromboxane biosynthetic pathway.