The Human Blood Platelets as a Molecular Mosaic Its Role in Aggregation and Thrombus Formation^[*]

Summary

On the surface of human blood platelets various types of groups are present - sulphydryl groups, positively charged amino groups and at least three types of anionogenic groups. The numbers of these groups on a per cell basis have been calculated and then* relative contributions to the net charge determined. Two arrangements for the distribution of the groups in the cell periphery have been proposed. Such studies provide a molecular basis for many reactions taking place at the cell surface. The role of these groups in platelet aggregation and thrombus formation is discussed

^* Based on a lecture delivered to the British Microcirculation Society.

^** Present address : Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Munich, Germany.

• References

• 1 Aledort L. M, Troup S. B, Weed R. I. Inhibition of sulphydryl-dependent platelet functions by penetrating and non-penetrating analogs of parachloromercnribenzene. Blood 31: 471-479 1968;
• 2 Behnke O. Electron Microscopical Observations on the Surface Coating of Human Blood Platelets. J. Ultrastruct. Res 24: 51-69 1968;
• 3 Betts J. J, Betts J. P, Nicholson J. T. Significance of ADP, plasma and platelet concentration in platelet electrophoretic studies. Nature (Lond) 219: 1280-1282 1968;
• 4 Born G. V. R. The platelet membrane and its function. In Metabolism and Membrane Personality of Erythrocytes and Thrombocytes. 1st Int. Symp., Vienna, June. 17-20 1968. Deutsch E, Gerlach E, Moser K. eds. 294-302 Georg Thieme; Stuttgart.:
• 5 Brossmer R, Patscheke H. Über Rezeptoren an der Oberfläche menschlicher Thrombozyten. Hoppe-Seylers physiol. Chem. 349: 1242 only 1968;
• 6 Born G. V. R. Uptake of adenosine and of adenosine diphosphate by human blood platelets. Nature (Lond) 206: 1121-1122 1965;
• 7 Born G. V. R, Gross M. J. Effects of inorganic ions and of plasma proteins on the aggregation of blood platelets by adenosine diphosphate. J. Physiol 170: 397-408 1964;
• 8 Davey M. G, Lüscher E. F. Platelet Proteins. In: Biochemistry of Blood Platelets. Kowalski E, Niewiarowski S. eds. 9-22 Academic Press; London and New York: 1967
• 9 Deykin D, Pritzker C. R, Scolnick E. M. Plasma cofactors in adrenaline diphosphate- induced aggregation of human platelets. Nature (Lond) 208: 296-298 1965;
• 10 Gaarder A, Jonsen J, Laland S, Hellem A, Owren P. A. Adenosine diphosphate in red cells as factor of adhesiveness of human blood platelets. Nature (Lond) 192: 531-532 1961;
• 11 Gasic G. J, Gasic T. B, Stewart C. C. Antimetastic effects associated with platelet reduction. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci 61 (01) 46-52 1968;
• 12 Gröttum K. A. Platelet surface charge and aggregation. Effects of polyelectrolytes. Throm- bos. Diathes. haemorrh 21: 450-462 1969;
• 13 Hampton J. R, Mitchell J. R. A. Modification of the electrokinetic response of blood platelets to aggregating agents. Nature (Lond) 210: 1000-1002 1966;
• 14 Hovig T. The effect of various enzymes on the ultrastructure, and clot retraction ability of rabbit blood platelets. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg) 13: 84-113 1965;
• 15 Hardisty R. M, Dormandy K. M, Hutton R. A. Thrombasthenia. Studies on Three Cases. Brit. J. Haemat 10: 371-387 1964;
• 16 Hovig T, Rowsell H. C, Dodds W. J, Jorgensen L, Mustard J. F. Experimental hemostasis in normal dogs and dogs with congenital disorders of blood coagulation. Blood 30: 636-668 1967;
• 17 Kirschmann C, Katchalsky A, De Vries A. Electrochemical study of the platelet surface. Arch. Biochem 80: 140-149 1959;
• 18 Kopec M, Budzynski A, Stachurska J, Wçgrzynowicz E, Kowalski E. Studies on the mechanism of interference by fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) with the platelet function. Role of Fibrinogen in the platelet atmosphere. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg) 15: 476-490 1966;
• 19 Madoff M. A, Ebbe S, Baldini M. Sialic acid of human blood platelets. J. clin. Invest 43: 870-877 1964;
• 20 Mehrishi J. N. Effect of lysine polypeptides on the surface charge of normal and cancer cells. Europ. J. Cancer 05: 427-435 1969;
• 21 Mehrishi J. N. Positively charged amino groups on the surface of normal and cancer cells. Europ. J. Cancer 06: 127-137 1970;
• 22 Mehrishi J. N. Phosphate groups/receptors (?) on the surface of human blood platelets. Nature (Lond) 226: 452-453 1970;
• 23 Mehrishi J. N, Butterworth A. E. Murine ascites tumour cells and lymphocytes, effect of lysolecithin, organic mercurials and an antitumoral agent on the cell membrane permeability. Europ. J. Cancer 05: 5-14 1969;
• 24 Mehrishi J. N, Grassetti D. R. Sulphydryl groups on the surface of intact Ehrlich ascites tumour cells, human blood platelets and lymphocytes. Nature (Lond) 224: 563-564 1969;
• 25 Müller E, Pearse A. G. E. The effect of catecholamines on alkaline phosphatase activity in rat heart. Cardiovasc. Res 03: 391-395 1969;
• 26 Mustard J. F, Jorgensen L, Hovig T, Glynn M, Rowsell H. C. Role of platelets in thrombosis. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg) Suppl. 26: 131-158 1966; In: Pathogenesis and Treatment of Thromboembolic Diseases.
• 27 Mustard J. F, Evans G, Packham M. A, Nishizawa E. E. The Platelet in Intravascular Immunological Reactions. In: Cellular and Humoral Mechanisms in Anaphylaxis and Allergy. Movat N. Z. ed. 151-163 Karger: Basle/New York; 1969
• 28 Nachman R. L. Platelet Proteins. Seminars in Haematol 05: 18-31 1968;
• 29 Pearse A. G. E. In: Cardiomyopathies G. E. W, Wolstenholme M, O’Connor M. ed. 132 Churchill: London; 1964
• 30 Salzman E. W, Chambers D. A, Neri L. L. Incorporation of labelled nucleotides and aggregation of human blood platelets. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg) 15: 52-68 1966;
• 31 Salmon J. Immunoelectrophoresis of human blood platelet antigens. Schweiz, med. Wschr 88: 1047-1049 1958;
• 32 Seaman G. V. F. Surface potential and platelet aggregation. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg.) Suppl 26: 53-68 1967;
• 33 Seaman G. V. F, Vassar P. S. Changes in the electrokinetic properties of platelets during their aggregation. Arch. Biochem 117: 10-17 1966;
• 34 Taylor F. B, Müller-Eberhard H. J. Factors influencing lysis of blood clots. Nature (Lond) 216: 1023-1025 1967;
• 35 Wintrobe M. M. Clinical Haematology. H. Kimpton; London: 1967
• 36 Zbinden G, Mehrishi J. N, Tomlin S. Assessment of damage to human platelets after aggregation and injuries by microscopic observation and estimation of serotonin uptake. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg) 23: 261-275 1970;
• 37 Zbinden G, Tomlin S. In vitro assay of platelet adhesiveness with washed and tanned human red cells. Thrombos. Diathes. haemorrh. (Stuttg) 20: 384-396 1968;