Localization of Surface vWF on Resting and Stimulated Platelets

• Published in: Blood 1987-11, Vol.70 (5), p.1297-1302
• Main Authors: Rand, Jacob H., Gordon, Ronald E., Uson, Ronald R., Potter, Barry J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine Diphosphate - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Blood coagulation. Blood cells; Blood Platelets - drug effects; Blood Platelets - metabolism; Blood Platelets - ultrastructure; Cell Membrane - drug effects; Cell Membrane - metabolism; Cell Membrane - ultrastructure; Coagulation factors; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Microscopy, Electron; Molecular and cellular biology; Platelet Aggregation - drug effects; Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; Receptors, Cell Surface - metabolism; Reference Values; Ristocetin - pharmacology; von Willebrand Factor - metabolism
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V70.5.1297.1297

We used immunoelectron microscopic localization techniques to investigate whether platelets stimulated by ADP or ristocetin in the plasma milieu bind von Willebrand factor (vWF) to their surfaces. We found by both peroxidase- and ferritin-based methods that unstimulated platelets lack vWF on their surfaces, whereas platelets that are stimulated with ADP or ristocetin have vWF associated with their surfaces. The specificity of the findings was confirmed by absorption studies using severe von Willebrand disease (vWD) and hemophilic plasmas. The anti-vWF antibodies were blocked by incubation with hemophilic plasma but not by incubation with severe vWD plasma. Thus, in the plasma environment, in the presence of fibrinogen, vWF becomes associated with the platelet surface subsequent to stimulation with ADP or ristocetin. © 1987 by Grune & Stratton, Inc.