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Method Article
We describe a straightforward method for the isolation of washed platelets from human blood followed by agonist-induced platelet aggregation measurements by turbidimetry. As an example we apply this method for studying the aggregation response of human platelets to collagen after a pre-incubation with the Pannexin1 channel inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF.
Turbidimetry is a laboratory technique that is applied to measure the aggregation of platelets suspended in either plasma (platelet-rich plasma, PRP) or in buffer (washed platelets), by the use of one or a combination of agonists. The use of washed platelets separated from their plasma environment and in the absence of anticoagulants allows for studying intrinsic platelet properties. Among the large panel of agonists, arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine di-phosphate (ADP), thrombin and collagen are the most frequently used. The aggregation response is quantified by measuring the relative optical density (OD) over time of platelet suspension under continuous stirring. Platelets in homogeneous suspension limit the passage of light after the addition of an agonist, platelet shape change occurs producing a small transitory increase in OD. Following this initial activation step, platelet clots form gradually, allowing the passage of light through the suspension as a result of decreased OD. The aggregation process is ultimately expressed as a percentage, compared to the OD of platelet-poor plasma or buffer. Rigorous calibration is thus essential at the beginning of each experiment. As a general rule: calibration to 0% is set by measuring the OD of a non-stimulated platelet suspension while measuring the OD of the suspension medium containing no platelets represents a value of 100%. Platelet aggregation is generally visualized as a real-time aggregation curve. Turbidimetry is one of the most commonly used laboratory techniques for the investigation of platelet function and is considered as the historical gold standard and used for the development of new pharmaceutical agents aimed at inhibiting platelet aggregation. Here, we describe detailed protocols for 1) preparation of human washed platelets and 2) turbidimetric analysis of collagen-induced aggregation of human washed platelets pretreated with the food dye Brilliant Blue FCF that was recently identified as an inhibitor of Pannexin1 (Panx1) channels.
Platelets are crucial components of blood and their main function-together with coagulation factors-is to stop bleeding after blood vessel injury. Platelets are small (2-3 µm) anuclear fragments derived from megakaryocytes of the bone marrow1. Platelets circulate in non-activated state, during which they appear as lens-shaped structures. Upon interruption of the endothelium, platelets gather to the site of blood vessel injury to plug the hole, a process called primary hemostasis. Initially, platelets attach to sub-endothelial molecules, such as collagen and von Willebrand factor, that are exposed as a result of the injury-adhesion step2. Then, they change shape and secrete chemical messengers-activation step. Finally, they connect to each other by bridging receptors-aggregation step. Primary hemostasis is followed by a secondary process involving activation of the coagulation cascade with fibrin deposition, which stabilizes the initial thrombus2.
Acute ischemic events such as myocardial infarction3 often result from thrombi that form because of physical disruption (rupture) of an atherosclerotic plaque. Current anti-platelet drugs are the cornerstone of the treatment of this widespread disease but their clinical benefit is limited by an increased risk for bleeding. The most prescribed drugs in cardiovascular patients, aspirin and anti-P2Y12 compounds, target the thromboxane A2 and the ADP pathways4, respectively, which are the major pathways leading to platelet activation. However, innovative research towards new targets that would optimally balance antithrombotic effects and haemorragic risk is still necessary.
From the 1960s5 to today, turbidimetric aggregometry has played a crucial role in research, enhancing our knowledge of platelet reactivity and in the monitoring of the potency of anti-thrombotic reagents in humans. Turbidimetry was initially applied to PRP extracted from blood samples. Indeed, blood collection performed in tubes containing citrate allows fast and large production of PRP without having any effect on platelet integrity and function. However, the short-term stability (about 3 h) of PRP and the remaining plasmatic enzymes, such as thrombin, and the low calcium concentration associated with potentially artefactual aggregation profiles are of major inconvenience for the use of PRP. An important step forward has been the development of a method for platelet isolation with additional centrifugation and washing steps6. In short, PRP is isolated from whole blood collected on acid-citrate-dextrose (ACD) and platelets are isolated after serial centrifugation steps before being resuspended in an iso-osmotic phosphate buffer (Tyrode's buffer) containing glucose, human serum albumin and divalent cations (Ca2+ and Mg2+). To avoid changes in platelet reactivity, the pH of Tyrode's buffer is carefully kept at 7.35-7.4. Moreover, undesired activation of platelets is prevented by adding prostacyclin (PGI2) before some centrifugation steps. Finally, addition of apyrase prevents washed platelets from becoming resistant against the action of ATP/ADP. The resulting platelet suspension lacks coagulant factors and the stability of platelets is increased by at least two-fold as compared to PRP solutions. In addition, the fact that platelets are inactive but intact warrants the reproducibility of turbidimetric measurements and provides the ability to study the action of agonists or antagonists of platelet aggregation in an optimal way.
Using this method, we have shown in a recent study that inhibiting the formation of Panx1 channels by a genetic approach (knock-out mice) or decreasing Panx1 channel activity by pharmacological approaches reduced collagen-induced platelet aggregation7. Panx1 forms ATP-release channels, which are ubiquitously expressed in many cell types including human platelets7,8. In fact, we demonstrated by turbidimetry on human washed platelets that a 7 min preincubation with a panel of more-or-less specific chemical blockers (probenecid, mefloquine and 10Panx1 peptides) prior to the addition of various agonists, inhibited specifically collagen-induced platelet aggregation while platelet responses to AA and ADP were not affected. We demonstrated that ATP release through Panx1 channels specifically interferes in the GPVI signaling pathway leading to collagen-induced aggregation. Interestingly, multiple FDA-approved compounds with applications in other diseases (probenecid, mefloquine) affect the activity of Panx1 channels in platelets. On one hand, this opens new therapeutic perspectives to selectively modify platelet reactivity. On the other hand, one should consider potential secondary effects of these compounds. In this context, the safe food dye Brilliant Blue FCF used in multiple candies and energy drinks has been described as a selective inhibitor of Panx19. We describe here a protocol for the isolation of human washed platelets and turbidimetric measurements of platelet aggregation adapted to investigate the effect of the Brilliant Blue FCF dye as an antagonist of platelet aggregation.
Five unrelated healthy volunteers were recruited for blood sampling for platelet isolation and aggregation tests. Written informed consent was obtained and the protocol was approved by the Central Ethics Committee of the Geneva University Hospitals. All volunteers certified to be healthy and to have not taken any platelet-interfering drugs during at least the 10 days preceding the experiments.
1. Buffer Preparation for Human Blood Collection and Washed Platelet Isolation
2. Blood Collection
3. Preparation of Human Washed Platelets
4. Aggregometry
The aggregometer software automatically produces the aggregation curves and gives the values for maximal aggregation in percentage. The values can be copied to a data analysis software in order to perform statistical analysis and visualize maximal aggregation values in form of bar charts. Optionally, each individual point of the aggregation curves can be exported successively into a spreadsheet software and then to statistical software (e.g. GraphPad) in order to visualize the cu...
There is great interest in finding new drugs capable of modulating platelet function in order to prevent thrombosis without enhancing the risk of bleeding. For this purpose, in vitro laboratory tests which can reliably and reproducibly monitor aggregation responses in human platelets are absolutely necessary. Turbidimetric aggregometry is an easy technique to perform. However, some precautions need to be kept in mind. The measurements need to be performed under continuous stirring as the aggregation process is l...
The authors have nothing to disclose.
This work was supported by grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (310030_162579/1 to Brenda Renata Kwak and 320030_144150 to Pierre Fontana) as well as by a grant from the Swiss Heart Foundation.
Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
citric acid monohydrate (C6H8O7*H2O) | Roth | 5949-29-1 | danger of eye damage/irritation |
trisodium citrate dihydrate (Na3C6H5O7*2H2O) | Sigma-Aldrich | S1804 | - |
D(+)-glucose | Sigma-Aldrich | G8270 | - |
Sodium chloride (NaCl) | Sigma-Aldrich | S9888 | - |
Potassium chloride (KCl) | Sigma-Aldrich | P9541 | - |
Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) | Sigma-Aldrich | S6014 | - |
Sodium dihydrogenophosphate monohydrate (NaH2PO4*H2O) | Sigma-Aldrich | S9638 | - |
Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl2*6H2O) | Sigma-Aldrich | M9272 | - |
Calcium chloride hexahydrate (CaCl2*6H2O) | Sigma-Aldrich | 442909 | danger of eye damage/irritation |
N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethane sulfonic acid (Hepes) | ThermoFisher Scientific | 15630 | - |
human serum albumin | CSL Behring | 00257/374 | - |
hydrochloric acid | Sigma-Aldrich | 320331 | Corrosive and irritative for the respiratory system. Can cause severe skin and eye damages. |
Eppendorf 5810 R | Fisher Scientific | - | - |
heparin | Drosspharm AG/SA | 20810 | |
prostacyclin I2 (PGI2) | Cayman | 18220 | - |
apyrase from potatoes | Sigma-Aldrich | A6535 | - |
fibrinogen (Haemocomplettan) | CSL Behring | HS 73466011 | - |
thrombo-aggragometer SD-Medical | SD-Innovation | TA8V | - |
Brilliant blue FCF (Erioglaucine disodium salt) | Sigma-Aldrich | 80717 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (Avoid release to the environnement) |
collagen | Horm, Nycomed | - | |
arachidonic acid | Bio/Data corporation | C/N 101297 | - |
cell counter Sysmex KX-21N | Sysmex Digitana | - | - |
HEPES | Gibco | 15630-056 | - |
glass cuvettes | SD-Innovation | THCV1000 | - |
magnetic stirrers | SD-Innovation | THA100 | - |
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