Role of von Willebrand factor in tumour cell‐induced platelet aggregation: differential regulation by NO and prostacyclin

We have studied the effects of a novel agonist, solid‐phase von Willebrand Factor (sVWF), on tumour cell‐induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA). Washed platelet suspensions were obtained from human blood and the effects of HT‐1080 human fibrosarcoma cells and sVWF on platelets were studied using aggregometry, phase‐contrast microscopy, and flow cytometry. Incubation of platelets with sVWF (1.2 μg ml −1 ) and HT‐1080 cells (5×10 3  ml −1 ) resulted in a two‐phased reaction characterized first by the adhesion of platelets to sVWF, then by aggregation. TCIPA in the presence of sVWF was inhibited by S‐nitroso‐glutathione (GSNO, 100 μ M ) and prostacyclin (PGI 2 , 30 n M ). Platelet activation in the presence of tumour cells and sVWF resulted in the decreased surface expression of platelet glycoprotein (GP)Ib and up‐regulation of GPIIb/IIIa receptors. Pre‐incubation of platelets with PGI 2 (30 n M ) resulted in inhibition of sVWF‐tumour cell‐stimulated platelet surface expression of GPIIb/IIIa as measured by flow cytometry using antibodies directed against both non‐activated and activated receptor. In contrast, GSNO (100 μ M ) did not affect sVWF‐tumour cell‐stimulated platelet surface expression of GPIIb/IIIa. Flow cytometry performed with PAC‐1 antibodies that bind only to the activated GPIIb/IIIa revealed that GSNO (100 μ M ) caused inhibition of activation of GPIIb/IIIa. The inhibitors exerted no significant effects on TCIPA‐mediated changes in GPIb. Thus, sVWF potentiates the platelet‐aggregatory activity of HT‐1080 cells and these effects appear to be mediated via up‐regulation of platelet GPIIb/IIIa. Prostacyclin and NO inhibit TCIPA‐sVWF‐mediated platelet aggregation. The mechanisms of inhibition of this aggregation by PGI 2 differ from those of NO.British Journal of Pharmacology (2001) 134 , 1104–1112; doi: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0704343