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Platelet activation and alpha granule secretion in type IIB von Willebrand's disease
Author(s) -
Gralnick Harvey R.,
Williams Sybil,
McKeown Laurie P.,
Connaghan Gerard,
Shafer Brenda,
Hansmann Kristin,
Magruder Louise,
Vail Mike
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1991.tb08090.x
Subject(s) - platelet , secretion , von willebrand disease , medicine , von willebrand factor , granule (geology) , alpha (finance) , immunology , endocrinology , chemistry , biology , surgery , paleontology , construct validity , patient satisfaction
Type IIB von Willebrand disease is characterized by enhanced ristocetin‐induced platelet aggregation, spontaneous platelet aggregation, thrombocytopenia and the absence of the largest plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) multimers. The absence of the largest plasma vWf multimers is related to their enhanced binding to platelets. The abnormal affinity of the IIB von Willebrand factor to platelets results in thrombocytopenia, but the mechanism is not known. We have studied the platelets from three patients with type IIB von Willebrand disease and have found evidence of platelet activation and alpha granule secretion as defined by increased amounts of von Willebrand factor, fibrinogen and the alpha granule protein PADGEM/GMP‐140 on the surface of these platelets. The degree of thrombocytopenia appears to be directly related to the number of platelets with fibrinogen bound to the surface. PADGEM/ GMP‐140, an alpha granule membrane protein, fuses with the platelet plasma membrane after activation and is a site on platelets which binds to neutrophils or monocytes. This alpha granule protein may play an additional role in platelet clearance and thrombocytopenia in type IIB von Willebrand disease. This may, in part, explain the absence of thromboembolic phenomena despite the presence of activated platelets in patients with type IIB von Willebrand disease.