Extracellular Ca(2+) modulates ADP-evoked aggregation through altered agonist degradation: implications for conditions used to study P2Y receptor activation.

ABSTRACT: ADP is considered a weak platelet agonist due to the limited aggregation responses it induces in vitro at physiological concentrations of extracellular Ca(2+) [(Ca(2+) )(o) ]. Lowering [Ca(2+) ](o) paradoxically enhances ADP-evoked aggregation, an effect that has been attributed to enhanced thromboxane A(2) production. This study examined the role of ectonucleotidases in the [Ca(2+) ](o) -dependence of platelet activation. Reducing [Ca(2+) ](o) from millimolar to micromolar levels converted ADP (10 μmol/l)-evoked platelet aggregation from a transient to a sustained response in both platelet-rich plasma and washed suspensions. Blocking thromboxane A(2) production with aspirin had no effect on this [Ca(2+) ](o) -dependence. Prevention of ADP degradation abolished the differences between low

SUBMITTER: Jones S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3084511 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature