Abstract | Platelets are small anucleated blood cells whose primary role is hemostasis.
Lately, platelets have been associated with other functions like their
involvement in innate immunity, regulation of tumor growth and viral
infection, gaining increasing scientific interest. In addition, molecular
mechanisms that lead to platelet activation and downstream changes are
still not completely understood. After activation, platelets adhere to the
damaged vessel wall or activable surface, undergo cytoskeletal
reorganization, and degranulation, which leads to their complete spreading.
These processes are mediated by diverse signaling molecules, among
others, also with small lipids called phosphoinositides (PIs).
Phosphatidylinositol 3, 5-bisphosphate [PI(3,5)P2] produced by
phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate 5-kinase (PIKfyve) regulates membrane
trafficking. Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P) produced by
phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase-III-beta (PI4KIIIβ) and other PI4Ks is a
source of a key signaling molecule, PI(4,5)P2, that also mediates actin
cytoskeletal dynamics. Previous transcriptomic and proteomic data show
the expression of PIKfyve and PI4KIIIβ in both mouse and human platelets.
In this work, we aimed to decipher if pharmacological inhibition of PIKfyve
(inhibitor YM201636) or PI4KIIIβ (IN10) prevents human platelet
spreading. In addition, we analyzed downstream signaling pathways in the
presence of the inhibitors after activating collagen receptor (GPVI), namely
phosphorylation of Syk kinase and acetylation of tubulin. Also, we evaluated
the localization of PIKfyve and PI4KIIβ (another PI4K) in human platelets
in resting and activated conditions by immunostaining. We conclude that
PI4KIIIβ is potentially involved in platelet spreading by modulating the
cytoskeleton, however, additional studies are needed to confirm this
observation. |