Bidirectional integrin αIIbβ3 signalling regulating platelet adhesion under flow: contribution of protein kinase C

Platelet adhesion on von Willebrand factor (vWf) requires the co-ordinated adhesive function of glycoprotein Ib/V/IX and integrin αIIbβ3. Recent evidence [Nesbitt, Kulkarni, Giuliano, Gonclaves, Dopheide, Yap, Harper, Salem and Jackson (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 2965–2972] suggests that outside-in signals from both receptors play important roles in regulating plateletadhesion dynamics under flow. In the present study, we have examined the mechanisms utilized by protein kinase C (PKC) to promote irreversible platelet adhesion on vWf. We demonstrate that PKC is primarily activated downstream of integrin αIIbβ3, not glycoprotein Ib, during platelet adhesion on vWf. This integrin αIIbβ3-dependent PKC activation establishes a positive-feedback loop that promotes further integrin αIIbβ3 activation, calcium mobilization and firm platelet adhesion. This feedback loop appears to be most relevant at relatively low cytosolic calcium concentrations (mean [Ca]i∼100 nM) as artificially elevating calcium (mean [Ca]i > 500 nM) induces integrin αIIbβ3 activation and irreversible platelet adhesion independent of PKC. Our studies demonstrate the existence of a complex signalling relationship operating between PKC, cytosolic calcium and integrin αIIbβ3 that serves to regulate platelet-adhesion dynamics under flow. Furthermore, we have established the existence of PKC-dependent and -independent pathways regulating integrin αIIbβ3 activation and stable platelet adhesion on vWf.