The Phosphatase Inhibitor Calyculin-A Impairs Clot Retraction, Platelet Activation, and Thrombin Generation

Biomed Res Int. 2017:2017:9795271. doi: 10.1155/2017/9795271. Epub 2017 Jun 7.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin-A (CLA), on clot formation and on the procoagulant activity of human platelets. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) samples were preincubated with buffer or CLA and subsequently platelets were activated by the protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) activator, thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP). Clot retraction was detected by observing clot morphology up to 1 hour, phosphatidylserine- (PS-) expression was studied by flow cytometry, and thrombin generation was measured by a fluorimetric assay. For the intracellular Ca2+ assay, platelets were loaded with calcium-indicator dyes and the measurements were carried out using a ratiometric method with real-time confocal microscopy. CLA preincubation inhibited clot retraction, PS-expression, and thrombin formation. TRAP activation elicited Ca2+ response and PS-expression in a subset of platelets. The activated PRP displayed significantly faster and enhanced thrombin generation compared to nonactivated samples. CLA pretreatment abrogated PS-exposure and clot retraction also in TRAP-activated samples. As a consequence of the inhibitory effect on calcium elevation and PS-expression, CLA significantly downregulated thrombin generation in PRP. Our results show that CLA pretreatment may be a useful tool to investigate platelet activation mechanisms that contribute to clot formation and thrombin generation.

MeSH terms

  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Fibrinolysis / drug effects*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Marine Toxins
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Platelet Activation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Marine Toxins
  • Oxazoles
  • calyculin A