Platelet-bound lipopolysaccharide enhances Fc receptor-mediated phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized platelets

Blood. 2007 Jun 1;109(11):4803-5. doi: 10.1182/blood-2006-12-062695. Epub 2007 Feb 13.

Abstract

Platelets express Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and this has been shown to be responsible for the thrombocytopenia induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration in vivo. We studied the role of LPS in mediating platelet phagocytosis by THP-1 cells in vitro by flow cytometry. Opsonization of platelets with an IgG monoclonal (W6/32) antibody or with IgG autoantibody-positive sera from patients with autoimmune thrombocytopenia (AITP) significantly enhanced platelet phagocytosis (P < .001). In contrast, platelet phagocytosis did not occur if platelets were bound with only LPS. If, however, the LPS-bound platelets were also opsonized with either W6/32 or autoantibody-positive sera with titers greater than 4, there was a significant and synergistic increase in Fc-dependent platelet phagocytosis (P < .001, P = .003, P = .048, and P = .047). These results suggest that, in the presence of antiplatelet antibodies, bacterial products can significantly alter platelet phagocytosis, and this may have relevance to how Gram-negative infections enhance platelet destruction in some patients with AITP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry
  • Antigens, Human Platelet / chemistry
  • Autoantibodies / chemistry
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / chemistry*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Opsonin Proteins / chemistry*
  • Phagocytosis*
  • Platelet Aggregation
  • Receptors, Fc / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antigens, Human Platelet
  • Autoantibodies
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Opsonin Proteins
  • Receptors, Fc
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4