Platelet PI3Kγ Contributes to Carotid Intima-Media Thickening under Severely Reduced Flow Conditions

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 8;10(6):e0129265. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129265. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Studies have begun to focus on the emerging function of platelets as immune and inflammatory cells that initiate and accelerate vascular inflammation. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) is critically involved in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This study aims to investigate the contribution of platelet PI3Kγ to vascular remodeling under flow severely reduced conditions. Mouse partial left carotid artery ligation with adoptive transfer of activated, washed wild-type or PI3Kγ-/- platelets was used as the model. Intima-media area, leukocyte recruitment, and proinflammatory mediator expression were assessed. In vitro PI3Kγ-/- platelets were used to verify the effect of PI3Kγ on platelet activation, interaction with leukocytes, and endothelial cells. Mice injected with activated platelets showed a significant increase in intima-media thickening, recruitment of neutrophils (at 3 d) and macrophages (at 21 d), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-6 expression (at 3 d) in the flow-reduced area. These effects were abrogated by platelet PI3Kγ deficiency. Circulating platelet-leukocyte aggregates were reduced in PI3Kγ-/- mice after partial ligation. In vivo data confirmed that PI3Kγ mediated Adenine di-Phosphate -induced platelet activation through the Akt and p38 MAP kinase signaling pathways. Moreover, platelet PI3Kγ deficiency reduced platelet-leukocyte aggregation and platelet-endothelial cell (EC) interaction. These findings indicate that platelet PI3Kγ contributes to platelet-mediated vascular inflammation and carotid intima-media thickening after flow severely reduced. Platelet PI3Kγ may be a new target in the treatment of vascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Diphosphate / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / etiology
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / metabolism*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / pathology
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Communication
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Hemodynamics*
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Platelet Activation / drug effects
  • Platelet Activation / immunology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Tunica Intima / metabolism*
  • Tunica Intima / pathology*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Adenosine Diphosphate
  • Class Ib Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases