Haemostasis: Coagulation/Fibrinolysis Flashcards
What is the process of platelet plug formation?
- Platelet adhesion to the vessel wall
- Platelet activation
- Amplification of activation
- Platelet aggregation and stabilization
- Control mechanisms
What is the process of platelet activation?
- Adhesion
- Activation is mediated by different signal transduction pathways
- Ultimate result is an increased cytosolic calcium
- Amplification of activation
- Aggregation
- Control Mechanisms
Describe the adhesion process in platelet activation.
Receptors on the platelet surface membrane can directly or indirectly bind with collagen to promote adhesion.
Low shear rates:
1. Initial binding is through GPIa/IIa
2. Further binding is through the GPVI receptor and integrin α2β1
High shear rates:
3. Von Willebrand factor via GP1b
Describe the activation process in platelet activation.
- Collagen and VWF mediate activation through tyrosine kinase signalling
- Other agonists bind to receptors that mediate activation through G proteins
- Agonists: Thromboxane A2 (TxA2),
fibrinogen, thrombin, ADP, and adrenaline
- Agonists: Thromboxane A2 (TxA2),
Platelet activation ultimately results in increased cytosolic calcium. This results in: (5)
- Shape change
- Activation of phospholipase A2, releasing arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane
- Granule secretion
- Increased negative charge on platelet membrane
- Activation of αIIbβ3 (GPIIbIIIa), which strengthens adhesion and ultimately leads to aggregation
What is another way of platelet activation?
Activation via G-protein pathways
Describe what happens during the amplification of activation step in platelet activation.
Fusion of platelet granules with membrane and controlled release of contents
2 types of granules:
1. Alpha granules
- Secrete HMW VMF fibrinogen which ↑ cross-linking of platelets and outside inactivation of αIIbβ3
- Increased number of receptors
- Contain coagulation factors V, XI, XIII, II & HMW kininogens
- Dense granules
- House ADP which is a major platelet activator; when binds to receptors
leads to maximal Ca(3+) levels - Houses serotonin: relatively weak effect
- House ADP which is a major platelet activator; when binds to receptors
Generation of thromboxane A2 from arachidonic acid
Describe the aggregation step in platelet hemostasis.
Low shear rate:
Mediated by fibrinogen binding to αIIbβ3
Intermediate shear rate:
Fibrinogen, fibronectin, and VWF binding to αIIbβ3 contribute to aggregation
Highest shear rate:
VWF binding to GP1b critical
Platelet thrombus is stabilized by a fibrin meshwork
What are the control mechanisms in platelet hemostasis?
- Formation of PG12 in endothelial cells is up-regulated by TxA2
- PG12 binds to platelets and increases cytoplasmic cAMP, resulting in decreased Ca++ levels and inhibition of shape change and activation
Which glycoproteins bind to which ligands?
GP IIb & IIIa - Fibrinogen & von Willebrand Factor
GP Ib & IX - von Willebrand Factor
GP Ia & IIa - Collagen
GP V - Thrombin
Describe the assembly and release of VWF.
- Synthesis of pre-pro peptide, which consists of 22 aa signal peptide, 741 aa propeptide and 2050 aa subunit
- Exceptionally high number of cysteine residues which is important in both intra- and inter-molecule bridging required for normal function
- Extensive modification of the peptide
- Storage of multimers and propeptide in the Weibel-Palade bodies (WPBs) of endothelial cells; a granules in megakaryocytes and platelets
What are some examples of extensive modification of the peptide during the assembly and release of VFW?
- Removal of signal peptide
- Formation of C-terminal dimers of pro-VWF in the ER
- Cleavage of the propeptide followed by N-linked multimemrization in the Golgi
** multimer formation requires the presence of propeptide ** - Extensive glycosylation
What is required for the regulated storage of multimers and propeptide in the WPBs of endothelial cells and α granules in megakaryocytes and platelets?
Propeptide
What are the VWF domains and what are their functional properties?
D’ - binding sites for factor VIII and heparin
A1 - platelet glycoprotein 1b (GPIb)*
A2 - target site for ADAMTS13*
A3 - collagens
C1 - integrins, such as s αIIbβ3 (GPIIb/IIIa)
*Hidden in the globular conformation
What is the role of VWF in primary hemostasis?
- In high shear stress situations, these multimers (VWF) unfold into strings and they cross-links platelets to damaged endothelium by binding both to collagen and platelet GP1b
- Platelets bind to VWF strings like “beads on a string” (Reversible rxn)
- Platelets move slowly in the direction of flow
- Formation of additional bonds stabilize the adhesion (between VWF and glycoprotein GPIIb/IIIa)
- The interaction is strengthened by reversible association of plasma VWF with immobilized VWF
Coagulation factors are present in large amounts. T/F?
F. Coagulation factors are present in small amounts.
How is the ideal local site for clot generation found?
Due to the negative charges on activated platelets
What is the key enzyme in the cascade?
Thrombin
What are the forms of the clotting factors that circulate in the blood?
Zymogens (Inactive forms)
How are zymogens activated?
Proteases activate zymogens by cleaving 1-2 bonds of zymogen, hence activation is very rapid
List down the 3 zymogens and their respective activators.
Prothrombin (zymogen) -> thrombin (protease)
Factor IX (zymogen) -> factor IXa (protease)
Factor VIII (zymogen) -> factor VIIIa (binding protein)