Analysis of platelet surface conformation in thrombin-induced aggregation

We used flow cytometry to investigate the change of platelet membrane glycoproteins (GPIb and GP IIb/IIIa) and the distributions of fibrinogen (Fbg), thrombospondin (TSP) and fibronectin (Fn) on the surface of thrombin-stimulated platelets. The binding of a monoclonal antibody directed at the von Willebrand factor binding site on GPIb decreased in thrombin-stimulated platelets. This antibody caused a reactive delay in thrombin-induced aggregation, but had little influence on aggregability. Slight thrombin-induced aggregation was observed even after blocking the binding of Fbg to GP II b/IIIa. The new expression of GP II b/IIIa was detected on the surface of thrombin-stimulated platelets, whereas there was little increase of Fbg dependent on this GP II b/IIIa. An increase of TSP after thrombin stimulation was observed on the surface of platelets of healthy controls and patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia (Type I). The level of on platelet surface was slightly increased by thrombin stimulation. The mechanism involved in thrombin-induced aggregation appears to differ from that in ADP-induced aggregation.