Role of the adapter protein SLP-76 in GPVI-dependent platelet procoagulant responses to collagen

Abstract

The adapter protein SLP-76 is a critical mediator of signal transduction via the platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) and its coreceptor FcRγ. We tested the hypothesis that SLP-76 is required for collagen-induced procoagulant responses in murine platelets. Platelets from SLP-76 null (SLP-76-/-) or heterozygous (SLP-76+/-) mice were activated with the GPVI agonist convulxin, and surface expression of P-selectin (a marker of granule release) and annexin V binding (a marker of procoagulant phospholipid) were determined by flow cytometry. Convulxin induced surface expression of P-selectin in SLP-76+/- platelets, but not SLP-76-/- platelets (P < .001 versus unstimulated platelets). Similar results were obtained with platelets from FcRγ null mice, for which collagen, but not convulxin, induced procoagulant activity (P