The integrin αIIb/β3 in human platelet signal transduction

Abstract

Platelets are critical for the maintenance of the integrity of the vascular system and are the first line of defence against haemorrhage. When they encounter a subendothelial matrix exposed by injury to a vessel, platelets adhere, are activated, and become adhesive for other platelets so that they aggregate. αIIb/β3, a platelet-specific integrin, is largely prominent amongst the adhesion receptors and is essential for platelet aggregation. The ligands for αIIb/β3 are the multivalent adhesive proteins fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor. In resting platelets, αIIb/β3 is normally in a low activation state, unable to interact with soluble fibrinogen. Stimulation of platelets with various agonists will induce a conformational change in αIIb/β3 (inside-out signalling), which is then able to bind soluble fibrinogen resulting in the onset of platelet aggregation. However, fibrinogen binding to its membrane receptor is not simply a passive event allowing the formation of intercellular bridges between platelets. Indeed, a complex signalling pathway triggered by integrin ligation and clustering (outside-in signalling) will regulate the extent of irreversible platelet aggregation and clot retraction. Amongst the signalling enzymes activated downstream of αIIb/β3 engagement, phosphoinositide 3- kinase plays an important role in the control of the irreversible phase of aggregation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.