Platelet-activating factor and analogues: comparative studies with human neutrophils and rabbit platelets.

Platelet-activating factor and 12 structural analogues stimulated rabbit platelets to aggregate and release [14C]-serotonin. They likewise caused human neutrophils to aggregate, degranulate, and take up [3H]-deoxyglucose. Their respective potencies, which varied by 4-5 orders of magnitude, correlated highly (r greater than or equal to 0.93) in all assays. These compounds also selectively desensitized neutrophils to the degranulating actions of platelet-activating factor but not to C5a or a formylated oligopeptide. Three other analogues with structures quite similar to platelet-activating factor were unable to activate or desensitize the cells. Hence, the structure-activity relations of the analogues in several assays of platelet and neutrophil function were similar and they stimulated neutrophils by a common activation mechanism that differed from those used by C5a or formylated oligopeptides. These data are consistent with the notion that platelet-activating factor activates and desensitizes various target cells through stereospecific receptors. Apparently, these putative receptors on neutrophils and platelets have similar structural specificities for platelet-activating factor and its analogues.