Triggering of beta 1-integrin chain induces platelet adhesion to cultured endothelium.

We report here that platelets adhere to cultured endothelial cells (EC) on exposure to the integrin beta 1 activating monoclonal antibody (mAb) BV7. The effect of BV7 is exerted mostly on platelets rather than EC. BV7 does not induce platelet aggregation or 5-hydroxytyptamine (5-HT) release and does not increase platelet adhesion to matrix proteins. Another activating beta 1 mAb, Lia1/2, triggers an effect similar to BV7. Blocking antibodies to alpha 2 and beta 1, but not to other integrin chains, are able to inhibit BV7-mediated adhesion. Moreover, the effect of BV7 requires active cellular metabolism and is not inhibited by platelet treatment with aspirin, by the PAF receptor antagonist BN50730, the phosphokinase C inhibitor staurosporin, or by the cAMP or cGMP enhancers prostaglandin E1 and sodium nitroprusside, respectively. Finally, BV7-mediated adhesion was enhanced by the endoperoxide analogue U46619. These data describe a novel mechanism of platelet adhesion to endothelial cells. This adhesion pathway appears to be mediated by alpha 2 beta 1-integrin on platelets and a still-undefined endothelial counter receptor.