Accumulation of Tissue Factor into Developing Thrombi In Vivo Is Dependent upon Microparticle P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand 1 and Platelet P-Selectin

TLDR

The study investigates whether monocyte‑derived microparticles carrying tissue factor and PSGL‑1 deliver coagulation activity into developing thrombi, proposing a novel role for PSGL‑1 in blood clotting beyond leukocyte trafficking. Using laser‑induced endothelial injury and real‑time in vivo microscopy in wild‑type and genetically altered mice, the authors examined thrombus formation in the microcirculation without anticoagulants. In wild‑type mice, platelet‑localized thrombi displayed P‑selectin, tissue factor, and fibrin, whereas PSGL‑1 or P‑selectin deficiency or blockade produced thrombi with minimal tissue.

Abstract

Using a laser-induced endothelial injury model, we examined thrombus formation in the microcirculation of wild-type and genetically altered mice by real-time in vivo microscopy to analyze this complex physiologic process in a system that includes the vessel wall, the presence of flowing blood, and the absence of anticoagulants. We observe P-selectin expression, tissue factor accumulation, and fibrin generation after platelet localization in the developing thrombus in arterioles of wild-type mice. However, mice lacking P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 (PSGL-1) or P-selectin, or wild-type mice infused with blocking P-selectin antibodies, developed platelet thrombi containing minimal tissue factor and fibrin. To explore the delivery of tissue factor into a developing thrombus, we identified monocyte-derived microparticles in human platelet–poor plasma that express tissue factor, PSGL-1, and CD14. Fluorescently labeled mouse microparticles infused into a recipient mouse localized within the developing thrombus, indicating that one pathway for the initiation of blood coagulation in vivo involves the accumulation of tissue factor– and PSGL-1–containing microparticles in the platelet thrombus expressing P-selectin. These monocyte-derived microparticles bind to activated platelets in an interaction mediated by platelet P-selectin and microparticle PSGL-1. We propose that PSGL-1 plays a role in blood coagulation in addition to its known role in leukocyte trafficking.