Platelet MEKK3 regulates arterial thrombosis and myocardial infarct expansion in mice

Abstract

MAPKs play important roles in platelet activation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which MAPKs are regulated in platelets remain largely unknown. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot data showed that MEKK3, a key MAP3K family member, was expressed in human and mouse platelets. Then, megakaryocyte/platelet-specific MEKK3-deletion (<i>MEKK3</i>^<i>-/-</i> ) mice were developed to elucidate the platelet-related function(s) of MEKK3. We found that agonist-induced aggregation and degranulation were reduced in <i>MEKK3</i>^<i>-/-</i> platelets in vitro. MEKK3 deficiency significantly impaired integrin αIIbβ3-mediated inside-out signaling but did not affect the outside-in signaling. At the molecular level, MEKK3 deficiency led to severely impaired activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase 2 but not p38 or ERK5. In vivo, <i>MEKK3</i>^<i>-/-</i> mice showed delayed thrombus formation following FeCl₃-induced carotid artery injury. Interestingly, the tail bleeding time was normal in <i>MEKK3</i>^<i>-/-</i> mice. Moreover, <i>MEKK3</i>^<i>-/-</i> mice had fewer microthrombi, reduced myocardial infarction (MI) size, and improved post-MI heart function in a mouse model of MI. These results suggest that MEKK3 plays important roles in platelet MAPK activation and may be used as a new effective target for antithrombosis and prevention of MI expansion.