Human platelet interaction with E. coli O111 promotes tissue-factor-dependent procoagulant activity, involving Toll like receptor 4

PLoS One. 2017 Sep 28;12(9):e0185431. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185431. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Platelets have a major role in clotting activation and contribute to the innate immune response during systemic infections. Human platelets contain tissue factor (TF) and express functional Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). However, the role of TLR4 in triggering the procoagulant properties of platelets, upon challenge with bacteria, is yet unknown. Our hypothesis is that E. coli O111-TLR4 interaction activates platelets and elicits their procoagulant activity. We demonstrated that the strain, but not ultrapure LPS, increased surface P-selectin expression, platelet dependent TF procoagulant activity (TF-PCA) and prompted a faster thrombin generation (TG). Blockade of TLR4 resulted in decreased platelet activation, TF-PCA and TG, revealing the participation of this immune receptor on the procoagulant response of platelets. Our results provide a novel mechanism by which individuals with bacterial infections would have an increased incidence of blood clots. Furthermore, the identification of platelet TF and TLR4 as regulators of the effect of E. coli O111 might represent a novel therapeutic target to reduce the devastating consequences of the hemostatic disorder during sepsis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / pharmacology
  • Blood Coagulation* / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Blood Platelets / microbiology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Lipoproteins / pharmacology
  • Middle Aged
  • P-Selectin / metabolism
  • Platelet Activation / drug effects
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma / metabolism
  • Thrombin / metabolism
  • Thromboplastin / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4 / metabolism*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Lipoproteins
  • P-Selectin
  • TLR4 protein, human
  • Toll-Like Receptor 4
  • lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor
  • Thromboplastin
  • Thrombin

Grants and funding

This work was supported by “Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico”, FONDECYT Chile, Award Number 1130835, Grant Recipient: Valeria Matus R, PhD.