Platelet-derived polyphosphates (polyP), stored in dense granule and released upon platelet activation, have been claimed to enhance thrombin activation of coagulation factor XI (FXI) and to activate FXII directly. The latter claim is controversial and principal results leading to these conclusions are probably influenced by methodological problems. It is important to consider that low-grade contact activation is initiated by all surfaces and is greatly amplified by the presence of phospholipids simulating the procoagulant membranes of activated platelets. Thus, proper use of inhibitors of the contact pathway and a careful choice of materials for plates and tubes is important to avoid artefacts. The use of phosphatases used to degrade polyP has an important drawback as it also degrades the secondary activators ADP and ATP, which are released from activated platelets. In addition, the use of positively charged inhibitors, such as polymyxin B, to inhibit polyP in platelet-rich plasma and blood is problematic, as polymyxin B also slows coagulation in the absence of polyP. In conclusion we hope awareness of the above caveats may improve research on the physiological roles of polyP in coagulation.
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February 2016
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Scanning electron micrograph of a cell from the endosperm of a barley grain. The cell is tightly packed with large, disk-shaped (A-type) and much smaller, almost spherical (B-type) starch granules. The smooth areas in this image are the surface of the cell walls of neighbouring endosperm cells. For further details see pp. 157-163. Image kindly provided by Elaine Barclay and Vasilios Andriotis (John Innes Centre, Norwich). - PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Review Article|
February 09 2016
Caveats in studies of the physiological role of polyphosphates in coagulation
Tomas L. Lindahl;
Tomas L. Lindahl
1
*Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email tomas.lindahl@liu.se).
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Sofia Ramström;
Sofia Ramström
*Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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Niklas Boknäs;
Niklas Boknäs
*Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
†Department of Haematology, Region Östergötland, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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Lars Faxälv
Lars Faxälv
*Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
November 26 2015
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2016 Authors; published by Portland Press Limited
2016
Biochem Soc Trans (2016) 44 (1): 35–39.
Article history
Received:
November 26 2015
Citation
Tomas L. Lindahl, Sofia Ramström, Niklas Boknäs, Lars Faxälv; Caveats in studies of the physiological role of polyphosphates in coagulation. Biochem Soc Trans 15 February 2016; 44 (1): 35–39. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20150220
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