Thromb Haemost 2008; 99(03): 473-479
DOI: 10.1160/TH07-12-0718
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

Platelet GPIb complex as a target for anti-thrombotic drug development

Kenneth J. Clemetson
1   Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
,
Jeannine M. Clemetson
1   Theodor Kocher Institute, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations

Financial support: Work performed at the Theodor Kocher Institute was supported by grant #31–107754.04 from the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 04 December 2007

Accepted after major revision: 10 January 2008

Publication Date:
07 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Specific inhibition of platelet function is a major target of antithrombotic drug research. Platelet receptors are both accessible and specific but have multiple functions often linked to a wide range of ligands. GPIb complex is best known as a major platelet receptor for vonWillebrand factor essential for platelet adhesion under high shear conditions found in arteries and in thrombosis. Recent animal studies have supported inhibition of GPIb as a good candidate for anti-thrombotic drug development with several classes of proteins showing important specific effects and the required discrimination between roles in haemo- stasis and thrombosis is important to protect against bleeding complications.These include antibodies, several classes of snake venom proteins, mutant thrombin molecules and peptides affecting subunit interactions.However,due to the nature of its receptor- ligand interactions involving large protein-protein interfaces, the possibility of developing classic pharmaceutical inhibitors for long term (and perhaps oral) treatment is still unclear, and additional information about structural interactions and signalling mechanisms is essential.