Summary
The effect of changes in platelet membrane cholesterol content on thromboxane A2 (TXA2)-induced platelet activation was studied. Concentrations of 9,ll-epithio-ll,12-methano-TXA2 (STA2), a stable analogue of TXA2 which can cause half-maximal aggregation and release of [14C]serotonin in cholesterol-rich platelets were significantly lower than those in cholesterol-normal
platelets. STA2-induced increase in cytosolic calcium concentration and [32P]phosphatidic acid formation in cholesterol-rich platelets were significantly greater
than those in cholesterol-normal platelets. The maximal concentration of binding site
(Bmax) for SQ29548 was significantly increased in cholesterol-rich platelets compared with
cholesterol-normal platelets, while the equilibrium dissociation rate constant (Kd) for SQ29548 did not differ between cholesterol-rich and cholesterol-normal platelets.
The present study suggested that sensitivity to TXA2 was increased by the incorporation of cholesterol into platelet membrane and that
the cause of hypersensitivity to TXA2 in cholesterol-rich platelets may be partly explained by an increase in binding capacity
for TXA2.