Platelet proinflammatory activity in clinically stable patients with CF starts in early childhood.
BACKGROUND
Early onset chronic inflammation is present in CF. Platelets may contribute to inflammation by cytokine release and interaction with leukocytes.


METHODS
Parameters of platelet proinflammatory function (soluble CD62P, soluble CD40L, the percentage of platelet-leukocyte aggregates, platelet CD62P) and platelet procoagulatory function (PAC-1-binding to activated integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) and expression of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3)=CD41a) were measured in patients and controls.


RESULTS
Levels of sCD62P, sCD40L were increased in CF irrespective of age and activity of inflammation. The number of platelet-leukocyte aggregates was elevated in older CF patients. PAC-1-binding to platelets decreased with growing activity of inflammation. Exocytosis of CD41a upon platelet activation was reduced.


CONCLUSIONS
In CF, platelet proinflammatory activity is increased at very young age already and might promote inflammation and tissue damage. On the other hand, platelets seem to downregulate the activation of their most important integrin (alpha(IIb)beta(3)) for clot formation.
University Children's Hospital, 97080 Würzburg, Germany.
Alexander
A
Sturm
Helge
H
Hebestreit
Corinne
C
Koenig
Ulrich
U
Walter
Ralf
R
Grossmann
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000276:immunology; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000097:blood; D015539:Platelet Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines; D019007:P-Selectin; D019039:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIIb-IIIa Complex; D023201:CD40 Ligand