N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalanine (fMLP), a Bacterial Chemotactic Peptide, Stimulates Platelet Shape Change in Human Whole Blood.
In order to investigate platelet-leucocyte interactions, the effect of N-formyl-methionine-leucine-phenylalonine (fMLP) a bacterial peptide, on platelet shape change (PSC) was studied. fMLP stimulated PSC in human platelets in a dose dependent manner in whole blood but did not cause PSC in platelet rich plasma. Furthermore, PSC induced by fMLP was inhibited by a PAF-antagonist indicating that PAF (a leucocyte release substance) is central to this effect. The present data suggests that PSC in whole blood constitutes a convenient method for the assessment of platelet-leucocyte interactions in health and disease.
Department of Chemical Pathology and Human Metabolism, Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine (University of London), Pond Street, London, NW3 2QG, UK.
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Nystrom
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Barradas
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Mikhailidis