Glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa (αIIbβ3-integrin) is the central receptor of platelet aggregation. Activated GP IIb-IIIa binds fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor, which forms molecular bridges between aggregating platelets. This review summarizes data on the relationship between GP IIb-IIIa expression on the platelet surface and platelet aggregating activity. GP IIb-IIIa number, measured as maximal binding of complex-specific monoclonal antibody, varied by approximately two fold in both healthy volunteers (n = 35) and patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (n = 65). In healthy volunteers positive associations were observed between GP IIb-IIIa number and the level of ADP-induced aggregation when this relationship was analysed in untreated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as well as upon in vitro addition of aspirin or non-saturating concentrations of GP IIb-IIIa blockers. In the same group of volunteers almost no differences in aggregating activity were detected between donors carrying the GP IIIa Pro33 allele (n = 15) and those with the GP IIIa Leu33Leu33 genotype (n = 20). No significant relationships were revealed between platelet aggregability and variations of plasma fibrinogen concentration. Positive correlation of the level of ADP-induced aggregation and GP IIb-IIIa content was detected in patients with ACS within the first hour upon admission to the hospital when they had already received aspirin, but not clopidogrel. However, there were no correlations between these parameters at days 3-5 and days 8-12 (before discharge). At these time points patients were treated not only with aspirin but were saturated with clopidogrel as well. In ACS patients we also evaluated the expression of another platelet adhesive receptor, GP Ib, and found a significant positive correlation between GP IIb-IIIa and GP Ib content. A strong association was also revealed between the number of both receptors and mean platelet volume. The latter observation indicated that individual variations of the number of glycoprotein molecules are mainly affected by platelet size but not the density of their expression on the platelet membrane. Possible usefulness of measuring GP IIb-IIIa content as a marker of increased platelet reactivity is discussed.

We investigated the influence of glycoprotein (GP) IIIa Leu33Pro polymorphism, platelet GP IIb-IIIa number, and plasma fibrinogen concentration on platelet aggregation and antiaggregatory action of GP IIb-IIIa antagonists. Healthy volunteers with GP IIIa Pro33(-) (Leu33Leu33, n = 20) and Pro33(+) (Leu33Pro33, n = 13, and Pro33Pro33, n = 2) genotypes were included into the study. GP IIIa Leu33Pro substitution was associated with the increase of the level and rate of platelet microaggregate formation induced by GP IIb-IIIa activating antibody CRC54 (100, 200, 400 microg/ml) against the epitope within 1-100 residues of GP IIIa N-terminal part (p from 0.001 to 0.047). No significant differences were detected between parameters of platelet aggregation induced by ADP (1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 20 microM) in GP IIIa Pro33(+) and Pro33(-) donors. GP IIb-IIIa antagonist Monafram (F(ab')(2) fragment of GP-IIb-IIIa blocking antibody CRC64) (1, 2, 3 microg/ml), but not eptifibatide (50, 100, 150 ng/ml) inhibited ADP-induced aggregation slightly less efficiently in GP IIIa Pro33(+) group (p < 0.05 at 1 and 2 microg/ml Monafram). GP IIb-IIIa number (evaluated as maximal binding of (125)I-labelled antibody CRC64) varied from 40.5 to 80.8 x 10(3) per platelet with no significant influence of GP IIIa genotype. Consistent correlations were revealed between GP IIb-IIIa quantity and the level and rate of ADP-induced aggregation (r from 0.353 to 0.583, p from <0.001 to 0.037) as well as resistance (level of residual aggregation) to both GP IIb-IIIa antagonists (r from 0.345 to 0.602, p from <0.001 to 0.042). ADP-induced aggregation was considerably increased and efficiency of GP IIb-IIIa antagonists decreased in donors with high in comparison with low GP IIb-IIIa quantity (>60 and 40-50 x 10(3) per platelet respectively, p < 0.01 for most tests). No correlations were observed between all tested parameters and plasma fibrinogen concentration. Our results indicate that inter-individual variability of platelet GP IIb-IIIa number significantly affects platelet aggregation and antiaggregatory effects of GP IIb-IIIa antagonists. Contribution of this factor is higher than that of GP IIIa Leu33Pro polymorphism and variations of fibrinogen concentration.

Quantity of platelet adhesion molecules significantly varies in normal donors and cardiovascular patients and might be affected by platelet size and genetic variations. In this study, we assessed relationships of the content of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa and GPIb with mean platelet volume (MPV) and their genetic polymorphisms. MPV and GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb numbers were measured in 116 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) at days 1, 3-5 and 8-12 after disease onset and in 32 healthy volunteers. GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb allelic variants were determined in ACS patients. Strong interactions of GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb numbers and MPV were observed in ACS patients and healthy volunteers. In patients, coefficients of correlation (r) were 0.642 and 0.510 (analysis of individual mean values) and in volunteers - 0.594 and 0.508 for GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb, respectively (everywhere P < 0.005). In ACS patients, correlations were highly significant at each tested time point. GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb genetic polymorphisms [GPIIIa Leu33Pro, GPIbα Thr145Met and GPIbα (-5)T/C (Kozak)] determined in ACS patients had no significant impact on their expression. Modest correlation was revealed between MPV and plasma thrombopoietin (TPO) measured at the first day of ACS (r = 0.279, P = 0.005). The data obtained indicated that GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb levels are mainly affected by platelet size (MPV) but not by their genetic variations. In some ACS patients, production of large platelets with high GPIIb-IIIa and GPIb contents might be stimulated by elevated TPO.