Horse gammaglobulin‐induced thrombocytopenia in anaphylaxis involving sequestration and activation of platelets

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia as well as hemoconcentration and leukopenia followed by leukocytosis were induced after HoGG challenge on HoGG-sensitized mice. Thrombocytopenia was induced within 2 min and sustained for 1 day. HoGG-induced thrombocytopenia was not observed until day 10 after sensitization; mice challenged with HoGG dose > or = 10 micrograms developed thrombocytopenia. Two types of thrombocytopenia were observed in appropriately sensitized mice. HoGG induced thrombocytopenia at 2 min and 60 min, whereas, alpha-macroglobulin induced thrombocytopenia at 2 min, the platelet count of which returned to normal within 60 min. Poly (Glu60Ala30Tyr10) did not induce thrombocytopenia at 2 min or 60 min. The tracing study by 3H-serotonin labelled platelets demonstrated the 2 min-sequestration of platelets in lungs or livers. The HoGG-induced sequestration of platelets at 2 min was blocked by high dose heparin or Cobra Venom factor. Platelet activation at 60 min was partially inhibited by dexamethasone, rhodostomin synthetic peptide 45-59, or platelet activation factor antagonist (WEB 2086). Furthermore, the thrombocytopenia could be transferred by heat (56 degrees C, 4h) treated immune sera. This suggests that HoGG-induced, non-IgE-mediated thrombocytopenia in anaphylaxis involves sequestration and activation of platelets. The sequestion in lungs occurs within 2 min and can be inhibited by high dose heparin or Cobra Venom factor. The activation of platelets involves platelet activation factor, and fibrinogen receptor.

Accumulation of platelets in the lung and liver and their degranulation following antigen‐challenge in sensitized mice

“…A few years ago, Leir et al . (1995) reported that although some protein antigens induce rapid thrombocytopenia in sensitized mice, they could neither find degranulation of platelets (or release of their contents) nor link the phenomenon to anaphylaxis or allergic reactions.…”

A case series: Association of anaphylaxis with a significant decrease in platelet levels and possible secondary risk of thrombosis

“…Specifically platelet's had a significant drop during anaphylaxis in the murine study by Krishnamurthy et al [18]. Murine studies involving horse serum induced anaphylaxis has also noted thrombocytopenia suggesting sequestering and activating of platelets [20]. To the best of our knowledge platelet's response have not been studied in anaphylaxis in humans.…”

High dose of lipopolysaccharide pre-treatment prevents OVA-induced anaphylactic decreases in rectal temperature in the immunized mice

“…However, mast cells and IgE are not always necessary to induce of PAF on anaphylaxis in mice [17,25]. Other studies have reported that anaphylactic reactions were caused by allergen re-exposure in mast cell-deficient mice [26,27]. High-plasma PAF has also been observed during anaphylactic shock in mast cell-deficient mice [28].…”