Relieving platelet inhibition using a novel bi-specific antibody: A novel approach for circumventing the platelet storage lesion

Background

Human platelets experience structural and functional deterioration during extracorporeal storage at either room temperature or in the cold, impairing their reactivity and diminishing their hemostatic effectiveness following transfusion. PECAM-1 is an inhibitory receptor on platelets that exerts its inhibitory effects via phosphorylation of tyrosine residues that lie within its cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). The purpose of this investigation was to attempt to restore platelet reactivity by impairing the inhibitory activity of PECAM-1.

Methods

To counteract PECAM-1-mediated inhibition, we developed a novel bispecific tandem single-chain variable fragment (scFv) that ligates the protein-tyrosine phosphatase, CD148, with PECAM-1, promoting dephosphorylation of PECAM-1 ITIMs. We then analyzed the ability of this engineered tandem scFv (taFv 179) to improve adhesion and aggregation responses in vitro and under conditions of flow.

Results

Addition of taFv 179 enhanced secretion, aggregation, and activation responses of both freshly isolated and stored platelets, particularly in response to weak agonists. taFv 179 also improved thrombus formation on collagen-coated surfaces under conditions of arterial flow.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that enforced approximation of a phosphatase next to PECAM-1 ITIM tyrosines receptors is a novel strategy for enhancing the functionality of stored platelets, with potential implications for improving the effectiveness of platelet transfusions.

Essentials

• Platelets lose reactivity upon extracorporeal platelet storage.

• Platelets lacking PECAM-1 are known to be hyperresponsive to platelet agonists.

• Addition of a bispecific antibody that phenocopies PECAM-1 deficiency partially restores the reactivity of stored platelets.