Protein C supports platelet binding and activation under flow: role of glycoprotein Ib and apolipoprotein E receptor 2

Background: Activated protein C (APC) regulates thrombin generation and inhibits apoptosis. Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR)-bound protein C is activated by thrombomodulin-bound thrombin. APC inactivates coagulation factors (F)Va/VIIIa and generates cytoprotective signaling downstream of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1). Binding of APC to EPCR both modifies and induces PAR-1 signaling, but it is unknown if protein C interacts with cells in an alternative manner. Aim: To determine whether platelets possess receptors for protein C that can generate intracellular signals. Results: Immobilized protein C or APC supported platelet adhesion, lamellipodia formation and elevation of intracellular Ca2+. Adhesion of platelets to protein C or APC was inhibited by soluble recombinant apolipoprotein E receptor 2' (ApoER2') and by receptor-associated protein (RAP), an inhibitor of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family. Under shear, surface-bound protein C supported platelet adhesion and aggregation in a glycoprotein (GP)Ib alpha-dependent manner, and adhesion of platelets to immobilized protein C was abrogated by the addition of soluble forms of ApoER2' or RAP. APC bound to purified recombinant ApoER2' or GPIb alpha. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that activation of platelets with rapid intracellular signaling caused by binding to immobilized protein C or APC occurs via mechanisms that require ApoER2 and GPIb alpha and that APC directly binds to purified ectodomains of the receptors ApoER2 and GPIb alpha. These findings imply that protein C and APC may directly promote cell signaling in other cells by binding to ApoER2 and/or GPIb alpha.