Toll-like receptor 2 stimulation of platelets is mediated by purinergic P2X1-dependent Ca2+ mobilisation, cyclooxygenase and purinergic P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptor activation

Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), which recognise and respond to conserved microbial pathogen-associated molecular patterns, is expressed on the platelet surface. Furthermore, it has recently been shown that the TLR2/1 agonist Pam(3)CSK(4) stimulates platelet activation. The aim of the present study was to clarify important signalling events in Pam(3)CSK(4)-induced platelet aggregation and secretion. Platelet interaction with Pam(3)CSK(4) and the TLR2/6 agonist MALP-2 was studied by analysing aggregation, ATP-secretion, [Ca2+](i) mobilisation and thromboxane B2 (TxB(2)) production. The results show that Pam(3)CSK(4) but not MALP-2 induces [Ca2+](i) increase, TxB(2) production, dense granule secretion and platelet aggregation. Preincubation of platelets with MALP-2 inhibited the Pam(3)CSK(4)-induced responses. The ATP-secretion and aggregation in Pam(3)CSK(4)-stimulated platelets was impeded by the purinergic P2X(1) inhibitor MRS 2159, the purinergic P2Y(1) and P2Y(12) antagonists MRS 2179 and cangrelor, the phospholipase C inhibitor U73122, the calcium chelator BAPT-AM and aspirin. The calcium mobilisation was lowered by MRS 2159, aspirin and U73122 whereas the TxB(2) production was antagonised by MRS 2159, aspirin and BAPT-AM. When investigating the involvement of the myeloid differentiation factor-88 (MyD88) -dependent pathway, we found that platelets express MyD88 and interleukin 1 receptor-associated kinase (IRAK-1), which are proteins important in TLR signalling. However, Pam(3)CSK(4) did not stimulate a rapid (within 10 minutes) phosphorylation of IRAK-1 in platelets. In conclusion, the results show that Pam(3)CSK(4)-induced platelet aggregation and secretion depends on a P2X(1)-mediated Ca2+ mobilisation, production of TxA(2) and ADP receptor activation. The findings in this study further support a role for platelets in sensing bacterial components.