CEACAM2 positively regulates integrin αIIbβ3-mediated platelet functions

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is an Ig-ITIM superfamily member that regulates integrin alpha(II)beta 3 function. We hypothesized that its twin protein, CEACAM2, exerts a similar physiologic role in murine platelets. CEACAM2-deficient mice (Cc2(-/-)) displayed prolonged tail bleeding times and increased volume of blood loss. Cc2(-/-) platelets have moderate integrin alpha(II)beta 3-mediated functional defects with impaired kinetics of platelet spreading on fibrinogen and type I collagen and delayed kinetics in the retraction of fibrin clots in vitro. This functional integrin alpha(II)beta 3 defect could not be attributed to altered integrin alpha(II)beta 3 expression. Cc2(-/-) platelets displayed normal 'inside-out' signaling properties as demonstrated by normal agonist-induced binding of soluble fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-fibrinogen and JON/A antibody binding. This data provides direct evidence that disruption of CEACAM2 induces a moderate integrin alpha(II)beta 3-mediated platelet function defect, and that CEACAM2 is essential to maintain a normal integrin alpha(II)beta 3-mediated platelet function.