CLEC-2-Induced Signaling in Blood Platelets

Platelet activating lectin-like receptor type C-2 (CLEC-2) has been identified on the platelet surface about a decade ago. The only known endogenous CLEC-2 agonist is podoplanin, a transmembrane protein expressed by lymphatic endothelial cells, lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells, kidney podocytes, and by cells of certain tumors. CLEC-2 and podoplanin are involved in metastases, sepsis, development of deep-vein thrombosis. The CLEC-2 signaling cascade includes tyrosine kinases (Syk, SFK, Btk) as well as LAT adapter, and phospholipase C2, which induces calcium signalling. CLEC-2, podoplanin and proteins, participating in the CLEC-2 signalling cascade, are considered as perspective targets for antithrombotic therapy.