Antibodies against human cell receptors, CD36, CD41a, and CD62P crossreact with porcine platelets

Background: A limitation in platelet study has been the availability of platelet function-specific membrane receptor antibodies for use in the various animal species that are currently used in the study of hemostasis and other phenomena. Methods: Platelets were isolated from human and porcine blood. Resting and activated platelets were incubated with antibodies against the human cell surface receptors CD36 (clone CB38), CD41a (clone HIP8), CD62P (clone AK4), and CD63 (clone H5C6). Antibody titration and ligand blocking studies also were performed. Results: Binding of anti-CD41a and anti-CD62P were similar for human and porcine platelets in percentage of platelets labeled and in number of receptors per cell. Binding of anti-CD36 was similar between species, with fewer receptors present in porcine cells. Anti-CD63 and anti-CD107a did not bind specifically to porcine platelets. Conclusion: The anti-CD36, anti-CD41a, and anti-CD62P antibodies studied crossreact with porcine platelets and will be useful in the investigation of platelet function in porcine models. Cytometry Part B (Clin. Cytometry) 56B:62-67, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.