Activation of the platelet Fc receptor, Fc?RIIA, is central to the pathogenesis of several immune- mediated thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (ITT) syndromes, including heparin-induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis. One of the barriers to successful treatment of these thrombotic syndromes is that therapeutic targeting of platelet activation pathways to prevent thrombosis is either not effective or comes with an inherent risk of bleeding complications. The purpose of this proposal is a) to identify critical signaling molecules, which preferentially contribute to Fc?RIIA- mediated platelet activation and b) to develop therapeutic anti-platelet strategies to prevent pathologic thrombosis in ITT while minimizing bleeding complications. Our preliminary studies identify the tyrosine kinase Syk, the Ser/Thr kinase Akt, and the Ca2+ sensor CalDAG-GEFI as promising new targets for antiplatelet therapy in the setting of ITT. Downstream of ITAM-coupled receptors like Fc?RIIA, Syk is important for the activation of phospholipase C?2 and thus the generation of the second messengers Ca2+ and diacylglycerol. CalDAG-GEFI links an increase in intracellular Ca2+ to the signaling pathways regulating integrin activation, thromboxane generation, and granule release. Preliminary studies on Akt demonstrate that it is important for Fc?RIIA-induced calcium flux and integrin activation, thus linking it to Syk and CalDAG-GEFI. Preliminary results as well as work by us and others further demonstrate that Syk, CalDAG- GEFI, and Akt are particularly important for Fc?RIIA/ITAM-mediated platelet activation. With the proposed studies, we will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which CalDAG-GEFI (aim 1) and Akt (aim 2) contribute to Fc?RIIA-mediated platelet activation.
In aim 3, we will validate Syk and Akt and explore CalDAG-GEFI as therapeutic targets in ITT. The safety and efficacy of pharmacologic inhibition of Syk and Akt for the treatment and prevention of ITT will be tested in our established mouse models. The utility of CalDAG-GEFI or Akt2 as therapeutic targets for the treatment of ITT will be evaluated in crosses between mice transgenic for the human Fc?RIIA and mice knockout for CalDAG-GEFI or Akt2. The successful completion of this proposal will accelerate the rational design of novel therapeutics for immune-mediated platelet disorders.
The human platelet Fc receptor, Fc?RIIA, has been implicated in several hematological disorders characterized by immune-mediated thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis (ITT). We have identified 3 signaling molecules, which preferentially mediate Fc?RIIA- dependent platelet activation and thus may make effective targets for the treatment or prevention of ITT. The successful completion of this proposal will accelerate the rational design of novel therapeutics for immune-mediated platelet disorders.
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