Platelet dysfunction in HFpEF patients: plasma and whole blood measurements

G. D'Italia¹, D. Coenen², T. Lemmens³, S. Wielders³, A. Al-Abadi³, S. Toutouh³, J. Franssen⁴, S. Mourmans⁴, B. Tullemans³, J. Weerts⁴, A. Barandiaran Aizpurua⁴, V. van Empel⁴, B. Schroen⁴, J. Cosemans³

¹Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands, maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, ²University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, ³Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands, ⁴Department of Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), Maastricht, Netherlands, Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands

Abstract Number: PB0855

Meeting: ISTH 2022 Congress

Theme: Platelets and Megakaryocytes » Platelet Function and Interactions

Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) results from a complex interplay of systemic syndromes, that include diabetes and hypertension and are characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and microvascular dysfunction (MVD). In recent years, the importance of platelets in vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction emerged, suggesting an unexplored role for platelets in MVD. However, the role of platelets in HFpEF is still poorly examined.

Aims: To investigate whether HFpEF patients present alterations in platelet functions.

Methods: Endothelial and platelet activation markers were measured in plasma from HFpEF patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and age- and sex-matched hypertensive controls. Moreover, platelet integrin αIIbβ3 activation and platelet α-granule secretion were measured by flow cytometry using freshly isolated platelets from HFpEF patients (N&#3f80) and hypertensive controls (N&#3f25, recruitment in progress), stimulated with different agonists. Microfluidics assays with whole blood from HFpEF patients and controls were performed to measure adhesion, platelet activation markers (CD62P, fibrin(ogen), annexin A5) and thrombus growth under arterial flow conditions.

Results: Markers for endothelial cell activation, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, are increased in HFpEF patients compared to hypertensive controls, reflecting the inflammatory state in HFpEF. On the other hand, platelet activation markers, β-TG, PF4, TSP-1, are decreased, especially in HFpEF patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Moreover, platelets from HFpEF patients show decreased integrin αIIbβ3 activation and α-granule secretion upon stimulation with collagen-related peptide and TRAP-6, and a tendency for an overall reduction in platelet surface coverage, activation of platelets and thrombus formation under flow.

Conclusion(s): In sum, our preliminary results show endothelial cell activation and platelet dysfunction in HFpEF patients compared to hypertensive controls, suggesting a possible unrecognized role of platelets in HFpEF.

To cite this abstract in AMA style:

D'Italia G, Coenen D, Lemmens T, Wielders S, Al-Abadi A, Toutouh S, Franssen J, Mourmans S, Tullemans B, Weerts J, Barandiaran Aizpurua A, van Empel V, Schroen B, Cosemans J. Platelet dysfunction in HFpEF patients: plasma and whole blood measurements [abstract]. https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/platelet-dysfunction-in-hfpef-patients-plasma-and-whole-blood-measurements/. Accessed September 24, 2023.

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