Abstract

Although granule secretion is pivotal in many platelet responses, the fusion routes of α and δ granule release remain uncertain. We used a 3D reconstruction approach based on electron microscopy to visualize the spatial organization of granules in unstimulated and activated platelets. Two modes of exocytosis were identified: a single mode that leads to release of the contents of individual granules and a compound mode that leads to the formation of granule-to-granule fusion, resulting in the formation of large multigranular compartments. Both modes occur during the course of platelet secretion. Single fusion events are more visible at lower levels of stimulation and early time points, whereas large multigranular compartments are present at higher levels of agonist and at later time points. Although α granules released their contents through both modes of exocytosis, δ granules underwent only single exocytosis. To define the underlying molecular mechanisms, we examined platelets from vesicle-associated membrane protein 8 (VAMP8) null mice. After weak stimulation, compound exocytosis was abolished and single exocytosis decreased in VAMP8 null platelets. Higher concentrations of thrombin bypassed the VAMP8 requirement, indicating that this isoform is a key but not a required factor for single and/or compound exocytosis. Concerning the biological relevance of our findings, compound exocytosis was observed in thrombi formed after severe laser injury of the vessel wall with thrombin generation. After superficial injury without thrombin generation, no multigranular compartments were detected. Our studies suggest that platelets use both modes of membrane fusion to control the extent of agonist-induced exocytosis.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-24-2016

Notes/Citation Information

Published in Blood, v. 128, no. 21, p. 2538-2549.

This research was originally published in Blood. Anita Eckly, Jean-Yves Rinckel, Fabienne Proamer, Neslihan Ulas, Smita Joshi, Sidney W. Whiteheart and Christian Gachet. Respective contributions of single and compound granule fusion to secretion by activated platelets. Blood. 2016;128:2538-2549. © 2016 by The American Society of Hematology

The copyright holder has granted the permission for posting the article here.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2016-03-705681

Funding Information

This work was supported by the Association de Recherche et Développement en Médecine et Santé Publique and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

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