Platelet lifespan is regulated by intrinsic apoptosis.Platelet apoptosis can be triggered by BH3 mimetics that inhibit the pro-survival Bcl-2 family protein, Bcl-xL.Here, we investigated several small molecules that are reported to act as BH3 mimetics and compared their effects to the well-established BH3 mimetic, ABT-737.Platelet phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure was determined by flow cytometry.
Changes in cytosolic Ca2+ signaling were detected using Cal-520.Plasma membrane integrity was determined by calcein leakage.The roles of caspases and calpain in these click here processes were determined using Q-VD-OPh and calpeptin, respectively.As previously reported, ABT-737 triggered PS exposure in a caspase-dependent manner and calcein loss in a caspase and calpain-dependent manner.
In contrast, AT-101 and sabutoclax triggered PS exposure independently of caspases.HA14-1 also triggered PS exposure in a caspase-independent but calpain-dependent manner.There were also significant differences in the pattern and protease-dependency of cytosolic Ca2+ click here signaling in response to these drugs compared to ABT-737.Since there are clear differences between the action of ABT-737 and the other putative BH3 mimetics investigated here, AT-101, HA14-1 and sabutoclax cannot be considered as acting as BH3 mimetics in platelets.
Furthermore, the platelet death caused by these drugs is likely to be distinct from apoptosis.