Streptococcus sanguis-induced platelet activation involves two waves of tyrosine phosphorylation mediated by FcγRIIA and αIIbβ3

Abstract

SummaryThe low-affinity IgG receptor, FcγRIIA, has been implicated in Streptococcus sanguis-induced platelet aggregation. Therefore, it is likely that signal transduction is at least partly mediated by FcγRIIA activation and a tyrosine kinase-dependent pathway. In this study the signal transduction mechanisms associated with platelet activation in response to the oral bacterium, S. sanguis were characterised. In the presence of IgG, S. sanguis strain 2017–78 caused the tyrosine phosphorylation of FcγRIIA 30s following stimulation, which led to the phosphorylation of Syk, LAT, and PLCγ2. These early events were dependent on Src family kinases but independent of either TxA2 or the engagement of the αIIbβ3 integrin. During the lag phase prior to platelet aggregation, FcγRIIA, Syk, LAT, and PLCγ2 were each dephosphorylated, but were re-phosphorylated as aggregation occurred. Platelet stimulation by 2017–78 also induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1, an ITIM-containing receptor that recruits protein tyrosine phosphatases. PECAM-1 co-precipitated with the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 in the lag phase. SHP-1 was also maximally tyrosine phosphorylated during this phase, suggesting a possible role for SHP-1 in the observed dephosphorylation events. As aggregation occurred, SHP-1 was dephosphorylated, while FcγRIIA, Syk, LAT, and PLCγ2 were rephosphorylated in an RGDS-sensitive, and therefore αIIbβ3-dependent, manner. Additionally, TxA2 release, 5-hydro-xytryptamine secretion and phosphatidic acid formation were all blocked by RGDS. Aspirin also abolished these events, but only partially inhibited αIIbβ3-mediated re-phosphorylation. Therefore, S.sanguis-bound IgG cross links FcγRIIA and initiates a signaling pathway that is down-regulated by PECAM-1-bound SHP-1. Subsequent engagement of αIIbβ3 leads to SHP-1 dephosphorylation permiting a second wave of signaling leading to TxA2 release and consequent platelet aggregation.