Altered Platelet-Megakaryocyte Endocytosis and Trafficking of Albumin and Fibrinogen inRUNX1Haplodeficiency

Abstract

AbstractPlatelet α-granules have numerous proteins, some synthesized by megakaryocytes (MK) and others not synthesized but incorporated by endocytosis, an incompletely understood process in platelets/MK. GermlineRUNX1haplodeficiency, referred to as familial platelet defect with predisposition to myeloid malignancies (FPDMM), is associated with thrombocytopenia, platelet dysfunction and granule deficiencies. In previous studies, we found that platelet albumin, fibrinogen and IgG levels were decreased in a FPDMM patient. We now show that platelet endocytosis of fluorescent-labeled albumin, fibrinogen and IgG is decreased in the patient and his daughter with FPDMM. In megakaryocytic human erythroleukemia (HEL) cells, siRNARUNX1knockdown (KD) increased uptake of these proteins over 24 hours compared to control cells, with increases in caveolin-1 and flotillin-1 (two independent regulators of clathrin-independent endocytosis), LAMP2 (a lysosomal marker), RAB11 (a marker of recycling endosomes) and IFITM3. Caveolin-1 downregulation in RUNX1-deficient HEL cells abrogated the increased uptake of albumin, but not fibrinogen. Albumin, but not fibrinogen, partially colocalized with caveolin-1.RUNX1knockdown increased colocalization of albumin with flotillin and of fibrinogen with RAB11 suggesting altered trafficking of both. The increased albumin and fibrinogen uptake and levels of caveolin-1, flotillin-1, LAMP2 and IFITM3 were recapitulated by shRNARUNX1knockdown in CD34+-derived MK. These studies provide the first evidence that inRUNX1-haplodeficiency platelet endocytosis of albumin and fibrinogen is impaired and that megakaryocytes have enhanced endocytosis with defective trafficking leading to loss of these proteins by distinct mechanisms. They provide new insights into mechanisms governing endocytosis and α-granule deficiencies inRUNX1-haplodeficiency.Key pointsPlatelet content and endocytosis of α-granule proteins, albumin, fibrinogen and IgG, are decreased in germline RUNX1 haplodeficiency.InRUNX1-deficient HEL cells and primary MK endocytosis is enhanced with defective trafficking leading to decreased protein levels.