Abstract
This study investigates the involvement of actin microfilaments in fibrinogen receptor redistribution and cytoskeletal reorganization that takes place in fully spread, surface-activated platelets. Colloidal gold-labeled fibrinogen (Fgn-Au label) in conjunction with video- enhanced differential interference contrast light microscopy (VDIC) was used to identify fibrinogen binding sites, glycoprotein IIb/IIIb (GPIIb/IIIa), on fully spread platelets. Platelets were treated with cytochalasins D and E (5 x 10(-5) mol/L to 5 x 10(-8) mol/L) for 10 minutes, before or after incubation with Fgn-Au label. Results observed with VDIC were subsequently confirmed by high-voltage transmission and low voltage-high resolution scanning electron microscopic examination of the specimens. Preincubation of activated platelets with cytochalasin D or E (5 x 10(-5) and 5 x 10(-6) mol/L) inhibited fibrinogen receptor redistribution and abolished cytoskeletal reorganization in fully spread platelets. After surface-activated platelets were incubated with Fgn-Au label, treatment with the above concentrations of cytochalasin D or E disrupted cytoskeletal reorganization and caused random movement of previously redistributed receptor-ligand complexes. Incubation of platelets with cytochalasin E 5 x 10(-6) mol/L prevented platelet activation and spreading. Thus, actin filaments appear necessary for platelet spreading from the discoid to the fully spread stage. The ligand-triggered, cytoskeletally directed movement of fibrinogen receptors in fully spread platelets appears to be dependent on the presence of intact, polymerized actin. This movement is distinct from the cytochalasin-insensitive accumulation of GPIIb/IIIa-ligand in the channels of the open canalicular system.
