Effect of the hydrogen sulfide donor GYY4137 on platelet activation and microvascular thrombus formation in mice

This study evaluates the effect of the H2S donor GYY4137 (GYY) on adhesion molecule expression, protein S-sulfhydration and morphology of platelets in vitro and on kinetics of microvascular thrombus formation in vivo. Using flowcytometry, untreated resting, TRAP-activated, or TRAP-activated and GYY-exposed human platelets were studied for expression of P-selectin, GP(Ib) and GP(IIb/IIIa) as well as for fibrinogen binding. By means of electron microscopy, platelet morphology and intracellular granule numbers were assessed. Platelet shape change was studied using immunohistochemistry for P-selectin, NSF and F-actin by SR-SIM. Biotin switch assay served for the analysis of platelet protein S-sulfhydration by GYY. Using the FeCl3 and the light/dye model in dorsal skinfold chamber-equipped mice, the effect of GYY and its vehicle DMSO was studied on venular thrombus formation and tail-vein bleeding time. Soluble (s)P-selectin plasma concentrations were measured in GYY-or DMSO-treated animals. Exposure to GYY increased the S-sulfhydration of platelet proteins. GYY reduced dose-dependently the TRAP-induced adhesion molecule expression and attenuated the morphological signs of TRAP-associated platelet activation. In mice, GYY caused a significant prolongation of venular thrombus formation and tail-vein bleeding time. Application of an anti-P-selectin antibody in DMSO-exposed animals prolonged thrombosis formation comparably as GYY did. GYY reversed the TRAP-induced distribution of P-selectin at the plasma membrane of platelets. This indicates reduced exocytosis and shedding of P-selectin, which is supported by significantly lower sP-selectin concentrations in GYY-vs. DMSO-treated mice. H2S acts anti-thrombotic and seems to regulate thrombogenesis by interference with platelet activation and adhesion molecule-mediated aggregation.