Role of Gas6 receptors in platelet signaling during thrombus stabilization and implications for antithrombotic therapy

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Abstract

Mechanisms regulating thrombus stabilization remain largely unknown. Here, we report that loss of any 1 of the Gas6 receptors (Gas6-Rs), i.e., Tyro3, Axl, or Mer, or delivery of a soluble extracellular domain of Axl that traps Gas6 protects mice against life-threatening thrombosis. Loss of a Gas6-R does not prevent initial platelet aggregation but impairs subsequent stabilization of platelet aggregates, at least in part by reducing “outside-in” signaling and platelet granule secretion. Gas6, through its receptors, activates PI3K and Akt and stimulates tyrosine phosphorylation of the β3 integrin, thereby amplifying outside-in signaling via αIIbβ3. Blocking the Gas6-R–αIIbβ3 integrin cross-talk might be a novel approach to the reduction of thrombosis.

Authors

Anne Angelillo-Scherrer, Laurent Burnier, Nathalie Flores, Pierre Savi, Maria DeMol, Paul Schaeffer, Jean-Marc Herbert, Greg Lemke, Stephen P. Goff, Glenn K. Matsushima, H. Shelton Earp, Christian Vesin, Marc F. Hoylaerts, Stéphane Plaisance, Désiré Collen, Edward M. Conway, Bernhard Wehrle-Haller, Peter Carmeliet