Platelets represent a target of reactive oxygen species produced under oxid
ative stress conditions. Controversial data on the effect of these species
on platelet functions have been reported so far. In this study we evaluated
the effect of a wide range of H2O2 concentrations on platelet adhesion to
immobilized fibrinogen and on pp72(syk) and pp125(FAK) tyrosine phosphoryla
tion. Our results demonstrate that: (1) H2O2 does not affect the adhesion o
f unstimulated or apyrase-treated platelets to immobilized fibrinogen; (2)
H2O2 does not affect pp72(syk) phosphorylation induced by platelet adhesion
to fibrinogen-coated dishes; (3) H2O2 reduces, in a dose-dependent fashion
, pp125(FAK) phosphorylation of fibrinogen-adherent platelets; (4) concentr
ations of H2O2 near to physiological values (10-12 mu M) are able to streng
then the subthreshold activation of pp125(FAK) induced by epinephrine in ap
yrase-treated platelets; (5) H2O2 doses higher than 0.1 mM inhibit ADP-indu
ced platelet aggregation and dense granule secretion. The ability of H2O2 t
o modulate pp125(FAK) phosphorylation suggests a role of this molecule in p
hysiological hemostasis as well as in thrombus generation. (C) 2000 Elsevie
r Science B.V. All rights reserved.