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PCSK9 is a co-activator of platelet function beyond its role in cholesterol homeostasis

Risk Factors and Prevention


Barcelona, Spain – 27 Aug 2017: PCSK9 is a co-activator of platelet function beyond its role in cholesterol homeostasis, according to research presented at ESC Congress today.1 The findings suggest that PCSK9 inhibitors, a new class of cholesterol lowering treatments, may also reduce thrombosis by interfering with platelet activation.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) is a main player in cholesterol homeostasis by inducing degradation of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol receptor. Emerging evidence indicates that plasma levels of PCSK9 predict recurrent cardiovascular events, for example myocardial infarction and angina, in patients with coronary artery disease, even in those with well controlled LDL cholesterol levels.

“We hypothesised that the contribution of PCSK9 to cardiovascular events might be mediated by as yet unknown cholesterol-independent pathways,” said last author Dr Marina Camera, associate professor of pharmacology, University of Milan, Italy. “It has been reported that increased plasma levels of PCSK9 are associated with platelet reactivity. However, no study has so far evaluated whether or not PCSK9 directly affects the function of platelets.”

Platelets play a key role in the acute, thrombotic complications of atherosclerosis by causing life-threatening ischaemic events at a late stage of the disease. Increased platelet activation (called platelet hyperreactivity) has been reported in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This study evaluated whether PCSK9 modulates platelet activation. It also assessed whether PCSK9 is expressed in platelets from healthy subjects, stable angina patients, and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The effect of PCSK9 on platelet function was studied using epinephrine-induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma preincubated or not with PCSK9. The effect of PCSK9 on platelet activation was investigated with whole blood flow cytometry evaluation of P-selectin, PAC-1 and tissue factor expression induced by epinephrine. PCSK9 expression in platelets was assessed by flow cytometry and further evaluated by western blot analysis in platelets and human megakaryocytes. PCSK9 levels were measured in platelets from 30 patients with stable angina (15 with diabetes, 15 without), ten patients with diabetes but without stable angina, and ten healthy people.

The investigators showed for the first time that:
•    PCSK9 is expressed in human megakaryocytes, the cells in the bone marrow responsible for producing circulating platelets. A subset of circulating platelets contains PCSK9, suggesting that there is a finely tuned mechanism for the direct transfer of PCSK9 from megakaryocytes to a certain number of platelets.
•    PCSK9 plays a role in platelet activation and aggregation.
•    Platelets from patients with both type 2 diabetes mellitus and stable angina contain twice the amount of PCSK9 as patients with only one, or neither, condition.

Dr Camera said: “Our data provide novel knowledge on the mechanisms regulating platelet activation in physiological and pathological conditions. Considering the contribution of platelets to cardiovascular disease, the findings also shed light on a new mechanism that may be involved in platelet hyperreactivity in patients with stable angina and diabetes mellitus.”

She continued: “Based on our data it is possible that the pharmacological inhibition of PCSK9, besides down-regulating cholesterol levels, may have the added value of controlling the prothrombotic burden interfering with platelet activation.”

ENDS


Notes to editor

Sources of funding: The study was sponsored by: 2016 ASPIRE Cardiovascular Competitive Research Grant, Pfizer.
 

Disclosures: None.

References and notes

1The abstract “PCSK9 beyond its role in cholesterol homeostasis: co-activator of platelet function” will be presented during:

  • The session PCSK9: Beyond lipid-lowering effects? on Sunday 27 August from 16:30 to 18:00 in Fira – Village 1.
  • The press conference Cholesterol Lowering: Reality check and new directions on Tuesday 29 August from 9:00 to 10:00.


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About the European Society of Cardiology
The European Society of Cardiology brings together health care professionals from more than 140 countries, working to advance cardiovascular medicine and help people lead longer, healthier lives.

About ESC Congress 2017
ESC Congress is the world’s largest and most influential cardiovascular event contributing to global awareness of the latest clinical trials and breakthrough discoveries. ESC Congress 2017 takes place 26 to 30 August at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Spain. The scientific programme is here. More information is available from the ESC Press Office at press@escardio.org.

This press release accompanies both a presentation and an ESC press conference at the ESC Congress 2017. Edited by the ESC from material supplied by the investigators themselves, this press release does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Society of Cardiology. The content of the press release has been approved by the presenter.