Alan Nurden: Structural Complexity of Contact Sites within Platelet Aggregates
Alan Nurden, Emeritus Research Director at CNRS, Co-Founder of the French National Reference Centre for Inherited Platelet Disorders (CRPP), shared a post on LinkedIn about a recent article by Magdolna Nagy et al., published in RPTH, adding:
”This remarkable paper from Dutch researchers highlights the structural complexity of the contact sites within platelet aggregates.
While Fg and VWF bind to activated GPIIb-IIIa complexes (integrin alphaIIbbeta3) and bring platelets together into an aggregate the latter is a dynamic structure featuring an interplay between cytoskeletal structures and a family of proteins many of which are also known for their contribution to cell junctions in tissues. These include members from the claudin, connexin, ESAM and JAM families and, as now shown, tight junction protein-2 (TJP2) (also known as zonula occludens-2).
State-of-the-art electron and fluorescent microscopy showed how actin filaments modulate specific clustering of TJP2 with ESAM and JAM-A in tight lateral junctions of platelets spread on Fg and within platelet aggregates formed with a series of agonists.
Preventing their formation may be an interesting approach for antithrombotic therapy.
In view of my interests, their initial dependence on alphaIIbbeta3 should mean that they do not form in the GPVI and fibrin-dependent platelet masses that can sometimes occur in patients with the platelet-based bleeding disorder, Glanzmann thrombasthenia, where treatment of extremely rare thrombotic problems causes concern in terms of aggravating the bleeding risk. Maybe blocking GPVI could be looked at for these patients in such situations.”
Title: Formation of tight junction-like structures of zonula occludens 2 in platelet–platelet interaction
Authors: Magdolna Nagy, Markus Bender, Natalie S. Poulter, Jeremy A. Pike, Albert Sickmann, Sonja Vondenhoff, Natalia Bielicka, Marc A.M.J. van Zandvoort, Rory R. Koenen, Hugo ten Cate, Xavier Stéphenne, Johan W.M. Heemskerk, Constance C.F.M.J. Baaten
Other posts featuring Alan Nurden on Hemostasis Today.
-
Apr 18, 2026, 01:1679th World Health Assembly: ‘Advancing Health Equity for Bleeding Disorders’ – WFH
-
Apr 18, 2026, 00:44Join leading experts for an evening symposium at the ASPHO Conference – ISTH
-
Apr 17, 2026, 17:41José Antonio García Erce: Hematology in 48 H Day 1 What You Need to Know for Clinical Practice
-
Apr 17, 2026, 17:23Alfonso J. Tafur: Endovascular Therapy Improves Post-Thrombotic Syndrome Outcomes at 6 Months
-
Apr 17, 2026, 17:09Hayley Taylor: Whatever Your Blood Type if You Can Donate Please Do It Because You Could Help Save a Life
-
Apr 17, 2026, 16:51Ney Carter Borges: Additive Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Through Dual Targeting of Lipoprotein(a) and Interleukin-6 Signalling
-
Apr 17, 2026, 16:08David McIntosh: African Healthcare and European Partnerships in Plasma Medicine
-
Apr 17, 2026, 16:05Ana Pedrero Gil: How Are Intraoperative PRBC Transfusions Associated with Postoperative Delirium in Adults
-
Apr 17, 2026, 16:00William Aird: The Satisfaction of Recognising the Symptom Patterns in Iron Deficiency