Shear-induced integrin signaling in platelet phosphatidylserine exposure, microvesicle release, and coagulation

It is currently unclear why agonist-stimulated platelets require shear force to efficiently externalize the procoagulant phospholipid phosphatidylserine (PS) and release PS-exposed microvesicles (MVs). We reveal that integrin outside-in signaling is an important mechanism for this requirement. PS exposure and MV release were inhibited in β₃^-/- platelets or by integrin antagonists. The impaired MV release and PS exposure in β₃^-/- platelets were rescued by expression of wild-type β₃ but not a Gα₁₃ binding-deficient β₃ mutant (E⁷³³EE to AAA), which blocks outside-in signaling but not ligand binding. Inhibition of Gα₁₃ or Src also diminished agonist/shear-dependent PS exposure and MV release, further indicating a role for integrin outside-in signaling. PS exposure in activated platelets was induced by application of pulling force via an integrin ligand, which was abolished by inhibiting Gα₁₃-integrin interaction, suggesting that Gα₁₃-dependent transmission of mechanical signals by integrins induces PS exposure. Inhibition of Gα₁₃ delayed coagulation in vitro. Furthermore, inhibition or platelet-specific knockout of Gα₁₃ diminished laser-induced intravascular fibrin formation in arterioles in vivo. Thus, β₃ integrins serve as a shear sensor activating the Gα₁₃-dependent outside-in signaling pathway to facilitate platelet procoagulant function. Pharmacological targeting of Gα₁₃-integrin interaction prevents occlusive thrombosis in vivo by inhibiting both coagulation and platelet thrombus formation.