Membrane-potential-dependent inhibition of platelet adhesion to endothelial cells by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids

Abstract

Objective: Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are potent vasodilators produced by endothelial cells. In many vessels, they are an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). However, it is unknown whether they act as an EDHF on platelets and whether this has functional consequences.

Methods and results: Flow cytometric measurement of platelet membrane potential using the fluorescent dye DiBac4 showed a resting potential of -58+/-9 mV. Different EET regioisomers hyperpolarized platelets down to -69+/-2 mV, which was prevented by the non-specific potassium channel inhibitor charybdotoxin and by use of a blocker of calcium-activated potassium channels of large conductance (BK(Ca) channels), iberiotoxin. EETs inhibited platelet adhesion to endothelial cells under static and flow conditions. Exposure to EETs inhibited platelet P-selectin expression in response to ADP. Stable overexpression of cytochrome P450 2C9 in EA.hy926 cells (EA.hy2C9 cells) resulted in release of EETs and a factor that hyperpolarized platelets and inhibited their adhesion to endothelial cells. These effects were again inhibited by charybdotoxin and iberiotoxin.

Conclusions: EETs hyperpolarize platelets and inactivate them by inhibiting adhesion molecule expression and platelet adhesion to cultured endothelial cells in a membrane potential-dependent manner. They act as an EDHF on platelets and might be important mediators of the anti-adhesive properties of vascular endothelium.