Increased Platelet-monocyte Aggregation in Male Claudicants with the Pl^A1/A2 Polymorphism of Gp IIb/IIIa

Abstract 

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between the Pl^A1/A2 polymorphism and platelet activation and aggregation in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

Design

A prospective single-centre cohort study.

Methods

45 patients with PAD on aspirin 75mg were recruited and phenotyped/genotyped for the Gp IIb/IIIa Pl^A1/A2 polymorphism. Platelet-Monocyte Aggregation (PMAs) was evaluated using flow-cytometry.

Results

The formation of PMAs in the Pl^A2 group was higher but not statistically significant (p=0.17). However, when males were analysed separately, the formation of PMAs was significantly higher in the Pl^A2 group (p=0.0192). No difference was seen in the females.

Conclusions

In this study we show that the Pl^A1/A2 polymorphism primarily affects the aggregation of platelets to monocytes in males. The effect is not observed in females and understanding the mechanism behind this may help elucidate the way the polymorphism alters platelet function in the presence of aspirin.

Keywords: Peripheral arterial disease, Aspirin, Genetic polymorphism, Platelet