Abnormal platelet response to thromboxane A2.

To determine the pathogenetic mechanism of a hereditary primary platelet release disorder, arachidonic acid metabolism via the cyclooxygenase pathway was investigated. The propositus' platelets exhibited defective release reaction and second-wave aggregation when stimulated by sodium arachidonate or U46619, a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) agonist. The lack of platelet response to U46619 suggested that the defect was beyond the thromboxane synthetase level. Furthermore, thromboxane B2 (TXB2) formation in the propositus' platelets (558.52 ng/10(8) platelets) was within the normal range (574.29 +/- SD 27.39 ng/10(8) platelets) and TXA2 formation appeared to be adequate for aggregating normal platelets. The results were indicative of an abnormal platelet response to TXA2. Failure of the propositus' platelets to aggregate in response to TXA2 formed in normal platelet-rich plasma induced by arachidonate confirmed this notion. To gain further insight, platelet cyclic (c) AMP content was determined. Prostacyclin induced a significant elevation of the propositus' platelet cAMP level comparable to normal values. U46619 suppressed prostaglandin I2-induced cAMP elevation in normal subjects but had no such effect in the patient. We conclude that the primary release disorder observed in this kindred is due to an abnormal platelet respnse to TXA2 possibly because of TXA2/PGH2 receptor abnormalities.