IgG inhibits the increase of platelet-associated C3 stimulated by anti-platelet antibodies.

We investigated the increase of platelet-associated IgG and complement component 3 (C3) caused by the in vitro action of anti-platelet MoAbs, and the effect of mouse and human IgG on these events. Anti-glycoprotein IIb/IIIa and anti-glycoprotein Ib MoAbs caused a slight increase of C3, but not of platelet-associated IgG. In contrast, anti-CD9 and anti-Fc gamma II receptor MoAbs caused an increase of both platelet-associated C3 and IgG. In particular, three MoAbs which activated the complement system caused a marked increase of C3. When platelet-rich plasma was treated with aspirin and prostaglandin E1 before incubation with antibodies, the increase of platelet-associated IgG was inhibited in all cases. In contrast, the increase of platelet-associated C3 was scarcely influenced. These results suggest that the binding to platelets of platelet-activating antibodies caused the increased expression of IgG molecules on the platelet surface and a possible increase of platelet-associated IgG. However, the increase of platelet-associated C3 appeared to depend on specific characteristics of the antibodies tested, such as a complement-activating effect. In addition, intact mouse or human IgG inhibited the increase of platelet-associated C3 caused by complement-activating antibodies, while F(ab')2 mouse or human IgG had no such effect. This suggested that the Fc portion of IgG may block the increase of C3 mediated by anti-platelet antibodies.