The extracellular matrix protein, laminin, supports platelet adhesion through binding to integrin ␣ 6  1 In the present study, we demonstrate that human laminin, purified from placenta, also stimulates formation of filopodia and lamellipodia in human and mouse platelets through a pathway that is dependent on ␣ 6  1 and the collagen receptor GPVI. The integrin ␣ 6  1 is essential for adhesion to laminin, as demonstrated using an ␣ 6 -blocking antibody, whereas GPVI is dispensable for this response, as shown using "knockout" mouse platelets. On the other hand, lamellipodia formation on laminin is completely inhibited in the absence of GPVI, although filopodia formation remains and is presumably mediated via ␣ 6  1 Lamellipodia and filopodia formation are inhibited in Syk-deficient platelets, demonstrating a key role for the kinase in signaling downstream of GPVI and integrin ␣ 6  1 GPVI was confirmed as a receptor for laminin using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and by demonstration of lamellipodia formation on laminin in the presence of collagenase. These results identify GPVI as a novel receptor for laminin and support a model in which integrin ␣ 6  1 brings laminin to GPVI, which in turn mediates lamellipodia formation. We speculate that laminin contributes to platelet spreading in vivo through a direct interaction with GPVI.
IntroductionPlatelets play a critical role in the hemostatic process through a combination of adhesion, activation, and aggregation events that lead to formation of a platelet plug and occlusion of the site of damage. Our current understanding of this process highlights a critical role for the interaction of von Willebrand factor (VWF) with the platelet surface receptor, GPIb-IX-V, in mediating platelet tethering at arterial rates of flow. 1,2 This is followed by platelet activation mediated by binding of collagen to the immunoglobulin receptor, GPVI, leading to inside-out stimulation of the integrins, ␣ 2  1 and ␣ IIb  3 . 3 The 2 integrins bind to their respective ligands, collagen and VWF, mediating stable adhesion. Platelet adhesion is further strengthened by integrin-dependent platelet spreading. [4][5][6][7] Platelet aggregation is mediated through binding of fibrinogen to integrin ␣ IIb  3 in a process dependent on release of the secondary mediators, ADP and thromboxanes. [8][9][10] The contribution of other extracellular matrix proteins to the hemostatic process is unclear. Recently, however, Nieswandt's group 11 has highlighted a possible role for the 2  1 -integrins, ␣ 5  1 and ␣ 6  1 , which are receptors for fibronectin and laminin, respectively, in supporting adhesion in vivo in concert with integrins ␣ 2  1 and ␣ IIb  3 . This was achieved by comparing platelet adhesion and aggregate formation in vivo using fluorescent intravital microscopy in mice deficient in ␣ 2 and  1 integrin subunits and in the presence of ␣ IIb  3 blockade. 11 This study therefore illustrates that laminin, fibronectin, and other ligands for ␣ 5  1 and ␣ 6  1 may contribute to...