Ca2+ as messenger of 5HT2-receptor stimulation in human blood platelets

In blood platelets of man, both 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) and 80 nM of the Ca2+-ionophore A23187 led to rapid shape change reactions which were inhibited by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), forskolin, 2-methyl-6-methoxy-8-nitroquinoline (quin2) and chlortetracycline. The IC50-values of the inhibitors were similar in the 5HT- and the A23187-experiments. Higher amounts of A23187 abolished the inhibitory actions of PGE1 and forskolin. Furthermore, 5HT and A23187 enhanced adrenaline-induced platelet aggregation their effects showing similar time dependence. Ketanserin, an antagonist of 5HT2-receptors, and 8-(N,N-diethylamino)octyl-3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoate (TMB-8), an intracellular Ca2+-antagonist, counteracted the effects of 5HT much more than those of A23187, whereas acetylsalicylate and indomethacin did not influence the actions of either 5HT or A23187. In addition, 5HT caused a concentration-dependent rise of intracellular free Ca2+ in platelets which was counteracted by ketanserin. PGE1 and forskolin reduced the resting Ca2+-levels. 5HT did not affect either the basal or the PGE1-stimulated activity of adenylate cyclase, whereas the Ca2+-ionophore A23187 slightly raised the basal activity of the enzyme. In conclusion, the functional effects of 5HT2-receptor stimulation in human blood platelets (shape change reaction and enhancement of adrenaline aggregation) seem to be mediated by a rise of intracellular free Ca2+.